Grooms Cottage

This converted cottage forms part of Threshold Yard in West Oxfordshire, surrounded by the honey-coloured stone architecture typical of the Cotswolds. It's a compact, self-contained property designed for two people, with an open-plan ground floor that combines living, dining and kitchen areas under one roof. A super king-size bed sits in the single bedroom, with an ensuite shower and toilet attached. Everything is finished to a high standard, and the essentials—Wi-Fi, electricity, bed linen and towels—are covered.

The kitchen is properly equipped for cooking, with an electric oven, hob, dishwasher, fridge and washer-dryer, while the main living space has a TV and DVD player. Outdoors, a private courtyard garden comes with seating and a barbecue, and there's parking for two cars on site. One well-behaved pet stays free. The Kingham Plough is nearby, and from here you can reach Stow-on-the-Wold, Bourton-on-the-Water and Moreton-in-Marsh within 15 minutes' drive—all of them bases for exploring the rolling countryside and villages around them. No smoking indoors.