Hillside Cottage
Hillside Cottage is a period town house that has been refurbished to retain its original 19th century character, while giving it a contemporary feel. The cottage is in a quiet location with beautiful walks from the doorstep, yet it is just a stone’s throw from Tetbury's town centre with its tempting antique shops, independent boutiques, restaurants and cafes. Hillside sleeps five guest across three bedrooms, with one family bathroom, and has a secure, terraced courtyard garden. Tetbury is surrounded by delightful Cotswold Countryside whilst being conveniently located less than 30 minutes from the M4 and M5, with Highgrove, Badminton, Gatcombe, Westonbirt, Cotswold Lakes and Malmesbury all close by. One, well-behaved dog is accepted.
Overview
Head from the centre of Tetbury halfway down Gumstool Hill, a quiet no-through road and the location of the historic Tetbury Woolsack Race. Here you will find Hillside Cottage, a 19th century, terraced, three-story, Cotswold cottage with a front door that opens into the cosy living space. The owners have retained the cottage’s charm, while bringing it up to date with contemporary furnishings and comforts. The ground floor has a pretty living-dining room to the front, with a large woodburner and window seats (an ideal spot for watching the world and Woolsack Race go by), and a contemporary kitchen to the rear, plus a back door opening to the terraced, courtyard garden. On the first floor is the master bedroom and family bathroom, while up the second flight of stairs is a double and single bedroom.
Hillside Cottage has a long and narrow, courtyard garden set over three terraces, each with seating areas, providing plenty of opportunities to eat and drink al fresco, particularly on the top level which has a raised deck and catches the sun, when it’s out, all day long. At the bottom of Gumstool Hill is a pretty community park with paths to Preston Park, the Chipping Steps and a stream and bridge leading to the Goods Shed Arts Centre and the Tetbury Trail.
Ground Floor
Step in through the front door onto a small, raised entrance area with hooks for coats and a handy basket for keys.
Living/Dining Room:
The cottage’s principal living space is at the front of the property looking out over Gumstool Hill. Here you will find a large woodburning stove set in the original fireplace with a painted, exposed stone surround, and two delightful window seats. The living area has original, limestone flooring with a cosy rug, a four-seater sofa, an armchair, and occasional tables with reading lamps. A 32” smart TV sits to one side on an oak stand, with shelving holding family games and local walking guides. The dining area has a wooden floor with a table, bench and chairs to seat five guests.
Head to the rear hallway, with limestone flooring, where you will find the kitchen, a back door out to the garden, a walk-in understairs cupboard and the staircase up to the bedrooms and family bathroom.
Kitchen:
Though small, the kitchen is well-equipped with a five-ring gas hob and electric oven, a double sink, a dishwasher, washing machine and fridge-freezer, plus all the essentials for a self-catering stay. It is a lovely bright room with sunlight streaming in through the Velux windows and the window looking out to the garden.
First Floor
Head up the carpeted staircase to a small landing with a long mirror:
Bedroom One:
The delightful master bedroom is decorated in soothing white and pink tones and overlooks the rooftops of Gumstool Hill and the trees behind them. It features a king-size bed with a bedside table and reading lamp to one side and a fitted wardrobe with hanging space and shelves to the other side. (Note: the bedroom door must be shut to gain access to the left-hand side of the bed.)
Bathroom/Shower Room:
At the top of the first flight of stairs, and next to Bedroom One, is the family bathroom with a full-size bath and over bath power shower, a WC and wash basin.
Second Floor
Head up the carpeted staircase with a rope handrail to the top floor landing and two bedrooms in the converted eaves. Here you will find a long mirror and some open shelves, with space for storing luggage and/or clothes and the travel cot. (Note, this staircase is steep and curving, so is unsuitable for guests with restricted mobility or very young children.)
Bedroom Two:
The second double bedroom features a standard double bed with shelves to one side, with a night light and space for personal items. Over by the window, which overlooks the garden, is a dressing table with a mirror and stool. The bedroom has hooks with coat hangers for hanging clothes.
Bedroom Three:
Your dreams will be sweet in this pretty, single bedroom, overlooking Gumstool Hill and the mature trees along the Tetbury Trail. The bedroom is furnished with a single bed with a bedside table and reading lamp, a chest of drawers with a make-up mirror and hooks with coat hangers for hanging clothes.
Outside
Step out the back door to a pretty, gravel courtyard garden built on three terraces, each with seating. The first terrace, directly outside the kitchen, has a wooden bench and is ideal for enjoying a reviving early morning cuppa, the second has a bistro table with two chairs, and the last terrace has a raised wooden deck with a dining table and chairs to comfortably seat five guests. This terrace catches the sun all day, perfect for al fresco dining with a great view over the adjoining gardens and rooftops. (Note: the first set of steps from the back door to the first terrace are particularly deep and would be difficult for young children and guests with reduced mobility.)
Facilities
Indoor
Bedroom One - King-size
Bedroom Two - Double
Bedroom Three - Single
1 Bathroom - Family Bathroom With Bath, Shower Over Bath, WC
Hairdryer - 2
Fire - Logs Are Provided For An Initial Fire (1st October - 31st March)
Oven
Hob
Toaster
Kettle
Fridge
Freezer
Dishwasher
Dining Table - Seats 5
Washing Machine
Iron
WiFi *Please Note That Speeds Are For Guidance Only And Are Not Guaranteed
TV - Smart
Board Games
Travel Cot (cot Linen Not Provided)
Highchair
Outdoor
Dog Friendly - 1 Well-behaved Dog Is Welcome For An Additional Fee
Garden
Outdoor Dining Area
No BBQ Available
Parking - On-street Parking And Free Car Park In Walking Distance
On your Doorstep
There is a well-stocked Cooperative food store in walking distance on the High Street and a Tesco superstore. Tetbury has some great specialist food and wine shops including Tetbury Wines, Hobbs House bakery, Jesse Smith Butchers, Knead bakery and Martin & Malthouse Deli. Tetbury is an antiques hub with over 25 antique stores on the High Street and Church Street. The town also has a wide range of independent clothing boutiques and interiors stores, including Overider, Sassy & Boo, Domestic Science and the Highgrove shop. Twice weekly markets are held at the Market House selling everything from local produce to jewellery, second-hand books and furniture.
Eating Out
- The Royal Oak, Tetbury – dog-friendly bar and relaxed dining area with a Summer pop up outside serving world street food
- Café 53, Tetbury – stop off for a drink or lunch in between browsing the antique shops
- The Snooty Fox, Tetbury – in the heart of Tetbury this pub is perfect for relaxed dining or a special occasion
- The Blue Zucchini, Tetbury - family-run restaurant/bar/cafe with a menu suiting any time of day
- The Dining Room at Whatley Manor, Easton Grey – Michelin starred dining in an elegant setting (6 miles)
Walks
There are plenty of walks in and around Tetbury to suit all ages and mobilities, from historic strolls past the town’s most famous landmarks, to rural rambles across the surrounding Cotswold countryside. The Tetbury Trail (once the Tetbury to Kemble Branch Line) is a gentle and historically interesting walk that’s suitable for walkers, cyclists (mtb) and horse riders. The Trail starts from the Tetbury Goods Shed, just down the hill from the cottage, and continues for three miles towards Kemble. There’s a picnic area at the start, plus the Goods Shed café is there should you need something before leaving, and along the way there are also 20 exercise stations.
Places to Visit
- Highgrove Gardens and House, Tetbury – private residence of King Charles II and the Queen Consort. Advance booking required (1.5 miles)
- Westonbirt Arboretum – 600-acre arboretum with beautiful walking routes, treetop trail and Gruffalo statues to be discovered (3.5 miles)
- Painswick Rococo Gardens – stunning gardens just outside the centre of a beautiful village known as the Queen of the Cotswolds (15 miles)
Travel
Train - the nearest train station to Tetbury is Kemble, a 15-minute drive away. Kemble operates a very popular and direct service to London Paddington in 75-80 minutes.
Taxis – Reliance Taxis, Taxi 247 Cirencester, Siren Cars
There is so much to discover in the Cotswolds, why not have a look at some of our favourite Bolthole Retreats Experiences.
Points of Note
This property has a check-in time of 16:00 and a check-out time of 10:00
- Book with us to get exclusive discounts to top attractions and experiences.
- The cottage has a steep and narrow staircase to Bedrooms Two and Three on the second floor
- The garden has several sets of steps, including three deep steps from the back door to the first terrace, making it inadvisable for guests with restricted mobility and for guests with young children
- The top floor bedrooms have low beams
- Hillside Cottage accepts one, well-behaved dog for an additional fee
- Parking: Free, unrestricted, on-street parking is usually available on Gumstool Hill
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The Location
If you’re a lover of all things vintage or antique, Tetbury is undoubtedly the place for you, with some 25 antique stores located throughout the town. There’s an abundance of stylish and arty cafes, pubs and restaurants and independent interior, clothing and food shops, as well as Highgrove - Prince Charles’s Tetbury residence-inspired shop. Enjoy wonderful walking routes right from the front door, and the Tetbury Goods Shed, with its eclectic mix of music, art and theatre, is a minute away. Within a 10-mile radius, there are several places of interest to visit, including Nailsworth, the National Trust’s Newark Park, Westonbirt Arboretum, Owlpen Manor, Woodchester Mansion, Highgrove House, Badminton, and Gatcombe Park.
And relax..
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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.
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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
Nice
The cottage itself is lovely and has a lot of charm . It’s in a great location and has a cozy feel.
However, the cleanliness could have been better.
There was pet hair,dust around, it hasn't been vacuumed and it did seem like the bedding hasn't been freshly changed before our arrival.
Well done to Sam the property manager, that he has been very responsive to my requests.
Overall with more attention to housekeeping and mantanance this place could easily be a perfect getaway.
Roxana Dediu
A lovely stay for a couple nights away with friends. Beautiful little town, very friendly area.
Kirsty
Three generations weekend in Tetbury
We stayed at Hillside Cottage, Tetbury for a long weekend.
Pros - Good location
Plenty of parking
House was supplied with things we weren't
expecting, which improved the overall
vacation, for example, shampoo and
conditioner
Cons - Very steep Hill
Stairs (two) were incredibly steep with only a
handrail on one of the staircases
No bathroom lock
House needed a very good deep clean
Garden was particularly overgrown
Maintenance of house would be better
Couldn't get oven to light without a match
The bath needed a rubber mat
Bedroom mirrors were lacking
Very little bedroom storage
Don't get me wrong, we had a lovely weekend exploring the Cotswolds, and the house was situated well for this. However, with very little cost and a bit of thought, the house could be so much better. It is not suitable for anyone with any physical health issues.
Claire Hatton
Great Location But Lacked Some Basics
We recently stayed at Hillside Cottage in Tetbury. The location was fantastic and within walking distance to everything we needed, which made exploring the area incredibly easy. We also really enjoyed the private back patio, which was a nice place to relax. It was also great to have access to a washing machine during our stay.
That said, there were a few drawbacks that impacted our comfort. The unit was only stocked with a limited amount of toilet paper, no tissues, and a total of three bath towels for three guests, along with just one hand towel. There were also no fans provided, which made it difficult to stay cool. The bathroom had a see-through shade facing the street, which didn’t offer much privacy.
We contacted housekeeping via phone and email to request additional supplies, but unfortunately never received a response. Ultimately, we purchased our own fans and extra towels, which we left at the property for future guests.
The location alone makes it worth considering, but be prepared to bring or buy a few essentials just in case.
Guest
Lovely place in a great location
Lovely place in a great location .......................................................................................................................................................................................
Simon Conway
Lovely place in a great location.
Simon
Lovely stay in pretty and well appointed cottage
Perfect for a weekend away with friends. Short stroll into the centre of Tetbury which is a lovely little town with some great places to eat and great walks.
Victoria Farmer
Perfect for a weekend away with friends. Short stroll into the centre of Tetbury which is a lovely little town with some great places to eat and great walks.
Victoria
A lovely cottage fully in line with the description, within walking distance of everything you need. Bedrooms and bathroom fine, we thoroughly recommend the place.
Mark
Fantastic cottage in a lovely location - highly recommended and loads of nice touches.
Steve
Cosy cottage in a fab location
The cottage was in a really good location a short (steep!) walk into Tetbury. It was warm welcoming, comfortable and well equipped. Bear in mind it has steep stairs to the top floor. Castle Combe was a half hour drive away & Westonbirt only 10/15 minutes away. Tetbury has lots of local shops, eateries and pubs.
Gillian Boulton
Quaint cottage
Beautiful old cottage with a peaceful, well planned garden. Cottage is within walking distance of the town and countryside walks. Hillside cottage is true to its name as it is situated on a very steep HILL.
Beverley Weaver
Great location, property shortfalls with cleanliness.
The location of the cottage is great, just a short walk from the centre of Tetbury with a great choice of independent shops and places to eat. There isn’t any dedicated parking with the property but we didn’t find this an issue, parking is available on the hill and becomes frequently available.
A welcome pack of milk, bread, marmalade, biscuits, wine plus tea, coffee, sugar and condiments were provided for us on our arrival.
The cottage’s living room and bedrooms are furnished nicely with comfortable seating and beds although the interior of the cottage is looking rather tired, the first bedroom carpet was stained and the lino flooring in the bathroom was not properly fitted and loose in areas.
Unfortunately it was necessary for us to contact Bolthole Retreats during our stay to inform them on arrival we found the toilet seat was broken, it is the only one in the cottage so we didn’t have the option to use an alternative, also that the garden area was overgrown with weeds and all of the outside dining and seating areas were very dirty, covered in dust and bird droppings, it certainly wasn’t the perfect alfresco outside area portrayed in the cottage’s description on the listing.
Most importantly we found that there were broken fence panels in the back garden which meant it was not secure and a determined dog could escape into the neighbouring garden, there is also a low level wall at the very top of the garden which a dog could easy get on to and escape. We ended up having to put the wheelie bin at the very beginning of the garden steps to give us peace of mind when letting our dog out throughout the duration of our stay.
The key factors for me when booking this cottage was the fact it should have provided an enclosed area and a beautiful setting to enjoy the garden, sadly Hillside Cottage in its present state falls way short of those key elements to ensure your stay is enjoyable.
Bolthole Retreats did call me back and that was followed up by an email and they did offer for housekeeping to come down to clean the outside table furniture, but we declined the offer and chose to spend the time outside locally exploring, because even though the furniture might have been cleaned, the rest of the garden was overgrown with weeds and the gaps in the fencing would mean we couldn’t relax properly, it was sad because we had planned to enjoy the garden on such a lovely weekend weather wise, whilst celebrating our wedding anniversary and birthday.
With regards to the toilet seat, they informed me it was broken by the previous guests and was probably a short term fix and they would address this after we had departed, I have since read a previous review from 2022 reporting the same issue with a broken toilet seat, so it appears to be ongoing.
I do appreciate that the owners may live away from the property and may not have been aware of the issues I have raised, but I do feel that if Bolthole Retreats are listing the property on their business website, that an element of responsibility should be taken by them, to ensure the properties description is accurately portrayed.
If the cottage had a bit of TLC spent on it, its layout, and location would make a great base to stay in Tetbury.
Sonia Bird
Short Break
Hillside Cottage was in a fantastic location and the sitting/dining room was lovely and cosy with beautiful autumnal views.
We found the log burner difficult to keep lit which was disappointing. The shower was very weak and lacking pressure. Also insufficient hot water for a bath on arrival. There is a musty slightly damp odour in the property.
Guest
Lovely place
Had a great time in a cosy atmosphere. We had everything we needed at hand and didn't need to worry about anything. Can only recommend 🙂
Guest
We loved our Hillside Cottage!
Traveling from the US with family, we needed a home base from which to explore the Cotswolds. Hillside Cottage was a snug, quiet place where we could rest after our daily adventures. We enjoyed the market on Saturday and all of the pubs and shops in town. Just walking around Tetbury was really enjoyable, such a pretty place. We are already talking about “next time”.
Sarah Strauss
Short stay review
Good premises for our short stay, conveniently close to town centre but on steep hill so not ideal for some. All necessary amenities in cottage. Very obliging caretaker
adrian Brown
Wonderful family holiday for family of five. Perfect location to all of Cotswold.
Lots of restaurants and pubs to choose from.
Great access to main and country roads. Lots of sites from country market days to Roman ruins and tea rooms.
Great location.
Stewart Detjen
Cosy and comfy in a peaceful village
Very cosy cottage in a peaceful village. Comfortable, clean and recently refurbished. You need to be OK with stairs and not be too tall to fit the door frames 😉
Guest
Short Stay in Tetbury
We spent three nights in this delightful cottage which was exactly as advertised and provided a very comfortable base from which to explore Tetbury and the surrounding area. We were fortunate with the weather so were able to enjoy the enchanting garden which is set on three levels. There were some nice touches such as complimentary biscuits and wine on arrival. Centrally located, there were several good pubs and restaurants on our doorstep and we especially enjoyed early evening drinks in the Close Hotel garden followed by a delicious dinner served at the Royal Oak. We plan to return soon to further explore the Cotswolds and would definitely recommend Bolthole Retreats for quality and value for money.
Carolyn Price
Pretty cottage, pity about poor response for service
Hillside Cottage is pretty and located very near the centre of Tetbury. The rooms are light and airy and cool on hot days.
Our complaint is with a very slow lack of response from the owner and their agent re an unstable/ unsafe toilet seat and lack of an airer to dry washing. Consequently, we had washing draped around the house to dry. The inventory had said that there was an airer in the house. It took from a Tuesday until a Thursday for an airer to be delivered and that was after intervention by the Bolthole Company as we had had no response from the local agent. The toilet seat problem was not resolved and we were told it was an ongoing problem that the owners knew about.
It would have been extremely useful to have had a microwave as we would normally buy supermarket ‘ready meals’ whilst on holiday. It would also have been nice to have a teapot.
Overall, we enjoyed our stay but it was overshadowed by the above. We felt it was an expensive rental and therefore we should have had better service
Patricia Coulthard
Weekend stay
A wonderful property, great location. Heating on arrival was 28 degrees, only discovered during hot night. Shower was too hot even on coldest setting. Master bedroom wardrobe needed cobwebbing & main light needed dusting. Lack of storage in bedrooms.
Had a lovely weekend, shower was main issue needs addressing.
Joanna Hines
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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.
