Retreat from the everyday for an indulgent night of good food and luxurious comfort in the Cotswolds.
Driving into the heart of the Cotswolds we are struck, as always, by how spectacular it is here. The narrow roads wind under green tunnels of trees, past rolling hills and through quaint villages of limestone cottages. With the sun streaming through the open windows and delicate birdsong filling the
car, it feels as though spring is finally in the air.
We’ve come for a night away, happily abandoning a drizzly London to temporarily migrate to The Feathered Nest Country Inn. A dizzyingly beautiful bolthole nestled high in the charming village of Nether Westcote, it is flanked on one side by rows of picture-perfect houses and on the other, the Evenlode Valley, which offers views seemingly untouched by human existence and the passage of time.
The Cottage: Exterior
We’re feeling grateful to have booked accommodation in The Feathered Nest’s newest offering, ‘the cottage’ (aka ‘little house’). The beautiful 15th century building is crafted from traditional Cotswold stone that warmly reflects the afternoon sun, making it shine like a beacon as we pull up on the gravel driveway. Its appeal is irresistible, and we hastily collect the key, peeking impatiently through the little window at the characterful interior as we unlock the sage green front door.
The Feathered Nest Garden Terrace and The Cottage’s front door
We are not disappointed: inside it is intimate and cosy, offering just the right mix of traditional design and modern luxury. The comfortably furnished lounge is bursting with refined rustic charm – a cosy fire has been lit in the log burner to welcome us and there is a neat pile of logs stacked in the corner. There is also a fully-equipped modern kitchenette and a snug dining room. Our favourite spot must be the bedroom, though. It is hidden away romantically in the eaves of the cottage but feels surprisingly spacious, spanning the entire top floor and boasting high ceilings. It has been decorated in neutral, earthy tones, with a luxuriously oversized bed that is strewn with plump cushions. In the en suite bathroom a rainfall shower
and luxurious freestanding bathtub are a sight for sore eyes. The cottage has been equipped with everything we could possibly desire and our day floats by in a glorious bubble of relaxation.
The Cottage: Lounge and Kitchenette
While the cottage offers superb self-catering facilities, it is the ultimate luxury to descend for dinner in the restaurant at the main house (a mere twenty steps away from our front door). This 3 AA Rosette gourmet hotspot has earned its place in the little red book for very good reason and draws visitors to The Feathered Nest in its own right. We’ve read much about it, and have been eagerly anticipating our visit.
The Cottage: Bathroom and Bedroom
From the moment we walk in we are impressed by the atmosphere, enhanced by the warm welcome from owner Adam Taylor and his team. Live music provides us with an unobtrusive soundtrack of smooth renditions of popular classics as we sip on our pre dinner cocktails, already eyeing up the perfect spot to tuck ourselves away in for an after dinner aperitif. With rustic beams, blazing fires, leather sofas and fun horse saddle bar stools, not to mention a beautiful outdoor terrace for those warmer months, we can see this is the sort of place diners are in no hurry to leave.
The Cottage: Dusk
The food is equally enchanting, with surprises at every mouthful. We feast on the six-course tasting menu, which features beautiful dishes designed to showcase the best seasonal local produce, from chargrilled venison loin to ribbons of brill ceviche and glistening roasted vegetables from local farms. We have chosen for each course to be paired with the perfect accompanying tipple and we are left wanting for nothing. As the temperature outside dips, we head back into the night to spend the remainder of our evening curled up by the fire in the cottage, engaged in backgammon battles.
While it’s impossible not to be charmed by the setting at The Feathered Nest, it is the wonderful staff who really bring it to life. A group of charismatic storytellers, each and every member of the team are friendly, welcoming and helpful. Whether you come to appreciate the picture-perfect scenery, indulge in the superb food and wine, or simply to relish the opportunity to flop in front of the blazing fire, The Feathered Nest is a place you will want to return to time and time again.
The Cottage is available Thursday-Monday only, with prices starting from £465 per night. The Nest Tasting Menu costs £70 per person, matched wines £35 per person (01993 833030; thefeatherednestinn.co.uk)