A visit to Prospect Cottage is just the answer when you want to be pampered and enjoy magnificent countryside. I have stayed there twice now, once for only one night and once for six nights.

Prospect Cottage is a 17th Century Grade 2 listed building just one hundred yards from the centre of Northleach in the Cotswolds. Don’t be put off by being so near to the centre, as the town has been by-passed by the new A40 so very little traffic comes anywhere near! It has been given 4 stars and a silver award by the English Tourist Board and fully deserves them. The front door opens into the lounge which can be used by the guests. In winter there is always an open fire burning which adds to the warm welcome that is given by the hosts Gordon and Coralie Clifford. On arrival there will be a tray of tea or coffee served in the lounge which has always been appreciated after a long journey. At the other end of this room are the tables where the guests have their meals.
There are two guest bedrooms, one double and one twin, both with excellent en suite facilities. It would therefore be the ideal place for two couples from say Wales and London to meet up. Access is via a twisty staircase, so disabled access would be a problem. It would also not be suitable for young children. The bedrooms are well laid out with white cotton bed linen. We could not believe it when all our sheets were changed in the middle of a six night stay. All that you could require is there and if by any chance (which I doubt) anything else is needed the hosts are always on hand and will supply it. Toiletries etc are available in the bathrooms along with lovely white fluffy towels. Each bathroom has a shower and bath. There is a very well supplied tea and coffee tray in the bedroom. There is a television and radio in each room. The double room has the original wooden beams so if you are tall you do have to duck as you walk round the bed but a small soft duck is hanging there from the beam to remind you!

Well, where do I start? Breakfast can be exactly what you want. The full English breakfast is as much food as you would need for the day but you can choose as much or as little as you require. There are cereals of several varieties, fresh fruit, home-made yoghurt and fresh bread, and as much toast as you can eat served with butter and home made preserves. You can even have scrambled egg and smoked salmon if that is what you fancy.
They will provide an evening meal for £19 if it is ordered in advance. Again this is very high quality but you can find food at all the local pubs

Northleach received it charter from Henry III in 1227. The town was well established as a wool market town by 1300. It is a lovely small market town which has not changed significantly since the fifteenth century. There are shops which provide all the things you will need during your stay. There is even a music museum in the High Street which also sells music boxes, chiming clocks and many games and toys. The church of St Peter and St Paul was built by the wool merchants, the tower dating back to 1350. The east window portrays the wool merchant motif, having woolsacks and shears. This church is mentioned in ‘England’s Thousand Best Churches’ by Simon Jenkins where it is given 4 * with the perpendicular porch and the wool merchant’s brasses being particularly mentioned.
The half timbered houses and buildings make the market square very pleasing to the eye.

Northleach is situated at the heart of the Cotswolds and therefore is a marvellous place from which to walk. There are many sheep in the surrounding fields and you can indeed enjoy lovely walks from the house. Close to Northleach are some well known walks such as the Monarch’s Way, Diamond Way and MacMillan Way and further afield are Cotswold Way and Gloucestershire Way. In the house are many maps which can be borrowed. We certainly had a great time walking around the area and enjoying the wildlife.
Bourton-on-the-Water and Stow-on-the-Wold are only a few miles away. These are beautiful towns that are well worth a visit. Slightly further away is Cheltenham. Truly the whole of the Cotswolds are within easy reach of this cottage.
We enjoyed a trip to a Roman villa which is only a short drive away and well worth a visit.

The cottage is very easy to find by car. From the A40 / A429 junction you take the exit toward Cirencester and Swindon and then turn left into Northleach. The cottage is on the right before you reach market square. It is clearly identifiable by the sign over the door. The full address is :- Prospect Cottage, West End, Northleach, Gloucestershire GL54 3HG