Guests say
Guests consistently praise The Alms House West for its peaceful and stunning location, cleanliness, and well-equipped facilities. The property's renovation is appreciated for its attention to detail, and the surrounding views and wildlife add to the charm. The thoughtful touches by the host, including a welcome hamper, contribute to a delightful stay. Comfort and tranquillity are highlighted, with the property being dog-friendly and offering easy access to local attractions.
Reviewers frequently mention the property's cleanliness, describing it as 'delightful, clean and cosy'. The high standard of cleanliness contributes significantly to the overall positive experience.
The location is highly praised for its quietness, beautiful countryside views, and proximity to local towns and attractions. The scenic setting and nearby historical sites enhance the property's appeal.
Guests find the cottage comfortable, with special mentions of the well-equipped nature of the property and the relaxing environment. The comfort of the sofas and the bath are noted, adding to the overall enjoyment of the stay.
The property is commended for its facilities, including a well-equipped kitchen and a useful boot room. However, one suggestion for improvement is the addition of a BBQ, indicating that while facilities are excellent, there is room for enhancement.
The host's thoughtfulness is evident through the provision of extras and a welcome hamper, which are warmly received by guests. While these gestures are greatly appreciated, it is politely noted that such treats are not guaranteed with every stay.
About this property
Tewkesbury 3.7 miles. This beautiful property sits in a stunning churchyard location at the top of a hill in the tranquil and unspoilt village of Forthampton. Architecturally distinctive with unique features, The Alms House West was designed by William Burges, known as one of the greatest Victorian Arts and Crafts architects, and provides an idyllic base for a family of four and their canine companions seeking a base in the Cotswolds. It serves as an ideal retreat for a family of four and their dogs, seeking a base in the Cotswolds. The Alms Houses form part of The Forthampton Estate, a traditional agricultural estate currently run by the 9th generation of the family. Park up at the bottom of the drive, walk past the church, and just beyond lies a series of houses. Enter at the rear into a purpose-built boot room/dog kennel where you can dry off your furry friends and sort out your walking attire before heading inside. The kitchen is well-equipped and features delightful, light blue tones throughout, providing all the necessities for home cooking – there's even a dishwasher so you won’t have to lift a finger when cleaning up! Gather in the dining room to enjoy the fruits of your labour before collapsing on the sofa as the woodburning stove gently warms the space. Completing the ground floor is the family bathroom, featuring a freestanding bath and walk-in shower, so you can best decide how to freshen up. The bedrooms sit upstairs but are accessed via separate staircases at either end of the cottage; the master houses a queen-size bed whilst the second room offers twin beds that can be joined to become a king-size. Make the most of the spacious garden as you relax on the patio furniture or wander the idyllic church grounds and marvel at the views overlooking the Severn Vale Malvern and Cotswold Hills. Alms House West can be booked alongside Alms House East for larger groups offering a sociable atmosphere with the addition of a lockable internal door. Forthampton is a quiet village with numerous footpaths running through, some of which start from the cottage. Just under two miles away is a hearty pub, The Hunters Inn, with the Michelin-starred Butchers Arms slightly further away in Eldersfield, whilst there is a fantastic selection of restaurants, cafés, takeaways, pubs and supermarkets in the nearby town of Tewkesbury. This charming market town is also home to a weekly market on Wednesdays and Saturdays, a medieval abbey with a Romanesque Tower that dates back to 1121, along with John Moore Countryside Museum and the Tewkesbury Battlefield, a must for those keen historians. Ledbury is nearby and offers a range of quality eateries from cafés to high-end restaurants, Cheltenham is further afield and is famously known for its racecourse, whilst there is also the fascinating Pittville Pump Room and The Wilson Museum which holds a fascinating selection of art. Those holidaying with children can visit Toddington Railway, offering a 28-mile roundtrip, whilst Adam Henson’s Cotswold Farm Park offers a chance to feed lambs and those older children will appreciate a visit to Gloucester Cathedral, famously used in Harry Potter. Walking and cycling opportunities come in abundance, with the Malvern Hills and Cotswolds AONB easily accessible, plus there are the charming destinations of Worcester and Stratford-Upon-Avon. The Alms House West provides a truly fantastic retreat, whatever time of year.
On the confluence of the Rivers Severn and Avon, this historic riverfront town retains its mediaeval charm with a large number of half-timbered Tudor structures. With more than 350 buildings that are recognised as being of historic interest and located in a conservation area, Tewkesbury is renowned for having one of the greatest mediaeval Black and White townscapes in the nation. In addition to numerous museums, a heritage centre, and a wealth of unique shops, tea rooms, restaurants, taverns, and wine bars, the town is home to an impressive 12th-century abbey with the tallest Norman tower in England. The town hosts music festivals, vintage and food fairs, farmers' markets, and other events all year round. The Severn Way and Shakespeare's Avon Way are both close by, and there are many excellent walks that can be enjoyed from the town. A ancient Georgian town close to the opulent spa resort of Cheltenham, it offers a staggering selection of stores, theatres, restaurants, pubs, and tourist attractions. Other festivals in this bustling town include ones for comedy, music, science, literature, and cricket, to mention a few! The racecourse hosts a number of additional horse racing events throughout the year in addition to the yearly, internationally renowned Gold Cup races. The ancient city of Gloucester boasts lively city centres, Victorian Docklands, a majestic Norman cathedral, and cloisters that appeared in the Harry Potter movies. A wonderful day trip includes the spectacular Royal Forest of Dean, Slimbridge Wetland Centre, Bath, a World Heritage Site, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwick, and several unspoiled Cotswold towns and villages.
Accommodation
Two bedrooms: 1 x queen-size, 1 x twin (zip/link, can be king-size on request).
Ground-floor bathroom with freestanding bath, walk-in shower, basin, heated towel rail, underfloor heating and WC.
Kitchen.
Dining room.
Sitting room with woodburning stove.
Boot room/dog kennel
Central heating.
Electric oven and hob, microwave, fridge, dishwasher, washing machine.
TV, WiFi.
Power included in rent.
Bed linen and towels included in rent.
Travel cot and highchair available upon request.
Roadside parking.
Lawned garden and patio with furniture.
Two well-behaved pets welcome at a charge of £15 per pet (please no dogs upstairs).
Sorry, no smoking.
Shop 3.5 miles, pub 1.6 miles.
Note: Check-in from 16:00, checkout by 10:00.
Note: The property is situated on a hill.
Note: Please make sure the sofas do not roll back onto the radiators for fire reasons.
Note: Please do not use disposable barbecues.
Note: The church driveway is narrow and therefore can only be used for unloading, parking can be found at the bottom of the drive on the other side of the road.
Note: Pets are not allowed on furniture or upstairs.
Please note: This property can be booked with the owners other property 1159773 which can sleep in total of 8 guests.
Reviews (17)
-
Stuart
Facilities were very good and the whole house was both clean and comfortable. Great base for visiting local area. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay. However, the only gripe was the bed size! A double and 2 singles. So the booking description was inaccurate and misleading, enough said!!!
-
Jan
Set just beyond a beautiful church with churchyard itâs in a quiet village with an interesting history. 3 miles from the beautiful town of Tewksbury, Forthampton is on the edge of the Cotswolds, well-placed to drive to the well-known Cotswolds towns like Chipping Campden and Broadway. The roads were good yet still quiet, taking us through pretty countryside. There is a good village pub with riverside setting, 1.5 miles away, a short drive or a walk through the fields. All in all a great stay, thanks so much Anabel.
-
Michael
Fantastic location, lovely and peaceful and only a 5 minute drive from the lovely town of Tewkesbury. The house has everything you need for your stay away, lovely and clean, comfortable and dog friendly. We were lucky enough to stay during a meteor shower and enjoyed star gazing, watching shooting stars and the amazing aurora as well as the regular bats that make their evening appearance. The boot room is excellent for drying any wet weather gear and drying out your dogs. There are lots of really lovely pubs only a short distance away serving great locally sourced food and the beer also goes down a treat! We all highly enjoy our stays here and we hope to be heading back again next year.