Mercia House
Mercia House is a picture-perfect retreat, both inside and out. Its traditional timber frame and spacious interiors exude character, while original features, from exposed stone walls and beams to the impressive inglenook fireplace, create a warm, inviting atmosphere. Thoughtfully renovated, this sophisticated home-from-home combines period charm with modern comfort, offering light-filled living spaces and beautifully appointed, sumptuous bedrooms. From the garden, you can soak up fabulous views across the Isbourne Valley, and with award-winning restaurants, boutique shops, and the magnificent Sudeley Castle just a short stroll away, you’re perfectly placed in the heart of Winchcombe.
Overview
Mercia House is a striking medieval property in the heart of the Cotswold village of Winchcombe. The original part of the house dates back to the 16th century and you will find exposed beams and stone walls. It has a quirky layout set over three floors with a stairway bridge and mezzanine landing.
Overlooking the valley views, the open plan living area is the heart of the home. With a dining area, kitchen and sitting area it is easy to spend time together. Doors open out onto the terrace to expand this space and bring the outdoors in. Staying with a group there are plenty of options to retreat to if you’d like a moment to read or do some work with a front reception room and study. Four bedrooms are spread across the first and second floors and beautifully showcase the age of this home. The master bedroom features exposed beams above and sections of the wattle and daub walls have been left uncovered to show their unique charm. Up on the second floor, the twin room is tucked beneath the A-framed roof where you need to duck under the cross beam, a fun hideaway for the children.
Sitting on the raised terrace you have your own secret viewpoint from where you can take in the surrounding countryside. Steps lead down to a seating area with a BBQ so you can make the most of this space and the long sloping lawn is planted with mature trees and borders. The parking area is at the end of the garden down some additional steps.
Ground Floor
Sitting Room
This historic room features an inglenook fireplace, with a woodburner, beautiful parquet flooring, and exposed original oak beams. It is furnished with a two-seater sofa and two beautiful leather “bucket” chairs, while a resplendent chess table is laid up ready for a game and a long case clock watches silently over the scene. This room was originally the servants’ quarters, where they would have cooked extravagant meals in the large fireplace, which would have also heated their masters in the bedroom above.
Library
The library features a stone hearth and woodburner, beautiful parquet flooring, and exposed original beams. With its antique desk, seating, and bookcases full of a wide choice of books, this is a great room to hide away to read, relax or work.
Utility Room
The handy utility room is where the washer and dryer are located, as well as a sink and cupboards housing an iron and all the various appliances’ operating and maintenance manuals.
Open Plan Living Area
This open plan, contemporary centerpiece of the house has fantastic views of the garden and uninterrupted countryside, sweeping up the Isbourne valley towards woodland and Sudeley Hill. Three sets of double doors open out to the terrace, which leads to the patio and garden.
Kitchen
At the centre of the spacious and very well-equipped kitchen is a large island with a breakfast bar with three seats and a 5-ring gas bob. Chefs will enjoy the fabulous view out to the terrace and beyond while they cook. The back half of the kitchen is fully equipped with immaculate white units, a large wooden preparation surface, dishwasher, double ceramic sink, and double AEG fan oven.
Dining Area
In front of the kitchen and beside the French doors to the terrace is a long, wooden table comfortably seating eight guests. Diners can enjoy the fabulous view or chat to the chefs in the kitchen!
Sitting Area
Set to one side of the open plan area, the living area has two inviting sink-in, three-seater sofas, a statement glass coffee table, a large smart TV, and a fabulous view, So guests can choose to relax, watch TV, read or play a family game.
Shower Room
The ground floor shower room features a walk-in shower, with overhead and hand-held shower heads, a washbasin, and a WC.
Study
The windows of this bright and light room overlook the kitchen to one side and the living area to the other. At one end is a desk where you can set up your laptop or do some reading.
First Floor
Bedroom One
This bright and light modern bedroom features a double bed with bedside tables and reading lights and a hanging rail for clothes. A rear window provides a lovely view over the garden and out to the surrounding Cotswold countryside, while an internal window allows guest to look down to the open-plan kitchen and dining area below.
Shower Room
Original oak floorboards have been used to create the shower room floor, giving it a nod to the medieval past, alongside a sleek contemporary walk-in shower (with overhead and hand-held showerheads), a washbasin, with mirror and shaver point, a heated towel rail, and WC.
Bedroom Two
The entrance to this beautiful, contemporary bedroom has a long double wardrobe to one side and a fabulous en-suite shower room to the other. Step inside and the bedroom features a king-size bed, with bedside tables and reading lamps and another fabulous view to the garden and the Isbourne Valley beyond.
En-suite
The en-suite is a real show-stopper shower room – just look up to see why! The high ceiling showcases a mass of original beams, onto which the sunlight shines through a Velux window. The shower room has a large walk-in shower (with overhead and hand-held shower heads), a wash basin in a bespoke wooden vanity unit, with a mirror and shaver point, a heated towel rail and WC.
Bedroom Three
Originally, the master room was not only a bedroom but also a living room and a place where the master of the house would have received guests. Today, this spacious en-suite room is a stunning medieval masterpiece, with exposed original oak beams and plenty of 16th-century character, including a small sample of some original wattle and daub that the owners have left exposed next to the door to the en-suite bathroom. Furnished with a king-size bed on an antique sleigh-style frame, bedside tables and reading lamps, an antique chest of drawers with a solid marble top and a hanging rail.
En-suite
This is the kind of bathroom most people dream of relaxing in, with its freestanding roll-top bath with central taps, placed just so you can lie in the tub while looking out at the stars! Or if you prefer, there’s a super spacious, walk-in shower (with overhead and hand-held showerheads), plus a full-length mirror, washbasin, with mirror and shaver point, and a heated towel rail.
Second Floor
Bedroom Four
Head up one step and duck down under a low beam into this twin bedroom. The bedroom is furnished with two single beds on Victorian-style metal bed frames, a central bedside table with a reading lamp, two storage chests, a luggage rack, and an adjustable hanging rail. The view from the top floor windows out across the rooftop and valley and countryside beyond are inspiring to say the least!
En-Suite
The stairs leading up to bedroom four open to a dressing area with a bath, with hand-held shower and central taps, set into the eaves under the original timbers – a truly unique bathing experience! Beside the bath, through a door, is a WC and washbasin. It’s not just the bathing that’s unique up here in the eaves, the bedroom is too.
Outside
Mercia House has a fabulous outside space, particularly considering it is in the centre of Winchcombe. Step out of the open plan living area, through one of three double French windows, onto the elevated terrace running the width of the house. From the terrace enjoy the great view across the Isbourne Valley and up Sudeley Hill, then head down the steps to the patio where there is a dining table and seating for all eight guests, a parasol for sunny days, and a Weber charcoal BBQ. A further set of wooden steps take you down to the attractive, sloping garden with a pretty lawn, tall, mature trees, and beds full of shrubs and flowers. A path along the side of the garden leads to the back gate and steps down to the parking area where there is room for 2-3 cars to park.
Facilities
Indoor
Bedroom One - Double
Bedroom Two - Double
Bedroom Three - King-size
Bedroom Four - Twin
5 Bathrooms - 2 Family Shower Rooms; 1 Ensuite Shower Room; 1 En-suite Bath/shower Room; 1 En-suite Bathroom
Hairdryer - 2
Fire - Logs Are Provided For An Initial Fire (1st October - 31st March)
Oven
Hob
Microwave
Toaster
Kettle
Fridge
Freezer
Coffee Machine - Nespresso
Dishwasher
Dining Table - Seats 8 With Additional 3 Stools At The Kitchen Island
Washing Machine
Tumble Dryer
Iron
WiFi *Please Note That Speeds Are For Guidance Only And Are Not Guaranteed - 25-49 Mbps
TV - Smart
Travel Cot (cot Linen Not Provided)
Highchair
Outdoor
Dog Friendly - 2 Well-behaved Dogs Welcome For An Additional Fee
Garden
Outdoor Dining Area
BBQ - Please Provide Your Own Charcoal
Parking - Off-road Parking For 3 Cars
On your Doorstep
The town has several food shops near Mercia House, including a Co-Operative Food store and a Warner’s Budgens, both well-stocked with fresh produce and store cupboard essentials. Vale & Hills Family Butchers sells local meat; North’s Bakery sells a great selection of bread, pastries and baked goodies; and Food Fanatics Deli, Wholefood Store and Café, sells a wide range of speciality foods to eat in or take away.
Eating Out:
- Number 5 North Street (80 metres)
- The Lion Inn (0.2 miles)
- The Old Corner Cupboard (0.5 miles)
Winchcombe’s rolling countryside is a true walkers’ paradise, with options for casual, seasoned and hardy walkers running right from the cottage’s front door. Winchcombe itself is a “Walkers are Welcome” town, a special status awarded to towns and villages which go above and beyond with their walking amenities, making it a fantastic destination for groups in search of a walking break. We recommend the Sudeley Castle Circular walk for a relaxing stroll, otherwise the Winchcombe Way is 42-miles, taking you on a stunning tour of the northern area of the Cotswolds.
Places to Visit:
- Sudeley Castle & Gardens (0.8 miles)
- Gloucestershire & Warwickshire Railway (1 mile)
- Broadway Tower (12.3 miles)
- Train - Cheltenham Spa Station (9 miles)
- Taxis - A Private Hire, Abbey Private Hire
Points of Note
This property has a check-in time of 16:30 and a check-out time of 10:00
- Book with us to get exclusive discounts to top attractions and experiences.
- Please note that additional guests above the maximum capacity are not permitted.
- It is the policy of this property not to take bookings for groups where the majority of guests are under the age of 25, or single-sex group celebrations, including stag/hen parties.
- Access to Mercia House from the parking areas is up a number of stone steps and along the garden path.
- 2 dogs are welcome at Mercia House for an additional fee.
- There are a number of low beams and internal steps making this property unsuitable for those with limited mobility.
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Handpicked by us
Why we love this
- A characterful timber-framed home, with exposed beams, stone walls, and a welcoming inglenook fireplace.
- Free entry to Sudeley Castle during the season.
- Just a short stroll to Winchcombe’s pubs and boutique shops.
Discover more
The Location
Winchcombe is an elegant and timeless Cotswold town with a host of amenities, including award-winning pubs, restaurants, art galleries, independent boutiques, and interior design and antique shops – all a stone’s throw from Mercia House, making it perfectly possible to stay here without the need to use a car. Mercia House is also a short stroll to the Cotswold Way, River Isbourne and Sudeley Castle and Gardens.
And relax..
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2.
Guaranteed
best price
Book your holiday home directly with us for the best possible price. Because we work exclusively with our owners; we guarantee you won’t find our properties cheaper elsewhere.
3.
Guaranteed
best price
Book your holiday home directly with us for the best possible price. Because we work exclusively with our owners; we guarantee you won’t find our properties cheaper elsewhere.
Read our reviews
Fantastic house in a lovely village! I would highly recommend staying here. We were a group of 8 adults and it was perfectly spacious and each room had an en-suite. Great kitchen and amenities. A lovely log fire which was easy to use. We had to ask for help with a few things over the weekend and Samii was so helpful and replied very quickly! Thanks for a great weekend 🙂
Emily
An Amazingly Atmospheric and Deceptively Large Mid 1500's Cottage in the Centre of Winchcombe
We chose Mercia House as the base to celebrate a significant anniversary. It is an amazingly atmospheric and deceptively large mid 1500's cottage in the centre of Winchcombe, and was lavishly extended in 2018 to blend modern wood and glass with the ancient original structure to comprise a superbly effective and very comfortable whole. Our family group of eight was blown away by the architectural impact of the living areas, with each of the four bedrooms having a stylish en-suite bath/shower, with one more downstairs. It was warm and cosy with superb views over the Cotswold countryside from the elevated rear. Lots of walks nearby easily accessed. Excellent Italian restaurant (La Vecchia Banca) in Bishops Cleeve. The house was impeccably clean throughout, and the housekeeper Samii was friendly, very helpful and responsive. Car parking was private and realistically provided space for two cars, but there is plenty of overflow in nearby car parks. Take care with the steps up from the parking to the rear access when it's wet/frosty. On arrival it's best to unload quickly in front of the property, after first opening up at the back to unlock the front door.
David Stagg
Great stay for the four of us, the place was amazing and had a real wow factor. Quite a unique space and atmosphere in the house, which itself is ideally located in Winchcombe. Overall a brilliant house and host.
Tom
3 night Cotswolds stay
We had a lovely stay at Mercia House. Excellent location and house had plenty of space for us all. We would stay again
Guest
Mini break
Lots of space but could be cleaner and better organised in the kitchen. Attention to detail with the cleaning needs improving. Poop found under the toilet lid in the master room. Mattress hard. No hand wash in the kitchen and a drizzle left of washing up liquid. No door mat at the back door - no good on a rainy day when you’ve walked up from the parking space through the garden. Also no where to hang coats!
Guest
We had a lovely stay at Mercia House. Excellent location and house had plenty of space for us all. We would stay again.
David
Fabulous house in a great location, perfect for friends to get together.
Helen
Staying with friends
Nice property in a fantastic location. Winchcombe is such a fabulous small town with character, history and super pubs, shops and restaurants.
Mercia House has been finished to a very high standard, although we found it to be a little lacking in character.
The kitchen is very well equipped but needs a full reorganization. The lounge seating only accommodates 4 people in a house for 8. The attic bedroom is really only suitable for kids.
Andrew Nixon
Probably the nicest place I have rented in Winchcombe, the photos don’t do it justice. The home is enormous and has a lovely view. The entrance onto the high street is a real treat.
Tristan
Excellent house
Fantastic house right in the centre of Winchcombe - incredible architecture where the old original building has been very tastefully extended and in a very interesting way. Very well equipped, very clean, lots of space. Nice decking over looking the hills. Fully enclosed garden (great for the dog - no chance of escape!). 2 private parking spaces (at the bottom of the garden). Several nice eateries and pubs within a short stroll - highly recommend the Tipsy Egg for breakfast literally straight over the road, and the Lion for a beer in their garden. Numerous great walks from your doorstep, recommend the one that goes past Sudeley before swinging north - all pretty much through fields and open country, minimal roads. My only (small) bits of hopefully helpful feedback are: A) put a super king in the master bedroom, it’s big enough and it’s lovely to have a big bed treat when on holiday. Either way, certainly replace the mattress in there as it’s way too hard. My wife and I ended up swapping with one of our kids to sleep in one of the back bedrooms which had a much comfort softer mattress. B) make better use of the ‘study’ over looking the lounge. Perhaps put some bean bags in there and a games console or something to turn into a spot for kids to hang out? The house is very big, but felt like it had a lot of under-utilised spaces which we never used and instead squashed around the relatively small lounge. C) put some comfier, lounge style chairs on the deck outside. It’s a lovely spot, and whilst the dining style chairs are nice, they aren’t comfy for long periods. Plus, the parasol was broken and needs repairing. But these are really small points, the house is incredible and I would certainly recommend Mercia and will likely return.
John Wood
Wonderful house with stunning views
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Mercia house - a lovely quirky house with amazing views of the countryside. We used the outside space a lot. Winchcombe is a lovely place to visit with lots of nice places to eat and shops within a short walk.
Nadia Lees
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Mercia House - a lovely quirky house with amazing views of the countryside. We used the outside space a lot. Winchcombe is a lovely place to visit with lots of nice places to eat and shops within a short walk.
Nadia
Wonderful stay
We chose this property to be part of our daughter’s wedding preparations and for our family to enjoy Winchcombe afterwards. We were so pleased with its quirkiness and style. The beautiful staircase and room decorations were stunning. We were very fortunate with the weather and so sat out on the decking to enjoy the amazing views. It was convenient for eating out where pubs and restaurants are nestled in the idyllic streets. So thank you! There is only one thing ( and it did not hamper us at all) but if you are less mobile the steps at the back are tricky. Also parking can be fiddly as people park opposite the allocated space.
Joy Richards
We had a wonderful stay in Winchcombe for my husband’s birthday. The town is lovely and had pubs and shops nearby. We had great weather and a scenic walk near Sudeley Castle. The house is incredibly well maintained, beautifully decorated and clean. The outside space was so peaceful to enjoy morning coffee. Thank you!
Elizabeth
Location, Location, Location
Another great stay on a very nice house in a perfect location for walking the dogs and then going to the pub for a beer or two.
Kieran Clark
Another great stay on a very nice house in a perfect location for walking the dogs and then going to the pub for a beer or two.
Kieran
Fantastic stay
Mercia House was a fantastic place for a weekend away with friends. 4 Large bedrooms (just mind your head in the top one!), 5 bathrooms and an amazing open plan kitchen and living area. It’s also a very cool building! Kitchen was very well equipped. It was great being dog friendly and the garden was great, and although they asked for no dogs to go upstairs, they actually have a dog/child gate on the stairs to make sure this is actually achievable! The location was fantastic too, just a couple of hundred metres from the centre of Winchcombe and access to the shops. Would love to go back in summer.
Graeme Smith
Large House right in the middle of Winchcombe (and the countryside!)
The most striking impression of Mercia House is that it has two very different characters. At the front, it is a old historic building, perfectly in place with the "olde- worlde" main street of Winchcombe. At the back it is modernised, and with its’ sweeping views across the valley it could be in the middle of the countryside. Within easy walking distance are pubs, a Morrisons convenience store and a mid-sized Coop, so we never needed to drive for shopping. There are lots of pleasant country walks directly from the house as well, so it is a good base if you dont want to do much driving. The interior has been modernised imaginatively, with a spacious kitchen area and large dining table. The master bedroom is grand - large and spacious, with timber beams that a 6 footer can walk under without ducking! However, it did have a down-side, in that it got all the traffic noise from the B4632 outside. The fourth bedroom is probably better suited for children, but we managed with 8 adults during our visit. The garden was a nice area – with pleasant shade from a tree on the bottom lawn. It was three sets of steps up from the parking area to the house though, so careful if mobility is limited. Private parking is realistically for two cars only, but there is some limited on-street parking nearby. We also used the long-term parking at Back Lane, which was very cheap.
Geoff Hailstone
Comfortable stay at a renewed historic property
We loved our stay at Mercia House. We were a party of four couples (4 sisters and their husbands) on a family history tour (a sixth great grandfather had lived and married in Winchcombe and other relatives had lived in the country nearby).
Accessing the property was easy from the coded key box. Everything was clean and orderly.
Pubs, convenience stores and restaurants are easily accessible from the front door! Even the coop is within easy walking distance.
We had an intermittently chirping smoke alarm when we first arrived, but Samii got it fixed before our second night. Thank you for the quick work!
Please be aware that there are a lot of steps! Several of our older group members managed, but it could be difficult for those whose mobility is challenged.
The parking area at the rear did fit our two cars, but cars' parking on the lane directly behind did make it difficult to maneuver. Due to the stairs down to the parking area, we do suggest that one should unload and load luggage through the front door on Hailes Street.
Finally, we were not sure how to lock the back door when we were at home. But we were never concerned about safety.
All in all, it was a wonderful time in a very well-renewed property. One of the highlights of our trip. Great work, Bolthole Retreats!
Rick Riggers
Loved it
It totally matched the photos and description. If anything it was even more homely and welcoming. Each bedroom really has its own privacy.
Shireen Merli
Beautiful house
Thank you for an amazing stay! My family and I had a lovely time. We needed urgent accommodation due to a different company letting us down last minute and bolthole retreats/Mercier house definitely did not disappoint
From the moment we called to explain our situation of needing emergency accommodation, the customer service was 10/10 so helpful and prompt at finding us accommodation I only wish we found them sooner.
Beautiful house, with stunning views in a great location- Local shops/pubs along the high street
Thank you
Grace Crosby
Stunning house in great location
Mercia is a stunning house in a fantastic central location in Winchcombe with wonderful views from the back sitting room / kitchen and garden. It is a short walk to a couple of supermarkets and a variety of independent shops, pubs and restaurants, while there are excellent walks from the house, including to Sudeley Castle. It is really convenient to be able to park at the rear of the property.
We had an issue with the heating but that was resolved satisfactorily by the very helpful housekeeper. The bedrooms and bathrooms are fabulous and it was a great luxury to have a bathroom for each room. We felt that for a party of 8 it would have been nice to have had 8 chairs around the kitchen table and also room to fit 8 people on the sofas around the TV. But if you were largely eating out or in the garden that wouldn't be an issue.
Guest
Historic house with modern comforts in beautiful Cotswolds
Looking for a large family house for 6 this really worked well. The rooms are all lovely and spacious although the attic room is slightly hard to access in terms of head height so suits the youthful members. The kitchen and back lounge have a wonderful outlook over the hills whilst the front brings you into the centre of charming Winchcombe. The downstairs front rooms don’t flow well into the more comfortable back of the house, which is a shame but altogether the architectural conversion is impressive. It slightly lacks homely touches - no pictures at all on the walls.
The dining area is very spacious although we found it lacks a few basics like a big teapot and microwave. Check out and in should also be more generous as despite booking Friday to Sunday we couldn’t check in til late afternoon Friday and you have to be out by 10am Sunday so it was only one full day in reality.
The location is a winner as you can walk from the house to Sudely and across into the beautiful hills. We loved Winchcombe and had a great meals at 5 North, posh restaurant two minutes from front door! A lovely place to stay!
Louise Simpson
Fabulous house
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay in Mercia House. It is a beautiful house in a great location for walking the Cotswold Way. The house is immaculate, well equipped with good facilities (a bathroom each plus an extra one!). Kitchen has everything you need. Parking is a bit tight but once you’re in everything is walkable. Great to have an enclosed garden for the dog. More comfy seating in the lounge with the fire would be great as that was the room we wanted to all sit in. It’s warm and cosy and we will definitely stay here again!
Rachel Clark
Great location
Extremely well placed for walks, pubs and food supplies. Would have appreciated a couple more comfy chairs in the family seating area.
A great walking area so perhaps some coat hooks or a coat stand would be helpful.
Very friendly locals. A lovely holiday had by all.
Guest
Superb house in heart of Winchcombe
Our family of seven thoroughly enjoyed our stay here over Christmas. The house is extremely spacious and the owners have done a wonderful job renovating and designing the layout. Every bedroom feels like it is in a completely separate wing of the house! There is also a multitude of communal spaces to congregate in. Winchcombe is a quiet town but still has all the amenities you need need...pharmacy, bakery, supermarkets, restaurants (recommend the Lion Inn and the Indian Restaurant). We also went on numerous walks directly from the house. Don't forget to bring your wellies!
Jane Morley-Davies
Fabulous stay for an early Christmas get together.
A really lovely weekend at Mercia House.
Very spacious and comfortable house, for 8 adults for 3 nights.
Perfect location within Winchcombe, great pubs and walks from the doorstep.
Only possible addition to the house, would be coat hooks and boot racks, especially after a wet muddy walk....seemed a shame leaving them over the kitchen chairs .
Otherwise Mercia house was perfect and would love to return again.
Vanessa Mills
Gorgeous house could be so much better
This is the second time we have stayed here as the size of house and layout is perfect for a group of 8. What is so frustrates that a lot of the issues I raised after we stayed last year (and never received a response) are still evident a year on! The top floor bathroom bath mixer doesn’t work so those occupants needed to shower two floors down. One bedroom blind broken. Kitchen cupboards are a complete mess and the coffee machine frother was incomplete and absolutely stunk. What a shame. We never managed to get the living area above 18 degrees as the external doors are still warped and have big gaps….. I’d love these issues to be acknowledged and rectified this year as the j go Ouse itself is so lovely……
Diana West
Excellent get together venue and location
Meeting up with old school friends at Mercia House was a great success. The communal areas are large and well appointed, hours spent round the large table chatting, cooking eating and relaxing. Mixed November weather but with easy strolls and shops right on the doorstep there was plenty to do. We asked for a later checkout from housekeeping and were able to stay until 12,(we all thought 10 was a tad early), so we had a great walk up Salters Hill shaking off the cobwebs from Saturday nights takeaway from the excellent Winchcombe Restaurant.
Beds were comfy, loads of hot water and the house was lovely and warm from arrival to departure. Interesting conversion of an old building into a contemporary home. Thinking of returning in warmer weather to enjoy the garden and terrace which would be excellent for barbecues. Many thanks.
Rebecca Teale
Mercia House (Winchcombe)
Ideal house for a gathering of old friends to walk, talk, eat, drink and reminisce ! A wonderful time was had by all.
Guest
Lovely Property
Very nice accommodations. Beautiful views out back with lovely yard.
We had to buy portable fans as the weather was unseasonably hot and the hair dryers were hard to find (in a dresser drawer?) so we bought a hair dryer. Had to buy body wash too.
Otherwise, highly recommend staying here.
Guest
Fantastic Stay!
We stayed at Mercia House for one week and we really enjoyed staying at the property, it was a unique in design as well as being light and airy. The rooms were large and spacious and the furnishings were to a high standard, and we have never stayed in such a well equipped property with lots of extras provided, which are not usually supplied in a self-catering property.
Lovely patio area with views to the hills in a peaceful location.
We had our dog with us and there were plenty places to walk her each day, and the location is really good with easy access to some of the areas' attractions and activities.
Alison Allan
A Beautiful House Let Down by Annoying Shortfalls
Mercia House is a lovely sized house for six people in a beautiful area of the country and has a beautiful back garden with fabulous views. The house has four bedrooms, each with a bathroom, but the fourth bedroom should be described more honestly... low beams is an understatement, even small people have to bend down and crawl into a square hole to get in! So the fourth couple get the short straw!
Given that the house is for eight people, there should be eight chairs at both the inside and outside tables (of the seven outside chairs, one was broken and a couple were a bit rickety) plus guests require far more plates and bowls than just eight of each size. The kitchen was a good size with plenty of cupboards and drawers... some of them were sparsely filled with crockery, serving bowls and utensils; others were empty. Happily, there were plenty of glasses and the fridge was of a good size too! Also, more than one tea towel would be an improvement in the kitchen. The dishwasher also needs an overhaul... dishes were coming out dirty because the water souts were unclean and blocked.
For the ladies, can all bedrooms please have a mirror? Also, as well as soap at the basins, soap in the showers would be a welcome addition along with a hand towel in the downstairs bathroom/toilet.
I'm sorry to have to point out so many little niggles. On a positive note, the house was beautifully clean and tidy, except for the outside windows on the street, and we really enjoyed our stay in Winchcombe. The garden was fabulous, helped by beautiful weather, and we were very grateful for a plentiful supply of ice in the freezer! The beds were very comfortable and we all slept very well.
Please take note of our comments. We have stayed in many, many holiday homes over the years and Mercia House could so easily be one of the best with just a few simple changes to make it so much more luxurious!
Clare Williams
Long weekend with friends
A return visit to Mercia House !
Perfect accommodation for a gathering of old friends to enjoy a long weekend exploring Winchcombe and the Cotswolds - walking, shopping, eating and drinking.
I'm sure we'll be back !
Chris Owen
Lovely Cotswolds stay
What a lovely house to stay in with our parents and children during the Easter break! Super condition, really great amenities and very spacious. Lovely location providing lots of local walking and visit opportunities. We were delighted.
Vanessa Dispot
A wonderful stay!
We had a lovely 4 nights at Mercia House in Winchcombe. It is a beautiful property which has been designed perfectly and in a great location. There is plenty of room for 8 adults, loads of hot water and a very efficient heating system (despite arriving with the setting on air conditioning, meaning it was freezing). We're already very much looking forward to our next stay. Thank you, Claire
Claire Freeland
Beautiful House!
We had a great week in a fantastic house. Refurbished with love and there is a very pleasant atmosphere.
At the front the main street of the village and at the back the green hills, it couldn't be better!
All the cottages we have rented from Bolthole Retreats so far, have been beautiful and have definitely met, or exceeded our expectations
The friendly English people complete the perfect picture!
Thanks for a great week and see you soon!
Kim Nip
Mercia House, Winchcombe - stunning !
The perfect place for a group of friends to celebrate my wife's significant birthday !
The house was amazing - an incredible mix of traditional and modern. All of the rooms were extremely comfortable, each with their own modern bath/shower room. The spacious and well-equipped kitchen diner was the perfect place for us all to eat, relax and admire the wonderful view out across the Cotswold countryside. And the snug in the original part of the house, with it's log burner, perfect for a cosy evening in.
Winchcombe itself was the perfect location for all that we wanted - walks (about town or further afield), coffee shops, pubs and restaurants.
Samii (the housekeeper) was easily contactable and very helpful in sorting our initial difficulties.
In fact, we enjoyed our stay so much that we've already booked again for next year !
Chris Owen
Birthday Weekend
Wonderful property - the blend of medieval and modern is exceptional - the internal bridge is a very clever feature used to link the architectural periods; the restoration is of a very high standard. There was plenty of space for the whole family and the spacious kitchen/family area worked very well. The kitchen is well equipped and provided us with plenty of additional crockery, cutlery, glasses and cooking utensils.
The location is excellent. Whilst we were not there to explore the vicinity, there is certainly plenty to see and do. Winchcombe itself has plenty to offer on the doorstep.
We were delighted with our choice of property, would certainly recommend itand may even make plans for a second visit!
Guest
Lovely house in great location
We had a great stay at the house and it had everything we needed for a memorable weekend. The only things we were disappointed with were the absence of coat hooks so we had to have our coats draped all around - very strange considering there is so much space where they could have gone and it would not have been ideal if we'd had wet weather. Also the house sleeps 8 but sadly the sofas only accommodated 4/5, so people had to sit on dining chairs when relaxing watching the telly. Finally the house description misrepresented the size of the beds. It said there was a super king, a king, a double bed and twin beds. In fact there was a king, 2 doubles and the twin so we had to change who had which room when we arrived. Despite these niggles we had a lovely stay and would return.
Emma Labrum
Mini break with friends
The house was warm and welcoming and very comfortable and the showers were fantastic. Winchcombe has everything you need; shops, pubs, good walks and you can easily get into Cheltenham by bus. This was not our first visit and we would definitely return. Bolthole Retreats are excellent and are my first choice for properties in the area.
Linda Schofield
Lovely stay
Really lovely stay, house is incredible. I would say the heating is a slight issue as the house is very very hot but other than that fab
Chloe Singleton
What a treasure
This is an amazing property fantastically located in the centre of delightful Winchcombe. The front door opens out onto the Main Street whilst the back where the main living area is looks out over beautiful rural scenery & is so quiet. Well equipped & beautifully designed. The front rooms were a bit empty & looked slightly unfinished as a result. However we didn’t need to use them at all as the large kitchen diner lounge area was perfect. For 6 ladies the 2 small sofas were more than adequate but for more adults or men they may be a bit small. Bedrooms & bathrooms were clean, comfortable & really stylish. The welcome pack with a bottle of wine & a cake was a lovely touch too. All the booking went very smoothly. Information in the welcome guide was thorough too. Nearby Sudeley Castle is well worth a visit. Great visit & highly recommend this property & the rental company Bolthole.
Harriet Woolley
Family holiday
Beautiful house, fantastic location, wonderful views across the Cotswolds countryside well equipped Luxurious bathrooms with powerful showers.
We had superb weather so could have done with some sun loungers and outside lighting.
Would highly recommend Mercier House and the Bolthole Retreats team.
Susan Marshall
An absolute gem
We stayed at Mercia House for a week with a group of friends and our various children and it was perfect. From the front, it looks like a tiny Elizabethan cottage, but open the front door and you'll see an expansive space with a great mix of old and new. The facilities were excellent, the master bedroom has a bath so deep you could get lost in it and the kitchen was very well equipped. The garden was great and the view from the back door was beautiful. The village was had everything we needed - good pubs, butcher, deli, bakery and an excellent restaurant, all within a two minute walk. We didn't want to go home!
Jill Mcknight
Spacious house in a great location
A spacious, bright house in a perfect location to explore the Cotswolds. Comfortable beds and plenty of space for a big group - every bedroom and bathroom is large and to great specs.
Guest
Friends get together
An amazing property, fabulous location and perfect for families and friends to share. Every need catered for in a modern meets old world setting. We all loved both house and village of Winchcombe and are ready to book our next visit already!
Great value for money and would highly recommend!
Sue Henderson
Secret Hideaway
This property was an absolute delight.
Looking like a picture postcard tiny cottage from the street but opening up into an extremely spacious and well-appointed property behind.
All modern bathrooms with excellent water pressure in all the showers.
Extremely comfortable bedrooms.
Various options for finding a quiet corner.
Lovely terraced garden with amazing views and plenty of seating and dining space.
If we ever took on a project in the Cotswolds you would want the number for the architect that did the renovation here.
So many individual shops on the doorstep. And plenty of amazing places to visit and eat in within 1/2 hour.
We loved this house. Probably our favourite from the seven cottages we have stayed in to date in the Cotswolds.
Carolyn Richmond
Needs a “test run “ please as is an amazing property but has very serious issues which let it down
Beautiful architectural property with high quality feel and finishes
Excellent position and views
However let down on some fundamental areas
Heating - not working properly / broken thermostats etc and housekeeping support not really able to help - significant problem in December !! Had to bring unsightly radiators after 2 nights of sitting in blankets!!
Poor quality bedding not fitting properly
Only small double beds in 2 bedrooms - should be larger as there Is space - very uncomfortable for adult couple!!
Outside wooden steps extremely slippery when wet and could cause accidents - needs remedy urgently
Little touches missing compared to other properties which make the difference - poor kitchen extras dishes/ plates / serving plus no salt,pepper,sugar,milk,etc etc etc
I am comparing with other similar prop in Winchcombe which are excellent they obviously have been in business for a while hence have experience and it shows .
Ann Copsey
Cotswolds stay
Beautiful, newMy refurbished cottage with lots of space. Good location near Broadway and as a base to explore the rest of the Cotswolds.
Emma Thrower
Beautiful but disappointing
Undoubtedly an amazing property architecturally. The internal property is beautiful, airy and light - a brilliant design.
However, our break was spoilt by many disappointing failures to live up to the property description and service promises:
1. The COVID clean @ £150 extra to the rental price. There was hair (ladies) on sofa and in shower room lower level, cobwebs in the sitting area and bedrooms and the windows had not been cleaned, showing lots of greasy finger prints!
2. No BBQ - we had planned meal for each night of our stay - the BBQ meal was impossible.
3. We had made it clear that one member of the party was allergic to feathers and had been assured that any feathers would all be removed; this was not the case and there were feathers in cushions. Very worrying after expressly asking for no feathers in the property.
4. This point should be higher on the list of disappointments and was a real safety concern due to the heavy rain during our stay. The multiple steps at the back of the property are very steep, in fact dangerous. Very slippery when wet and some without any banisters at all.
5. The outside bins were full on arrival, and not emptied during our stay - overflowing by the end of it. Also there was no glass recycling.
6. The heating system was not functioning properly, but excellent support from the management company. On the second day she replaced the missing cable and reset the thermostats.
7. The noise from the road - large lorries etc meant that the Master Bedroom was also a huge disappointment.
8. Listed consumables were missing, eg cling film, no hand sanitisers.
9. Nowhere to hang coats or outdoor boots, which would have been useful.
Diana Perry
A wonderful week in the Cotswolds
Mercia House is a brilliant place for a walking holiday in the Cotswolds. Numerous OS mapped walks from almost on the doorstep many of which lead to great pubs and the village of Winchcombe offers 4 or 5 pubs most of which we visited.
Mercia House offers great family space with the lounge/kitchen/dining area together with great views out over the Cotswold countryside. Well equipped kitchen, large connected TV with Apple Play built in and super bedrooms spanning the new and old parts of the house over several levels.
Mark Penson
Beautiful house
4 couple had a long weekend at the house, it really is a lovely house all the bedrooms are beautiful with their own bathrooms so perfect for couples. Everywhere was spotlessly clean, beds were really comfy and lovely quality bed linen and towels.
The kitchen was well equipped and again lovely and clean. A small criticism is the dining table needs 2 more chairs we brought in two garden chairs so we could all sit together.
The garden is lovely it’s so peaceful at the back of the house with beautiful views sitting out with a cuppa in the morning was a pleasure.
The local area is lovely we went for a walk round and was made very welcome in the local bars and restaurants. We are at the Wesley House on Saturday evening and it was a fabulous meal we all enjoyed with great service.
We’ve booked several houses over the years, this is one of the best we’ve been to it exceeded our expectations.
Kerrie Mason
Good location in village with plenty of facilities
The house is located in the centre of Winchcombe with numerous shops and restaurants close by.
The house itself is quirky in layout with contemporary open living space combined with the more historic rooms situated at the front of the house.
During our stay we did have a minor problem with the kitchen taps.
There Is ample outside space with a large table that seats 8 and a sloping garden leading to the car parking area.
Bernard Armstrong
Wonderful Family Stay
Fantastic stay in an amazing property which has been modernised beautifully, maintaining loads of period features whilst incorporating all the mod cons you’d expect.
In great condition, very clean and with all the facilities you would expect, with the exception of no milk or shampoo / shower gel which we had expected. Tea, coffee, sugar all provided in a superb kitchen area and dining table big enough to easily sit 8 people.
Patio doors tough to lock but am sure the owners will fix as we’re not the only ones who seem to have had trouble.
Outside is a wonderful decking area and another fantastic patio area with large garden table and chairs along with an excellent parasol which was a godsend in 30* heat!
In a great location right in the centre of town with all shops, restaurants and amenities in walking distance, so too Sudeley Castle. We ate at Wesley House restaurant, which was superb and had a drink in the lovely beer garden of the Lion Inn.
Overall all an excellent stay. Suspect we will be back
Richard Southgate
Old world charm Modern convenience
We had a great week here in July. We were three couples. Excellent combination of old world charm and modern facilities. House very well equipped. One feature that does not really come through in the blurb is the lovely view of the countryside not enjoyed by other houses in the street with the convenience of being in town. Good walking from front door. Good selection of shops and pubs within walking distance. Car parking for two cars (not three) but we found a nearby place without charge for our third car. My only complaint were the locks which need to be changed.
Guy Warrington
Create Memories
Experiences designed to make your stay unforgettable
We have curated not only a portfolio of properties, but also a portfolio of experiences we recommend everyone try the next time they visit the Cotswolds and surrounding counties. This selection of ours is constantly growing as we discover more hidden gems and local stars. Many of the experiences are incredibly popular, and we encourage booking in advance because these little extras can turn your everyday holiday into a fantastic, fond memory, one you aren’t soon to forget.
