Woodwells Cottage United Kingdom

This fairy tale Cotswold stone farmhouse is approached up a long and sometimes bumpy private drive. It leads behind a church and manor house into the heart of the beech woods.
Surrounded by the steep hangers, off a drive, off a lane, off a minor road, and buried in the bosom of the Cotswolds, there is a hideaway that must be about as remote from the twentieth century in southern England as possible. It still has all the modern comforts. A farmstead at Woodwells was recorded as early as 1280. Today, guests will find hidden in a sunny clearing of the wooded hills that rise steeply at the end of the meadows, a picturesque farmhouse built in 1877.
The manor estate is in the ‘Royal Triangle’, set in the heart of the Cotswold Hills. The historic cities of Bath, Cheltenham, and Cirencester are all about 20 miles away with all their wealth of cultural and scenic attractions. Oxford, Blenheim Palace and Stratford-upon-Avon are popular day excursions. London is about 2 hours away. Heathrow Airport is a little closer.
Whether interested in the famous limestone villages of the Cotswolds, prehistoric barrows, quiet lanes, antique shops, walking, Norman churches, gardens, good food and drink, visiting friends, or more likely a combination of these, the choice is wide and guests will barely scratch the surface during their stay. 
Apart from the Cotswolds and their wool towns and villages, other touring regions include the Berkeley Vale, the Forest of Dean, the Wye Valley, the Welsh Marches, the Malverns, and the Thames Valley.
Historic houses, besides the estate itself, include Berkeley Castle, Chavenage House, Dyrham Park and Sudeley Castle. Within walking distance is Woodchester Mansion, an unfinished masterpiece of the Victorian age. Tourist attractions include the American Museum at Claverton Manor and the Roman Baths at Bath, Gloucester Cathedral, Westonbirt Arboretum and the Wildfowl Trust at Slimbridge.
Gloucestershire is famous for its many gardens. They include Hidcote and Kiftsgate, Miserden Park, Painswick Rococo Garden, Rodmarton Manor, Barnsley House, Highgrove and Westbury-on-Severn. The house is the ideal base for the Horse Trials at Badminton and Gatcombe Park and for racing at Cheltenham.
The estate forms a wild and secret valley extending along the Ewelme stream under the Cotswold edge. It is accessible, yet far from the intrusion of public roads and the commercial farming of the Cotswold plateau. The extensive native beech woods are carpeted with bluebells in the spring. Richly varied walks lead the serious hiker or casual stroller over many miles of footpaths on the estate and beyond. Long-distance trails are well organised in the surrounding area of the Cotswolds.
Beyond the valley is an impressive group of archaeological sites. The Iron Age hill fort at Uley is the most impressive in the Cotswolds, commanding views over the Severn Vale to the mountains of Wales. Neolithic long barrows and Roman settlements lie on the hills. The estate and its neighbouring valleys form a haven rich in wildlife, with wildflowers in the fields, protected butterflies, deer and badgers, and a rich variety of habitat for bird-watching. Guests will not forget the fabled owls.
As well as a traditional West Country livestock, and farms producing home reared organic meat, this is a sporting estate perfect for all forms of country pursuits. There is fly fishing, and rough shooting and clay pigeon lessons can be arranged. Riding, gliding and golf (with three courses) are all a mile or two away. Many activities are organized by for corporate programmes or private parties. There is plenty of room for those who want none of these but want simply to breathe in the peace and utter seclusion of a timeless countryside.
The Manor is a mile east of Uley, off the B4066, at the small green past the Old Crown pub in Uley (just opposite the Church). Uley is a charming weaving village between Tetbury, Stroud (6 miles) and Dursley (3 miles west), signposted from the A 4135. The M5 Junctions 13 (north) and 14 (south) are a few minutes west: head for the B4066. The M4 is 12 miles south. Exit at Junction 18 and follow the A46 north in the direction of Stroud as far as the crossroads with the A4135. Then go west towards Dursley, turning second right after the Hunters’ Hall pub in Kingscote down to village of Uley on B4066.All the cottages are self-catering, but the owners can provide breakfast hampers for £9.50 per person. There is a list of restaurants and pubs that are recommended nearby in the information book.
The beautiful old Cyder House forms an atmospheric restaurant for exclusive dining at the centre of the hamlet. Karin Mander’s menu emphasizes bistro-style cooking with seasonal produce from the estate. This includes game like pheasant and venison and also traditionally-reared beef. Karin finds a special place for her native Swedish fish cuisine, and also for the produce of the Elizabethan garden.   
The Cyder House is a listed historic building of the fifteenth century, with ‘cruck’ trusses. A gigantic oak cider press stands in the corner from 300 years ago, when cider feasts were held here. It is a stunning setting, furnished with portraits and arts and crafts furniture from the family collection.
The Manor cellars offer a good selection of reasonably-priced wines, especially French and Spanish regional wines. There are local ciders as well. In addition to formal dinners, the house can serve light lunches and traditional home-made cream teas from the beginning of May to early September. This adaptable room can be hired on an exclusive place for meetings, office parties, weddings and receptions, as well as for corporate entertaining.
The Cyder House Restaurant is fully licensed. It is open for dinner on Friday and Saturday nights, and by request for groups of 15 or more. Personal requirements can easily be accommodated with reasonable notice. Ask for copies of our suggested menus for group visits.
More Services:
At Excellence Luxury Villas we pride ourselves on going that little bit further for our guests. If there is anything you would like to arrange for your stay, please contact the Excellence Luxury Villas VIP Concierge Team who will be happy to help. We can usually help you arrange any of the following:
– Cook/catering
– Maid service/extra cleaning
– Local day-trips or tours
– Airport pick-up/drop-off
– Babysitting service
– Welcome hamper/pre-stocked fridge
This is by no means an exhaustive list, so please just contact Excellence Luxury Villas VIP Concierge Team to help you arrange any of those little extras that can really make the difference.