Forsythia Cottage
Forsythia Cottage is a charming, Grade II listed cottage that dates back to the 17th century. It forms part of one of the original terraces situated within the peaceful backwaters of Bourton-on-the-Water’s picturesque High Street. The cottage sleeps three guests in two bedrooms, with a family shower room. It has open-plan living-dining area with a woodburner effect fireplace, and a fully equipped kitchen to one side. Outside is a long, sunny courtyard garden with armchairs to enjoy a coffee or sundowner and a table with four chairs for al fresco entertaining. Unusually, for a cottage so close to the town’s attractions, there is private, off-street parking for one vehicle.
Overview
As you pull up onto the gravel drive, you may be lucky to arrive during the season when the yellow forsythia flowers growing around the front door of the cottage are flourishing and lend their name to this delightful, mid-terrace holiday home in the heart of the Venice of the Cotswolds.
Forsythia is the perfect bolthole for a romantic getaway for a couple, for a family with one child or a group of three adults. The cottage is fitted with every convenience needed for a self-catering stay, from the small but very well laid out living-dining area with its fully equipped kitchen to the two comfortable bedrooms – one standard double and one single - and family shower room.
Head through the back door from the main living area to the immaculate courtyard patio. Here you’ll find two rattan-style armchairs directly outside the kitchen, while further up the courtyard, up one step, is a stone bench and a circular table with four chairs.
Ground Floor
Entrance Hall:
Step through the front door into a small hallway where there is a large understairs cupboard with hooks for coats and space for boots. Inside you will also find the highchair, cushions for the outside chairs, and cleaning and ironing equipment.
Kitchen-Living-Dining Area:
This small and cosy, open-plan room has been cleverly designed to provide everything guests during their self-catering stay while maintaining the 17th Century feel of the cottage. The Living Area has two comfy sofas with a gas-fired woodburner-effect stove set on an original stone hearth. At the far end of the room is the Dining Area with a square dining table, two chairs and cushioned window seat, with a lovely view out to the courtyard garden, and a smart TV in the far corner. The fully equipped Kitchen is to one side, with units creating a half-height division between the cooking area and Living-Dining Area. The Kitchen has an electric oven and hob, fridge and freezer, microwave, washing machine and all the small appliances needed for a self-catered holiday.
A back door, complete with a full set of antique keys, leads out to the delightful, sunny courtyard garden – making it easy and convenient for carrying out food and drinks for outdoor entertaining.
First Floor
Carpeted stairs with a handrail lead up to:
Bedroom One:
The cottage’s main bedroom is a delightfully romantic room, featuring a standard double bed on a Victorian-style bedframe and two windows providing views down to the courtyard garden. Either side of the bed is a bedside table and reading lamp, while behind are shelves stacked with a great choice of books to enjoy during your stay. The bedroom has an in-built wardrobe with hanging space and shelves and a dressing table with a stool, lighting, a large mirror, make-up mirror and hairdryer. (The travel cot is stored in the wardrobe.)
Bedroom Two:
This pretty bedroom overlooks the front of the cottage and features a single bed on an ornate bed frame with a bedside table and reading lamp to one side and an armchair and footstool to the other. The room has a custom-built wardrobe with hanging space and a dressing table area with lighting, drawers and a large mirror.
Family Shower Room:
The compact family shower room is equipped with a cubicle shower, a toilet, a wash basin, with a vanity unit and mirror, and a heated towel rail.
Outside
To the front of the cottage is a private, gravelled drive, with parking for one car (or two very small cars parked end-to-end) – a huge asset in the popular village!
At the rear of the cottage, through the back door off the kitchen-living area, is a private, sunny and delightful courtyard garden. It has two seating areas: one immediately outside the back door, with two rattan-style armchairs and a low table – the ideal spot for a morning coffee or evening sundowner; and the other at the end of the courtyard with a circular table and four chairs and a stone bench. A rotary washing line is provided for guests’ use.
Facilities
Indoor
Bedroom One - Double
Bedroom Two - Single
1 Bathroom - Shower Room
Hairdryer - 1
Fire - Gas
Oven
Hob
Microwave
Toaster
Kettle
Fridge
Freezer
Dining Table - Seats 3
Washing Machine
Iron
WiFi *Please Note That Speeds Are For Guidance Only And Are Not Guaranteed - 25-49 Mbps
TV - Smart - Netflix Included
Travel Cot (cot Linen Not Provided) - 1
Highchair - 1
Outdoor
Garden
Outdoor Dining Area
No BBQ Available
Parking - Off-road Parking For 1 Car
On your Doorstep
The nearest supermarket is Bourton-on-the-Water’s Co-Operative Food, an 18-minute walk (1 mile). It is well-stocked for all the essentials you will need during your stay. There is also a Londis a bit closer to the house (0.6 miles) which is again perfect for store cupboard essentials. Bourton-on-the-Water houses some fantastic shops including a bakery, coffee shops, and Christmas shop! A Tesco Superstore and a small M&S Food can be found in Stow-on-the-Wold (5 miles.)
Eating Out:
- There is a good section of pubs and restaurants in Bourton-on-the-Water
- Lords of the Manor, Upper Slaughter (3 miles)
- Old Butchers, Stow-on-the-Wold (4.5 miles)
Right in the middle of the glorious rolling Cotswold hills, keen walkers have plenty of choice when it comes to walks that lead straight from the village centre. A wonderful circular village walk, leading from the village’s Visitor Information Centre, is highly recommended and allows you to really appreciate Bourton-on-the-Water’s rich heritage, taking you past key sites, buildings, and monuments as you stroll. For those keen to explore the surrounding villages, a circular walk following the Windrush and Gloucestershire Ways through to the villages of Upper and Lower Slaughter offers a gentle pace that totals 4 miles in distance; perfect for those not looking for anything too strenuous. More hard-core ramblers should give the 9-mile circular trek from Bourton through Naunton and the Slaughters a go.
Places to Visit:
- The Model Village (0.5 miles)
- Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens (11.5 miles)
- Cotswold Motor Museum (0.7 miles)
- Train - Moreton-in-Marsh station (9 miles) or Kingham station (7 miles), both have direct trains from London.
- Taxi - Bourton-on-the-Water Private Hire, Call Bobby Private Hire, Limozena Taxis
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.
- There is parking on the driveway in front of the cottage for one car.
- The stairs up to the bedrooms and bathroom are steep (though there is a sturdy handrail), which makes this cottage inadvisable for guests with restricted mobility.
- Pets are not accepted at the cottage.
- There is no BBQ available at Forsythia Cottage and guests are not permitted to provide their own.
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Handpicked by us
Why we love this
- Bourton-on-the-Water is one of the Cotswolds’ most beloved villages, brimming with attractions, charming shops, and a wide range of cafés, pubs, and restaurants
- The house is just steps from the iconic River Windrush that runs through the centre of the village.
- Private off-street parking offers a rare and welcome convenience in such a popular village setting.
Discover more
The Location
Bourton-on-the-Water is rightfully one of the Cotswolds most visited villages with a wealth of attractions, delightful shops and eating establishments to suit everyone’s taste. The River Windrush flows through the centre, and is spanned by several, low arched bridges flanked by wide village greens and lovely period Cotswold stone buildings, giving the village its well-known moniker of Venice of the Cotswolds. Forsythia is less than a minute’s walk from the river and its beautiful bridges, making it the perfect place to visit all the sights, including the Model Village, Birdland Park and Gardens, the Motor Museum, the Dragonfly Maze and the Cotswold Brewing Company.
And relax..
Why book with us
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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.
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
A lovely cute little cottage in the heart of Bourton-on-the-Water
We stayed for 4 nights in this cute little cottage, it really is right in the heart of this beautiful place. Unfortunately the cottage wasn't ready when we arrived at 3.30pm, but after a phone call to the owner the cleaners turned up and we left them to sort it out, they did a great job and were very apologetic and offered to pay for our lunch. The cottage itself is quite old fashioned, but it suits the property. It has a lovely garden with seat cushions. The kitchen is well equipped and the double bed was very comfortable. As you would expect from a small cottage the stairs to the bedroom & bathroom are rather steep, so not for people with a disability.
I was woken one morning by the sound of breaking bottles, when the bin lorry come at do the local restaurant bins before 7.00am.
I would be very happy to recommend this property and would be happy to return next time we head to the beautiful Cotswolds.
Caroline Shortland
Excellent location but compact.
Location is excellent for exploring the area, esp. with parking right in front of property. We were lucky with the weather that it was warm and sunny when checked in to be able to have a drink in the garden. I did spend some effort cleaning the round glass table in the garden, perhaps they did not anticipate anyone using it in October so it was not cleaned. It was a very nice garden to enjoy it.
It was very compact as mentioned by others. There were only 2 of us so it was fine. The biggest improvement needed is some lighting near the dining table as it was rather dark when eating in the evenings although some people do like it that way. It would have been a struggle to sit 3 people at the dining table and there were only 2 dining chairs. Also, the grater was rather blunt so needs replacing and the freezer needs defrosting. The lights in the built-in dressing table did not work and neither did one of the bedside lights. I replaced the bedside light bulb as there were spares in the kitchen but couldn't fix the dressing light. It would have been useful to have some surface in the bathroom to rest washbag etc. The space between the shower and the towel rail could have been used more effectively. Another tiny thing that I wasn't overly keen on was artificial flowers around the house and there were quite a lot. Appreciate that they did brighten the house and it'd be difficult to keep live plants but perhaps a fern or something similar in the bathroom which is easy to look after?
Despite the above, there are lots of positives such as a bottle of wine and a pack of biscuits which was a nice gesture. Also, tea, coffee and fresh milk in the fridge. Cling film, foil, bottle opener and other useful kitchen accessories are provided as well as basic seasoning such as salt and pepper etc. Instructions of appliances are provided and organised in a folder which was handy. Personally, I'd love a bath when on holidays. There seems to be enough space for a small bath and overhead shower. The cottage is right next to the perfumery and very close to the centre. I couldn't decide between Bourton-on-the-water or Stow-on-the-wold and so glad that I picked Bourton which was definitely prettier, esp. with the river running through the centre.
If you like walking, it's definitely worth printing some circular walks beforehand so to leave your phones alone and also in case of no reception in places. It was perfect to catch up with your companion and just enjoy the nature. We did a 10 mile circular walk from the War Memorial in the centre which took us about 5 hours as we were taking it easy and stopped at the Black Horse pub at Naunton, which has a nice garden and a very friendly cat! If interested - https://www.cotswolds-nl.org.uk/wp/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Bourton-Circular-4-WWS-CNL-2024.pdf
There are other shorter walks too. Note that Travel Information didn't exist anymore in both Bourton and Stow. There were only leaflet stalls at the library which had info. about other places rather than things like walking maps for the area etc. So, don't waste your time looking for the Travel Information.
Overall, Forsythia Cottage is a character cottage and excellent place to stay if you don't mind being cosy.
Guest
Forsythia cottage
2nd time staying in this lovely little cottage . We love it so central to everything. Parking such a bonus. Lovely weather sat out on
the patio very private. Can't wait to book again.
Tracey Faulknall
Forsythia Cottage is a wonderful cottage located in the perfect position in Bourton On The Water with parking which is in short supply in the village. It is warm and very welcoming cottage with all the amenities required for staying. It is very close to all the shops and cafes (3 minute walk). This is a 5 star property and would stay there again.
Peter
2nd time staying in this lovely little cottage . We love it so central to everything. Parking such a bonus. Lovely weather sat out on the patio very private. Can't wait to book again.
Tracey
A nice cottage in the Cotswolds, host provided a detailed welcome booklet which was very helpful.
Kayu
This cottage was fabulous and in a perfect location close to the village centre, pubs, shops and restaurants. The host was incredibly responsive and helpful. We will be back.
Darren
It was comfortable and very quaint. It was all good.
Marc
A really pretty cottage in the heart of Bourton on the Water.
Alessandro
Delightful little cottage right in the heart of the village.
I really enjoyed my stay at Forsythia Cottage and had a lovely time - absolutely in a perfectly central position for everything and yet so very quiet. The garden was lovely and private and got the sun all day. Everything was provided for a very comfortable stay. I would just deduct one little point off as I was a little surprised that there were no complimentary toiletries as most places seem to provide them these days - so even it if was just enough for a couple of days to get you started would be good - but 'heyho' this would not be a dealbreaker for me. The bed was very comfortable and the sheets and bedding were top quality - I slept extremely well. You did need to be a little bit careful as the stairs were very steep. Overall 10 out of 10.
Jennifer Measey
A lovely cosy property, fantastic location with great outside space, an oasis in the centre of Bourton on the Water.
Teresa
Such a great location in this beautiful village. The cottage was charming and had everything we needed for our short stay. Communication with the owner was excellent. Would recommend to friends.
Barb
A JEWEL IN THE CROWN
Oh wow, where do I begin, what a find this beautiful little cottage was, spotlessly clean very well equipped for all your needs, excellent location plus its own parking space , and great private back garden,literally a 2 minute walk into the beautiful village of Bourton-on-the-Water which has a host of pubs, coffee shops and lovely little independent shops.will definitely be back! Many Thanks.
Richard Green
Great traditional cottage in a fantastic location. As described and well stocked.
Wendy
Oh wow, where do I begin, what a find this beautiful little cottage was, spotlessly clean very well equipped for all your needs, excellent location plus its own parking space, and great private back garden, literally a 2 minute walk into the beautiful village of Bourton-on-the-Water which has a host of pubs, coffee shops and lovely little independent shops. Will definitely be back! Many thanks.
Richard
A week in Bourton on the Water
We stayed at Forsythia cottage for a week. The cottage is in a perfect location for all local pubs/shops/cafes - everything is in walking distance. Off road parking is certainly a benefit!
The cottage itself is very nice, a very well-equipped kitchen and a comfortable lounge area. The bedrooms are spacious - but the bed is a bit creaky! The bathroom has a small shower cubicle; unfortunately, when we were there, the shower door did leak a bit.
If you're looking for a centrally located well-equipped cottage then Forsythia Cottage is for you 🙂
Sharon Howard
Good location quirky cottage
Excellent location cottage was quite comfortable, the stairs were not that easy,perhaps a photo of them along with the other pics would be a help. The garden was nice we just didn't have the weather .We did find the restaurants in Bourton a big let down very poor, and expensive. But on the whole we enjoyed our stay.
Guest
Excellent stay in cosy cottage
Excellent stay for a week in a lovely central location. Cottage is characteristic of a Cotswolds terrace house built some years ago but with modern comforts. Stairs are a little bit steep and narrow but not too bad.
Five minute walk from the main high street with shops and restaurants.
joyce jones
Forthsyrh cottage
The cottage was beautiful the only thing we had a problem with was the shower head the bracket didn't hold it in place when shower was on.
Jakki Carr
Loved our stay
We absolutely love this cottage, it is right on the doorstep of the beautiful village, has car parking which is great, a washing machine so travellers can catch up on the laundry, tea, coffee, sugar and milk was supplied to start off, couldn't want for anything more and the owner paul is just a pleasure to deal with.
BELINDA HARRIS
What a gem
We've just had a lovely time at Forsythia Cottage. The cottage was perfectly decorated to be respectful for its age but with all the modern items you would need. If you've had a long journey and did not have time to go to the shop, you could put your feet up with a cuppa as tea and coffee was supplied and even milk in the fridge; and if you needed something else then a bottle of wine and a snack was also provided (what a lovely gesture). Forsythia is in the perfect location for Bourton, you could not get more central. Paul the owner was quick to respond when I had a question about the key code and also our arrival time and was most welcoming in his replies too. I would not hesitate to stay here again.
Catherine De-La-Haye
Cosy little cottage
Lovely stay at Forsythia cottage for 2 nights. As described it is a small cosy cottage perfect for a short stay in the heart of the Cotswolds. My only improvement would be the master room mattress, as it seems to sink into the middle, apart from that everything was perfect.
Chloe Gosling
Fabulous property
This was a few days away gift for my husband’s special birthday. It was truly a beautifully clean, comfortable, peaceful property with everything you need to help you have a lovely stay. It was absolutely ideal as it was so close to the beautiful town and we will definitely return. My husband loved it and we would definitely recommend it.
Joyce Jones
Ideal holiday cottage
An excellent holiday cottage. So central in the village for all amenities. It was immaculate and tastefully furnished. Would not hesitate to recommend. Bolt hole escapes were efficient as were the owners
Colin Hall
Great location/Cosy and comfortable
We found Forsythia cottage to be very convenient, cosy and comfortable.
Everything you could ever need for self catering was provided.
The welcome pack was very informative and of help to us, and the welcome treets made us feel valued and was a lovely touch...Thank you.
The cottage was in a fantastic location just behind the main street and in the middle of some interesting shops and restaurants.....couldn't have been better.
This tastefully modernised, yet old world cottage and outdoor space was a pleasure to stay in.
We would stay again.
Good mobility required for the steep narrow stairs....which are a feature of the cottage.
Single bed mattress was on the soft side for me... hence 4 out of 5 for comfort.
Communication with the owner Paul was really good...re keys, restaurants etc....I liked that personal touch.
Overall a great place to stay
Christina Concannon
Great location lovely cottage
The cottage is well presented and in just the right location. The off road parking is a must when it's school holidays.
Austin Collier
Excellent find
Lovely little cottage in a great location. Would definitely recommend staying here to see Bourton-on-the-water.
Guest
Short break in Bourton on the Water
We had a lovely break here - the location is excellent being so close to the village amenities yet still a tranquil spot. We popped out to collect morning coffees and there’s plenty of choice for eating out too. We stayed with our 1 year old daughter and it was great having the high chair and cot provided. Would definitely recommend this for a base in the Cotswolds and hope to return.
Guest
Lovely cottage
Perfect location. Many restaurants, tea shops, bakeries, attractions nearby. Excellent walking routes directly from the village.
Steve Adams
A great stay!
A beautiful cottage in the heart of Bouton On The Water.
The cottage was exceptionally clean, so homely and welcoming. The location is perfect, we would definitely return.
Liam Lonergan
Excellent stay
Excellent stay at Forsythia cottage. Well kept with everything you need for your stay. A lovely welcome pack was provided and information on the local area. Location excellent and quiet, great for seeing other villages in the Costwolds as well as pubs and restaurants on the doorstep.
Sharon Gamble
Weekend break
The house is in a perfect location, beautifully presented, with a lovely garden and everything you could possibly need. Paul had left us a few lovely treats and a pint of milk on arrival. A perfect weekend getaway for us to recharge our batteries. We had a lovely dinner at the Rose Tree Inn restaurant, definitely worth a visit. Lots of lovely walks right from your doorstep. Highly recommend.
Roy Morley
Perfect location in Bourton
Beautiful little cottage in a perfect location. Car parking space was ideal. Would like to return when the weather is nicer and enjoy using the garden.
Sue Thorn
Perfect location for a base in The Cotswolds
Fantastic location for a stay in The Cotswolds. Right on the high street close to a lovely bakers with the pubs and restaurants a short walk away. Cottage was cosy and clean with all the amenities we needed for the stay. Would book again
Luke Winsland
Fantastic Location
The cottage is in a fantastic location in the heart of Bourton-on-the-Water but tucked away so still quiet. It’s very well equipped and clean. The cottage is a little small but this makes it a cosy place to stay. We’ll definitely be back.
Julie Peek
Perfect and lovely Location for holidays in the Cotswolds!
What a lovely place to stay in Bourton-on-the-Water! We enjoyed every moment and I am sure to come back very soon!
Edith Konrad
Location!!!!
What a beautiful piece of the world. This little cottage did not disappoint. I fell in love with this village a decade ago on an accidental visit and was so excited to come back. It is a wonderful place that was very easily enjoyed from this superb location.
We had a little glitch with the key code number changing, but one quick call and we were straight in.
Thank you!
Michelle Milthorpe
A Gem right in the center of Bourton on the Water
This cottage was perfect. The location - on a fairly quiet street just steps away from the Windrush River in the historical center of Bourton on the Water - can't be beat. A listed historical home, it was in beautiful condition, filled with character, yet equipped with all the conveniences and supplies needed for a perfect stay. We especially loved the gas fireplace and the comfortable beds. Guests should be aware that the staircase steps are narrow - use the handrail. We didn't use the back garden - too early in the year, but it looked delightful as well. We did make use of the washing machine, which was great for our mid-trip refresh since we packed light. Highly recommend this place.
Rebecca Green
A beautiful cottage in the centre of a Cotswolds town
We had a lovely weekend in the Forsythia Cottage, which is both right in the centre of a small market town and, at the same time, very quiet. The cottage is small but well-planned so there was easily enough space for a couple with a baby. The gas fireplace made for warm, cosy evenings. For nicer weather, there is a courtyard with sitting and facilities for drying laundry. We are grateful to the owners for this opportunity to stay in their lovely cottage.
Marcin Suskiewicz
Awesome cottage in a fantastic location
This cottage was immaculate and had everything we needed. It's in a fantastic location close to the river, pubs, shops and cafes - literally a stones throw away. We couldn't want for more.
Maxwell Harris
Cosy cottage in the centre of everything - ideal getaway spot!
The cottage is lovely, everything you could need or want (including a good selection of books and dvds!) provided - including a welcome basket with wine and cookies! The owner was very helpful and friendly when contacted with queries. All the local attractions (and there are lots!) were within a five minute walk of the cottage, but it's so cosy you almost don't want to go out - just curl up in front of the fire and relax! It even has off-road parking in front of the house, which is convenient. We would definitely visit again.
Sarah-louise Tinklin
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.
