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Holly Cottage

(Ref. 1091201)

Minster Lovell, Oxfordshire Show on map

4.2

Sykes rating

  • 6 Guests

  • 3 Bedrooms

  • 2 Bathrooms

  • Pets Yes

Features

  • Ground floor bedroom
  • Open fire
  • Garden / Patio
  • Cot available
  • Highchair available
  • Washing machine
  • Dishwasher
  • Broadband / WiFi

Reviews & Ratings

Accuracy of the listing
Cleanliness
Comfort
Facilities and Maintenance
  • All reviews
  • cottage (37)
  • garden (25)
  • lovely (22)
  • beautiful (21)
  • great (13)
  • location (12)

50 Customer Reviews

  • "Loved the house, it’s history and presentation."

    The garden and access to the meadow was special as was the location and view. We had everything we needed for a Christmas week. Please note that I rescued the table tennis cover that had blown off in the storm but it needed to dry before putting back on. The downstairs bedroom was cosy for my very elderly mother but the bedside lamp needs to be easier to reach, minor comment. I would happily return and found some peace of mind there.

    Reviewed by Michele12.5Dec 2023

  • "We were a small party of 3 and really enjoyed our stay with plenty of space."

    The lovely garden with access to the meadow was fanstastic as was the location and view. Being so close to the car-park was a real bonus given how limited adjacent parking on the lane/ road can be. Only suggestions we have would be a microwave and some more crockery/ cutlery. The instructions were a little out of date and we initially had some issues with hot water temperature in the downstairs bathroom - but the suggested options solved the problem even though it seemed rather a faff. As it was the colder months, we found Burford Garden Centre a useful source for firewood. Would happily return!

    Reviewed by Robert12.5Dec 2023

  • "Lovely property, a beautiful place to stay."

    A few issues with the downstairs bedroom being cold but eventually sorted that. The main bathroom needs a bit of work around the sink area but honestly didn't hinder the stay! It's a wonderful cottage with a gorgeous garden! I can imagine it's as great in the summer as it is cosy in the winter. It's a shame we didn't have logs for the fire really! But all in all a real find :-)

    Thank you for sharing your feedback. We have passed your suggestions onto the owner. He will be replacing the radiator valve in the bedroom. An initial supply of logs is provided. Further can be purchased locally from garages and supermarkets. We are very pleased the you enjoyed the cottage and its garden. Perhaps we can welcome you back again in the summer. Best wishes Manor Cottages Property Owner

    Reviewed by Emily10.8Dec 2023

  • "We (four adults and two children) had a wonderful week at Holly Cottage."

    The gardens are lovely, the cottage was spacious, comfortable, beautifully and generously furnished and equipped, with nice towels and bedlinen. Although hard to find fault we would suggest that two extra pillows in the downstairs bedroom would have been welcome, and a couple of large serving bowls for pasta and salads - enough for six people- would be useful. The cutlery was very nice but a bit more of it would be good. The location is great with lots of good walks from the cottage and interesting places to visit if you want them.

    Many thanks for taking the time to share your feedback, which is helpful. We're delighted you enjoyed your stay and made the most of the area. Best wishes, Character Cottages. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Sonia13.3May 2023

  • "The cottage was lovely, comfortable and well equipped (except for a dearth of mugs)."

    The dials on the stove are hard to read and an instruction book would have been very useful. We loved the garden and local walks, and it was great to be able to walk down the road to the pub.

    Thank your for your kind feedback, I am so glad you enjoyed your stay at Holly Cottage. Thank you for letting me know about the missing mugs, we aim to keep sets 8 in the kitchen and I will replenish the mugs immediately. I have also added links to the appliance Manuals in the guest information pack and will add a folder of manuals. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Lucy13.3May 2023

  • "We really enjoyed our stay at Holly Cottage."

    The house was gorgeous, well kept and very clean. The beds were really comfortable and the shower was great. The gardens were lovely with so much room for my daughter and two dogs. Our only regret is that we didn’t stay for longer!

    We are so glad you enjoyed your stay and very much hope to welcome you back soon. Thank you for your generous review. Grainne & Michael (owners) Property Owner

    Reviewed by Siobhan13.3Mar 2023

  • "We had a wonderful stay at Holly cottage the position is brilliant and we could take our little dog for wonderful walks !"

    Extra special treat was Minster Lovell Hall this is a must see and only at the end of the lane ! Our parents who are very elderly enjoyed the garden the views and the cosy fireplace ! Yes there are some steps and yes there are some low ceilings so for those who don’t want character and original features go to a modern house ! This place is unique and should be embraced for its wonderful charm . I have no criticism what so ever the owners emailed me and was to hand if need be which was nice to know . I am adding just one suggestion - a hair dryer would be great as I did not take one ! that’s just because other places I have stayed at provided one so did not bother to pack . That is all so no big deal ! …… thank you for a wonderful break where memories were made

    Thank you for this lovely review and we're delighted that your parents (and your little dog!) enjoyed staying at Holly Cottage. We look forward to welcoming you again. Character Cottages Property Owner

    Reviewed by Michelle10.0Sep 2022

  • "The moment we walked in the door, we knew we would not want to leave-- all right, maybe it was when we opened the back door to the gardens."

    Anyhow, we were right: a haven of peace and beauty. It was too hot for walking, but being in the cottage itself was a constant pleasure: the combination of aesthetics and comfort cannot be overstated. We loved the respect paid to the history of the place. The little steps up and down from rooms, the lower ceilings, all contributed to the charm for us. But the kitchen was magnificent. The beds very comfortable, and the bathtub a treat - as was the shower in the downstairs bedroom. The shaded outdoor dining table was much used. The views from the back garden (an extensive area, not shown in the Sykes photos) were wonderful. We sat out in the comfortable garden chairs and watched the moon rise every night. We were sorry there was no point to lighting a wood fire, and so appreciated the large candles in globes left for guests to enjoy the atmosphere. I can't help feeling that we would be friends with the owners, if ever we met. I do agree that a microwave would be useful: we're just too accustomed to reheating cups of tea to go without it!

    Thank you so much for this wonderful review. We're delighted that you you had such a comfortable and relaxing stay at Holly Cottage and managed to make good use of the garden. We hope to welcome you again one day. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Ellen13.3Aug 2022

  • "We were really looking forward to our weekend away in Holly Cottage to celebrate the birthdays of both of my parents who are in their eighties."

    The downstairs bedroom was a real bonus for them but we were not ‘delighted’ by the steep steps into the property and up into the dining room making this property totally unsuitable for people with limited mobility- even though the property claims it to be so. Add to that the very low ceilings- beautiful and a part of it’s true character- this was another reason for making it unsuitable. The garden steps were also steep and steps were loose in places. The property is in a lovely setting but sadly is in much need of decorating and a deep clean. Almost every item of crockery we used needed washing and the kitchen seemed much smaller than photographs hinted at. All in all a disappointing Sykes property and one we would not recommend.

    Thank you for your feedback provided for Holly Cottage. I'm sorry to hear you found the step a little steep to the dinning room and the low ceilings an issue at the house, but unfortunately with wonderful period property's, you will get low ceilings and small doors, steep steps and so on in some propertys . If you had mentioned this on booking, we would have found you the perfect property that would have worked for the whole party. The same with the garden, if steps are an issue, we could have advised and taken images of the steps for you to review before booking. I will get maintenance to check if one of them is loose and if so we will get this addressed easily. The cottage has just had a deep clean and the owner is giving it a freshen up in a couple of weeks, so all comments should be addressed and the dishwasher is going to be replaced. I hope you will give us the opportunity to show you are high standards in the future. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Elaine7.5May 2022

  • "Beautiful location although road quite busy at times."

    Parking really difficult and was told not to park opposite house by neighbour. Some issues listed by previous occupant not dealt with which was disappointing, eg: updated gas certificate. House could have done with a big clean. Plus dishwasher broken. Overall though a great stay in a beautiful part of the world.

    Thank you for your feedback with regards to your stay. It is a fabulous spot to base yourself and so close to all the sites to visit. I'm sorry to hear you had issues parking, it is on street parking, but we would be happy to have advised you on he best places to park close to the cottage. Thank you for the mention of the out of date certificate, we thought this had been taken out, but it's now been replaced with the up to date one. We have also deep cleaned the cottage and the dishwasher is being replaced once the new one arrives. We hope you had a lovely time exploring and hope to welcome you again soon. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Louise10.0Apr 2022

  • "Everything was perfect."

    What a beautiful cosy home, stunning garden and such a wonderful location. True Cotswold feel but not remote with lots to discover in the village itself, locally and slightly further afield. The only minor problem was with the dishwasher. We couldn't seem to get it to clean dishes properly. Most likely something we didnt do properly. Thanks for such a wonderful venue for sharing precious family time together. It's been a long time and Holly Cottage was very much appreciated as was the trampoline...a big hit with our grandaughter and some of the adults also.

    Thank you for your lovely feedback. We are so pleased to see you had a lovely stay at Holly Cottage and a great venue for your family holiday. We have reported the dishwasher and appreciate you reporting this to us. We hope to welcome you back again soon. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Gillian12.5Mar 2022

  • "Kitchen greasy and dirty Sofa in the lounge heavily stained Electrics in downstairs bedroom + bathroom stopped working Bed sheets stained Very poor repair to tiles around sink in upstairs bathroom."

    Outhouse for rubbish clearly open to rodents Outside cushions for garden furniture dirty and wet. Cleaning products very poor. Hoover full of dog hair. Photos in Sykes brochure not accurate nor is the description of being in quiet lane. Traffic from 6am! Neighbour complained about us using ‘joint’ field for our dogs, despite info saying that was ok. Garden walls in disrepair so easy for a dog to escape. Garden gate not attached to anything

    Reviewed by Patrick5.8Mar 2022

  • "A beautiful cottage in a gorgeous location."

    Couldn’t recommend it highly enough.

    NathanaelMar 2020

  • "A well maintained, tasteful and characterful cottage in a really lovely quiet village location."

    The furniture and paintings add to the interest. The garden is extensive and also well maintained for year round display.

    GillianMar 2020

  • "Very nice place and very well positioned both for Oxford Area and for the Cotswolds."

    I think we´ll try to come again in the future.,Luis

    Dec 2019

  • "Holly Cottage is a lovey spot In a picturesque village from which to explore the Cotswolds."

    The description is very clear that tall people will need to stoop in several rooms, due to low ceilings, and we appreciated that - our tall family only bonked their heads twice during the visit! The bedrooms are comfortable, with great linens and towels. Not having a shower was something to get used to, but we managed fine with the large bathtub and hand-held shower fixture. There was lots of hot water and the heating was fine for cold days, with a great wood burning stove in the living room. The gardens would be lovely in the summer, but we were there in a cold and rainy season, so just looked at the view. And enjoyed the cozy inside. The Old Swan pub is a short walk down the lane and great for a drink or meal. And there is a spa next to it that looked fun!

    SaraDec 2019

  • "Wonderful property, Michael was quick to respond to any questions, instructions to locate the cottage and tips for local experiences were all spot on."

    PhilipAug 2019

  • "The cottage was absolutely amazing, cosy and chic."

    We loved the beautiful garden & trampoline. The rooms were specious & well set.

    KhalifaJul 2019

  • "Holly cottage is a beautiful property!"

    Perfect for all ages, the youngest of our group was 2 and the eldest was 71 and everyone enjoyed it. The property is spotless and they have thought of everything, from the children’s books and games to all of the different things in the kitchen! The rooms are all spacious and the property has been decorated to a high standard throughout! The village is lovely and has a great local shop for day to day bits. We all had a lovely weekend away and would thoroughly recommend to anyone looking for a get together in the Cotswolds! Thanks again.

    JordanMar 2019

  • "Lovely cottage with outstanding gardens."

    Pity weather wasn't too great. Hopefully be back in summer to enjoy it. Beautiful location.

    SusanJan 2019

  • "A beautiful village and comfortable cottage."

    KateSep 2018

  • "I wanted to thank Characater Cottages for their helpful and efficient handling of the booking arrangements and to express the appreciation of every member of the group to the owners of Holly Cottage for the use of their lovely cottage in Minster Lovell!"

    We had a really great stay (despite pretty bad weather!) and enjoyed the surrounding areas as well as the cottage itself. Many thanks.

    SharonAug 2018

  • "Lovely House with very nice garden."

    The river nearby was very inviting, even for swimming.

    ChristophJul 2018

  • "I arrived as Cas Wright & left as Cas Jackson."

    Had a lovely stay in a beautiful cottage.

    CasMay 2018

  • "Another lovely few days in Holly Cottage beautiful walks and shopping!"

    The Swan is excellent, see you next year!

    JoanneApr 2018

  • "We enjoyed our stay very much in this lovely cottage and stunning gardens."

    Bas, The NetherlandsApr 2018

  • "The cottage was great and the garden was too!"

    We had so much fun!

    StacyMar 2018

  • "Simply perfect we want to come back lots!"

    Thank you.

    AliceMar 2018

  • "We absolutely loved our stay at Holly Cottage."

    It was very comfortable and a lovely place to be.

    JoannaAug 2017

  • "What a gorgeous cottage, and wonderful service from Character Cottages, would definitely recommend and use again - THANK YOU!"

    LisaJun 2017

  • "We thoroughly enjoyed our stay, The cottage is beautiful and well equipped."

    The garden is stunning and a joy to sit in and enjoy the sunshine. Great location for getting around but so nice you don't want to go out too much! We would highly recommend to others and would absolutely return. Thank you so much. The Gill Family

    Mar 2017

  • "Stunning cottage, gardens and village."

    Plenty of room for games in the garden and rooms so beautiful, we loved the log fire. The Clarks

    Mar 2017

  • "The cottage was stunning!"

    Huge but cosy at the same time. We had a lovely long weekend there with the children and would certainly stay again. There's lots for a family to do in the area and its just 30mins into the centre of Oxford. I can only imagine how lovely it would be to stay in the summer months and enjoy the lovely gardens. The addition of a shower would be nice but we found time to enjoy the luxurious bath tub.

    Anna DavidsonFeb 2017

  • "Return visit for half term with the grandchildren, we had a great time."

    Many Thanks. Press Cookson Family, Ireland, Lake District & Oxford

    Feb 2016

  • "Fantastic cottage the perfect place for me to get ready for my wedding at the Old Swan + Minster Mill."

    Caroline, London

    Jan 2016

  • "Had the best time."

    The cottage is beautiful and met all our needs. A Lovely time was had by all and we will definitely be back! XOXO, Samantha

    Jan 2016

  • "Beautiful cottage, very comfortable, Ideal for a relaxing weekend break."

    Chris, London

    Dec 2015

  • "In my opinion the best cottage I’ve ever stayed in."

    Lovely & relaxing cottage with beautiful gardens & walks. Needs a microwave and dryer. Samara Ord, Australia

    Dec 2015

  • "Lovely cottage, beautiful countryside and very relaxing Thank you."

    Maria, Leamington

    Nov 2015

  • "Happy 80th birthday Mummy."

    A relaxing and happy weekend, thank you. The Goodyears and Townsends, Somerset & Hampshire

    Nov 2015

  • "What a find!"

    Beautiful cottage, garden & location. We had such fun. X The Claytons. West Sussex

    Nov 2015

  • "A fantastic experience, we loved the cottage."

    Thank You! Joshua, London

    Nov 2015

  • "Beautiful cottage & countryside."

    A perfect Week! We shall definitely be back, thank you. The Millers, Lichfield, Staffordshire

    Sep 2015

  • "A beautiful cottage, thanks for having us."

    A wonderful weekend escape Ingrid, London

    Sep 2015

  • "Really lovely house and a perfect place to stay, you have thought of everything."

    Lamberts & Dodds, Sydney Australia & Seattle USA

    Aug 2015

  • "Gorgeous place to soak up the true English countryside experience!"

    Thanks The Loosemore Familly, Australia & America

    Jul 2015

  • "Enchanting!"

    Beautiful cottage in a fabulous location, loved it all. Thank you. Catherine, Marlow, Bucks, .

    Jul 2015

  • "Lovely cottage and garden!"

    We very much liked the location, nice and quiet. Thank you! Mr Paardekooper, The Netherlands

    Jun 2015

  • "What a wonderful break – enjoyed the house, the garden, walks and talking with the locals!"

    Thank you. Lizzie, Greenwich, Connecticut

    Jun 2015

  • "Excellent séjour avec le beau temps, maison et jardin très agréable Jean Pierre, France"

    Jun 2015

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This property is part of the Manor Cottages collection.
Over 250 carefully selected and perfectly located properties, helping you create your perfect holiday.

Summary

  • Three bedrooms: 1 x super-king-size, 1 x twin or super-king-size on request, 1 x ground-floor king-size with en-suite walk-in rain shower, hand-held shower, basin and WC
  • Bathroom with roll-top bath, hand-held shower, basin, heated towel rail and WC
  • Kitchen
  • Dining room
  • Sitting room with woodburning stove.
  • Gas central heating with woodburning stove
  • Double electric oven, gas hob, fridge, small freezer compartment, washing machine, dishwasher, kettle, toaster, coffee percolator, hairdryer
  • Freesat TV, DVD player, selection of books, WiFi
  • Fuel, power and starter pack for woodburning stove inc. in rent
  • Bed linen and towels inc. in rent
  • Highchair and cot available
  • On-street parking
  • Enclosed lawn and patio garden with furniture and charcoal barbecue (without coal) (summer only)
  • Two well-behaved dogs welcome
  • Sorry, no smoking
  • Shop 0.7 miles, pub 0.6 miles

The property

Peacefully located in the quaint village of Old Minster Lovell, is this beautiful Cotswold stone cottage, Holly Cottage.

The large cottage is full of character and has lovely gardens, with views of open fields, the local church and the ruins of Minster Lovell Hall, making it the perfect retreat for a family or group of friends who are seeking a relaxing countryside break.

A quiet lane leads you up to the front door, which opens into a small hallway, with space to put your shoes, before opening up into the lovely farmhouse style kitchen complete with flagstone flooring, Belfast sink and all the appliances you require for a wonderful self-catering stay.

Your meals can be enjoyed in the bright, dual aspect dining room, sat with your guests around the wooden dining table as you toast to a wonderful start to your holiday together.

Retreat into the large sitting room where you can sink into the sofa or one of the welcoming armchairs and watch a compelling movie on the DVD player, as the woodburning stove that sits within the lovely, large inglenook fireplace keeps you warm on a cold winter evening.

The third bedroom is located on the ground-floor and has one step up to it, featuring a lovely king-size bed and a contemporary en-suite shower room with a walk-in rain shower, hand-held shower, basin and WC.

Up the steep staircase are two further bedrooms; the master is a large dual aspect room with a lovely exposed Cotswold stone wall and wooden flooring, with a super-king-size bed and the second has lovely sloping ceilings and contains twin beds or a super-king-size bed on request.

Look forward to an indulgent soak amongst the bubbles in the roll-top bath and get out to a wonderfully warm towel, thanks to the heated towel rail!

Holly Cottage's large, enclosed garden is to the rear of the property, with lovely rural views, containing an outdoor table and two benches, a charcoal barbecue which is provided during the summer months, and a lovely meadow with a trampoline further into the garden, perfect for keeping the little ones occupied!

Lace up your walking boots and discover the pretty village of Old Minster Lovell, which looks much the same as it did over a century ago, sitting peacefully by the River Windrush, with its traditional properties containing a mixture of thatched and Cotswold stone roofs.

On the edge of the village, close to Holly Cottage and next to the beautiful Church of St Kenelm, are the extensive ruins of Minster Lovell Hall, a 15th century manor house.

Take yourself out of the kitchen and enjoy a relaxed dining experience at The Old Swan pub, which is situated on the banks of the river.

A fun day out for all the family to enjoy is spent at Crocodiles of the World, located in Brize Norton and is just a short car ride away, where you can come face-to-face with some of the world’s most feared predators in a fun, safe and stimulating environment, with under-water viewing, talks, animal encounters and feeds throughout the day there’s plenty to keep you occupied at the UK’s only Crocodile Zoo!

Keeping in with the animal theme, head for a great day out at Heythrop Zoological Gardens where you can discover an array of wonderful exotic animals, and finish your day with a pub dinner at one of the many pubs that sit within nearby Chipping Norton such as The Red Lion and The Fox.

The much-loved Cotswold village of Bourton-on-the-Water, often referred to as the ‘Venice of the Cotswolds’ due to the low arched bridges that cross over the River Windrush, is easily accessed from Holly Cottage and boasts a variety of popular shops and attractions such as Cotswolds Antiques and Tea Room and the lovely Kingsbridge riverside pub, as well as Greystones Farm & Nature Reserve which is home to wildflower meadows and a working organic farm; offering time out from the hustle and bustle of the village centre.

For a wonderful countryside retreat, stay at Holly Cottage.

Note: This property has a Good Housekeeping bond of £150.

View on map

About the location

MINSTER LOVELL

Witney 4 miles; Carterton 2 miles.

Minster Lovell is a village and civil parish in West Oxfordshire on the River Windrush. It is popular for its ruin Minster Lovell Hall, famed for allegedly being the place the ninth Lord Lovell’s remains were found in an underground room. It is often visited now for picnics by the river or long walks through the surrounding meadows, as well as the dovecote nearby. It has several local county inns, including The White Hart and the Old Swan which provide excellent food and real ale. There are public footpaths that cross the field to the parish church or across the river to a small weir where local children often go to swim. Nearby attractions include the Cotswold Wildlife Park and Kilkenny Lane Country Park, both within a short driving distance. Minster Lovell is located 4 miles west of Witney and 2 miles east of Carterton.

Note: No Sunday turnaround.

Note: The sitting room and the dining room have low ceilings and guests over approximately 175cm tall will need to stoop to move around.

Note: For the comfort of future guests, we ask that dogs remain downstairs, stay off the furniture and that no trace of a dog remains after your departure.

Note: The property has free wireless internet access, however, please note that the signal may not reach some areas of the house and garden.

Note: The property's garden is enclosed, however, please note that some areas of the garden are not visible from the cottage.

Note: This is an old property and has many character features, including narrow and steep stairs, low beams and steps on the ground floor, which could pose difficulty to guests with limited mobility.

Note: There is one step up to the ground floor bedroom.

Note: The trampoline in the meadow should be checked by adults prior to use by children and children should be supervised outside at all times, including on the dry-stone walls, which are not designed to be climbed on.

Note: The front door of the property opens onto the street and guests with young children and dogs should take particular care to ensure that the children and dogs are supervised when the door is opened.

This property offers the following short breaks:

  • Winter
  • Off-season
  • Last minute
  • Christmas