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Large family friendly holiday home in the Cotswolds - Willows House

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Willows House Kitchen/Dining Area - StayCotswold
Willows House - StayCotswold
Willows House Living Room - StayCotswold
Willows House Snug - StayCotswold
Willows House Garden - StayCotswold

Reviews

8.4 out of 10
Very good
4 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 10193 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Outdoor space
  • Parking available
  • Barbecue

Explore the area

View map
Lower Swell, Gloucestershire
  • Place, St. Edward's Church
    ‪2 min drive‬
  • Place, Fosse Gallery Fine Art
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Place, Blenheim Palace
    ‪42 min drive‬
  • Airport, Oxford (OXF)
    ‪43 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 10)

Bedroom #1

1 King Bed

Bedroom #2

1 King Bed

Bedroom #3

1 Double Bed

Bedroom #4

2 Single Beds

3 bathrooms

Bathroom #1

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom #2

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom #3

Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Kitchen
Garden

About this property

Large family friendly holiday home in the Cotswolds - Willows House

Willows House is an immaculately presented Cotswold holiday home near Stow-on-the-Wold which sleeps 8+2 guests, in four stylish bedrooms, with the +2 option being a double sofa bed in the study, with three spacious bathrooms. Originally built from traditional Cotswold Stone, Willows House has been elegantly furnished throughout, with a warm, contemporary style which complements the various character features including stone mullion windows, wooden panelling and a lovely Cotswold stone fireplace with a real fire. This fabulous detached large holiday home in the Cotswolds has an open-plan feel to the ground floor, creating the perfect environment for entertaining with friends and family. During the warmer months, make the most of the landscaped gardens and enjoy some al fresco dining whilst soaking up the countryside views.

Accommodation
This four bedroom holiday cottage in Lower Swell is perfectly suited for those looking to get together with family and friends, exploring the local countryside and eateries. The accommodation is laid out as follows:

Ground Floor

Sitting room/dining room/kitchen
A spacious room flooded with natural light from the large French windows which provide beautiful views of the landscaped garden and countryside beyond. Amenities include two large sofas, Cotswold stone fireplace with a real fire and a Smart TV with Amazon Prime and Netflix (account holders only)
The well equipped kitchen has a large island in the centre, double electric oven, induction hob, fridge/freezer, dishwasher, toaster, kettle, microwave, Nespresso coffee machine and aeroccino
The stylish dining area has three sets of French doors which open out onto the patio area and is home to a large dining table with seating for twelve

Snug
Elegantly furnished with a large L-shaped sofa, which comfortably seats ten and a Smart TV with Amazon Prime and Netflix (account holders only)

Study/bedroom 5
Beautifully presented, double sofa bed (available on request)

Utility room
Washing machine, tumble dryer, iron and ironing board. There is an external door, which provides an alternative entrance to the house from the front, and is particularly convenient when returning from a country walk

Cloakroom
Loo and basin

First Floor

Master bedroom with ensuite (Sleeps 2)
Triple aspect, stone mullion windows and sloping ceilings. Amenities include a king size bed, wardrobe, large cabinet and a hair dryer
Ensuite with walk-in rain shower, loo, basin and a heated towel rail

Bedroom 2 with ensuite (Sleeps 2)
Tastefully decorated, dual aspect room, king size bed, two wing back armchairs, built-in wardrobe and a hair dryer
Ensuite with walk-in rain shower, loo, basin and a heated towel rail

Bedroom 3 (Sleeps 2)
Stunning garden views, double bed, chest of drawers, clothes hanging hooks and a hair dryer

Bedroom 4 (Sleeps 2)
Two single beds, chest of drawers, clothes hanging hooks and a hair dryer

Family bathroom
Bright and airy, double ended freestanding bath, with handheld shower attachment, walk-in shower, loo, twin basins and a heated towel rail

Outside
The large enclosed rear garden comprises of a large patio area, which has lovely views of the surrounding countryside, outdoor table with eight chairs, charcoal barbecue, plus a bench that comfortably seats 4 guests. Beyond the patio there is a mixture of lawn and beautiful flower beds.

The Finer Details...
The maximum occupancy for this property is 10 guests. Infants do not count towards the occupancy figure, however, due to space restrictions the occupancy can only be exceeded by 4 additional infants (aged 2 or under)
Bed linen and towels are provided
Off street parking is available for up to 6 cars
1 travel cot, 2 highchairs and 1 toddler seat are available on request (please bring your own linen for the travel cot, as this is not provided)
Sorry, no pets
Free WiFi
Mobile phone reception is generally OK
2 x Smart TVs with Amazon Prime and Netflix (guests to use their own login details for Apps)
Enclosed garden
Charcoal BBQ (guests are responsible for providing charcoal and cleaning BBQ after use)
Oil fired central heating system
Starter supply of wood provided for the real fire from October to April only
The property has two floors, which could pose difficulty to guests with limited mobility, or carrying babies
Guests should note that the bottom step of the staircase is shorter than the other steps
The property’s garden is enclosed, however young children should be supervised outside at all times
The smoke and CO detectors operate on a sound only basis and, therefore, those who have serious impairment of hearing may not be able to hear the alarm systems and could be at risk
No smoking or vaping is permitted throughout the property

Things to Note...
Parties and events are not permitted without prior consent
A security deposit is required at this property
Check in is from 17:00 and check out is by 10:00
Charging electric vehicles at this property is not permitted

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Outdoor space
Parking available
Barbecue

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House Rules

Check in after 5:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit

About the area

Cheltenham

Cheltenham is home to this cottage. Broadway Tower Country Park and River Windrush reflect the area's natural beauty and area attractions include Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens and Bourton Leisure Centre. Cotswold Farm Park and The Model Village are also worth visiting.
Map
Lower Swell, Gloucestershire

What's nearby

  • St. Edward's Church - 2 min drive - 2.0 km
  • Fosse Gallery Fine Art - 3 min drive - 2.4 km
  • Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens - 20 min drive - 24.0 km
  • Blenheim Palace - 42 min drive - 43.9 km
  • University of Oxford - 45 min drive - 54.6 km

Getting around

  • Moreton-In-Marsh Station - 15 min drive
  • Oxford (OXF) - 46 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪The Porch House - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪The Bell at Stow - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪The Willow - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Lucy's Tea Room - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪The Chip Shed - ‬10 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Large family friendly holiday home in the Cotswolds - Willows House pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Large family friendly holiday home in the Cotswolds - Willows House?

As of 18 April 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Large family friendly holiday home in the Cotswolds - Willows House on 2 July 2026 start from NZ$1,647, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking at Large family friendly holiday home in the Cotswolds - Willows House?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Large family friendly holiday home in the Cotswolds - Willows House?

Check-in begins at 5:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Large family friendly holiday home in the Cotswolds - Willows House?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Large family friendly holiday home in the Cotswolds - Willows House located?

Situated in Cheltenham, this cottage is within 2 miles (3 km) of Old Mill, St. Edward's Church and Fosse Gallery Fine Art. Bourton Leisure Centre is 3.1 mi (4.9 km) away.

Reviews

8.4

Very good

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 6 out of 18 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 9 out of 18 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 3 out of 18 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 18 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 18 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Brilliant stay

Willow Cottage was the perfect location for our group. Such a great property, we were very comfortable and would stay again
From a partner site

8/10 Good

Great place to stay with a big group

Perfect location, close to Stow on the Wold, with lots of walks and pubs nearby. Very spacious with big bedrooms and living areas. The management company were responsive and helpful when the hot water went down. Would recommend to a big group looking to explore the Cotswolds!
Response from VrboOwner on 27 August 2025
Thank you Mabel for your review Willows House. We are delighted that you found the property to be very spacious and in a perfect location. We hope you will be back to stay again soon!
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Paul C.

A lovely property in a great location.

Absolutely fantastic property in a great location in order to visit all the villages around the cotswolds. Everything you would need was caterer for which was great. Would definitely recommend to family and friends.
Response from VrboOwner on 19 October 2023
Thank you for your fantastic review of Willows House! We are delighted to hear that you had a lovely stay and that you had everything you needed. We hope to see you again soon!
From a partner site

8/10 Good

Beautiful house and area - needs some TLC

Perfect location, great house and space for gathering. However, quality of finishing left a little to be desired - patio doors were temperamental to open and some of the kitchen finishing was a little off e.g fridge door frame wasn’t attached to fridge. However, this didn’t impact our stay and was a beautiful setting for our family as a base for getting married in the Cotswolds. Thank you!
Response from VrboOwner on 27 August 2025
Thank you Michael for your review of Willows House. We are delighted that you found the property to be great, spacious and in a perfect location. We hope you will be back to stay again soon!
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

An excellent base

On the whole a good experience, however one of our party was uncomfortable in the downstairs bedroom due to excessive noise from the boiler, which we were unable to switch off overnight!
Response from VrboOwner on 7 November 2024
Thank you Imogen for your review of Willows House. We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed your stay. We are sorry that the boiler in the utility room next-door to where the sofa bed is located in the snug kept you awake. We do hope that overall, you will be back to stay again soon!
From a partner site

8/10 Good

Lovely spot

We had a lovely stay at Willows House, it is situated in a beautiful village close to Stow on the wold and offered easy access to all areas that we planned to visit. The area was quiet and peaceful, a great place to escape the hustle and bustle. The kitchen was very well equipped and offered a large sociable space for our family to gather. One downside of the property is the general upkeep throughout, the bathrooms in particular are showing signs of wear and tear. Perhaps the general maintenance will be addressed through the winter. In addition, we noticed several cobwebs and dust about the house when we arrived, particularly noticeable on the lovely light fittings, this may have been due to the house being vacant for a while perhaps? Overall this did not negatively affect our stay, but some of the ‘wow’ factor was lost. We would stay at Willows house again and are keen to visit in the summer when we would then be able to enjoy the large garden too.
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Weekend. Atch up with friends

Willows house is a beautiful large property in a great location. The open plan kitchen/ sitting area worked so well for our group of 6 friends. The logs left for the fire were much appreciated in January. We had a minor issue on arrival which we were able to resolve following a prompt call back from the management team. The beds were all comfortable and the bathrooms modern and very clean. We enjoyed the close proximity to Stow and walked there and back for some shopping and an excellent pub lunch at the Bell.
Response from VrboOwner on 6 February 2025
Thank you Joanna for your review of Willows House. We are delighted to hear that you found the property to be beautiful. spacious and in a great location. We are delighted to hear that the property managers were responsive and helpful when you needed assistance. We hope you will be back to stay again soon!
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Jack A.

Wonderful Home in the Cotswolds

The Willows House in Lower Swell was the perfect home for our family of four and another family of five to spend a week. The home is charming, well appointed, and very comfortable. The location, just outside of Stow-On-The-Wold makes for easy day trips to nearby towns, while the public footpaths provide for delightful walks to the neighboring villages or Lower and Upper Slaughter, Stow, and beyond. The booking was very easy and the rental agency provided good and timely communication. We would stay here again!
From a partner site

8/10 Good

Christmas stay at Willows House

Overall my family really enjoyed our stay at Willows house. It felt very homely and the layout was perfect. Location in Lower Swell was great, really nice local pub and close to shops in Stow. Our only criticism would be of some of the amenities supplied. The pots/pans etc were quite old and not suitable for cooking for a large family.
Response from VrboOwner on 2 January 2024
Thank you Mark for your review of Willows House. We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed your stay and found the property to be homely. We hope you will be back to stay again soon!
From a partner site

8/10 Good

Well appointed and located house

We had a lovely say at Willows House. It is a spacious 4/5 bedroom property well located for exploring the Cotswolds. The property is showing some signs of wear and tear (some stains on the upstairs carpets and the bathrooms are looking a bit tired) but is on the whole very pleasant and well equipped. The major criticism is the water pressure at the kitchen taps and in the bathrooms which is mentioned in other reviews.
Response from VrboOwner on 28 October 2024
Thank you Hannah for your review of Willows House. We are delighted that you found the property to be spacious, well equipped and in a good location to explore the Cotswolds. We hope you will be back to stay again soon!
From a partner site

6/10 Okay

Laura T.

Desperately needs refurbishing

The house is functional and should be a beautiful property. However the house is in desperate need of lots of refurbishment and many areas need addressing, to make the house match its description and online photos. When contacting the owners regarding the many areas of concern, we received a long list of excuses and told property is due some work. But they was happy to charge us full price knowing the house wasn’t as advertised. Such a shame as we stayed there 6 years ago and it used to lovely. It’s clear it’s under new management who do not care about customer service and standards in the same way. I wouldn’t recommend this priority if you’re expecting a luxury finish. It is however in a great location.
Response from VrboOwner on 5 November 2025
Thank you Richard for taking the time to share your feedback. We’re very sorry to hear that your recent stay did not meet your expectations, especially after having enjoyed the property in the past. The property is indeed scheduled for some refurbishment after a very busy summer season. We are glad that you still enjoyed the location.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

John H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely house in ideal location

A charming and cosy house comfortably fitting our group of 8 (although the twin room beds seemed only really suitable for children, and we ended up using the spare sofabed downstairs). We had a few teething problems with the heating/water but the team were fast to get in touch with guidance (turns out minimal interference was the best policy). Otherwise everything was great, lovley quiet location but within easy (if steep) stroll from bustling Stow with all its facilities. Lots of nice walks in the area, great local pub, handy ice cream vending machines up the road, all in an ideal spot for relaxing and/or exploring the lovely Cotswolds.
Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 25 March 2025
Thank you John for your kind review. We are thrilled to hear you enjoyed the charm and coziness of the house, as well as the quiet location with easy access to Stow and the surrounding area. We appreciate your feedback on the twin room beds and will definitely take that into consideration for future guests. We are glad the team could quickly assist with the heating/water issues, and we are happy it didn’t impact your stay. It sounds like you made the most of the beautiful local walks and amenities and you had some time to relax as well. We hope to welcome you back again soon.
From a partner site

8/10 Good

Olivia S.

Lovely house

The house was really comfortable for our family (me + husband, 3 yo, 5 yo, grandma + grandpa). It was spacious, the kitchen was organized well and the garden is beautiful (though watch out for the nettles and thistles!) The town is exactly what you'd hope for in the Cotswolds, and great proximity to Stow-on-the-Wold, Bourton-on-the-Water, and more. Our main complain is that we were surprised that it was missing some basics, like there was no shampoo/conditioner, one roll of TP per bathroom, and one roll of paper towels.
Response from VrboOwner on 11 July 2024
Thank you Olivia for sharing your review of Willows House. We are delighted to know that the house was really comfortable for your stay. The property was spacious, the kitchen was organised and the garden is beautiful. It is within close proximity to Stow on the Wold, Bourton on the Water and many other Cotswolds attractions. As this is a self catering property the owner does not supply shampoo or conditioner and a starter pack of 1-2 toilet rolls per bathroom is provided. We look forward to welcoming you back to the Cotswolds soon.
From a partner site

8/10 Good

Catherine L.

A great house for friends or family

We stayed as a group of 2 families and had a great time at The Willows House. The layout and bedrooms are perfect for 2 families, there is lots of living space and a great sized kitchen and dining space with all the amenities you would expect and need. Lovely village and a great location for all the local sites. One day we followed the footpath across farm land to Stow-On-the-Wold. Was an excellent and beautiful walk with a great pub lunch in the middle. The house could do with some general maintenance (curtain polls barely hanging on) and a good clean especially looking for cobwebs. Very easy to book through Stay Cotswold. Thank you
Response from VrboOwner on 6 November 2023
Thank you for your wonderful review of Willows House. We are delighted to read that you had a great time at the property and the layout of the property is perfect for 2 families. We will pass your feedback onto the property owners for their attention. We look forward to welcoming you back to the Cotswolds soon.
From a partner site

6/10 Okay

Jacqueline H.

Fur coat but no knickers!

Such a shame a lovely house like this is not cared for, the house is cleaned on the surface but look deeper and it’s not good. Sticky cupboards, crumbs in drawers, shower heads need cleaning, utility room is a dumping ground for things not in use, but not tidy. Cupboards with unopened mail just thrown in. The garden needs maintaining- not just the grass cutting. Outside furniture needs cushions now it’s summer. There is more but I will finish on a positive, we really had a lovely time.
Response from VrboOwner on 4 June 2025
Thank you Jacqueline for sharing your review of your recent stay at Willows House. We are pleased to hear that you had a lovely time overall, and we truly appreciate you taking the time to share your positive experience and the areas where you feel improvement is needed. We are disappointed to hear that aspects of the property did not meet your expectations. Your feedback regarding the deeper level of cleanliness, organisation, and outdoor maintenance will be addressed with the property manager as a matter of priority. We hope to welcome you back to the Cotswolds soon
From a partner site

8/10 Good

Willows House Little Swell

Willows house is pleasant but it needs a bit of attention. We could only find one set of TV controls and were unable to work one of the 2 TVs at all. The Wifi was variable throughout the house. Parking was good as was the location for exploring. The living rooms and bedrooms were comfortable and the bathrooms good. However the twin bed room, for adults sharing, as in our case, had no where to put a case or clothes, no hooks, mirror or waste bin. We feel that this could be easily solved as there is room for a small chest of drawers. The fridge door was not attached to its outer door and was rather grubby and for some reason the cupboard housing the washing machine could not be shut and stood wide open. The solution would be to remove the doors altogether. The house needs paint on some walls and especially on places like the banisters which felt rather sticky and the lovely big windows in the kitchen could do with a clean too. However we enjoyed our stay and when I contacted the cleaning company for help finding the spare keys and over entry times, they were very helpful. I would love feedback from the owners telling us that they have made these relatively small improvements to what is essentially a nice house.
Response from VrboOwner on 16 September 2025
Thank you, Catherine, for your review of Willows House. We’re delighted to hear that you found the property pleasant, comfortable, and well located. To clarify, the twin room is advertised as having bedside tables only. The property is regularly repainted, and another refresh is scheduled soon. Unfortunately, not all guests take care when moving luggage, which can sometimes mark the paintwork. Regarding the fridge, the cupboard door was disconnected as it had previously prevented the fridge from closing properly. We’re glad to know that the property manager was able to assist you promptly when needed. We very much hope to welcome you back to Willows House again in the future!
From a partner site

6/10 Okay

Beautiful house in much need of some TLC

We had a lovely stay at Willow’s house with family at the end of July. The house itself was spacious and was well equipped with necessary amenities. The house is located in the lovely Lower Swell which although very quite is close enough to visit the other nearby villages should you wish to. Stay Cotswolds were fantastic at providing us with directions and communicated with us regularly prior and during our stay. Unfortunately however, the house is beginning to look a bit tired and is much need of some TLC. The furniture is becoming tatty and uncomfortable, particularly the sofas and chairs. Our main issue was the overgrown garden. The garden was the main attraction for us when initially booking Willow’s house as it looked ideal for our toddler to run around, however the patio area and wall were crumbling causing lots of trip hazards (our grandparents also found this difficult) and the lawn area itself was COVERED in nettles and in some parts dog poo, resulting in us hardly using the area despite the lovely weather. We also struggled to get the smart TVs working and queried this with the property managers, however apart from one initial reply we struggled to contact them and gave up after several phone calls. I truly believe that Willows house could be a fantastic stay with just a little more love and care.
Response from VrboOwner on 23 August 2025
Thank you Alexandra for taking the time to share your detailed feedback. We are delighted to hear that you had a lovely stay at Willow’s House and that you found the space comfortable, well-equipped, and ideally located for exploring the surrounding villages. We are also pleased that you felt well supported by the StayCotswold team throughout your visit. We are very sorry to learn that some aspects of the property did not meet your expectations. Your comments regarding the condition of the furniture, the garden, and the difficulty in reaching the property management team are taken seriously. Please accept our sincere apologies for the inconvenience this caused you and your family, particularly as the garden was a key factor in your choice of property. We have shared your feedback with the relevant teams and are working with the owner to address the concerns raised, including improvements to the outdoor area and furnishings. We look forward to welcoming you back to the Cotswolds soon.
From a partner site

8/10 Good

Lovely looking house great location

The house was lovely looking and in a great location, just down the road from Stow and Burford not too far either. Although the house was lovely looking it needed a little TLC in places. We were only there for one full day, two nights but still used the showers and bathrooms. The water pressure was poor so showering was interesting, running round to get wet. Beds were comfy and bedrooms nicely decorated. Sound of the cupboards could do with shelving and organising if staying longer. Kitchen was large and well equipped although possibly a larger fridge/freezer would have been good for a longer stay and freezer needed defrosting, only one drawer opened and that one was in poor condition. The large doors out to the garden were nice but a bit difficult to unlock. Sitting areas were nice and comfy. There was a children’s toy cupboard but a little of them were missing bits. Utility/boot room was handy but cupboard just seemed to house broken or not working items, vacuum and iron. Found a spare working iron. Garden was nice and big but a bit overgrown and beds could to with tending. Overall nice for our short stay but would need some extra work if staying longer. We cant really comment on customer service, except that we had required emails regarding our stay and payments etc.
Response from VrboOwner on 6 May 2025
Thank you John for your review of Willows House. We are pleased to hear that you enjoyed the look and location of the house, and that you found the beds comfortable, the kitchen well equipped, and the sitting area is cosy. It is also great to know the space worked well for your short stay. We really appreciate your comments and we will pass them onto the property owner to address the issues with his property manager to ensure a better experience for future guests. We hope to welcome you back again in the future.

About the host

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