We absolutely loved our visit to the Dovecote Cottage. I'd actually been looking for something in the Southampton (coastal) area when this historic cottage somehow appeared on my screen. It looked so charming that we booked it for my birthday weekend and made the trip inland.
We'd originally planned to spend quite a bit of time in Oxford, but our timing coincided with a turbulent October storm. The Dovecote was so lovely and relaxing that we simply holed up and enjoyed the understated luxury of this little relic of the past.
It's quite evident that the Dovecote is a "labor of love" with Elspeth's warm and welcoming touches. A loaf of wholesome, homemade bread was waiting for us when we arrived, and the fridge was stocked with all the gourmet fixings for a lovely lunch (or two). And not only did she have a beautiful fruit bowl on the table, but she had sweet and freshly washed strawberries, raspberries and blueberries in the fridge, complete with yogurt, cereal and milk for the next day's breakfast. The linens on the bed were heavenly, including down pillows that were so comfortable that I want to buy some myself.
The cottage is literally just a few steps from the village main street where you can stop in at the charming, Greyhound Inn for a pint and/or a delicious homemade meal. The surrounding area is rural farmland reminiscent of days gone by. Although this miniature village seems in the middle of nowhere, the larger village of Wantage is just a 5 minute drive away and has a multiple of shops and a large Waitrose to meet your every need. Oxford is around 30 minutes away. The only downside to the cottage (if it even is one) is that it is located on the far side of a large back lawn of the family residence and you must access it by the side gate of the main home. Elspeth and her family are very respectful of your privacy and once you're in the cottage, it's extremely tranquil and private.
I've stayed in many old, lovely cottages in my life and some of them can be a bit damp and cold with an assortment of challenges, such as cold water or the heat not properly working. Not the case here...we were cozy and comfortable and privy to every modern convenience.
We absolutely loved hanging out in the cottage with a glass of wine and a slice of homemade bread while riding out the storm.
Thank you, Elspeth, for preserving and sharing your lovely slice of history with us!