Bakers Retreat

Rutland's villages offer genuine quiet, and Exton is among the smallest and most unhurried. Bakers Retreat sits here as a proper period piece—a thatched property from the mid-17th century with exposed beams and stone that have survived centuries of use. The cottage is one house to yourself, arranged across two floors with three bedrooms and two bathrooms, sleeping six comfortably.

Ground floor holds a kitchen with breakfast area, a separate dining room, and two living spaces. One looks onto a stone fireplace where you can light the open fire on cooler evenings; logs for it are provided. The kitchen is equipped for real cooking—electric range, dishwasher, proper fridge-freezer. Upstairs, the first bedroom has an en-suite shower room. The other two bedrooms contain a double and two singles respectively. Both bathrooms have baths with showers. Wi-Fi, electricity, bed linen and towels are all included; heating runs on gas. Out back is a patio with garden furniture and a bike store.

The village itself centres on a green surrounded by 300-year-old stone cottages, with a pub within walking distance and the Exton Estate grounds—dating to the 12th century—adjoining the village. A good base for walking Rutland's footpaths and countryside. Smoking is not permitted inside.