Entire home

Voted Englands Most Beautiful Village, a Storybook Cotswold Home

Photo gallery for Voted Englands Most Beautiful Village, a Storybook Cotswold Home

Front of home
A dark blue Christmas sky
Winter dusk
Partial side view, down the river
Living/Drawing Room

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
6 bedrooms4+ bathroomsSleeps 12

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Air conditioning
  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

Map
Lower Slaughter
  • Cotswold Motoring Museum
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • The Model Village
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Cotswold Farm Park
    ‪9 min drive‬
  • Brize Norton (BZZ-RAF Brize Norton)
    ‪33 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

6 bedrooms (sleeps 12)

Annex

1 Queen Bed

Attic

1 King Bed

Br 2 - Singles convert to King

2 Single Beds

Br 3 - Bunk Room

1 Single Bunk Bed

Br 4 - Single converts to full King Bed

1 King Bed

Living room 1

1 Double Sofa Bed

Living room 2

1 Single Murphy Bed

Master Bedroom

1 King Bed

4 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathroom 2

Bathroom 3

Bathroom 4

Bathroom 5

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Voted Englands Most Beautiful Village, a Storybook Cotswold Home

Brook House is a unique home situated in one of the most stunning Costwold villages. As featured in the recent film "Emma," the village of Lower Slaughter is often the top destination recommended by tour guides when directing visitors to the Cotswolds. Featured on travel documentaries, magazine covers and post cards throughout the world, the village has garnered numerous awards, including "Most Beautiful Village in England", "Most Beautiful Village in the Cotswolds", "Most Picturesque Towns & Villages in Gloucestershire" and "Most Romantic Street in Britain". Brook House was selected for the front cover of the "Cotswolds 2023 Calendar" and is the most prominent house at the center of the village on the banks of the River Eye. The residence is unmatched in it's offering, including a stunning, picturesque riverside setting as well as the huge variety of nearby amenities & activities, many within walking distance or a drive of 2 to 10 minutes. This is also a rare Cotswold home with air-conditioning, of benefit during the increasingly warm summers. Don't be fooled by many other Cotswold listings - set in rural isolation where you are forced to drive 10 minutes to reach a shop or pub. In contrast, from the house you can stroll outside your front door past the ducks and swans on the river and host a children's paper boat race. You can stop by the stables for a horse ride or take a 15 minute walk through the flower filled meadows, past grazing sheep to the sister village of Upper Slaughter, or walk along the river in the opposite direction to Bourton-on-the-Water. From Brook House there are multiple options for lunch, high tea, dinner or shopping, many within walking distance. The historic 14th century market town of Stow-on-the-Wold is a 5 minute drive, while Blenheim Palace, Sudeley Castle & Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare’s birthplace, are a short drive away. For dining options, Upper & Lower Slaughter are home to the award winning "Lords of the Manor" restaurant, the grand "Slaughters Manor House" (a 5 minute walk) and "The Slaughters Country Inn" (a 2 minute walk, across the bridge over the River Eye) and a selection of lovely gastro-pubs are a few minutes drive away. The house has been fully refurbished in recent years, one of the only homes in the area to have A/C, full cable TV in 3 locations, WiFi and Sonos with a selection of global radio stations and music, providing a high level of comfort while maintaining Cotswold charm and the feeling of a bygone era. The home offers sleeping accommodation for up to 12, including the 6 bedrooms, we also have airbeds for kids who want to stay in the same room as family or friends and a travel cot for infants & toddlers. As owners we have an outstanding reputation on HomeAway. Please refer to our sister property on Nantucket (off Cape Cod, near Boston) 3003175. Our family spends time each year in every property to ensure it is maintained to the highest standards and exudes the warmth and comfort of a family home in some of the most stunning settings in England and the U.S.A.

Property manager

Robin N
Premier Host

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Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space

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House Rules

Check in after 5:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 30
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

No 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 not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property

About the area

Cheltenham

Located in Cheltenham, this holiday home is on a river. Broadway Tower Country Park and Cotswold Way reflect the area's natural beauty and area attractions include Cotswold Wildlife Park and The Model Village. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's happening at Prescott Shooting School or Prescott Speed Hill Climb.
Map
Lower Slaughter

What's nearby

  • Cotswold Motoring Museum - 4 min drive - 3.0 km
  • The Model Village - 4 min drive - 3.3 km
  • Birdland Park and Gardens - 4 min drive - 3.5 km
  • Cotswold Countryside Collection - 9 min drive - 10.9 km
  • Cotswold Farm Park - 9 min drive - 7.7 km

Getting around

  • Moreton-In-Marsh Station - 18 min drive
  • Oxford (OXF) - 47 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Sheep - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪The Willow - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪The Chip Shed - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪The Mousetrap Inn - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪The Cornish Bakery - ‬4 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Voted Englands Most Beautiful Village, a Storybook Cotswold Home pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Voted Englands Most Beautiful Village, a Storybook Cotswold Home?

Check-in begins at 5:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Voted Englands Most Beautiful Village, a Storybook Cotswold Home?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Voted Englands Most Beautiful Village, a Storybook Cotswold Home located?

Situated on a river, this holiday home is within 2 miles (3 km) of Old Mill, Bourton Model Railway Exhibition and Cotswold Motoring Museum. The Model Village and Birdland Park and Gardens are also within 2 miles (3 km).

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 52 out of 59 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 7 out of 59 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 59 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 59 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 59 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.6/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Claire L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful home in an idyllic village
Great house, plenty of space for our whole family. Spectacular location. Terrific and responsive hosts. 10/10 - we want to come back during summer!
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Megan F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect family stay in Lower Slaughter
The Brook House exceeded all of our expectations. The home, and surrounding village, were absolutely beautiful. As a family of 12, with children ages 8-17 and parents and grandparents, we were able to find plenty of space to spread out, as well as plenty of activities for everyone within a short walk or drive. We did not need to reach out to the host or caretaker during our stay as we found everything we needed was there. Lovely stay; we can’t wait to return.
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Charles S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Fabulous Week
Absolutely wonderful stay. House and area was perfect.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Alejandro B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Mr
The house is simply wonderful! Highly recommended.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We loved it!
It was excellent in every way!
Stayed 5 nights in May 2024

8/10 Good

Gillian N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Weekend in very attractive Cotswold village
The house is beautifully furnished, kitchen well equipped and with comfortable beds; it is set near the clear flowing river and very peaceful. There are plenty of rooms to relax in; an ideal house for our family to chat, play card games and to read. We had 2 beautiful walks which are much used by locals and visitors. Lighting could be improved in the Master Bedroom and the Dining Room. The caretaker was most helpful.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ben S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Idyllic home in an idyllic village
Stunningly beautiful home in the Cotswolds with incredible location. Very responsive and helpful host.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

8/10 Good

Linda J.

Liked: Cleanliness, location, listing accuracy
Cotswold happyy
Stay was lovely, beautiful home. The app had details missing once we arrived. Unable to receive key code, however once problem solved the house was gorgeous. The requested crib was not out , found it in a closet after we arranged a crib from the local pub. We would have like a hand towel, rather than one bath towel a person.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Richard H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A Beautiful house
A really beautiful property in a great location in a very pretty village. Lots of room for a family of 11. No stores in the village but a great place to eat just across the cute bridge.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Wendy D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful house in a magical setting
The house was exactly what we wanted. Olde world with modern conveniences. It was truly a magical experience. A true British Christmas. The owners went over and above to make us welcome, including a decorated Christmas tree And welcome package. I would highly recommend this property.
Stayed 13 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sheila T.

Fabulous Cotswolds home and village!
This was a beautiful home that comfortably fit our family of 11. The village is absolutely picturesque and quiet, but with the ability to dine out. An easy walk to Bourton on the Water for additional restaurants and services. It exceeded out expectations, which were high!

10/10 Excellent

Alden D., Scotia, NY USA

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Like Brigadoon
Village and property more than quaint; friendly locals with stories; readily accessible to surrounding villages; countryside; house itself more than gracious, with lovely kitchen and garden. Countryside Inn over the river, just right. In all a gracious, captivating presence that leaves a great memory.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

LeNoir M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful Christmas and New Year family celebration
This was an experience right out of a Jane Austen novel. We had an amazing Christmas and holiday in Lower Slaughter. The home is gorgeous and so nicely appointed. We looked forward to building a fire after exploring each day and settling in for cozy evenings. We so loved staying at The River Cottage and would love to return one day.
Stayed 10 nights in Dec 2022

8/10 Good

Graham R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great stay in Lower Slaughter
Lovely character property photographed by tourists multiple times a day. Given the proximity to water woodlice are abundant. Master bedroom smelt musty.
Stayed 9 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Judy S.

Liked: Cleanliness, location, listing accuracy
River Cottage was perfect for our family of 12 with 3 generations
We loved our stay at River Cottage. Only had difficulty communicating with owner regarding when we could enter as not rented before us and spent many hours waiting to hear. Finally, just went an hour before scheduled and entered easily. Communication a problem, not the house which was just perfect. Great location, great house, well stocked.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

A J B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Absolutely magical
We spent a month in River Cottage with friends and family to celebrate important birthdays and the stay could not have been better! The house works well for a large group, with plenty of places to curl up quietly with a book as well as spaces for everyone to gather. We cooked often and the kitchen is a wonderful space to do so — very well equipped with everything we needed. The owner and manger were terrific — attentive and responsive all along. And the location simply can’t be beat. The village is just magical, with a really nice pub/restaurant right across the street and lots of fascinating things to explore within a walk or easy drive. We’re quite sad to leave!
Stayed 28 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Les B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Excellent Early Christmas in Lower Slaughter
As my wife and I live overseas we have an early Christmas celebration with our family in UK. We usually stay in the Cotswolds at some exceptional houses. This year we hit the jackpot at Lower slaughter. The house and facilities were exceptional and we could not complain about any aspect. Communication with Robin was very easy and he always replied very quickly. He even arranged for the Christmas lights to be put up earlier than usual. We would certainly look to stay there again and would recommend the property.
Stayed 6 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Eda P., East Grinstead, UK.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Dream cottage, idyllic location
We had a wonderful stay in River Cottage. We were a party of 7 (5 adults, 2 teens) and there was plenty of room for us all. The house is beautiful and the facilities great. So nice to have a well equipped kitchen as so many rentals have the bare minimum. Loved having a morning coffee in the stunning conservatory. The twin room is a little cramped but this did not bother us as we really only used the bedrooms for sleeping. My son loved the attic room. The location is fabulous. It makes a great base for exploring the pretty towns and villages in the Cotswolds but we all agreed Lower Slaughter was the prettiest, and the cottage is the best one there. It gave us all such a sense of peace when we returned after a day out. Would definitely stay there again, highly recommend it!
Stayed 7 nights in May 2023

8/10 Good

gaye g.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful house in lovely location but not well maintained
A lovely house but not sure we would return. The property was full of stuff but nothing really worked. We had a large family gathering (3 generations) but it was not a good house for this. 5 bedrooms but the dining table only seated 6 people. We could not all eat together. Many of the glasses and plates were chipped and utensils, dishwasher, dryer and ice/water dispenser were broken. For the price we paid, we expected things to work and we expected to be able to all dine together. On arrival, fridge had not been cleaned and was full of old food. There were dirty socks and tea towels under chairs. No Bedside lights in main bedroom. Our parents are 89 so this made their stay very difficult. Dishwasher was broken. Dryer did not work. It is a lovely house but Internally, it is not well maintained.
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Robert F.

We found the perfect place for a family vacation!
River Cottage was ideal for our three generation family of 8. The village is truly out of a storybook and the house is charming and very comfortable. The housekeeper greeted us on our arrival and was very helpful. There was also a house binder with useful information. The house has many spaces to relax and read, or gather as a group. The kitchen was modern and very well equipped. Although we found many delicious meals in nearby pubs and restaurants, our favorite meals were family picnics seated at the patio table in the private backyard with the beautiful garden. The cottage is right in the center of this picturesque village. The grandchildren felt that they'd walked into a fairy tale. We enjoyed visits to the mill and discovered wonderful walking paths starting in the village and heading out into the countryside. We also found Lower Slaughter the ideal location for exploring the Cotswolds by car. Quaint villages, castles and manors with gardens, Shakespeare, and rolling countryside were all in easy reach. Nothing is too far away and we found a nice balance of fun outings but with time to relax at the house. Although many tourists visit Lower Slaughter during the day, we loved the peacefulness, especially in the evening. We all found the beds comfortable and enjoyed a good nights sleep. The cottage has a great combination of historic charm and modern convenience. It really suited us well and we had wonderful vacation. Our family loves to travel and this trip will remain one of our favorites!
Stayed 9 nights in Jun 2018

8/10 Good

Jane E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location
Charming House
You could not find a more charming village than Lower Slaughter and believe me we tried. The house was charming also. The lower Floor could not be better. Kitchen was well equipped with everything you would need to serve banquets. Dinning room, living room, small library and the most amazing solarium which overlooked beautiful backyard with flowering plants and green space. My husband loved the solarium to have coffee or just chill out. I always knew where he was. There was a wonderful addition off the kitchen with fabulous large bedroom and bath, an office area and off of that a washer and dryer. Upstairs was not as charming. We were unable to use the third-floor bedroom and bath due to treacherous steps - disclaimer on door said not for older adults. or small children. Three small bedrooms (twins, bunk bed and small child bed), shared small bath at end of hall . At ten I would have loved the bunk bed but not so much at 76. One adult was in kid room with narrow bed and rolling over hit knees on wall. At this price point I would have at least expected two normal sized beds. However, this would be great for a family with small kids. All that said, we loved the house which was well furnished and was so convenient to all that the Cotsolds' had to offer.
Stayed 8 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Aaron W., Utah

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Practically Perfect
What a wonderful home, in a wonderful, typical--even iconic, Cotswolds village setting. The facilities were perfect, the settings wonderful, and the surroundings were postcard perfect. It was easy, and a joy, to correspond with the owner and work out the arrangements. We felt like we were staying in the home of an old friend, and it was perfect. We wished we could have stayed longer, and we will, most certainly, be back.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kerry N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect Cotswolds Retreat
Our stay at River Cottage was perfect. We were three generations from 18-80 celebrating a big birthday. The house was immaculate, well equipped and comfortable. The area is like something out of a movie. We went for lovely long walks ending up at picture-perfect pubs for refreshments. We couldn't have asked for a better house and a more perfect setting. Not sure what a previous review was saying as we only saw one Roly Poly by the front door and the house smelled wonderful! Would definitely come back time and time again.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Heather I.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Country House Hideaway
Just what we were looking for in a Cotswold trip with family! A quiet, beautiful spot from which to explore the idyllic countryside, quaint towns and historic landmarks.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Andrew R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect in Every Detail
This beautiful stone Cotswolds “cottage” housed our 14 members in spacious beauty. The attention to modern detail, yet fitting the old stone motif was amazing. The location is perfect, walkable to surrounding villages for meals, yet quiet and isolated from the tourist crowds. Do it!!!
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2022

About the host

Hosted by Robin N

Host profile image
We live between the U.K. and U.S. (American husband, English wife) and take pride in creating homes for our family which we love, then offering those to discerning renters when we are not there.

Why they chose this property

This romantic home is unique, featured on postcards, in magazines and television editorials about the Cotswolds dating back more than a century. Just steps from your door there are a variety of amenities, including the Country Inn (with a pub & fabulous expansive garden, the Slaughters Manor House, the Lords of the Manor and the Old Mill. A few minutes away are Bourton-on-the-Water, Stow-on-the-Wold, a bit further drive will take you to Blenheim Palace, Sudeley Castle, and Shakespeare's birthplace, Statford-upon-Avon.

What makes this property unique

Location, location, location. A stunning position in a beautiful village with easy access to all Cotswolds amenities - wifi high speed fiber internet, full Cable with "catch up" TV offering thousand of TV series and movies going back many years, Sonos Music system offering radio stations from around the world, as well as the opportunity to pick and tailor your own genre of music

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests