Guests say
Willow Vale is a well-received cottage in the picturesque village of Snowshill, praised for its cleanliness, comfort, and prime location for exploring the Cotswolds. Guests appreciate the well-equipped kitchen, cosy wood stove, and thoughtful touches like toys for children and local guides. The charming garden and proximity to local attractions add to the delightful experience, although some minor maintenance issues were noted.
Guests consistently describe the property as clean and tidy, with one specifically mentioning it was pristine. The high level of cleanliness contributes significantly to the positive experiences reported.
The location is highly praised for its beauty and convenience, with guests appreciating the proximity to local pubs, walking tracks, and the quietness of the village away from heavy traffic.
The cottage is frequently described as comfortable, with comfortable beds and a cosy wood stove. However, some guests mentioned the property felt cold initially and the lounge might be cramped for six people, slightly affecting the comfort score.
Facilities are generally well-regarded, especially the well-equipped kitchen and garden. However, points were deducted for minor maintenance issues like loose fixtures, broken lights, and the need for a mop and cleaning supplies.
Many reviews mention thoughtful touches such as toys, books, local information, and walking maps. A guest noted the welcome gift of milk and shortbread, which is a kind gesture, though such gifts are not guaranteed for every stay.
About this property
Willow Vale is a beautifully presented cottage, tucked away in the heart of Snowshill, overlooking the beautiful church of St Barnabas, and is just a short walk from the popular country inn ‘Snowshill Arms’. Willow Vale is the sleeps six guests and is the perfect retreat for a gathering of friends or family who are seeking a relaxing countryside break.
A patio pathway leads you up to the front door of the property which opens into a convenient entrance hall, leading directly into the open plan living space, which is perfect for the whole family to socialise when the chef of the group is rustling up the evening meal, as you all retreat to the wooden dining table to enjoy your meal before you delight in a relaxed evening watching a film courtesy of the DVDs on offer, with the warmth from the woodburning stove keeping you snug.
When the night draws to a close, tuck the little ones up in the bunk beds, and head to either the bright and spacious king-size bedroom located on the same floor, where you can wake up to views overlooking the church, or up a further flight of stairs into the master bedroom in the eaves, which also boasts views overlooking the church, has sloping ceilings, exposed beams and is home to a king-size bed.
In the morning, make use of the cafetière and make a warming mug of coffee to enjoy in the fresh, crisp morning air outside sat at the picnic table in the main garden, whilst watching the children play on the swings.
Once you’re ready for the day head over to Snowshill Manor and Gardens and grab yourself a snack and coffee in the café to enjoy whilst walking around the stunning gardens, home to the Preist’s House and further into the manor itself you will find an array of snuff-boxes, suits of armour, masks, musical instruments and you can finish off your day with a heart-warming meal at Snowshill Arms which is a classic Cotswold old world pub with a large lawned garden and beers from a small Worcester brewery.
This chocolate-box village sits atop the escarpment above the villages of Broadway, Buckland and Laverton and allows visitors to enjoy the glorious countryside, open vistas and lovely woodlands which fall within the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is also close to the popular Cotswold market towns of Chipping Campden, where you can have a leisurely walk around the 17th century Market Hall in the centre of the town and visit the East Banqueting House which is just a little further on, as well as Moreton-in Marsh and Winchcombe.
For a holiday you will not forget, stay at Willow Vale.
Snowshill village sits on the top of the escarpment above the villages of Broadway, Buckland, and Laverton. It is a secluded village where ancient pretty cottages and a 19th century church cluster around a small green. As its name implies - if there is any snow about then you will find it here first.
Snowshill is renowned for its manor house, now administered by the National Trust. The Manor was owned by Winchcombe Abbey as early as 821, until the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1539. It was at one point part of Katherine Parr's marriage dowry, although she probably never visited. The house passed through many different hands and the way it has been added on to at different points in its history reflects this. The northern end of the house is the oldest surviving part, dating from around 1500, still medieval in its design. It was extended and reshaped in around 1600 but it was the additions by the Sambach family in the early part of the eighteenth century that from one viewpoint radically altered the aspect of the manor from an Elizabethan to a Georgian house.
The village is also home to a wonderfully unspoiled fifteenth century inn - The Snowshill Arms.
If you're feeling energetic, and are in the village over the summer months, then wander 3/4 mile up through the village and visit the famous lavender fields.
The fame of the village has increased in recent years with many tv and films using it as a beautiful location - the most notable of which is probably the filming of Bridget Jones' Diary.
Accommodation
Three bedrooms: 2 x king-size (one second-floor), 1 x child’s bunk.
Bathroom with bath, walk-in shower, basin and WC.
Open-plan living space with kitchen, dining area and sitting area with woodburning stove
Electric central heating with woodburning stove.
Electric oven, induction hob, microwave, fridge/freezer, washer/dryer, dishwasher, kettle, toaster, cafetière, wooden dining table with seating for six, hairdryer.
Smart TV, DVD player, WiFi, selection of DVD’s.
Fuel, power and starter pack for woodburning stove included in rent.
Bed linen and towels included in rent.
2 x highchairs, cot and stair gate available.
Off-road parking for 1 car.
Shared service area, leading up to a small garden with a picnic table and children’s play area.
One well-behaved dog welcome.
Sorry, no smoking.
Shop 3.1 miles, pub 0.1 miles
Nearby points of interest
- Cotswold Motoring Museum
- Cheltenham Racecourse
Reviews (23)
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Steve
The most notable thing really was the curtains in the middle double room , the housekeeper had left a note saying she couldn't reach to hook the curtains back up, but unfortunately it wasn't the hook ups, but the tape on the curtains was completely worn and ripped so couldn't be hooked up. The blind also in the upper room is broken and can't be shut , so that means that room couldn't be used really . (This had also been noted by the house keeper) .My hubby managed to secure them so that the light could be kept out as best as possible, one of the pulls on the drawers is also broken, and the handle comes off in your hand! Again a minor thing but of note. A full length mirror would be a bonus maybe on the back of a door and as a self catering cottage a griddle pan would be magic. Apart from these small issues the cottage is lovely, well positioned and we had a fab stay . Will definitely come back Pub is very friendly too !
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Mel
The children's bedroom was wonderful with a great addition of books and toys. The beds were comfortable and the bathroom is a good size. The walls in the kitchen / dining room could do with a paint, a lot of marks on the walls and damp by the back door. The garden was big and the kids enjoyed the swings but its a shame that the garden isn't attached and no gate so we couldn't let the dog out on his own. The curtain in the double room needs some attention, some of the hooks are missing so it doesn't hang properly. Don't let these comments put you off, it's well worth a visit!
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Rob
Property was clean and comfortable. Plenty of hot water and good water pressure in the shower. Beds were comfortable. Kitchen was modern and had most things that we needed. The property felt quite cold initially (even at the end of April) and the electric central heating took about 24 hours to warm up the property - and bring slippers for the cold stone floor. So definitely put the wood burning stove on if you want the property to get cosy quickly. I think the bedroom on the first floor only has a double bed rather than a king size (as is listed in the description). Property does technically sleep six people, but the lounge is quite narrow and not large, so I think we would have struggled with a party of six. But overall we had a lovely time.