Dornywell Cottage Heart of England

THE COTSWOLD COUNTRY COTTAGE OF YOUR DREAMS

Deep in the countryside, close to the Cotswold town of Chipping Norton, Dornywell Cottage is a honey-stone, thatched hideaway to make your heart sing. Surrounded by its own two-acre estate, this picture-perfect cottage is as supremely comfortable as it is quaint. Love every moment of your stay, making full use of the spa, tennis court and designer kitchen, complete with pristine vintage Aga.

Relax into country life in the two lounges, where exposed beams, cosy fires and rustic wood panelling create a sense of warmth and informality. Meanwhile, the DeVOL kitchen, luxury bathrooms and high-end furnishings add style and sophistication.

Step through the French doors, which suffuse the cottage with light, into your outdoor living space. In the outdoor spa, enjoy the sauna, hot tub and cold plunge pool. Play tennis, explore the gardens and lay out a picnic blanket beside the pond. Take your drinks out to the sunny terrace and watch the others play bocce ball and horseshoes on the lawn. Enjoy a late afternoon barbecue and then gather round the firepit as the stars come out.

When the Cotswold air lulls you to tiredness, the bedrooms are a welcome sanctuary. The cottage has six characterful bedrooms beneath the thatch. Two of the rooms have spa-like ensuite bathrooms and there’s a further large, luxury bathroom and a powder room. Aesop toiletries and fluffy bathrobes ensure you feel thoroughly pampered. A private annex, tucked away behind the tennis court, houses two further bedrooms.

At Dornywell Cottage, you have the Cotswolds on your doorstep, Oxford close by and the beautiful Blenheim Palace within a 15-minute drive. And it’s just 70 miles from central London.

Selected by Mark

Learn more about our handpicking process

What we think

Dornywell Cottage is as quintessential a Cotswoldy chocolate box house as it’s possible to get. Thatched, loads of its own space, a gorgeous rustic aesthetic, hot tub, sauna, and tennis court. This is living it up in first class in the country.

Mark, Big House Experience

Gallery

Highlights Grounds Living Spaces Kitchen and Dining Bedrooms Bathrooms Facilities All

Aerial View

Drawing Room

Sitting Room

Dining Room

Kitchen

Master Bedroom

Dornywell Cottage Hot Tub & Plunge Pool 3

Hot Tub & Plunge Bath

List of Bedrooms & Floor Plans (PDF)

What to Expect

We’ve tried to think about everything to make your stay at Dornywell Cottage just perfect. In all of our big houses to rent, we provide all the essential features to cater for a large group. Here’s a list of all the practical provisions we have at the house. If there’s anything you can’t see here but need, just ask as we’ll see what we can do.

Welcome package on arrival
Luxury bed linen, bath towels, bath robes and hot tub towels
Complimentary Aesop toiletries
Well equipped kitchen including traditional Aga, two fridges, freezer, dishwasher and coffee machine
Kitchenette in the annex
Dining room table that seats 8 guests (can be extended to seat 14 guests)
High speed Wi-Fi in the main house
Bluetooth speaker
Smart TVs in the two main house living rooms
Two indoor fireplaces (one gas and one wood-burning)
Two dedicated office spaces
Infrared sauna
Hot tub (seats 6)
Cold plunge bath
Outdoor shower
Hard surface tennis court
Outdoor seating and dining areas for 8 guests
Gas BBQ (gas provided)
Outdoor firepit (coal provided)
Outdoor bocce ball and horseshoe games
Selection of Hunter wellies for guests' use
Concierge services available on request (additional charge)
EV charging point (free of charge)

Location

Set in the heart of the Oxfordshire countryside, close to the market town of Chipping Norton, on the edge of the Cotswolds.

House FAQs

What are the check in and check out times?

Check in is at 4pm on the day of your arrival and check out is at 10am.
How many cars can park at the property?

There is parking for 6 cars at the property.
Are children welcome?

Children are very welcome at Dornywell Cottage. A travel cot (including linen) and a highchair are available on request. Please note, parents should supervise children at all times due to the hot tub and plunge pool in the grounds.
Are pets allowed?

Up to two well-behaved dogs are allowed at Dornywell Cottage, subject to a fee of £75 per dog. Dogs are not allowed upstairs or on soft furnishings.
Are stag and hen parties allowed?

Respectful hen and stag parties are sometimes permitted, subject to prior agreement with the property owner. Please contact us before booking to discuss on 01242 352747.
Are additional day guests allowed at the property?

Sorry, but no additional day guests are allowed at Dornywell Cottage. We politely ask that this is respected.
Can I arrange a supermarket delivery to the house?

Yes, you can order online with Waitrose for a delivery direct to the house. We usually suggest booking a delivery for after 4pm on the day of arrival.
How many guests can sit at the dining table?

The dining table can seat 8 guests or be extended to seat up to 14 guests.
Can you recommend any local places to eat out?

Yes, we'd recommend the following pubs and restaurants, all within a short distance of the property:

The Falkland Arms, Great Tew

Quince and Clover, Great Tew

The Boxing Hare, Swerford

The Bull, Charlbury

Soho Farmhouse, near Great Tew
What is the nearest train station?

The nearest train station is Charlbury (8 miles).
What is the nearest airport?

The nearest airports are Birmingham (52 miles) or Heathrow (65 miles).
Will you hold a damage deposit during our stay?

Yes, we ask to hold a cautionary deposit of £2,500 during your stay at Dornywell Cottage. This is requested just two weeks prior to your stay, and is returned shortly after, assuming no damage to the property or its contents (see our Booking T&Cs for more information).
How do I book?

You can check availability and pricing and place your booking request online, or by calling our team on 01242 352 747.

When booking, we ask for a deposit of 33% of the total price, with the balance due 12 weeks prior to your stay (or the full balance when booking within 12 weeks of your stay).