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Down Farm Manor - Sitting above the Slad Valley with spectacular views

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Aerial View of Manor, Down Farm Manor, Bolthole Retreats
Sitting Room, Down Farm Manor, Bolthole Retreats
Kitchen, Down Farm Manor, Bolthole Retreats
Bedroom One, Down Farm Manor, Bolthole Retreats
View From the Manor, Down Farm Manor, Bolthole Retreats

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
4 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 7299 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Parking available
  • Barbecue grill
  • Pet-friendly
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

Map
Slad, Gloucestershire
  • Painswick Rococo Garden
    ‪7 min drive‬
  • Cotswold Canals Trust
    ‪8 min drive‬
  • Gloucester Quays
    ‪18 min drive‬
  • Gloucester (GLO-Gloucestershire)
    ‪13 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 7)

Bedroom #1

1 King Bed

Bedroom #2

1 King Bed

Bedroom #3

2 Single Beds

Bedroom #4

1 Single Bed

3 bathrooms

Bathroom #1

Bathtub · Toilet

Bathroom #2

Bathtub · Toilet

Bathroom #3

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Separate dining area
Garden

About this property

Down Farm Manor - Sitting above the Slad Valley with spectacular views

Down Farm Manor is hidden along a winding country lane before suddenly appearing, sitting proudly above the Slad Valley, perfectly positioned to gaze across the picturesque Cotswold countryside which so inspired the author, Laurie Lee. You are immersed in the setting of Cider with Rosie and walks from the door take you out to discover the landscapes described in this famous novel. Holding over 300 years of history, arriving at Down Farm Manor will take your breath away. The house sits on a working farm, but you are secluded in this rural location with only livestock for neighbours.

Inside Down Farm Manor you feel welcomed by the comfortable sitting rooms, one with a wood burning stove and the other with a large open fire. You can choose your favourite spot and relax with a good book or evening drink while taking in the country inspired artwork. The spacious kitchen, equipped with an electric AGA, is made for preparing decadent meals, perhaps even hiring your own private chef, to be enjoyed in the elegant dining room. High ceilings, wooden beams, stone floors and mullioned windows add grandeur to this property letting you feel like the lord or lady of the manor. Upstairs are four comfortable bedrooms sharing three bathrooms. The master suite with a spacious dressing room has fantastic views across the valley to wake up to. Each bedroom has its own character with decorative fireplaces and antique furniture.

On fine days, you will find yourselves spending most of your time outdoors. The covered cider press to the rear provides a charming space to enjoy meals outside in a unique setting. There is a side lawned garden and the front sweeping green is yours to enjoy. Take a book and your morning coffee outside, serve meals here in the evening, or wander the grounds with a glass of champagne in hand, truly relishing this special place that will live long in the memory.

Ground Floor

Kitchen:
This spacious room is a true country kitchen with tiled flooring, wooden beams and an inglenook fireplace which now houses the electric AGA. Alongside the large central island is a dining table, perfect for a quick breakfast. There is a 5-ring gas hob, Nespresso coffee machine, kettle and toaster, microwave, 2 dishwashers, and 2 fridges to ensure you are not missing anything in this well-equipped property.

The washing machine is in the basement which is accessed from the rear patio garden and the freezer is in the external cider press.

Dining Room:
Serving your meals in the dining room adds elegance to your occasion. Set the table, adding the silverware and some fresh flowers before enjoying conversations over home-cooked dishes long into the evening.

Sitting Room:
Gather in front of the large open fire and enjoy its atmospheric crackle from the sink-in sofas. This warm room is incredibly homely and you will feel at ease here. There is a 3-seater sofa, armchairs and additional space for the whole group to gather. You are surrounded by stone flooring and antique wooden furniture with beams above, filling the room with history. Behind a disguised bookshelf is a wine fridge from which you can serve your favourite chilled drinks.

Snug:
Here you can catch up on your favourite shows making use of the Sky Glass TV. A wood burner keeps you warm on cooler evenings and the walls are panelled giving this room the feeling of a gentleman's country club. There is comfortable seating for six.

Cloakroom:
From the hall off the dining room is a cloakroom with WC and sink.

First Floor

Bedroom One:
This master-suite at the front of the house looks across the spectacular tree-lined valley. There is a super king-size bed, bedside tables, chests of drawers, a sofa and a decorative fireplace. This is a lovely room to wake up in, opening the curtains to the Cotswold countryside beyond.

From this room is a large dressing room, perfect for additional storage and ideal for a travel cot. This is also accessed from the first-floor landing.

Bathroom:
The bathroom acts as an en-suite to the first bedroom and has a large double ended bath, with a handheld shower, WC and sink. This room also has a decorative fireplace adding character to the room.

Bedroom Two:
At the rear of the house along a separate hallway, is a second super king-size double room. Overlooking the farmyard there is a window seat and decorative fireplace and a dressing table for storage.

Bedroom Three:
Next door, this colourful single bedroom would be ideal for a younger member of the family, perhaps with parents sleeping in the double room. There is a chest of drawers and bedside table with lamp.

Bathroom:
The second bathroom is handily positioned for the second and third bedroom to share. It has a bath, WC and sink.

Bedroom Four:
The final bedroom is a spacious twin with two single beds sharing a bedside table. There are two armchairs and a chest of drawers and the window seat enjoys a view of the surrounding hills.

En-Suite:
Through a hidden sliding door, the en-suite shower room has a rainfall shower, twin basins and a WC.

Outside

The outside space around Down Farm Manor makes this a magnificent place to stay. The large sweeping front lawn is perfect for letting the dogs out and there is a separate side garden. Enjoy picnics, garden games and simply sitting in the fresh country air. Behind the house is a covered cider press with space to dine in a unique, rustic setting. There is off-road parking for five cars and many walking routes pass close by.

Property manager

Bolthole Retreats
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Outdoor space
Parking available

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 18
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher

About the area

Stroud

Located in Stroud, this cottage is in a rural area. Travellers who have shopping on the agenda can visit Gloucester Quays and Gloucester Docks. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's happening at Cheltenham Racecourse or The New Lawn.
Map
Slad, Gloucestershire

What's nearby

  • St Marys Painswick - 7 min drive - 3.7 km
  • Painswick Rococo Garden - 7 min drive - 4.0 km
  • Cotswold Canals Trust - 8 min drive - 5.2 km
  • Gloucester Quays - 18 min drive - 13.9 km
  • Gloucester Docks - 20 min drive - 14.8 km

Getting around

  • Stroud Station - 14 min drive
  • Birmingham Airport (BHX) - 90 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Crown & Sceptre - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Curio Lounge - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪La Cantina - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪The Golden Fleece - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Fat Toni's Pizzeria - ‬7 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Down Farm Manor - Sitting above the Slad Valley with spectacular views pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Down Farm Manor - Sitting above the Slad Valley with spectacular views?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Down Farm Manor - Sitting above the Slad Valley with spectacular views?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Down Farm Manor - Sitting above the Slad Valley with spectacular views located?

Situated in a rural location, this cottage is within 3 miles (5 km) of St Marys Painswick, St Mary’s Church and Rococo Gardens. Stroud Bowl and Painswick Golf Club are also within 3 miles (5 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 8 out of 8 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 8 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 8 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 8 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 8 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Kate F.

Wonderful house with a stunning view.
We had a great stay at Down Farm Manor for a family get together. The house is well presented and gave us lots of space in an amazing setting. We enjoyed walking and visiting the Woolpack.

10/10 Excellent

C W., Alpine

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This place is fabulous
Our stay was wonderful and this home is utterly charming. It’s like going back in time. The host was gracious and the property is picturesque. Everywhere you turn is a terrific picture (even inside the home). We highly recommend.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2024
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Idyllic
Such a picturesque house and setting. We loved our stay and the house had such a lovely feel to it felt like home from home. The house was well equipped and the gardens were beautiful with the most stunning views. All the beds were super comfortable we all slept so well with the peaceful location too. Great host we even got to see the new born lambs. Would loved to have stayed longer!
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Fairytale staycation in English countryside
Spent seven days at the Down Farm Manor in April with extended family. Everyone was very comfortable as there are plenty of bedrooms and everyone had their own bathroom. House has so much character and history, absolutely charming property to experience quintessential English countryside living as lord and lady of the manor. Views down the hill are absolutely stunning too. Kitchen is very well equipped. In summary: absolutely outstanding property that feels like home.
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

A truly idyllic place to stay
Everything about Down Farm Manor is really fabulous, the character and charm of the house, the setting is beyond words. It really is a treat to stay somewhere so special and we will be back again one day for sure. The house has bundles of character and charm and is truly quite unique, it is also clean and well equipped with everything you could need. The setting is breathtaking, the photos really don't tell the whole story, it's only when you arrive, you can see how picturesque this spot really is. The host, Tom is friendly and helpful. A real gem, I highly recommend Down Farm Manor in every way
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Jeanne Z.

Superb in every way!
Down Farm Manor exceeded our expectations in every way, the view over the valley is very special, a quiet hill top location surrounded by pastures and forests. Kitchen well accessorized, a cozy TV room with a small wood-burning fireplace, and a superb large log burning fireplace in the great room. An unusual bonus, a covered car park for four vehicles. Our two weeks stay was too short, we hope to return and visit more of the quaint and charming villages of the Cotswolds. Charles
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Helen H.

Down Farm Manor Slad
A family get together in such an outstanding property. The rural location was perfect. The house delivered beyond expectations. It was very spacious and well decorated with a real family feel. There was a soul to the house which you don’t often get with holiday rentals. The downstairs was well equipped with plenty of shared snd separate space, ideal for families. The master bedroom was wonderful. All the beds were comfortable. Would highly recommend and we will be visiting again
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Quintessential Cotswolds!
Down Farm Manor is a beautiful Cotswolds house, with a fabulous charm about it and we felt right at home from the moment we arrived. The house was clean and a little welcome pack was left for us which was a nice touch. The views from the house across the countryside were superb and we enjoyed sitting outside with our coffee watching the pheasants and horses. We would highly recommend a stay at the house, whether you are a couple or a family. There are plenty of walks on the doorstep and lovely villages within easy access by car nearby. We can’t wait to return… One of our best stays yet!

About the host

Hosted by Bolthole Retreats

Host profile image
Bolthole Retreats was founded in 2017 by Martin McWilliam and is based in Cheltenham.
We are the leading independent agency for Cotswold holiday rental properties. We work closely with owners and housekeepers to ensure that guests have a truly memorable stay.
We pride ourselves on our local knowledge, whether it be of a local farm shop, cycle routes or events. Our aim is to enable guests to have the opportunity to enjoy authentic Cotswold experiences, from the Cotswold experts, in a lovely Cotswold property that suits their needs.

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests