Winding along country lanes, through quaint Cotswold villages and passing charming cottages at every turn, we ventured into a realm of autumnal magic on our journey to Bramble Cottage. With changing seasons in the air and the rusty tones of amber-leafed trees lining the twisting roads, we soon found ourselves in the sleepy Lower Brailes, just 9 miles from Banbury. Our darling abode for the weekend resides in a peaceful parish, sitting chocolate-box pretty and just perfect for an autumn escape to the country.
Stepping inside out of the evening chill, we uncovered charming cottage interiors and the warmest of welcomes, where exposed beam ceilings and a modern rustic style awaited in the stunning kitchen. We discovered a generous welcome hamper from the owners of Bramble Cottage, filled with local treats and a bottle of prosecco – chilled and ready for us to pop a cork and celebrate the start of our weekend away. A thoughtfully chosen hamper from the team at Boutique HQ also awaited us, brim-full of Daylesford delights!
We set about exploring our dreamy dwelling, following the original staircase to find two beautiful bedrooms and a heavenly bathroom, complete with a romantic roll top bath. Already dreaming of the soothing soaks to come, we settled in the cosy living room and with the strike of a match, our handsome wood burning stove was a-glow. Every inch of Bramble Cottage is carefully curated by its interior designer owner, embodying all things rustic, with timelessly aesthetic features throughout. The snug living room space is made to reset your soul, amidst beautiful interior touches and characterful corners, we forgot the world for a while beside the gentle crackles of the fire. With the addition of a Smart TV, we decided to stay in for a cosy evening fireside with our current Netflix series and ordered a takeaway from the local Indian restaurant. Whilst the fireplace embers began to fade, we ended the evening with a bubble-topped bath by candlelight. Glass of wine in hand, the charming bathtub promised only decadent moments to relax in true Boutique style…
We awoke from the sweetest of slumbers in cloud-soft linens to find the rain had cleared overnight and a perfect autumn morning awaited us. Welcoming in the morning light, a golden glow illuminated the master bedroom, a lovely spot to savour fresh coffee and slow morning moments.
We headed downstairs for delicious pastries and a latte from the coffee machine, planning our adventures for the day ahead. Setting off early to make the most of our day in the Cotswolds, we first explored the market town of Moreton-in-Marsh, where antiquity shops, cafés and local delis all sat pretty in the golden sun.
After spending a while browsing, we next headed to Stow-on-the-Wold, a lovely town filled with interior design stores, boutique shops and cosy cafés. A quintessential spot for exploring on a crisp autumn day, we stopped for coffee and cake at Lucy’s Tearoom before venturing to our next stop.
Arriving at the village of Bourton-on-the-Water, renowned for its beautiful riverside location, we perused all the delightful offerings from a local candlemakers to antique shops and boutique stores.
After a delicious lunch at the Old Manse Hotel, we set off for Daylesford Organic, promising a wonderful range of organic produce and beautiful homeware spaces to explore. With autumn being a season of the soul, we decided to craft a charcuterie board for the evening ahead, selecting freshly baked focaccia, along with a range of cheeses and olives from the Farmshop.
On the return to our cosy cottage, we decided to stop off at the local pub for a glass of wine ahead of our snug evening in. After spending moments beside the fire in The George Inn, just a short wander from our retreat, we returned to Bramble Cottage for a blissful night beside our own rustic wood burning stove. Once we had feasted with our cheeseboard of dreams, we found a selection of board games and blankets in the living room. Cosied up in cottage heaven, we whiled away a lovely evening fireside with a glass of red – the perfect pairing to celebrate our slow weekend in the country.
Wishing our evening would never end and we could exist in the curated corners of Bramble Cottage for longer, we bid our home-away-from-home a reluctant farewell the next morning. Welcoming up to four guests and two dogs, it's no secret that Bramble Cottage is a beautiful base for exploring the surrounding beauty of the Cotswolds. Promising rustic, cottage interiors and a luxurious dose of country living, our sandstone dream is simply made for slowing down to reset your life balance.
Feeling inspired? Explore more of Bramble Cottage here…
