Ropewalk Cottage United Kingdom

Ropewalk is a traditional cottage built from Cotswold stone and found at the heart of the charming and historic village of Blockley. A stay here means you’ll be enjoying areas of outstanding natural beauty that are perfect for hikers, foodies and those just looking to get away from it all! It’s the ideal base from which to explore and enjoy the tranquility, stunning scenery and market towns of the Cotswolds with fantastic walks that start right at the cottage’s front door.
Ropewalk Cottage itself dates back to the 1880s, when it was occupied by silk mill workers during the heyday of Blockley’s textile industry. Recently renovated, this idyllic rural retreat comes complete with a wood-burning stove for whiling away your evenings in front of the fire with glass of wine in hand. The cottage sleeps up to 8 guests (with a maximum of 6 adults and 2 young children) in two doubles, one twin and a kid’s bedroom. The cottage also recently received an Excellence Luxury Villas recommendation award!
The Horse and Groom, The Good Pub Guide’s pub of the year for 2016 is just 2 miles from the cottage.
The village of Blockley, found in the hills of the North Cotswolds between Chipping Campden and Moreton-in-Marsh, is a true gem of an English village. It’s been designated as both an area of outstanding natural beauty and a conservation area, so you’ll be surrounded by idyllic countryside no matter the time of year. You’ll be invited to enjoy some warm and generous local hospitality thanks to the village’s thriving and friendly community, and Blockley’s picturesque village green provides a peaceful rest stop and entertainment thanks to the bowling green and well-kept children’s area.
A brief history of BlockleyBlockley is locally renowned for its contributions to the textile industry, at one point boasting an impressive 12 water mills along its two brooks. In the 18th and 19th centuries, these historic buildings were repurposed from silk production to a broad range of rural uses including flour milling, flax weaving, woodcutting, threshing and (to provide refreshment at the end of a long day!) cider pressing.
The village church of St Peter and St Paul has a venerable past too, dating back to 1180AD. Leaping forward to the 20th Century, Paxton House (which stands near the old Post Office) acted as the Headquarters of the American Super Six division in 1942, and military history buffs will be delighted and fascinated by the fact that General George S Patton and Eisenhower met here to organize the Normandy landings!
Local amenitiesBlockley’s village shop sells a range of handy groceries, newspapers, locally produced meat, fruit and  vegetables, bread, pastries as well hot food, drinks and snacks thanks to the attached cafe. The shop also offers a Post Office service on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, including a Bureau du Change.There’s a great selection of places to eat and drink in the village – The Great Western Arms, The 18th century Crown Hotel and the Lower Brook Guest House all come highly recommended by visitors and locals alike.
Twice a year (usually in Spring and at the start of June) a number of gardens in the village are opened up to the public, an event well worth exploring if you’re lucky enough to be in the village at the time. The gardens at Mill Dene are open from April to October and offer high tea in the afternoons.
Surrounding areaRopewalk Cottage is only 3 miles away from Moreton-in-Marsh, which can be reached from London Paddington by train in roughly 90 minutes. Also nearby are the towns of Stow-on-the-Wold, Chipping Campden, the spa town Cheltenham (well known for its links to horse racing) Shakespeare’s birthplace Stratford-on-Avon, Oxford and an enchanting selection of National Trust properties including Hidcote Manor, Snowshill Manor and Chastleton House.
Longborough Opera is popular in the Summer and makes for a local cultural highlight, and there’s plenty of lovely Cotswold villages nearby to explore, with Bourton-on-the-Water, Broadway and The Slaughters offering great shops, traditional pubs and fine restaurants. Also within easy reach of the cottage you’ll find Sudeley Castle, Blenheim Palace, Batsford Arboretum, Sezincote House, Warwick Castle and much, much more.
Pubs & RestaurantsBlockley benefits from having a great range of places to eat and drink, offering great craft beers and traditional meals created using the finest locally-sourced ingredients.
The Great Western Arms in Blockley, which has a welcoming and friendly atmosphere and serves typical pub food. On the High Street, The Crown in Blockley is the place to go if you feel like sitting back and just watching the world go by, while Lower Brook House offers restaurant-style food if you feel like a special night out. It’s highly recommended you book first though!
If you enjoy long country walks, turn right out of the cottage and take the trip to Broad Campden where you’ll find the The Bakers Arms, good traditional pub serving a fine range of food and beers. Roughly two miles in the other direction is Bourton-on-the-Hill, where The Horse and Groom is regularly recommended by guests to the cottage thanks to its wonderful garden that’s perfect for sunny lunches.
Other good pubs in the area include The Ebrington Arms in Ebrington and The Red Lion and The King’s Arms, which can both be found in Chipping Campden. Slightly further afield in Stow-on-the-Wold, The Queen’s Head is a traditional pub with excellent Donnington beer and is well worth a visit. Here you’ll also find The Eagle and Child, which is part of The Royalist Hotel and is one of England’s oldest pubs – and it’s not surprising it’s lasted so long considering the quality of the food on offer there!
WalkingThere’s a huge selection of walking and rambling trails in and around Blockley. Whatever your fitness level and however far you fancy going, there’s bound to be a route to suit! To get you started, we’ve highlighted three of our favourites below.
– The route through Blockley, Batsford and the Arboretum: Experience first-hand the exotic legacy of a 19th-century diplomat! You’ll find woodland, hills with good views and charming villages adorning this beautiful stretch of the Cotswold escarpment.
Distance: 4.5 milesDuration: 2hrsDifficulty: Easy, lanes, tracks and fields, 8 stiles
– The route to Chipping Campden: This great walk comes in two flavours – an easy route if you’re just out for a stroll or a longer version for those who feel like stretching their legs a little more. Whichever you choose, you’ll be led through the idyllic English market town of Chipping Campden, around shaded woodlands and past breathtaking views. This walk really is a wonderful introduction to the Cotswolds!
Distance:  4½  miles (Short cut: 3 miles)Duration:  2½ -3½ hrs (Short cut: 1½-2½ hrs)Difficulty:  Moderate, some steep sections (Short cut: Easy, avoids climbs)
– To Broadway and the Tower: This enchanting and picturesque walk will lead you to Broadway, allowing you to explore historic tracks and the intriguing Broadway Tower (which offers spectacular views across the Severn Vale into Wales) along the way. It’s the perfect way to experience a little more of the variety offered by this stunning part of England.
Distance:  4 milesDuration:  2½ -3 hrsDifficulty:  Moderate, some steep sections and stilesAt 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 put you in touch with the right people arrange any of the following:
– Maid service/extra cleaning- Local day-trips- Babysitting service- Welcome hamper/pre-stocked fridge- Supermarket delivery service – Fire wood delivery service
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.