Asphodel Cottage - Cirencester, The Cotswolds

I am sure everyone has found it difficult to find that perfect little weekend getaway spot for when you just have to get out of the city. The most popular ‘patch’ for these breaks is of course an area centred around the Cotswolds. Handy for the big smoke – as well as Birmingham, Manchester, Bristol and Southampton for that matter – its an area of pretty villages, delightful drives and quality places to stay.

here are of course plenty of pricey hotels doing everything from chic to chintz. We love for example those extra special country hotels like Babington House or Barnsley House and it’s great value ‘annex’ The Village Pub (our review here) or the nicely priced Rectory Hotel at Crudwell.

Other places are not just fabulous hotels but also have perfect destination spa facilities – Dormy House (see our review of their wonderful spa here) springs to mind immediately as does Calcot Manor near  Prince Charles’ Tetbury.

Nevertheless, sometimes just what is needed is a spot to get away from everyone and everything and for this there is nothing quite like your own self-catering cottage. This is a much more difficult ask and we have been let down many times, with the labelling not quite reflecting the contents of the tin, so to speak. Until we discovered Asphodel Cottage that is.

Asphodel is a simply perfect chocolate-box thatched cottage. It stands in its own private gardens, overlooks open countryside and is located in a the delightful, sleepy hamlet of Tarlton. If it is quintessentially traditional from outside – it dates way back to 1624! – it is slick and modern inside. Don’t get us wrong, everything about the interior is historic and immaculately preserved, it is just that it has been refurbished with a keen eye to the present day with stylish interiors, the best in facilities and quality products – all clearly exhibiting the touch of a someone with a keen eye for design.

The cottage only sleeps two people and has just two rooms plus a bathroom. Downstairs is a cosy beamed living and dining room where two luxurious purple velvet sofas sit on a beautiful vintage Persian rug. It is a perfect place for relaxing in front of the log fire and enjoying the bottle of bubbly generously supplied free of charge with every rental. The hand-made kitchen meanwhile has all you need for a romantic dinner using charming mis-matched china and crystal glasses.

Upstairs the bedroom is as romantic as any you will find, in fact honeymooners, mini-mooners and those celebrating anniversaries apparently make up a good proportion of the visitors here. A chandelier hangs from lime-washed rafters and ancient beams, the floorboards are covered in traditional rugs and a big Laura Ashley bed is covered with luxurious bedding.

Prices start at £395 for a 3 day weekend from Fridays or a 4 day weekday stay from Mondays. Full week stays or longer are also possible. Late booking rates on request – if available!

We find it hard to think of going anywhere else – and once you have tried Asphodel Cottage I suspect neither will you.

For further information visit www.asphodelcottage.com

Images by CELLOPHANELAND*.