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 Hillview 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.
Hillview 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.)
