Cotswolds: Bruern Cottages

Location

Around 100 miles from London and situated between the glamorous A lister Cotswolds destinations of Chipping Norton, Burford and Stow-on-the-Wold, this secret Cotwolds hideaway is more than a little bit special. Luxury in every sense (you’re gifted chilled champagne on arrival) and offering utter seclusion, owner Judy Astor has been welcoming guests to the family estate’s 12 luxury and outstanding cottages for over 30 years. You’ll drive down narrow lanes and roads showcasing great expanses of undulating countryside, picturesque villages and lanes with houses, churches, farm buildings (all built from Cotswold honey-coloured limestone). On arrival at the Breurn estate, you’re immediately struck by the stunning yellow and grey hued stone exterior of Cistercian Bruern Abbey (built in 1147) and opposite, Bruern Cottages main courtyard appearing almost ethereally behind a magnificent oak standing in solitary splendour.

First Impressions

The estate is owned by Judy Astor and run by Sara Astor and a team of extremely accommodating, friendly and unobtrusive staff. Astor inherited the estate from her late husband, politician Michael Astor (who had grown up at his ancestral home of Cliveden and is uncle to the current Viscount Astor – AKA Samantha Cameron’s stepfather). He bought the estate in 1947 and now as a luxury cottage operator, the estate has a village-within-a-village feel and is perfect for honeymooners and wedding parties (couples can now get married and host receptions in the beautiful Mirrored Pavillion venue) and also those on familymoons (we came across some extremely happy multigenerational families on breaks). A dedicated on site office is open every day and elevates the stay to that of a five star hotel with friendly, charming and faultless staff. A gorgeous, sun-soaked pool house with pool water heated to bath-like temperatures is the ideal hangout whatever the weather. In the summer, the bifold doors open up to a private garden with sun loungers perfect for sunbathing too.

Manicured gardens pulsing with wildlife and ablaze with vivid flowers are tended to daily by friendly gardeners who’ll say hello to you every morning as you walk past them on your way past the pool and through the swing gate to the cycle hire area (bicycles are free to borrow for all guests). From there you’ll head down to the banks of a babbling brook that winds its way through the estate and flows into Bruern’s monastic ponds before filtering itself into the Evenlode and Thames for brisk walks before breakfast or afternoon picnics.

COTTAGES

Inside all the elegant cottages – many which are situated in the pretty courtyard as a cluster of abodes – it’s about combining essential modern living with refined and elegant country style. And while it’s cosy, our cottage, Goodwood (which used to house the groom and the cowman) is deceptively spacious with oodles of room to spread out across in bedrooms and

living rooms. Interiors are all timeless English classicism with hand-curated selections of opulent fabrics and furnishings from the likes of Colefax & Fowler and Mulberry. Expect cream and mustard blackout curtains, complemented by pale green love seats effortlessly paired with sumptuous, cloud-like sofas draped with luxurious cashmere and alpaca throws and a centrally placed ottoman-style coffee table – perfect for both dining on trays and indulging in feet-up moments while watching a film. Decorative details are provided via a treasure trove of British antiques and the house is filled with homely finds too such as Judy Astor’s copy of Out of Africa and classic books like Gulliver’s Travels found on window ledges, bookshelves and even better – a cupboard behind the TV jam-packed with board games for idling away rainy days. The addition of board games in all cottages is a welcome touch; especially for those wanting a romantic unplugged date night away from devices and technology. Samsung 60 inch flatscreen Smart TVs in living rooms – fully loaded with Freeview and all your favourite apps including Sky sports – are connected to DVD players and can be found in every cottage (an extensive DVD library is also located in the games room).

The main antique wood dining table in the living room is a formal affair of white starched table cloths, napkins, and fine bone China and is presented beautifully on arrival along with elegant silverware and freshly cut flowers from the garden for a cosy afternoon tea or dinner a deux.

Speaking of romance, we’ve never come across such a generous supply of firewood stacked in a pretty tall wicker basket in a self catering stay before either (enough for a fire every night). The piece de resistance here is how the fire is already made up for you on arrival – all you have to do it literally throw in a match and you’ll feel pretty accomplished. The padded windowsill next to a heavy oak study console is extremely swoon-worthy and made for gazing out at the stars or onto the cottage’s private enclosed garden (where you’ll also find lovely outdoor furniture, tables and BBQ equipment for al fresco lunches come summertime).

On arrival, you’ll be delighted to find the welcome hamper comes chock full of artisanal and gourmet goodies including a chilled bottle of champagne, seeded bread from Mor, Billy’s Egg’s from Stow-on the-Wold , sausages and bacon from the Bruern farm shop, utterly delicious creamy milk and farmhouse butter from Holmleigh Dairy and a deliciously moist homemade lemon drizzle cake. You’ll find countrified light green wooden cabinets and stone floors with underfloor heating in the light-filled kitchen along with oversized, sturdy and deep porcelain sinks, Bosch appliances and Nespresso machines – pretty much everything you need to rustle up hearty meals to keep you fortified before those long country walks. Recycling is a biggie here with thoughtful bins supplied so you can separate waste from recycling – just like at home. Soaps and laundry detergents sourced from eco-friendly Method brand and smell divine.

Suite Dreams

The landing and walls leading upstairs are adorned with paintings of various military figures from vintage prints of Vanity Fair magazine and romance is set inside bedrooms via a combination of antique mood lighting lamps and well-placed wall lights. A William and Mary style Mahogany double four poster with an embroidered headboard takes centre stage in the master bedroom and is decked out in crisp white linens and white blankets. It’s likely give you the best sleep you’ve had in years too. Pretty, feminine earthy and sanctuary-like, the master bedroom itself balances a delicate colour palette with heavy cream but unfussy blackout curtains, walls are a neutral and feature more antique paintings and framed tapestries. Floors are covered in earthy beige-toned 100% textured wool carpets featuring berber style loops that massage aching feet and are naturally durable and there are antique dark wood bedside cabinets and tall chests to unpack clothes into. (Other cottages have

equally impressive interiors that also extend into master bedrooms where you’ll find decadent, upholstered four-poster beds decked in crisp cottons and floral bedspreads). A second bedroom features a cheery palette of floral sunshine yellow walls, woven rugs, art works, heavy wood furniture and metal beds. With a desk overlooking the field and garden, it’s a good spot for reading and there’s a charming single four poster in the third bedroom.

A soothing master bathroom features a marble sink, a roomy white tub and monsoon shower and is stocked with bottles of luxury refillable shampoo, conditioner, lotions and hand wash from the Elemis ‘Revitalise Me’ range so there’s zero need to fuss around with packing your miniatures. The main bedroom comes with a walk in overhead rain shower and twin sinks. Bathrobes and white towels are thick and fluffy.

Getting Married?

Created as a stunning, glamorous and completely versatile event space, Bruern can now host wedding receptions inside the Mirror Pavilion venue. The look inside is high-spec, Art Deco but as a wood and canvas pop up structure, it can be kitted out and themed to any design theme. Measuring 60 feet across, the venue features stained glass windows, with gold and mirrored fretwork panels underneath and brides and grooms can celebrate seated wedding receptions for up to 380 seated guests or 310 guests with a bar in the foyer. State of the art lighting and sound equipment are on hand for late night dancing and the estate cottages can be hired out on an exclusive use basis for wedding receptions. For smaller but equally beautiful country weddings, Bruern’s Grade II Red Brick House Venue can be hired out exclusively and features a large terrace perfect for cocktails, an acre of sweeping lawn, behind which there is a lake with an island in the middle and accommodation for bridal parties of up to twelve guests in six bedrooms. A dedicated in-house wedding and events team can assist with everything from catering, decorations and local suppliers for the flowers, wedding cake and other details.

Family Moons 

For those on familymoons, Bruern supplies plastic plates and cutlery for the children, baby listening monitors, highchair, bed guards, books and toys and permanent stairgate attachments are fixed to stairs making everything instantly baby and toddler friendly.

Cots and toddler beds are all set up for you in advance. There’s a small dining table in the kitchen in our cottage with stools where you’ll feel at home baking cookies and cupcakes on or gingerbread men at Christmas and carving pumpkins around at Halloween (with carving kits thoughtfully supplied). There’s also a babysitting service should you need some alone time out and about with your beau. The Wendy House is one of the coolest play cabins we’ve come across and has a dressing up box, Brio railway sets and toy cars, tractors and mini toddler bikes lined up in front outside. And about the games room; it’s open whenever you like via access codes and is stacked with a whole lot of fun for big and small kids alike including a projector for cinema nights, table tennis, table football, a pool table and PS4 and Xbox 360.

What You’ll Love

· A seating area in Goodwood Cottage cottage’s entrance doubles up as boot rooms for muddy wellies and coats and sits adjacent to the ground floor bathroom which itself doubles up as the cottage’s utility room with a washing machine.

· The hotel- like check-out is a wonderful touch; branded jute bags are gifted to all departing guests and filled with notebooks, pads and pens for you to take home.

· Not that you’ll need it around here, but security is a nice plus point and there are access codes for guests to use to everything from the pool and gym to the games room and EV chargers too.

· Ambling and rambling around, you’ll find easy walking routes from the estate that take 30 minutes, and longer ones upwards of two hours.

· Bruern farm shop is up the road and Slatters Butcher’s in Chipping Norton (11 minutes away) offers excellent organic farm produce and meats alongside a wonderful deli. Daylesford Organic Farm shop is 11 minutes away and is great for stocking up on excellent fresh organic produce.

· When you’re ready to venture out and sample the foodie offerings in the local area, head to the Wild Rabbit, The Fox at Oddington (part of the Daylesford Estate) the Swan Inn in Swinbrook where season two of Downton Abbey was filmed and the Feathered Nest.

· Wandering on Chipping Norton High Street, you’ll find pleasant inns, pubs and tea rooms, an art gallery and antique shops as well as a famous brush shop.

· As you’re required to tell the estate the ages of children you’re bringing along, bespoke kid-friendly surprises include hidden toy chests and cupboards filled with age-friendly board games, toys and books.

How To Book

Visit Bruern Cottages, Bruern, Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire OX7 6QA. Prices start from £664 for two nights in a cottage sleeping two. To book, visit www.bruern-holiday-cottages.co.uk or email info@bruern.co.uk or call 0044 1993 830415.