With autumnal leaves of crimson-reds and soft golds drifting by the car window, we followed the charming countryside lanes to the picturesque village of Burford - also known as the gateway to the Cotswolds. We made our way over the medieval bridge crossing the river Windrush, to uncover the iconic, honey-hued magic of Burford high street - dotted with antique boutiques, quaint tearooms and historic townhouses.
Nestled amongst a row of butter-yellow Cotswolds stone cottages at the end of the high street, we discovered Wool Cottage, sitting pretty in the heart of quintessential Burford - perfectly positioned to experience both the hum of village life and blustery autumnal walks exploring the storybook countryside.
Stepping inside our darling 16th century abode, our weekend of fairytale living had truly begun. Wool Cottage has been lovingly restored by its owners who have curated endless charm and style - where thoughtfully designed interiors and timeless country style meet modern luxury, with a dose of vintage charm. The sympathetic décor offers a relaxed aesthetic with mellow hues that showcase the beauty of charming original features, the beautiful exposed stonework, rustic wooden beams, cosy nooks and large feature fireplace.
With a soothing cup of tea in hand, we discovered the fresh pine-hued stylish shaker kitchen, where a rich, traditional shade of green complements the heritage interior touches beautifully. On the vintage wooden table, a welcome hamper from the owners was filled with local goodies. We savoured a slice of delicious cherry cake with our tea and let the prosecco chill a little longer.
Exploring our heavenly retreat, we followed the original staircase to the dreamiest of lands. We found two charming bedrooms and the cosiest of bathrooms with toasty underfloor heating. Already looking forward to a blissful slumber, we made our way to the living room for a cosy evening fireside. Two sumptuous velvet sofas invite for a spot of indulgence, we took a seat and popped open the Prosecco - toasting to our chocolate-box dwelling for the weekend.
We awoke beneath soft linens from a restful repose, and the gentle chime of the church bells and soft morning sun offered a warm, welcoming glow. Relishing slow moments, we enjoyed breakfast in bed, opting for buttery pastries and a smooth and nutty coffee from the Nespresso coffee machine. Pulling on our walking boots we made our way outside to enjoy the crisp November morning. Crooked Cotswolds cottage rooftops, sprinkled with a touch of frost twinkled in the golden sunshine. We spent the morning exploring scenic footpaths beside the river Windrush, walking through patchwork fields and a valley fringed by beautiful woodland.
Finding ourselves back on the treacle-toned high street, we wandered to Bakery on the Hill for a creamy flat white and the sweetest baked treat. After spending the rest of the morning browsing stylish interior stores and quirky vintage shops, we ventured to Daylesford - dreamily decorated for the starlit season ahead, presenting pretty tablescapes for moments of gathering. We felt inspired to curate our own dreamy table for dinner this evening, so we visited the Farm Shop to pick deli delights to savour later.
On the return to our cosy cottage, we stopped by the Bull Burford, once an old coaching inn. Steeped in history and rustic, traditional features, the ambience here was something special - their uniquely named cocktails are delicious! The Bull was located only a short walk from our retreat, so we wandered down the high street to Wool Cottage and set the table for a magical dinner in our heavenly Cotswold abode. Retiring to the snug living room to relax in cosy cottage style, we continued with our Netflix series on the Smart TV, beside the warming fire. Before long we slipped into our comfy beds for another night of soothing slumbers.
A welcomed lingering lie-in on cloud-like linens, we awoke to the pitter-patter of raindrops. After a slow morning enjoying cosy cottage moments, we took a walk up the high street to The Angel. An award-winning gastro pub known for its delightful roast and we couldn’t agree more – it was a Sunday roast like no other. This quaint pub is filled with Cotswolds charm and a warming invitation to stay a while.
Longing to explore one more picture-postcard village, we took the short journey to Bourton-on-the-water, often known as the ‘Little Venice’ of the Cotswolds. With our raincoats tightly fastened and umbrellas in hand, we enjoyed our time walking the pretty cobbled bridges framing the river Windrush. We browsed the eclectic mix of independent shops and visited Bakery on The Water, a welcoming aroma of freshly baked bread greeted us as we browsed their selection of pastry delights.
Windswept, we returned to our calming haven for a final night of storybook living. Sinking into a bubble-topped bath beneath the cutest little skylight - a place to forget the world for a while. For our last supper we crafted a cheeseboard with buttery olives, rich crumbly cheddar and a sweet sticky chutney, paired with a glass of cherry red wine. Reminiscing on our enchanting weekend retreat, it was decided we’ve found our perfect home-away-from-home in the Cotswolds, Wool Cottage. A sanctuary idyllically positioned on one of the prettiest high streets and flaunting traditional English charm, our divine homestay for four is perfect for families and couples alike and welcomes two furry friends to adventure too.
Wishing our fairytale would never end, we waved goodbye and spent the journey plotting our next escape to magical Wool Cottage.
If you're dreaming of experiencing the magic of Burford, uncover Wool Cottage here...
