As you drive into Kencot, you immediately feel the peaceful calm of this pretty Cotswold village, which extends all the way up and into Maisey Cottage. This typical, honey-coloured Cotswold stone property, with original leaded window panes, dates back at least 200 years and has been owned by the same family for over 100 years. Its high garden wall hides a delightful gravelled garden where guests can sit and enjoy the sound of birdsong, and very little else.
Heading through Maisey Cottage's wooden door into the walled garden, you'll be impressed by the huge, overhanging Robina pseudoacacia tree and pretty border full of flowers and herbs. There's space here to sit out and enjoy the surroundings and prepare a BBQ. (An electric car charging point in the garden is available to guests for a separate additional fee on a per night basis).
The heart of the cottage - the Central Hallway, Master Bedroom and Living Room - dates back over 200 years, while the new extension, with a fully equipped kitchen/dining area with underfloor heating, and a second bedroom, was added in 2016. The Living Room has a wood burning stove and original flagstone flooring, made cosy with Persian rugs, while the bright and airy, contemporary kitchen/dining area is a delightful eating and entertaining space.
Maisey Cottage has free, off-road parking for 2-3 cars.
Ground Floor
Entrance:
The entrance to the cottage is through the side door via the garden (to the right of the old front door). Step through the side door into a small hallway where you will find hooks for coats, cupboards housing an iron and ironing board, freezer, and switches to all the main power controls.
Utility / W.C:
This handy Utility Room, with underfloor heating, has a WC, modern Mira shower, Indesit washer/dryer machine, hanging area for clothes, electric towel rail and a drying rack. It also houses extra garden chairs, a hot water cylinder and a water softener. (Details about all appliances are in the House Manual in the cottage.)
Central Hall:
This is the hub of the cottage, with the owner's framed and customised Ordnance Survey map as the focal point. (See ‘Eating Out, Walks and Places to Visit' above.) The exposed beams and thick walls draw your attention to the cottages 200-year-old history and bring character to the central hall area. In here you will also find a handy table and chairs for placing phones, computers, shopping or books; a small desk with local guide books, maps and the WiFi router; and the fuse box.
Kitchen / Dining Room:
The new extension provides a welcoming, light-filled contemporary space for cooking and dining. The glass-roofed kitchen area has an induction hob, double oven, dishwasher, microwave, large fridge, polished limestone flooring with underfloor heating and a very good selection of pans, cooking and baking equipment. You will find a supply of condiments, flour, sugar, baking foil and paper, bin bags, basic cleaning products (including dishwasher tablets), plus tea towels, oven gloves, and an apron.
Bi-fold doors open out onto a very pretty, covered area with tiled flooring where the old cottage well, full of clear water, has been made into a feature with a secure, glass top and internal lights - at night see the reflection of the stone-walled well in the glass roof above. Close the bi-fold doors and sit on the cosy double seat, outside yet protected from the elements; or open the doors and integrate this delightful space with the kitchen.
Living Room:
The original, 200-year-old, sitting room has a flagstone floor with beautiful Persian rugs. The room is heated by a very efficient Clearview wood stove, with enough logs and kindling for two fires. (More logs can be purchased from the owner. See the Manual at the cottage for details.) Two comfy sofas and two armchairs are provided for guests to relax in. The room is also furnished with a pretty inlaid antique desk, with power points close by for a computer, a coffee table, a small Freeview TV and DVD player (a selection of DVDs is provided), a CD player (with a selection of CDs), a range of books (guides, local interest and novels) and a selection of puzzles, board games and a lovely chess set. This is an inviting, cosy room with everything you would need for a relaxing evening after a day exploring the Cotswolds, or perhaps a day relaxing when the weather keeps you indoors.
First Floor
Through a door in the Central Hallway and up the wooden staircase to:
Landing:
The upstairs is reached by an old wooden staircase with a thick rope ‘handrail'. It opens out on to a landing area which can be used as a mini sitting/study room overlooking the fields to the front of the cottage. It's a great spot for a quiet read or would be suitable for a travel cot (not supplied). An antique corner cupboard houses a guest hairdryer and first aid kit. The landing has a heated towel rail, perfect for hanging damp towels after showering or bathing. A stair gate is available to go at the top of the stairs.
Bedroom One:
This bedroom is very spacious with interesting exposed beams to the apex, showing the A-frame construction of the cottage. The rounded chimney makes an interesting and unusual feature in the room. It has a king-size bed and is furnished with two "retro"-style chests of drawers and a small wardrobe. A choice of duvets (summer and winter) is provided along with a radio/clock alarm. The views over the fields as the sun rises are lovely.
Bedroom Two:
This dual aspect bedroom, with stunning sunset views, is furnished with a comfy double bed, chest of drawers and hooks for hanging your clothes. The room is heated with an efficient, free-standing electric heater. Both summer and winter weight duvets are available.
Family Bathroom:
The upstairs bathroom is new and has a double-ended bath (central taps), shower over the bath, dual flush WC, basin and shaver socket. Handwash and a non-slip mat is provided as well as a start pack of toilet paper.
Outside
There is a very pretty, secluded courtyard garden with two traditional garden benches and a sundial. A beautiful and unusual Robinia pseudoacacia tree overhangs the garden, which has a herb area as well as roses and other flowers planted to provide colour throughout the year.
Opposite the cottage is the village playing field with swings etc and a footpath which will take you over the fields.
