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4 Guests
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2 Bedrooms
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1 Bathroom
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Pets No
Features
- Off road parking
- Open fire
- Garden / Patio
- Pub/shop < 1 mile
- Dishwasher
- Broadband / WiFi
Reviews & Ratings
25 Customer Reviews
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"Another great stay at Shortmead cottage!"
Always our go to when in the area! Thankyou!
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"We had a wonderfully relaxed time at the cottage."
It came well-equiped with everything we needed for our week away visiting family. The cottage owner, Ian introduced himself to us, and was a Top Bloke. I would recommend anyone to stay at this venue.
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"Lovely cottage set in a quiet space of Biggleswade."
The owners clearly have taken the time restore the grounds for the benefit of the wildlife. Unfortunately during our stay they were doing a bit around the cottage garden restoring the fence all week, this felt a bit intrusive (even though they were lovely). However, it means it’s all ready for the next people to stay. Kitchen is well equipped, a minor point is they need some pint glasses, mugs that take more than a thimble of tea and 1/2 more saucepan sizes. Stairs were fine carrying a baby up them, wall/bannister either side. Those wobbly on feet/knee issues may struggle. Check in was really easy and the owners happy to help.
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"Nice little place in the countryside and convenient for the things that I wanted to see."
Really quiet given it's not that far from the A1 and railway line. Clean and comfortable and pretty well equipped. Had to fix the DVD player but it was only a strained power supply connection that needed a bit of fiddling.
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"A very well thought out cottage that had everything needed to make a relaxing break."
The pictures don't do the large kitchen justice it was a great social space and had good quality appliances and crockery etc. A lovely setting which if staying on the summer you would be able to fully enjoy the newly laid patio area. We will definitely return to Shortmead if we needed to stay in that area again.
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"We had a fabulous November week at Shortmead Cottage."
The underfloor heating kept the cottage warm enough for us without the additional woodburning stove or electric fire. An excellent kitchen with great food storage , luxurious bathroom and extremely comfortable bed. Reliable WiFi. Charming hosts. We will return and would not hesitate to recommend.
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"An amazing cottage, very well equipped and great location."
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"Enjoyable stay in lovely accommodation, surrounded by lovely gardens with wildlife (birds, squirrels, ladybirds (in abundance!"
). Underfloor heating in the kitchen provided plentiful heat, with the living room having the wood burner to provide warmth in the evening with a plentiful supply of logs. The steep stairs were a boost to our fitness, though appreciate they could be a struggle for some. Beds were comfortable, with temperature in the upstairs rooms easily controlled with the separate thermostat. Nice bathroom with an open shower and double ended bath was ideal. Pros: very affordable in low season, lovely gardens, handy for A1, good accommodation, friendly and helpful owner (easy key collection etc) Be aware of: stairs (for some), bumpy driveway
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"A really lovely place thanks."
The cottage has been made into a lovely cosy space with a luxurious feeling bathroom and nice fire. The kitchen was a great room though just could have done with a few more up to date pans and utensils. Appreciate that most people are staying for just a night or two so might not be doing too much cooking but if staying a whole week can be a bit limiting. That's a small issue though in what is overall a fantastic property
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"Superbly appointed, tastefully decorated cottage."
Two good sized bedrooms with excellent storage, a lovely kitchen and a cosy lounge. The owner, Ian, was very helpful and welcoming. One recommendation would make is to have a FAQ booklet outlining location of thermostats etc. Ian did explain all this to us when he welcomed us but it's always good to have the information to hand.
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"I think there should be a basic welcome pack on arrival, as we have never stayed anywhere before that hasn’t supplied a few essentials to start off with."
But overall it’s a nice cottage and we had a pleasant stay.
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"The cottage and surrounding area was just beautiful and peaceful."
lots of walks and wildlife. A great place to either chill with a glass in hand or use as a base to visit Cambridge and surrounding areas.
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"NO UNDER FLOOR HEATING IN FACT NO HEATING AT ALL ON GROUND FLOOR FABULOUS WEATHER BUT WHEN THE SUN WENT DOWN WE WERE FREEZING."
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"An island of tranquility which proved to be an excellent base from which to explore the area."
Biggleswade has a good range of facilities and there's a large supermarket nearby. The park-and-ride for Cambridge was very convenient and efficient. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay.
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"Very peaceful an comfortable, in obliging hosts"
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"Cottage was delightful."
A perfect blend of old and new. With quality facilities and wonderful little things that made it special.
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"Cottage was comfortable and fairly well equipped."
Owners were welcoming. One problem was lack of an info folder, so no info on how to use hob, how to adjust heating, waste disposal etc. Key to main door tended to jam in lock.
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"Great cottage"
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"Beautiful cottage in a very quiet location."
Despite the age of the cottage it's lovely and warm and the owners are very helpful with any little queries we had. We will definitely be back to stay again.
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"My colleague and I arrived at Shortmead Cottage and met the owner."
We were then shown to the cottage and instructed on how to use the facilities. While inside the cottage we could clearly hear and feel vibrations from trains passing on the main line adjacent to the property. Although this is mentioned in the description we both felt the issue is more significant and deserves mention in this review. Otherwise it’s a nice cottage in a good location.
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"The cottage was well appointed, warm and cosy."
The underfloor heating was really appreciated as the weather was so cold. A very peaceful situation in the grounds of the main house and, for a train fan, the east coast main line railway was a bonus! Yes you could hear the trains but they were not intrusive at all. The owner, Mr Bond, was welcoming and very helpful.
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"Wonderful cottage, beautiful location even though the railway is quite close, access road was a bit rough to navigate."
.. ;-)) but we would definitely book it again!!
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"The owners of the cottage are to be congratulated on a sensitive and sympathetic renovation to what I presume were two back to back cottages."
In the grounds of a large Georgian Mansion, the cottage is detached, so no noisy neighbours. More importantly, it is not on a road. My pet hate. There is a nearby railway line but it was not intrusive. Olde World meets New in this well proportioned property. The two bedrooms are spacious and provide more than enough storage for guest clothes and cases. A first for us was the more than adaquate supply of coathangers. Owners - PLEASE - do not remove the coathangers. There was also a good supply of extra blankets should they be required. The living quarters comprise of two large ground floor rooms. The kitchen is marvellous. There is a big modern rectangular table with two benches. We didn't use as there is a smaller table (for 4) in the lounge/diner which we preferred. The kitchen facilities are excellent. The underfloor heating was appreciated. The living room come dining room was very cosy. Especially when the log burner was on (could the owners provide a poker and fire set please). The TV is concealed in the left hand unit. A remote control raises and lowers it. We kept it in up position whilst there as we were concerned it might get stuck. I'm sure it would have been alright. It is also 'neck friendly'. At a comfortable level. Not up a height which appears to be the way these days. The TV is freeview so there is a good choice of viewing. Of course, it can also be used as a radio. Classic FM and Smooth radio are very cottage friendly! There is only one point I feel possible guests should be aware of. The stairs are quite steep and care is required. Those with mobility issues should possibly look elsewhere. The cottage is very well located to explore a large area. We visited Bletchley Park, Cambridge and London. The train station is located in Biggleswade. We walked there from the cottage in a comfortable 20 minute walk. There are car parking facilities at the station. Only £3.70 for off peak hours. We paid £27.70 for off peak train tickets to London on a week day. This included tube and bus travel 1-6. Excellent value. About £20 without this. Cheaper fares are available on Saturdays and Sundays...About £13.70 for off peak without tube and bus travel, £19.70 with. Take time to have a walk around the shopping area in Biggleswade. Many pubs and eateries as well as your everyday shops and at least 3 charity shops. There is an Aldi very near to the train station. Enjoy !
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"Shortmead Cottage is a Joy."
The kindness of Marilyn and Ian and Laura vied with the offerings of the cottage. The scaping of the grounds offers variety; but no artless heavy pruning here; only natural textures that nourish, 360 degrees. Trusting hens and a friendly cat offer judicious companionship. Peace in great measure. No small-minded restrictions mar the enjoyment of the property; to the contrary the hosts spared no pains to make our stay Wonderful.....
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"Being on the outskirts of Biggleswade, it made an ideal base for so many activities in the area."
We visited Cambridge, The Shuttleworth Collection, The Imperial War Museum at Duxford and a number of good National Trust properties. Eating out was very enjoyable, with many good pubs and restaurants within a few miles. Can definitely recommend the Hare and Hounds at Old Warden. We had a great week, which was helped by glorious weather.
Summary
- Two bedrooms: 1 x double, 1 x twin
- Bathroom with freestanding bath, walk-in shower, basin and WC
- Kitchen with dining area
- Sitting room with study area and multi-fuel stove.
- Gas central heating with underfloor heating on ground floor and bathroom and multi-fuel stove
- Electric oven and hob, microwave, fridge/freezer, washer/dryer, dishwasher, TV with Freeview, DVD, CD, WiFi, selection of books, games and DVDs
- Fuel, power and starter pack for stove inc. in rent
- Bed linen and towels inc. in rent
- Off road parking for 2 cars
- Lawned gardens with patio, furniture and small vegetable plot
- Sorry, no pets and no smoking
- Shop and pub 1 mile
- Note: The cottage stairs are steep
- Note: Some noise can be heard from the railway when outside
- Note: Shortmead House is sometimes used as a wedding venue. Note: Please contact us to discuss a Friday arrival during the Christmas & New Year period
The property
Biggleswade 1 mile.
A beautiful detached, converted Victorian farm cottage situated behind Shortmead House, the owner’s 18th century manor house.
Set in 20 acres of land on the Shortmead Estate, the cottage is located just a mile from the centre of Biggleswade in Bedfordshire.
Sympathetically extended to provide spacious, comfortable accommodation for families and friends, this Biggleswade cottage is an ideal base for those looking to stay in a rural area, yet is still close to the town’s amenities.
Superbly appointed throughout, this lovely cottage in Bedfordshire combines contemporary styling with period features including leaded windows and a Butler sink.
The large farmhouse kitchen with its central dining table is just the place to enjoy a sumptuous meal and talk about the day’s events, or if the weather turns a little cooler, settle down in front of the welcoming glow of the stove in the sitting room.
Two cosy bedrooms offer a good night’s sleep and for those who like to pamper themselves, this cottage in Bedfordshire is just for you as it boasts a superb double-ended bath alongside a walk-in shower.
Outside this Biggleswade holiday home is a typical English cottage garden, complete with vegetable plot.
The patio offers you just the place to enjoy a morning coffee or to dine alfresco, plus there are bridleways and footpaths throughout the estate.
The town of Biggleswade is within walking distance and here you will find an assortment of shops, restaurants and pubs.
Just a short drive away is the historic city of Cambridge, where you can take a punt down the River Cam, or wander around the cathedral or museums.
A 40 minute train journey brings you to London where you can visit the Tower, ride the London Eye, see the changing of the Guard and still be back in time for dinner!
Whatever you do, this Biggleswade cottage will have you wanting to return time and again.
About the location
BIGGLESWADE
Bedford 12 miles; Cambridge 22 miles.
The Bedfordshire market town of Biggleswade is the perfect place to stay when exploring the neighbouring counties of Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire, whilst fast train links allow visitors to arrive in London in 35 minutes. Biggleswade has an assortment of shops, both local and retail, pubs, restaurants and takeaways, plus just three miles away is the Shuttleworth Collection, which is an aeronautical and automotive museum located at the Old Warden airfield. Just 20 miles away is Woburn Abbey with its famous safari park, where you see many different creatures, including elephants, tigers, penguins and sea lions by car or on foot, whilst Woburn Abbey itself has over 400 years of history to share with visitors with some 22 rooms with 250 works of art to enjoy. Biggleswade is ideally situated for sightseeing and visits to the country, towns and cities.
Note: Please contact us to discuss a Friday arrival during the Christmas & New Year period.