Immaculate riverside Cotswold cottage - sleeps 4-6

The Old Groom's House is a detached, two-bedroom cottage in the grounds of our historic home, The Old Rectory. A contactless stay is available. Its charming setting is instantly relaxing, with a private terrace overlooking mature gardens, dairy pasture and the tranquil River Avon. Renovated recently, so everything is fresh, bright and immaculate, it sleeps 4 people comfortably, and there’s a double sofa bed if you have extra guests. There’s plenty of secure parking behind electric gates. The space There’s a bright living space with split stable door and picture windows looking out to open farmland. The kitchen is fully equipped, including a Neff oven and hob, combination microwave, dishwasher, washer/dryer and large fridge/freezer. The bathroom is very large, with stone floor, bath, WC and a walk-in power shower. Bedroom one is on the ground floor with a comfy king size bed. Bedroom two is upstairs and has ample storage and super king size bed which can be divided into two decent singles if preferred. There’s a proper little dining table, though the private terrace is a perfect spot to enjoy breakfast, lunch or supper in good weather. And there’s toasty central heating and an electric fire and fan heater for when it’s not. We’ve tried to anticipate everything a guest might want for the perfect stay (including mod cons like ultrafast fibre WiFi). And whilst Groom’s cottage is a separate, private place, we’re not far away if we’ve overlooked anything you might need. The tiny hamlet of Dauntsey is the perfect base for exploring everything the west country and the Cotswolds have to offer. Groom’s guests have a private all-year round hot tub for exclusive use by the Groom’s cottage, in a little private sun trap just beside the Groom’s terrace. Guest access Lots of differently abled guests love staying at The Old Groom’s House. The king-sized bedroom is on the ground floor, step-free, and we have a custom-built ramp for the stable entrance door. We also have a modern, aluminium and carbon fibre wheelchair available on request and will help with any mobility needs you have without fuss. The terrace is perfectly flat with outdoor seating suited to manual and electric wheelchairs. There is also a custom-built set of wide steps to make sure people of all sorts of ages and abilities can enjoy the hot tub. The main drive to the property is gravel, and leads into a small, cobbled courtyard with level, private access to the cottage. The cobbles are quite flat, but please take care when walking or wheeling over this short stretch (5.5 metres/20-feet). Access is well lit, but we have no streetlights or light pollution, so coming back late at night, please feel free to use the halogen torch provided. As ever, include anything you like in your message if you have any individual needs and we’ll do our best to make sure this exclusive little cottage is inclusive for all. Other things to note Winter highlights - from November to March at sunrise and sunset we have mesmerising murmurations of thousands of starlings whirling in the sky around three trees on the far side of the field. There's nothing more beautiful than a white frosty morning and even on a chilly winter's evening, you can enjoy feeling warm outside from a 40* hot tub and the roaring firepit. Spring highlights - the green shoots appear and the garden blossoms with an abundance of flowers. The treehouse over the river is good place to bird and animal watch. The cows appear in the field in April kicking up their heels with the excitement of being out in the meadow with the lush green grass. Summer highlights - the waters are so shallow you can walk around in the river, or swim in the deeper parts. It's easier to explore the river in the kayak rather than the boat which can get beached. The BBQ and croquet lawn is always set up, the hedgehogs come out at night. The veg patch is bursting and the flowers are blooming everywhere. The country shows and local village fetes are great fun. Autumn highlights - even with nights drawing in, evenings can still be enjoyed outside (in dry weather). The hot tub, BBQ and firepit terrace is protected from any wind. The boats come in for wintering and the garden is closed down by October 31st. Hallowee'n is always a big occassion, and then we prep for Christmas. The decorations go up on December 1st and festivities begin.