Church Cottage - sleeps 6 guests in 3 bedrooms
About
Once parked on the gravel drive, open the grey-painted wooden door into the enclosed and delightful walled garden, a space that offers not only total privacy for guests, but also security for children. The garden is also home to a few clues that help illustrate the history of Church Cottage. If you look closely at the flower borders and the step to the far right of the property, you may notice some unusual pieces of ancient carved stone; these were dug up from the garden, confirming the theory that the cottage is built on the site of the masonry workshop used during the building of Burford Church in the Middle Ages. Step inside through the red front door, and you will immediately begin to understand what Church Cottage is about - conservation and authenticity. As you start to explore the interior of this lovely home you will notice the painstaking details that the owners, Robin and Clare, have worked on over the years to honour and preserve the history and style of the cottage. As well as thoughtful touches, the cottage is full of artistic and historic interest, from Art-Deco ceramics to original works of art, and from Clare's fascinating vintage tin collection to original ironmongery, light switches and painted floorboards. The owners' commitment to preserving not only the past but also the future of Church Cottage is evident through the subtle environment-conscious improvements that have been made, such as a thermally efficient cooker, wood-burning stove, high levels of insulation throughout the property and locally crafted and sourced furnishings. As you enter Lawrence Lane from the main High Street of Burford, the first thing you will notice is the magnificent 1000-year-old Church of St John the Baptist that stands proudly in its beautiful large churchyard next to Church Cottage. Church Cottage's charming exterior is framed by the delicate dove-grey window frames, manicured shrub border and distinctive red door. Those with a keen eye may even recognise this view - in 1948, the famous English artist L.S. Lowry painted Burford Church in oils from the entrance of Lawrence Lane off the High Street, and Church Cottage can clearly be seen on the left (see right). Postcards of the painting are available in the Church - you will see that the cottage looks rather different today, yet it remains a source of great beauty and inspiration alongside the impressive architecture and grand spire of its neighbour. Ground Floor Entrance Hall and downstairs WC: Step through the red front door into the entrance hall, a compact space, but with plenty of room for coats, umbrellas, boots and shoes. Above is a Victorian clothes-drying rack, operated on a pulley system, with the rope wound around the hook on the wall - providing an efficient and environmentally friendly way to dry clothes. Open the door to your left and you will find the downstairs WC and washbasin, situated in the old ‘privy'. Kitchen: The well-equipped kitchen is a light and airy space filled with beautiful original features, such as the tiled flooring and half-size Belfast sink. The super-efficient ‘Everhot' range cooker will be warm and ready to use and is fantastic for baking and drying alike! The row of cream cupboards opposite the cooker cleverly hides a separate fridge and freezer, individual bins, washing machine and dishwasher. The tall cupboard next to the door to the sitting room contains the microwave, and a full range of plates, glasses and cooking equipment. Before moving on into the sitting room, take a moment to study Clare's collection of vintage tins in the glass fronted cabinet. With some tins dating from the early 1900s, this unique collection is the culmination of a lifelong hobby for Clare. Which one is your favourite? Sitting Room: A wonderfully cosy living space, this room is the heart of the cottage, with original painted wooden floorboards and beams, cheerful floral curtains, warm bright furniture including two armchairs a three-seater sofa. An inviting wood-burning stove sits proudly in the original brick fireplace, framed by oak bookcases handmade in Witney containing a selection of novels, reference and guide books. The perfect place to curl up next to the fire with a book in hand or snuggle down to watch the new ‘Smart' television, located in the antique pine corner cupboard, along with a DVD player, Bluetooth speaker and a selection of games and puzzles. The room is very well lit, with subtle spotlights adding a touch of modernity while ensuring that the cottage never feels dark. (TV and DVD player instructions are in the ‘Owners' Notes'.) French windows in the Sitting Room lead to the garden. Dining Room: The first thing that may strike you about this room is its spaciousness; for a compact cottage, this generously sized dining area provides plenty of space for entertaining. This is the newer part of the house, added in 2002, though it blends in seamlessly with the original style of the