Kingscote Park Mansion House, Cotswolds

Kingscote Park House sleeps up to 20 guests but can only be booked on Airbnb for 16 guests. Please contact us if your group is over 16 guests and you wish to book. This resplendent, Grade II listed mansion house, dates back 800 years - now a stunning 10-bedroom holiday home sleeping 20, with 5 bathrooms/shower rooms, a hot tub, a spacious kitchen-diner, sitting room, a sunroom, a library/TV room, a formal dining room and three open fires. 4 dogs welcome for an additional fee The space As you walk along the path from the parking area to the front of Kingscote Park House be prepared for your senses to be amazed! The path winds passed and under tall, mature trees, through a small oriental garden to the front of the House where you’ll turn to face a beautiful, handsome property, with a wide, arched doorway, five tall windows (alluding to the high ceilings inside) and an exquisite terrace. This outer view of the House belies the even greater beauty inside where there’s enough space for 20 guests to comfortably spend a lifetime - whatever the season. From every direction, the house looks out across formal gardens, community parkland, courtyards or water features – some 28 acres of beautifully tended land where no chemicals have been used for 25 years. The current owner/custodian of the Matara Estate has dedicated much of the last 25 years to converting the 28 acres that surround the House from grassland to the beautiful gardens and parklands seen today. Half of the land has been set aside for rewilding and the creation of four major habitats where deciduous plants and wildlife are thriving and teeming with fauna and flora. To date, the staff at Matara have planted over 1,500 trees in the parkland. Inside, the House is at once spacious, elegant, cosy and unique, with stunning artwork on the walls and beautiful rugs on the floors. Its eight king-size bedrooms, one twin and one family room, are all individually furnished, and named, and lead off a landing long and wide enough for a king. From the Wurlitzer jukebox to the Regency balcony, from the opulent bathrooms to the homely kitchen, and from the striking Sunroom to the remarkable Library and Sitting Room, guests will feel transported to another world as soon as they step inside. Full Property Description Ground Floor Throughout the ground floor (excepting the Kitchen and Informal Dining Room which has stone flagstones) the floors are carpeted with sisal and beautiful Asian or Middle Eastern rugs. Entrance Hall Step through the beautiful arched doorway into the magnificent hallway, with a view along the entire length of the house to the Sun Room. A beautiful polished wooden floor is made cosy with thick rugs. Bedroom 9 - Garland Room Tucked away, to the side of the main entrance, is the Garland Room, so-called because of the beautiful full-length floral curtains forming a garland around the window. Furnished with king-size double bed with bedside tables and reading lamps, dressing table, armchair and full-length mirror. The decorative stone fireplace features two scallop shells, which form part of the Kingscote family crest and coat of arms. Formal Dining Room Just off the entrance hall is the dual-aspect Formal Dining Room with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the parkland. Furnished with a long, double-width table to comfortably seat 18 guests, an antique sideboard and a large open fireplace with an impressively big mirror reflecting the light back into the room. Sitting Room A cosy and inviting room with wide, Regency windows, providing a wonderful view out to the parkland. Sumptuously furnished with a four-seater sofa, three plump armchairs, a large footstool-table, plenty of reading lights and an open fire – the ideal place to curl up with a book or play a game. The Sun Room At the end of the hallway is the delightful Sun Room, with its primrose-yellow walls adding to the light and bright feel of this area. Two high-back armchairs provide the perfect seating to retreat with a good book chosen from the House library or enjoy a gentle breeze coming through the French windows which open out from the Sun Room to a patio and formal private garden where the hot tub is located. The Library Tucked away at the far end of the House, just off the Sun Room, is the fabulous Library with a wall of shelves chock-full of books covering many genres, topics and tales. In the cupboards below the books are plenty of family games to keep everyone amused and behind a large corner cupboard is a smart TV. The Library has a large open fireplace and is furnished with a three-seater sofa, an armchair and a long window seat with lots of lovely cushions. Second Hallway/Passageway Off the main hallway is a wide passageway that leads to the oldest part of Kingscote House, evidenced by the original stone flooring. Head down three stone steps to the Kitchen, Informal Dining Room, Cloakroom, Utility Room, and a flight of stairs that leads to Bedroom 6-The Wisteria Room and a large Shower Room. (At the end of the passageway is a locked door behind which is the Matara office.) Look out for the original Wurlitzer jukebox in the passageway just outside the Kitchen. The Kitchen As you step into the kitchen, you’ll instantly feel the change in history, with the lower ceiling providing the evidence that you’re in the original part of the house, which dates back to the 13th Century. This beautifully cosy farmhouse kitchen with its rich yellow walls and seagrass blue units is fully equipped to cater for all who stay here, with a five-oven Aga and separate electric oven and hob, dishwasher, fridge-freezer, double stone sink, and plenty of preparation surfaces, including a central island with an inset marble cutting board, knife rack and an overhead pots and pans rack. You can keep the cook company sitting on a comfy armchair next to the Aga or gaze out the window at the lily pond and private courtyard as you do the washing up. Informal Dining Area At the far end of the Kitchen is a large dining area – a delightful space that comfortably sits 16 around a large rectangular country-kitchen table. Two long windows with window seats and comfy cushions look out over the private courtyard patio. In addition, there are two armchairs, a sideboard, a small smart TV and a Bluetooth speaker. Utility Room The large Utility Room is accessed from two sides, via a door across the passageway from the Dining Area or from the parking area – handy for returning from walks with muddy boots and dogs and wet clothes. The Utility Room has a washing machine, dryer, sink and drying area. Cloakroom On the opposite side of the passageway to the door into the kitchen is the downstairs cloakroom. Open the door and climb up three stone steps to the throne-like toilet, with a washbasin and vanity unit behind the door. Upstairs – 1st Floor Climb the beautiful stone staircase with its handmade iron spindles and mahogany handrail to the first-floor bedrooms and bath/shower rooms (listed as you come to them not by size): Bedroom 1 - Rose Room At the top of the stairs, the Rose Room overlooks the front of the house with a great view over the gravel courtyard to the mature parkland trees. The pale blue walls and rose prints gives a calming feel to this bedroom. Furnished with a king-size bed, armchair, the bedside chest of drawers, with reading lamps, two in-built wardrobes and an original (non-working) fireplace with a large gilt mirror above. (4.47 x 3.47m) Family Bathroom Sitting between Bedroom 1 and 2 and overlooking the front of the house, this bathroom features a claw foot bath with a hand shower, a corner cubicle shower, toilet, washbasin and heated towel rail. Bedroom 2 - Black & White Room This spacious and bright dual-aspect bedroom with its super-king size bed has views over the front and side of the House out to the extensive parkland beyond. Furnished with a wardrobe, bedside table and reading lights, an armchair, a velvet button-back chaise longue and two window seats – plenty of choice for sitting and relaxing while contemplating the views and the black and white Art Deco feel of this stunning room. (4.97 x 5.14m) Bedroom 3 - Gold Room A beautiful and opulently decorated room overlooking the parkland, with accents of gold and brass – hence the Gold Room! Furnished with a king-size bed on a striking brass bedstead, bedside tables and reading lamps, two armchairs, a gold velvet footstool and two large mirrors. (Wardrobe/hanging provided but not shown.) (5.00 x 4.17m) Bedroom 4 - Highland Room Overlooking the parkland to the side of the House, the Highland Bedroom is so-called because of the beautiful thistle curtains and tartan headboard and valence. Furnished with a king-size bed with bedside tables and unique ‘hare’ reading lamps, two handmade leather ‘bucket’ seats, a royal blue velvet chaise longue and two in-built wardrobes. This bedroom has an original Victorian fireplace (decorative only) and a collection of delightful paintings of ferns. (4.98 x 5.00m) Bedroom 5 - Master Bedroom The luxurious master bedroom features a fabulous super-king-size four poster bed and a beautiful bay window with views to the parkland and beyond. It’s so spacious that this bedroom has, on occasion, been known to sleep nine bridesmaids alongside a bride… it's that big! Furnished with a tallboy, two armchairs, a Regency-style sofa, a large desk (in the bay window), with a chair and lamp, a large chest of drawers with a mirror and an original (decorative) fireplace. Hanging space for guests in the Master Bedroom is available in the cupboard on the landing outside the bedroom. (7.61 x 6.35m) Master Bathroom Directly beside the master bedroom, but also accessible to other guests, is the gorgeous green and pink main bathroom, featuring two parts: one with a freestanding, clawfoot bathtub, washbasin and armchair, and the other, through an archway, featuring a large walk-in shower, toilet, and heated towel rail and lovely views across the lower rooftops and kitchen courtyard with its serene lily pond. The Landing It’s not often that a landing gets a separate mention. However, the landing at Kingscote Park House is almost eight metres long and three metres wide, with spectacular paintings and wall hangings and is so impressive it warrants a special mention! Children, big and small, will love the openness and space. Family Shower Room Open the door across the landing from Bedroom 4 and head down seven carpeted steps to this spacious and elegant Shower Room, with a large walk-in shower, toilet, washbasin, vanity unit and large mirror. An original window seat is a perfect spot to sit and dry off or place a towel and clothes. Family Shower Room Across the Landing from Bedroom 3 is a spacious Shower Room with an electric, walk-in corner shower, toilet, large washbasin with a mirror over, a table for personal items and a heated towel rail. In the corner of the shower room is a door (with a lock) leading to six steps down to a landing that takes you to Bedroom 6, a large shower room and the stairs up to Bedrooms 7 and 8 - the two twin rooms in the attic. This ‘wing of the house can also be accessed from the ground floor via a staircase off the passageway to the Kitchen. Bedroom 6 – Wisteria Room Overlooking the kitchen courtyard and lily pond, with two window seats to enjoy the views, this bedroom, over the Kitchen, is tucked away from the main action of the other bedrooms. Perhaps the cosiest bedroom of them all due to its lower ceilings, a testimony to being in the original part of Kingscote Park House. The Wisteria Room is so-called because of the ancient wisteria that has trailed itself around the windows. The bedroom has a beautiful king-size bed with a golden velvet head- and footboard, bedside tables with reading lamps, a hand built desk and chair and two in-built wardrobes with shelves and hanging space. (4.61 x 4.4 m) Family Shower Room Cross the landing outside Bedroom 6 and you’ll find another spacious and elegant Shower Room, with a large corner shower, toilet, washbasin, vanity unit and large mirror. This Shower Room also has an original window seat - the perfect spot to sit and dry off or place a towel and clothes. Upstairs - 2nd Floor Head up the carpeted staircase, with a banister, to a small landing which sits between the two twin bedrooms tucked away in the converted loft. Both bedrooms feature the original, exposed A-frame timbers, and, unlike, many loft rooms, the ceilings are high enough so that all but the extremely tall won’t bump their heads on the beams! Attic Twin Rooms Bedroom 7 - Twin 1 Turn right at the top of the stairs to the first twin room with two standard-size single beds. The room has a storage cupboard, three comfy floor cushions, sisal carpeting and a Persian-style rug. There are great views from the dormer window (with blind) out over the rooftops of the other Matara Centre buildings and down to the kitchen courtyard below. (Note: the door off this bedroom leads to a private storeroom and is kept locked.) (4.88 x 4.52m) Bedroom 8 - Twin 2 Turn left at the top of the stairs to the second of the twin rooms with two standard-size single beds on pretty, white iron bedsteads each with a bedside table and lamp. The room has a small corner cupboard for hanging clothes, a unique standing desk-cum dressing table with a mirror above, a Lloyd Loom armchair, sisal carpeting and a Persian-style rug. There are great views from the dormer window (with blind) out over the rooftops of the other Matara Centre buildings and down to the kitchen courtyard below. (4.88 x 4.52m) Bedroom 10 - King This bedroom is a cosy king-size room accessed via a set of stairs from bedroom 7. Outside Kingscote Park House sits on 28 acres of community public parkland, lovingly tended land where guests, as well as the public, can enjoy several formal gardens, an eight-sided labyrinth, woodland paths, a series of small lakes and parkland, and public footpaths, including the Cotswold Way, right on the doorstep, and the village pub just steps away. Directly outside the Kitchen is a beautiful, secluded private courtyard garden with a lily pond, seating and BBQ - all for the private use of guests staying at Kingscote Park House. To the side of the house is a beautiful lawn with plenty of seating where guests can sit and laze, have a picnic or set up more formal al fresco eating. There is a private hot tub available for guests to use situated within the private sunroom garden. Please request its use on booking. The owner/custodian of the Matara Estate has dedicated much of the last 25 years to converting the 28 acres that surround the House from grassland – once grazed by racehorses* to the beautiful gardens and parklands seen today. Half of the land has been set aside for rewilding and the creation of four major habitats where deciduous plants and wildlife are thriving and teeming with fauna and flora. To date, the staff at Matara have planted over 1,500 trees in the parkland. A private tour can be arranged – just ask the caretaker on your arrival. (*In 1820, Sir Thomas Henry Kingscote laid out a racecourse in the grounds, the round course was a mile and a half long with a straight run of six furlongs!) Facilities  Sleeps 20 in 10 bedrooms across 8 king-size rooms, 1 twin and 1 family room with a king-size and single bed  Private hot tub - seats 6 (optional extra)  5.5 bathrooms: 2 family bathrooms; 3 family shower rooms; 1 cloakroom  Parking – unrestricted for all guests  28 acres of parkland, 11 formal gardens, a nascent labyrinth, woodland and a series of small lakes.  3 open fireplaces – logs and kindling supplied for guests’ first two fires  All bed linen, bath towels and tea towels provided  Hairdryers x 3  Kitchen starter consumables: teabags, fresh coffee, sugar, fresh milk.  Cleaning starter pack: dishwasher tablets, scourer, cloth, washing up liquid, bin bags  Bathroom essentials: hand soap, toilet paper, shampoo, conditioner, shower gel  Heating and hot water via central heating with individual thermostat controls.  Free Wi-Fi  2 TVs: 1 in the kitchen/dining area; one in the library  Bluetooth Bose speaker in the kitchen  Games  Dog friendly: max. 2 small/medium dogs (must be kept on a lead when outside)  Fully equipped kitchen with toaster, kettle, utensils, crockery, cutlery, glassware (champagne flutes, tumblers and wine and water glasses) cafetieres, bakeware and tins, food preparation (grater, jug, sieve), wide choice of type and size of saucepans, bread bin, bowl and stick blenders, kitchen foil, cling film, kitchen paper.  Ovens: 5-oven Aga and electric oven with induction hob  Dishwasher  Fridge-Freezer  Washing machine  Dryer  Ironing board, iron, clothes airer  Vacuum cleaner  Baby/Child Equipment: 2x highchair, 1x travel cot (cot linen not supplied)  Outdoor patio/seating area  Garden furniture – seats all guests  BBQ (gas - provided)  In-house chef if required  Safety equipment: fire extinguisher, fire blanket, carbon monoxide monitor, smoke alarm. Full emergency exit instructions provided in each room. Guest access Guests have full access to the whole house, hot tub, the kitchen courtyard, and the Matara gardens. There are some internal doors that are locked which go to store rooms. A door at the end of the hallway by the kitchen goes to the Matara office and is kept locked at all times. The large lawn and surrounding 28 acres of community public parkland and gardens are used by the public and weddings on occasion. Other things to note Book with us to get exclusive discounts to top attractions and experiences. Please note that additional guests above the maximum capacity are not permitted. Parking: There is parking for up to 8 cars in the car park adjacent to Kingscote House, additional parking available on request. Please do not park on the lawn at the front of the house. 4 well-behaved dog/s are welcome for an additional fee of £45 per dog. This fee is not included in the rental price. Please advise us at the time of booking if you are bringing a dog/s and you will be sent a request for the additional fee. The large lawn and surrounding 28 acres of community public parkland and gardens are used by the public and weddings on occasion. During these public events, Kingscote Park House’s guests have the sole, private use of the lawn immediately in front of the house, the back kitchen courtyard and the patio off the Sun Room (with the hot tub). Kingscote Park House is a beautiful old house in the countryside with exposed beams in the attic rooms, slightly uneven, original flooring in places, and the odd creaky floorboard. In addition, as with any character country property, there will be some creepy crawlies in the House such as harmless flies, spiders, beetles, woodlice, and ladybirds. It is impossible to keep them all out, and a few come back in or creep out of holes as soon as the housekeeper's back is turned! All these things are normal. But if they concern you, you may wish to consider another property. Safety of Children: there are several water features and open staircases on site, so please ensure children are supervised at all times inside and outside the house Guests with mobility restrictions: The House has three floors with stairs between floors. However, the House has a ground floor double bedroom, but only a toilet/washbasin on the ground floor (up three stairs to the toilet itself). The nearest bathroom is on the first floor either up the main staircase or up the stairs near the Kitchen There is a private hot tub available for guests to use. Please follow the hot tub guidelines and do not leave children unattended. The two courtyard gardens that lead directly from the house and the hot tub are for the private use of the guests staying at Kingscote Park House. When playing the jukebox, please respect Matara staff working in the adjacent office and keep the sound to a minimum between 9am and 5pm. Kingscote Park House accepts a maximum of 3 infants