The honey-hued, chocolate box villages of the Cotswolds (the much-beloved haunt of many celebrities and members of the fashion set) are some of the most well-documented in England, and for good reason. Nowhere does chic country pubs, treasure trove boutiques, biscuity grand manors or achingly cool boutique hotels quite like it. Add to that a smattering of rolling emerald hills and picture-perfect walking patches, and you've got a staycation recipe that would challenge even those with the most die-hard preference for pastures farther-flung.
And in the heart of all this, just a few minutes from Broadway, one of the most enchanting villages in the region, sits Laverton Estate, a halcyon retreat embedded in a hamlet that feels about as storybook as you can get.
We'd been driving past green fields and along quiet winding roads for some while before we turned into the driveway of the house (well, two houses actually, a spacious five-bedroom lodge with a two-bedroom cottage beside it) and waited with baited breath for the wooden gates to swing open. What revealed itself once they did, was a syrupy-tinged ‘village-within-a-village’, a miniature empire for us to call our own for the weekend.
Carefully swinging our legs over long-discarded car snacks as we stepped out into the courtyard that acted as a centre-point for the various patchworks of the place, we found ourselves sandwiched between a stables-block-turned-gym, a sunken pool and barbecue area, a perfectly-manicured lawn and ornate garden that fed seamlessly into the endless greenery beyond and the two aforementioned main houses. We were, as it didn't take us long to realise, in for a treat.
Duly shown the need-to-knows by the on-hand housekeeper (who had also kindly adorned most rooms with abundant fresh flower displays and prepared a goodies-laden tray for us to dig into), we allocated bedrooms (I chose the master, a striking suite stringing together three rooms, facing the open fields beyond the back garden), gathered up our swimwear (plus a garish inflatable flamingo, requested by my toddler) and headed over to the pool. Here, hidden away from the rest of the world, we wiled away an afternoon.
Come sundown - a canvas of molten apricot and fiery rust hues which we marvelled at in silence from our prime viewing spot in the garden - and wearied from travel and highly-competitive boat races in the pool, we regrouped around the sizeable kitchen table. Framed by a vaulted ceiling and an oversized fireplace, we spent several happy hours cooking, eating and playing Monopoly Deal (a stalwart of the family staycation) together, before retreating to the grand drawing room, complete with a baby-grand piano that once graced the shop floor of Harrods.
The next three days were spent in a similar fashion: migrating between the various indoor and outdoor spaces, all primed for rest and relaxation, ambling the village loop that lead us past many a friendly dog-walker, popping into Broadway to top on essentials (read: chocolate) and discussing the merits of moving to the country and leaving the punishing pace of urban life behind. And all of this was enjoyed at the slow, restful pace a holiday pad like this demands. It had everything we needed and more to ensure that the entire family enjoyed a memorable mix of peace and excitement. There were games played in the garden, workouts taken in the gym (a converted stables block with the most striking boxing setup I've seen, several exercise bikes and even a reformer pilates machine for us HIIT-hating women), worlds set to rights by the pool and sing-a-longs over-enthusiastically enjoyed around the piano (thanks, in part, to a Taylor Swift song book perched tantalisingly atop it).
Mornings had a soft quality to them; people coming and going, chatting in a low hum as they cooked sausages on the Aga, popping out to take in some deep breaths of country air with a steaming coffee in hand, taking a moment to watch the mist start to roll itself back over the hillside or meandering down to the edge of the garden to greet the horses (including one who had spent a former life competing in the Olympics) residing in the adjoining field.
While afternoons saw our group split into those keen to pull on hiking boots and head off with a map, a gaggle who wanted to paddle in or read around the pool and others (me), who found themselves accidentally-on-purpose dozing off to the background bird song.
In fact, Laverton Estate, or Brookside Lodge as it is known by the Laura and her family who have owned it for over half-a-century, manages to achieve what not many other holiday homes I've visited have, which is to seamlessly marry the needs of an entire family, without feeling over-the-top. Despite the treasure trove of antiques and heirlooms, the house feels accessible and down-to-earth. Yes, there's an elevated country feel, but there's a cosy, homely one pervading the spaces too. Have a nosey through Laura's Instagram yourself for a dose of cottage-core.
And though we didn't fill the space, the property can sleep up to 14 adults and children, and you can bring your pets so they needn't miss out either. It's an ideal space for a reunion of friends, too, with spaces large enough to accommodate bigger get-togethers, with small breakout spaces meaning you can grab a minute or two of calm when needed.
In short, a stay at Laverton Estate offers more than just a break; it's an opportunity to reconnect with what truly matters – family, nature, and the simple joy of unwinding in the restorative power of the English countryside.
Laverton Estate can be booked through Birch Stays, a curated collection of one-off holiday homes across England, Scotland and Wales, married together with expert advice and seamless booking service to help you create a memorable, authentic and stress-free staycation experience. The majority of their homes are pet-friendly (music to the ears of people who wouldn't dream of holidaying without their four-legged family members) and they continually review their collection and prices to ensure they can offer the best price.
