Orchard Cottage was the perfect base from which to explore Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire.
It was the perfect home from home, spotlessly clean, beautifully presented, and very well equipped with every home comfort we could imagine. It even had an Aga in the kitchen, and an open fire in the living room.
The friendly owners, Mr & Mrs Bates, live nextdoor and were always nearby if we ever needed them.
There was a family bathroom upstairs, and a shower room and toilet downstairs, giving everyone plenty of space.
The views from the conservatory adjoining the kitchen were fabulous, looking out over the little orchard, open fields, and rolling hills beyond, and made a perfect place to enjoy breakfast, or just relax in the afternoon whatever the weather.
The views from the bedrooms were equally tranquil, and there is something quite special about drawing the curtains in the morning and seeing a cow gazing back at you !
The countryside around Orchard Cottage is teeming with wildlife, and in particular we enjoyed watching the red kites gliding overhead, along with the pheasants and swallows at the orchard.
There were plenty of shopping facilities a short car journey away at Thame, and local shops in nearby Cuddington and Brill.
We chose to eat out most evenings and found excellent cuisine at The Mole & Chicken Inn at nearby Easington, and the Crown at Cuddington. The Akeman Inn at Kingswood on the A41 was also excellent.
We found that there was enough to do and see in the immediate area to more than fill the week we spent at Orchard Cottage. We chose to visit the nearby magnificent Waddesdon Manor, along with the beautiful Blenheim Palace, Claydon House, and the fabulous Stowe gardens.
We also ventured as far as Windsor in just over an hour, and also into London in just under 2 hours.
We could easily (and willingly !) have stayed an extra week to visit Oxford, Stratford, the Aylesbury steam railway, and explore some of the picturesque local villages, and much more.
We thoroughly enjoyed our week at Orchard Cottage, and along with the glowing references from all the other former guests in the Visitors' Book at the cottage, we heartily recommend it.