WHY DID YOU CHOOSE WELL COTTAGE FOR YOUR SAND & STONE ESCAPE?

I have been before a couple of times on shoots and it really is an interiors heaven. This trip was actually a Christmas present for my family, so it felt like the perfect special-occasion escape. It’s one of those places that feels luxurious but also very homely, making it ideal for a special weekend away.

WHO DID YOU GO WITH?

I went with my mum and sisters, and it happened to fall over Mother’s Day weekend, which definitely earned me some extra brownie points! I wanted somewhere in the countryside with nice local pubs and plenty of opportunities to properly switch off and relax, and Well Cottage was exactly that. It was perfect for spending quality time together, but it also had plenty of cosy corners and little nooks where you could escape with a book or enjoy some downtime on your own.

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE THING ABOUT WELL COTTAGE?

The kitchen was a dream, and not just because of the beautiful interiors. It became such a lovely space to slow down and enjoy a bit of downtime, whether that was with a morning tea or an evening glass of wine.

It was also incredibly practical. We ended up doing quite a bit of cooking and baking during our stay, including my favourite cinnamon buns, which turned out to be the best I’ve ever made (coincidence?!). The kitchen was so well-equipped and had everything we needed – in fact, far more than I have at home!

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE PART OF THE TRIP?

It was the perfect balance of wanting to stay at the cottage because it was so beautiful, but also being tempted by all the gems right on your doorstep. We were very lucky with the weather, so on the Saturday we made brunch in the kitchen of dreams and then walked through fields and fields (further than anticipated) of beautiful rolling hills until we got to Charlbury for lunch at The Fox. It was exactly what you’d hope for from a proper country pub.

Then, when we got back, we actually had a mini digital detox. We put our phones away for the evening, relaxed, played some of the board games from the cottage, and made the most of the space.

WHERE DID YOU EXPLORE IN THE LOCAL AREA?

The walk to Charlbury was lovely and well worth doing if the weather is on your side. It takes a couple of hours in total, so perhaps save it for a dry day! Stow-on-the-Wold is also very close by and made for a lovely Sunday outing. We spent the afternoon wandering around the shops, browsing antiques, and stopping for plenty of tea and cake.

WHERE’S NEXT ON YOUR SAND & STONE LIST?

We’ve recently launched our first Welsh property, Hafod Gwyllt, which looks amazing and has gone straight to the top of my list.