Located towards the bottom of famous Gumstool Hill, Christmas Cottage sits in a terrace of beautifully kept cottages. Gumstool is a quiet road with no-through traffic with the immaculately tended Millennium Green at the bottom, which leads to a stream and bridge that takes pedestrians to the Good Shed Arts Centre, a café and the start of the Tetbury Trail.
Christmas Cottage is a three-storey cottage, with over two hundred years of history made evident by the original inglenook and occasional low beam! At the front, on the ground floor, there's a charming living room complete with wood burning stove and Smart TV, and a good-sized kitchen-dining area with a back door out to a covered utility area and steps up to a terraced, patio garden. A super-king (twin on request) bedroom and family bathroom are on the first floor, as well as a delightful landing with a window seat looking out to the garden, while on the second floor is a king-size bedroom commanding great views across the rooftops to the mature trees along the Tetbury Trail.
To the rear of the cottage, through the kitchen door and up six stone steps, is an enclosed and private rear garden arranged as a paved patio terrace on two levels, surrounded by flowering borders with a table and chairs to comfortably enjoy al fresco drinks and dining. Outside the front door, there's a small garden bench - a lovely spot to sit and watch the Gumstool Hill activity go by, and if you're lucky to be there in May, you'll have ‘ring-side' seat at the passing Woolsack Races.
Ground Floor
Hallway:
Step in from Gumstool Hill into a handy hallway where you'll find coat hooks, an umbrella stand, a mirror and a shelf with local maps and walking routes.
Living Room:
The age of the cottage is clear in the cosy living room where you'll find a feature Cotswold stone inglenook fireplace, with a contemporary wood burning stove and two deep windowsills. The living room is furnished with two comfy sofas, a small desk and a chair and an upcycled dresser full of books, guides, maps, games and DVDs.
Five steps up from the hallway lead to the kitchen-dining room at rear of the cottage.
Kitchen/Dining Room:
The kitchen-dining room has a polished, Cotswold stone floor and is spacious for a two-bedroom Tetbury cottage, comfortably seating four adults around the antique pine dining table. The kitchen area is fully equipped with a double oven and five-ring hob, dishwasher, fridge-freezer, washer-dryer and all the small appliances needed for a self-catering stay.
A back door leads out of the kitchen to the covered utility area and paved and terraced patio where you will find a table and chairs for al fresco dining.
First Floor
Carpeted stairs with a banister lead up to a landing with a delightful window seat at the top of the stairs. It's a lovely little spot to sit and gaze out of the window - at two woolly onlookers!
Bedroom One:
This pretty double bedroom, overlooking Gumstool Hill from two windows, is decorated in a calming mix of white, taupe and sea blue and features a super-king-size bed with bedside tables and reading lamps. (The bedroom can be arranged with twin beds on request.) A fitted wardrobe and tall chest of drawers are provided for guests to store and hang their clothes, and a full-length mirror sits to one side.
Family Bathroom:
The contemporary, spacious bathroom features polished Cotswold stone floor and wall tiles, giving it a spa-like tone. Here you'll find a full-size bath with wall-mounted taps and an over-bath shower, with a fixed, rainfall shower head, a lozenge-shape wash basin with an eye-catching, upcycled mirror above, a heated towel rail and a WC.
Second Floor
Carpeted stairs with a banister and handrail lead to a door through which is Bedroom Two.
Bedroom Two:
The second bedroom sits on the top floor and is furnished with a king-size bed on a painted, French-style base, with bedside tables and reading lamps. This light and bright bedroom, with a warm red and gold colourway, has been cleverly positioned in the eaves and has good headroom, but tall guests should note the roof strut and eaves. The bedroom has an in-built wardrobe, a small dressing table with a stool and a full-length mirror.
Outside
Immediately outside the kitchen door is a covered, weatherproof passageway with storage space for walking boots and recycling and an outside tap. From here, head up six stone steps to the garden - brushing past heavenly scented lavender as you go - to a paved and terraced, private patio surrounded by flowering borders. Here you'll find a circular table and four seats, a delightful spot to enjoy a morning coffee or al fresco dining. Whilst there is no allocated parking for Christmas Cottage there is free parking usually available on the hill.
