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Spring Cottage

(Ref. 1020508)

Alkerton near Banbury, Oxfordshire Show on map

4.8

Sykes rating

  • 3 Guests

  • 2 Bedrooms

  • 1 Bathroom

  • Pets Yes

Features

  • Off road parking
  • Open fire
  • Garden / Patio
  • Washing machine
  • Dishwasher
  • Broadband / WiFi

Reviews & Ratings

Accuracy of the listing
Cleanliness
Comfort
Facilities and Maintenance
  • All reviews
  • cottage (41)
  • garden (22)
  • lovely (20)
  • stay (16)
  • our (15)
  • location (14)

50 Customer Reviews

  • "What a wonderful cottage, very homely and so quiet & relaxing with no passing ..."

    What a wonderful cottage, very homely and so quiet & relaxing with no passing traffic, good central location for other areas, would differently book again

    Reviewed by Nancy5.0Sep 2024

  • "Thankyou, we had a wonderful stay."

    The cottage was lovely and a great base for visiting the area. Very dog friendly.

    Reviewed by Kate5.0Aug 2024

  • "Great cottage, lovely area, would definitely book again"

    Reviewed by Janet5.0Jul 2024

  • "We enjoyed our stay in Spring cottage, very cosy."

    Only thing I’d like to say is, the garden needs to be fully enclosed, there are three places that our dogs could get out if, just need gates/fencing. I couldn’t relax & just let them out. We’d have booked for longer if this was fixed as the location & other amenities are great.

    Reviewed by Yvonne4.7Jun 2024

  • "Garden room very disappointing no heating ancient settee only accessible from the outside and not part of the house which was very misleading on the details."

    The garden itself was very untidy and unloved full of weeds and we did not spend any time in it due to its condition.

    You are the first person to complain about the garden room. I suggest you take a look at the photos on the Sykes website that clearly show that the garden room only has access from the French windows. I am sorry that you were unable to work this out. It has been extremely wet and this caused the gardener to miss a recent visit. Hopefully they will be back on top of the garden now. Im not sure what facilities you think are missing or why you think the accuracy of the listing is so bad. Property Owner

    Reviewed by B2.2Jun 2024

  • "We loved our stay in Spring Cottage."

    The cottage was really comfortable and the garden was wonderful. We were lucky to have beautiful weather and it was a treat to sit in the garden listening to the bird life and bees and enjoy the lovely views. Being near a gliding club we loved watching the gliders in the air being towed and released into the sky over the Bank Holiday weekend. The cottage is perfectly located for lovely walks to and around nearby villages and easy access to many places of interest.

    Reviewed by Kate5.0May 2024

  • "The cottage is perfect, very comfortable and well equipped, set in a peaceful scenic area."

    We will come to stay again.

    Reviewed by Patricia5.0Apr 2024

  • "George was very helpful, lovely cottage, end of garden could have been easily dog proofed by bench and wheelbarrow but we managed and watched our escapee!"

    have already recommended it and I am sure we will visit again.

    Reviewed by Alison4.7Apr 2024

  • "This cottage was absolutely gorgeous!"

    Really clean and well kept, out in the sticks so it's peaceful, and there's a lovely view from the garden. The owner left us a bottle of wine which was very kind of them, and they responded quickly to an issue with the heating and fixed it just as fast so I couldn't fault it. I'm only annoyed at myself for not giving the fully stocked fire a go one evening! Would definitely recommend and potentially come back if we're ever in the area again

    Reviewed by Victoria5.0Mar 2024

  • "Lovely cottage, perfect location for visiting family."

    My only point would be investing in a better side gate to access the rear garden. The makeshift fire guard gate is not the best. Thank you again!

    Reviewed by Janet5.0Feb 2024

  • "Lovely little weekend getaway with my partner and 2 dogs."

    Spring cottage was very welcoming, everything very clean, the open fire made our weekend, especially on the cold nights. Just to sit and curl up on the comfy sofa. Kitchen was very well equipped with everything we needed. Loved the idea of the utility room for sorting our muddy fur babies out, nothing was too much effort whilst there, and very central for days out. We’re definitely going to be back in the summer !! Sorry we didn’t write in the guest book as we didn’t have a pen, but also the information folder was top notch

    Reviewed by Sarah5.0Nov 2023

  • "Lovely cottage in little village ,everything thing you need for a relaxing holiday"

    Reviewed by Susan4.7Sep 2023

  • "Lovely cottage."

    Very peaceful, relaxing and plenty of walks outside the door.

    Reviewed by Mervyn5.0Sep 2023

  • "Spring Cottage was a beautiful cottage in a very quiet location."

    The cottage had everything you needed for a relaxing stay in the Cotswold's. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay, and exploring the area. The local pub was fabulous and the staff very friendly. It is so nice to have a home from home, for us and our fur baby.

    Reviewed by Sandra5.0Aug 2023

  • "Excellent property and fabulous location."

    .. thanks

    Reviewed by Sean5.0Aug 2023

  • "Lovely cottage, comfortable beds."

    The owners responded very quickly to problems (microwave broke down, heating (yes, we needed it for a couple of days in August!) wouldn't come on, burst water pipe in garden) very quickly and sorted the problems out and even diagnosed a problem with our car and sorted that out too! Beautiful garden. Everything we needed in the cottage and we would like to stay there again.

    Reviewed by Christine5.0Aug 2023

  • "Fantastic cottage"

    Reviewed by Stuart5.0Jul 2023

  • "Lovely homely cottage in a beautiful setting."

    Ideal base for walking and sightseeing.

    Reviewed by Jan5.0Jul 2023

  • "Gorgeous cottage and a wonderful week away."

    The owners of Spring Cottage, seem to think of everything you may need to make your stay evening more enjoyable and relaxing. Would definitely recommend

    Reviewed by Delina5.0Jun 2023

  • "Absolutely loved our weekend away at spring cottage."

    It has a real homely fealing with loads of features that draw you in. Really spacious and cozy with a decent sized open fire. Was perfect for 2 of us and 2 dogs. Would definitely come back maybe bring the kids too.

    Reviewed by Shaun5.0May 2023

  • "Cottage was perfect - can't wait to return there soon."

    Reviewed by Jacqueline4.7May 2023

  • "Beautiful property, very warm and welcoming."

    Reviewed by Emma5.0Feb 2023

  • "This cottage was idyllic, especially over the Christmas period."

    There were no local shops in walking distance, but a lovely local pub to walk to . Highly recommended

    Reviewed by Daniel5.0Dec 2022

  • "Wonderful location, ideal for long walks in the beautiful countryside."

    Will be back yet again!

    Reviewed by Helen5.0Oct 2022

  • "We really enjoyed our holiday and in such a lovely location too."

    The house was very comfortable and the garden a treat to sit in and enjoy the lovely weather after a day out walking. The lanes nearby are mostly dog friendly so as long as there are no cattle you can allow them off the lead. There are numerous walks from the house in very pleasant countryside. The house is in a very quiet location and was very clean and well equipped. Good local pubs and the National Herb Centre was well worth a visit. That too was dog friendly.

    Reviewed by Sarah5.0Sep 2022

  • "A fabulous cottage within a beautiful location, peaceful yet central to many towns and places of interest."

    Freindly neighbours who checked we were ok and offered us extra ice on what was recordefd as the hottest day of the year. Cottage booked as dog friendly garden, only comment would be to have a side gate at rear of property as open access to shared driveway allows inquisitive dogs to leave garden and go "site seeing" for themselves. Due to having garden with split sections and low fencing/edging our dog could have escaped the garden as he is a young dog under 2 years old so he remained on an extended leash for the duration of our stay.

    Reviewed by Tod5.0Jul 2022

  • "Lovely cottage."

    Clean and comfortable. Perfect area for walks but also close enough to towns.

    Reviewed by Paula5.0Jul 2022

  • "It was our second stay at this beautiful cottage."

    The cottage is set in a beautiful quiet location it is extremely well equipped. The owner has excellent attention to detail.

    Reviewed by David5.0Jul 2022

  • "Everything we could wish for in this delightful cottage."

    Perfect peace and quiet, ideal for anyone who wants to escape to the country. Very central for visiting other parts of this quiet corner of Oxfordshire. Very comfy bed, lashings of hot water, good stove and plenty of cooking equipment. Pretty cottage garden which we thoroughly enjoyed - thanks to glorious weather.

    Reviewed by Mary5.0Jun 2022

  • "Lovely property, home from home,lovely dog friendly garden,"

    Reviewed by Chris5.0May 2022

  • "A lovely cottage with big garden which will be perfect for summer months."

    It is in a quiet spot but handy for visiting many towns and villages in the area. Well equipped kitchen, but the pans and cooking dishes are extremely heavy which people with arthritis for example, would find impossible to lift. Very comfortable beds. All in all a delightful place and a return visit is on the cards.

    Reviewed by Val5.0Mar 2022

  • "The cottage was very pleasant and in keeping with its period."

    For people with mobility issues it would have helped to know about problems we might encounter.There are no handrails on the stairs or grab handles in the shower.All outside areas are very uneven and could potentially cause falls.If we had known all this we would have chosen a different property

    Reviewed by Nigel3.4Mar 2022

  • "A fantastic cottage, clean and well equipped with everything you need for a great stay."

    My only criticism would be it could really do with a better gate to access the back garden especially if you have pets with you.

    Reviewed by Janet5.0Feb 2022

  • "For us, at this particular time, the cottage WAS the holiday, really."

    .it's a nice place to be; clean, quiet and very cosy. The kitchen is gorgeous, a pleasure to cook in, and the log fire made for warm contented evenings. The owners were pro-active in visiting to sort out the central heating timer which ran amok due to a flash storm and brief power cut one night! Oh, and the bottle of wine was actually good quality (now on my shopping list at the supermarket!), unlike some of the horrors we've had in the past..glass of 'aromatised British wine drink anyone?? So yes, Spring Cottage was a joy. We mostly pottered about in the day - I grew up locally and the area retains its charms for me. I'm just a touch curmudgeonly about how busy all the touristy bits are now that so many people are around so much of the time..we used to have rather nice holidays out of season, when the working population was actually at work and we pensioners got the days to ourselves! Anyway, yes, the cottage was a splendid retreat for a few days and I completely recommend it for old world charm combined with a cracking range oven and dishwasher...brill!

    Reviewed by Lesley5.0Oct 2021

  • "Fantastic week at spring cottage, not perfect but perfect for us and our two dogs!"

    I guess a lot depends on people’s expectations. Plenty of space inside and out. The garden was a bit wild but having a very large garden Myself I can appreciate how much time it takes to keep on top of it and obviously when you rent a property out you can’t have people there working. The only thing We missed on our week away was our shower but that’s just what we are used to, I would have used a washing line if there was one as we were very lucky with the weather. The utility room was so handy when we did come back with damp dogs. The area is fantastic to explore, we did so many long different walks straight from the door. Not all footpaths are well signed and some of the stiles could be difficult with large dogs. We tend to stay clear of fields with cows in after a couple of scary incidents in the past and there was a couple of footpaths that went through cow fields that didn’t have any notice on them and a couple of fields with gates open with cows in too. We always keep our dogs on leads through the countryside out of respect, the sheep always make me smile as they watch you with uncertainty and we went through lots of fields with sheep, but for some reason one sheep took an interest in one of our little black dogs and started bleating and the next thing we knew the whole heard were there! We didn’t go to any towns or pubs so cannot comment on any in the surrounding area. We did a couple of different walks by the canal and river which made a nice change, and any one we came across were very friendly I was really surprised at how many canal boats there were, this was really nice to see but I’m glad we didn’t visit at a busier time, all in all we had the best time and would definitely do it again

    Reviewed by Tina4.7Sep 2021

  • "Nice cosy cottage with lovely garden on a cute quiet lane with no road noise at all, but not too far from the main road so easy to travel."

    beds comfy and cottage very clean.

    Reviewed by Sheila5.0Sep 2021

  • "Cleanliness left a bit to be desired."

    Dust on sides, old dried food on plates, Carpets very dirty. Very unkept/ over grown garden. Property and garden on a whole was very run down and needed some TLC. On the plus side we had a nice bottle on red wine to welcome us however a small pint of milk wouldnt of gone unappreciated either but thankyou. The amenities listed Barbeque. There was no Barbeque so had to contact Sykes who told us it was incorrectly listed. Apart from these nitty gritty details which let it down a little. The stay and surroundings were beautiful. Very quiet and peaceful. A car is essential. And a little tip don't try to eat out at any pub/restaurant on a Tuesday. They don't serve food on that day of the week.

    Reviewed by Sophie2.8Aug 2021

  • "Great cottage Very comfortable Fantastic kitchen Could do with a little bit ..."

    Great cottage Very comfortable Fantastic kitchen Could do with a little bit of updating but no complaints at all V Good shower Very friendly and Great enclosed garden for dogs Very good location Beautiful setting

    Reviewed by Jordan5.0Aug 2021

  • "Spring Cottage served three of us well for our week's stay."

    A very comfortable cottage in a gorgeous setting. The kitchen and utility room were well equipped, including a 6-ring, 3-oven Rangemaster, a fridge, a freezer, a dishwasher, a washing machine and a tumble dryer. Every gadget and appliance worked, including a good wi-fi. The only let-down was a couple of cobwebs on arrival. Bin collection day turned out to be Friday (during August 2021) not the Thursday stated in the welcome pack.

    Reviewed by Mark4.7Jul 2021

  • "This cottage if fantastic we are already planning to return."

    The cottage is very well equipped, roomy and comfortable.

    Reviewed by David5.0Jul 2021

  • "Beautiful Cottage in an Rose covered village, lovely to receive a bottle of wine and coffee for the coffee machine."

    Really cosy. Could do we a tiny bit of TLC in places mainly the garden. But it wouldn't stop me reccomending or staying again. Really enjoyed our stay.

    Reviewed by Keith4.7Jun 2021

  • "Clean comfortable cottage in beautiful village."

    Cottage could do with a refurb especially bathroom. Carpet with overbath shower not a good mix. Last three cottages we have booked with Sykes described as pet friendly have had enclosed gardens, but this one did not. All it needs is a side gate fitted and it would keep a larger breed in(we have a labrador) I realize you can not guarantee that a garden is escape proof but no attempt had been made to ensure dogs cannot just walk out.

    Thank you for your feedback, a dog guard has now been put up to insure that the garden is enclosed and pet friendly. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Glenys3.8Jun 2021

  • "Such a shame that many cottages are listed as dog friendly yet have open and non dog safe gardens requiring dogs to be taken outside on leads only."

    This means no relaxing for the dog owner. Can cottage descriptions state whether the rear gardens are completely secure or otherwise to enable a complete choice to be made. As things are described at the moment this is not the case and one cannot fully relax in an unenclosed garden. A fully enclosed rear garden is a big selling point not to be underestimated.

    Thank you for your feedback, a dog guard has now been put up to insure that the garden is enclosed and pet friendly. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Robert4.4Jun 2021

  • "Wonderful location."

    So very quiet, just the occasional sheep bleating and bird song. A quieter part of the cotswolds. A very enjoyable break

    Reviewed by Sue5.0May 2021

  • "Nice comfortable cottage in a quiet location, perfect during lockdown."

    Reviewed by Andre5.0Apr 2021

  • "Cosy cottage in a beautiful setting."

    Really appreciated the open fire! Hope to return.

    Reviewed by Helen5.0Oct 2020

  • "Spring Cottage is an absolutely beautiful cottage in an extremely peaceful location."

    It was very clean and welcoming and it was incredibly thoughtful of the owner to set up the open fire ready for use. The lovely bottle of wine was also a nice touch. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay especially the absolute quiet.. pure bliss... It was perfect for stargazing in the garden after our days out exploring. We look forward to staying again.

    Reviewed by Tara5.0Sep 2020

  • "A very nice cottage, clean, comfortable, and private."

    A small garden but functional with garden chairs. You will need some kind of transport to get around as there is not too much locally. We enjoyed our stay there.

    Reviewed by John5.0Sep 2020

  • "Lovely cottage, very clean, well equipped and comfortable."

    Reviewed by Jean5.0Sep 2020

  • "Radiator in bathroom barely working."

    Tv on/off switch on the blink.(reported) Please do NOT publish feedback as it would be unfair to the owners to to mention a few minor issues when on the whole the property was clean and was a good blend of modern and olde world in a good location.

    Reviewed by Mick5.0Feb 2020

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Summary

  • Two bedrooms: 1 x king-size, 1 x single
  • Bathroom with shower over bath, basin and WC
  • Kitchen/diner
  • Utility
  • Sitting room with open fire
  • Sun room
  • Oil central heating with open fire - one basket of firewood is provided
  • Ranger cooker, dishwasher, microwave, fridge/freezer, washer/dryer, TV with Freeview and WiFi
  • Fuel and power inc. in rent
  • Bed linen and towels inc. in rent
  • Two off-road parking spaces
  • Rear patio area with furniture and a lawn area
  • Two well-behaved pets welcome
  • Sorry, no smoking
  • Pub within 0.4 mile, shop within 4.7 miles.

The property

Banbury 5.5 miles.

Resting on the edge of the majestic Cotswolds AONB in the pretty village of Alkerton is this quaint, honey-coloured, stone-built property, Spring Cottage. This wonderful retreat is the ideal base for a couple or a small family seeking to explore the wonders of this picturesque region, as well as the number of popular towns and cities which are just a short car journey away.

The cottage is the perfect location for those wanting to go for walks with several footpaths nearby. The interior of the dwelling enjoys a clever mixture of contemporary and character, and this is highlighted within the sitting room where the exposed beams and leaded windows frame the plush furnishings. This space also houses a warming open fire, and the original bread oven offers a sense of charm as you unwind of an evening. Beyond here is the kitchen, where the traditional Range cooker and an additional bread oven invites you in to prepare your own delicious evenings meals before your loved ones settle down to plan the day's ahead as you tuck in. As the evening draws to a close, venture up the staircase to find two well-presented bedrooms, comprising of a king-size bedroom and a single bedroom, each boasting a refreshing ambiance and plenty of storage space for your holiday belongings. If you can tear yourself away from this truly charming dwelling, head to the nearby market town of Banbury where a superb selection of amenities awaits you, as well as a cinema and a museum, ideal for those rainy days. For those feeling active, look forward to discovering the miles of walks upon the Cotswolds or brush up on the local history by discovering the moated Broughton Castle, Blenheim Palace and the picturesque city of Oxford.

Stratford-upon-Avon is 30 mins away and Silverstone roughly 45 minutes. Nearby, The Bell at Shenington offers a wide selection of food and drink.

The closest shop is at Tysoe (2 miles). Spring Cottage is a wonderful retreat for you and your loved ones next countryside escape. Please note this is an old cottage and is not suitable for people with mobility issues.

View on map

About the location

BANBURY

Oxford 24 miles; Bourton-on-the-Water 24 miles; Warwick 20 miles; Chipping Norton 13 miles; Stratford-upon-Avon 21 miles.

Situated on the edge of the Cotswolds, the market town of Banbury offers shopping, cafes, a cinema and a museum. Nearby is the ancient town of Chipping Norton, steeped in history and culture, and set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Chipping Norton boasts a popular weekly market, numerous book and antique shops, many cafes, restaurants and pubs serving excellent food and local ales, art galleries, a museum and a thriving theatre. Via winding hedge-lined country lanes explore the surrounding villages built of Cotswold or warm honey coloured Horton stone with beautiful parish churches and welcoming pubs, many of which have excellent food. Art galleries, museums and historic sites abound. Also the glorious hidden treasure of moated Broughton Castle is close by. Blenheim Place, the ancestral home of Sir Winston Churchill and the Dukes of Marlborough and the unspoilt towns and villages of Woodstock, Burford and Stow-on-the-Water are just a short drive away. Oxford, the oldest university city in England and known as ‘The City of Dreaming Spires’ has an abundance of attractions, namely the 38 colleges of the university, the Bodleian Library, Botanic Gardens, museums and theatres, as well as playing host to many festivals and markets. Stratford-upon-Avon, birthplace of William Shakespeare and home to the Royal Shakespeare Company's theatre, Warwick with its magnificent, world-renowned castle and Royal Leamington Spa make a lovely day out. Also glorious gardens to visit include Hidcote, Kiftsgate, Stowe and Rousham. Enjoy many types of motor and superbike racing at Silverstone, cart racing at Shenington, horse racing at Stratford, Warwick or Towcester, try fly-fishing on the River Windrush or spend a day shopping at Bicester Village Designer Outlet. Banbury is an ideal holiday location.

This property offers the following short breaks:

  • Winter
  • Off-season
  • Last minute
  • Christmas