The driveway to Water Meadow Cottage is discreet but the directions from Unlisted London, the company which lets the cottage located on the Blenheim Estate, are perfect. Turning off the main road through the thick stone wall which surrounds the Blenheim Palace Estate, you wind down a peaceful wooded drive until coming across the cottage quietly awaiting your arrival.
The woodland glade opens up to reveal a 200 year old hunting lodge perched on the edge of the meandering River Evenlode and you are home. On the opposite side of the river, sheep graze peacefully on the fields of the current Duke of Marlborough and a small bridge accessing the Estate is a stone’s throw away. Guests are asked to respect the resident rules of living on the Estate and not to enter the grounds which lie over the bridge as Blenheim Palace, the home to the 11th Duke and Duchess and the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, is still very much a working estate.
Despite its quaint name, Water Meadow Cottage feels surprisingly big outside and is certainly spacious enough for up to two couples to enjoy the delights of the meticulously restored and maintained Cotswold stone property. Inside it has the quintessential feel of a country cottage whilst offering all ‘mod cons’ and an air of luxury more usually found in larger country houses
The well equipped kitchen is perfect for those wanting to whip up a quick meal. In the fridge are the essentials for a country breakfast; organic Duchy Original bacon, eggs, butter and Seville orange marmalade while freshly ground coffee is ready for the cafetière (or pop a capsule in the Nespresso machine if George Clooney is staying). The silver cutlery and linen napery make a simple meal feel luxurious while the larder, located in the utility room at the side of the kitchen, is stocked with the sort of goodies that would please a discerning butler. A range of wines, champagne and ports supplied by Berry Bros. and Rudd Cellars are on offer or, for the teetotallers, delicious apple and rhubarb or pear juices are lined up next to staples such as pasta, Cornish sea salt, basmati rice and chilli sauce. Even Epsom salts for a soothing soak in the claw foot bath upstairs are available along with a range of spa products for some personal pampering – all can be purchased in-cottage and are invoiced separately via the Honesty Larder.
If you have given your butler the night off, you could instead choose from a seasonal menu of gourmet meals created by Unlisted London’s master chef, and find them waiting for you to simply heat and serve. Enjoy a drink in one of the reception rooms whilst relaxing on the comfortable sofa before eating in the dining under the watchful eye of the trophy deer head. Alternatively you may prefer to head outside to sip your preferred pre-prandial as only a few steps from the cottage in the manicured garden running alongside the river is the summer house.
This is the perfect spot to relax, unwind and enjoy the views, whatever the weather, through its glass paned doors on all sides; in summer open them wide to take in the balmy breeze while in winter hunker down in the comfortable chairs, wrapped in a throw and lose yourself in a good book. There are plenty to choose from on the shelves of Water Meadow Cottage, ranging from Malcolm Gladwell’s The Tipping Point to Sarah Ban Breathnach’s Simple Abundance – A Daybook of Comfort and Joy along with plenty of travel and photographic books plus some quirky English reads.
If, like me, you need to do some work while at the cottage, all of the modern gadgets are available. There nearly was a disaster when I could not get the wi-fi to work (the curse of a travelling journalist) but a quick call to one of Unlisted London’s helpful team soon had me back on track and on-line, whilst giving the impression that nothing was too much trouble for their guests.
After a big day of relaxing or work, the two opulent bedrooms await, each offering a full-size double or queen-size bed complete with monogrammed linen. The main bedroom has the feel of being on a luxury liner with a large round window and the art deco furniture reminiscent of the days when ladies took their furniture with them on their travels. The leather finished wardrobe and dressing table add impressive and unexpected touches of luxury in a cottage of this size
Everything about Water Meadow Cottage says style, comfort and a luxury however after only two days it also felt like a practical home and one we did not want to leave. For anybody visiting the Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials, it is the perfect location being only minutes from the Bladon Gate (the Member’s Entrance for the Horse Trials) of the Estate and staying here would certainly make it an event to remember. Treat yourself
Find out more about Water Meadow Cottage on the Blenheim Estate here and view some more images from our stay there below
