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Elissa | Luxury Self-Catering Cottage | Cotswolds

Elissa

Cirencester, Gloucestershire, The Cotswolds, UK

Originally built in 1901 to commemorate Queen Victoria, today, Elissa’s lofty chapel ceilings, Soho House furnishings and al fresco hot tub chime to a different tune, where relaxation is the name of the game. Surrounded by miles of undulating Cotswolds countryside, this luxury self-catering cottage is all about life’s simple pleasures; long rural rambles, drawn-out pub lunches and settling down in front of the woodburner at the end of the day.

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Introduction

Strong in its stature, but invitingly cosy on the inside, this 120 year-old converted chapel nestled between Stroud and Cirencester is brimming with community tales. Elissa was gifted from Gatcombe Park to the Church of England in 1901 and, since then, it has slowly transformed into the serene self-catering retreat for walkers and outdoor enthusiasts it is now; the current owners nodding to their Lebanese and German heritages in the furnishings and décor found throughout.

Inside

On first glance, Elissa, with its original bell hanging proudly in its cote above the double arched doors masquerades as a humble Edwardian tabernacle, but on entry, it surprises and enchants with luxurious fittings, pops of colour and unique works of art. Upstairs in the mezzanine master suite, a rolltop copper bathtub (the perfect size for two!) tempts long romantic soaks after winter strolls across Gloucestershire’s bucolic hills, while the ground floor twin bedroom is, quite simply, a children's fairytale brought to life.

Outside

Bounded by seemingly infinite National Trust land, the roaming opportunities are endless from this unique Cotswolds home. Pack a bag filled with deli meats and sugared treats and head off into the hills with no agenda other than to find a dappled glade next to a river to while away the afternoon. On return to Elissa, light up the fire pit in the terraced garden, gathering around to toast giant marshmallows and tell stories until the stars glitter overhead. When the children are safe in the land of nod, slip into the hot tub with a cool glass of fizz, reminiscing of the day's adventures.

The Facts

  • SleepsUp to 4 guests (2 adults and 2 children)
    From £1,695 per week, £1,295 per short break
  • Alternative group optionUp to 2 guests
  • Bedrooms and bathroomsElissa has an open mezzanine bedroom in the eaves with a super king-size bed, a large double-end copper bath for two and an en suite shower with WC. The twin bedroom is situated on the ground floor with two single beds and has access to the shower room with WC across the hall.
    View bedrooms
  • FeaturesHot tub
  • PetsTwo well-behaved dogs are welcome
    Each pet is charged at £60 per week or part thereof
  • Arrivals and departuresArrival Time: 4pmDeparture Time: 10am
  • FamilyYes, children are very welcome. A highchair, cot and stair gate are available.
  • PracticalitiesThere is parking at Elissa for two cars. The well-equipped kitchen features a coffee machine, Bosch oven with Beko hob, dishwasher, microwave and fridge-freezer. The washing machine and dryer are located in the ground floor shower room. The Smart TV benefits from Netflix, however does not receive terrestrial channels. On approach to the property, please be mindful that the driveway is steep and unsuitable for low-slung cars. Please note, the garden is not fully enclosed therefore children and pets should be supervised at all times.
  • Homestay includesLuxury welcome hamper of local goodies, fluffy bathrobes, Smart TV with Netflix, WiFi internet, Bose Bluetooth speaker, barbecue, an outside fire pit with grill, logs and kindling to get you started...House book - your property and destination guideDiscover more
  • Private cateringSeeking a celebratory dinner or fully catered escape? Our recommended caterers will work with you to create personalised menus for your stay. Details are shared through our house book on confirming your booking.
  • RetreatsFrom foraging weekenders to crash courses in cold-water therapy, our bespoke retreats bridge the gap between luxury and back-to-nature philosophies. Create a hand-crafted stay that puts connectivity at the fore.
  • Other informationProperty terms and conditionsFrequently asked questionsEV charger locationsCheck mobile signalRecommend to a friend

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Pops of colour marry with chapel features at Elissa
The mezzanine master bedroom features a copper rolltop and en suite shower

Prices & Availability

Cirencester

Often referred to as the ´Capital of the Cotswolds´, Cirencester is chock-full of history and crowned the second largest town in Britain during Roman times. Think impressive buildings, picturesque winding streets and idyllic green spaces made for picnicking.

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Cirencester
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Getting there

  • On the Map Elissa is located in Stroud near Cirencester within the Cotswolds AONB.
  • By Car The property is a little over two hours from London.
  • By Train The nearest train station in Stroud is just under four miles away with direct trains to London Paddington.
  • By Air Bristol Airport is around one hour away by car, while Exeter Airport is just under two hours.

From the owner

“Our chapel conversion is a very special, unique space packed with history, charm and more magic to it than meets the eye.”

From the owner

Elissa was originally constructed in 1901 and, if you can believe it, has only had three owners since.

Bound on all sides by National Trust land, the house and the land it sits on have a beautiful heritage and history, which only adds to its very special atmosphere and ambience. You can even find the original indenture to the chapel framed and hanging in the entrance if you're interested!

It's incredibly peaceful here, and with views stretching out across the valley from the first floor, it's easy to daydream while staring out across the sea of green.

Our favourite things to while away the hours at Elissa are curling up in the reading corner with a good book, sinking into the warm tub in the garden, or simply sitting while the sun sets and the fire pit crackles happily away.

Karen & Chris

Owner recommendations

Live like a local, discovering the best hidden gem restaurants, walks and attractions during your holiday in Cirencester with an insider’s perspective.

Lavender Bakehouse, Chalford

To Eat

Lavender Bakehouse, Chalford

A welcoming spot to enjoy a delectable breakfast, lunch or high tea with lovingly handmade cakes and sweet treats to follow; pair with a glass of something fizzy for ultimate indulgence.

Westonbirt Aboretum

To See

Westonbirt Aboretum

One of the finest plant collections in the world featuring trees from across the globe, blooms aplenty and a crescendo of colours; whatever the season, the arboretum is sure to delight.

Horse Riding, Barton End

To Do

Horse Riding, Barton End

Barton End is a friendly equestrian centre in a beautiful setting; what better way to truly immerse yourself in the Cotswold countryside than on horseback?

Farmers Market, Stroud

To Do

Farmers Market, Stroud

Multi-award-winning and famed as one of the biggest, busiest and most popular farmers’ market in the UK. Plenty to see, taste, and buy!

Guest Testimonials

Lovely house with everything you could need and in a stunning location. Every corner has stunning outside scenery to look at. The house also smelt incredible on arrival. The eggs, bread, milk and jam in the welcome hamper were also a sweet gesture.

We had a wonderful stay. It was very cosy with the fire on and we bought lots of nice treats from the farm shop. The bed is so comfy and the house is beautiful. Our favourite place to eat was The Woolpack - it was fantastic!

Your home is stunning! Thank you for a wonderful week of walks, roaring fires and country pubs in the beautiful Cotswolds. The hot tub was fabulous after a day of walking those steep hills.

We loved this home. It had everything we needed for the most relaxing vacation we´ve had in a long time. The perfect honeymoon spot. Thank you for the care and attention paid to the space, it shines through.

Thank you for a much needed, relaxing trip away. The chapel is beautiful, as are the surroundings. We´ve had the best time exploring the area and experiencing some of the fantastic recommendations in the house book.

A wonderful, well equipped property in a great location - a lovely and very relaxing stay. Thank you for allowing us to stay in your beautiful home, we had the best time!

Thank you for a lovely stay. The views are incredible and we feel very relaxed after a week at the beautiful Elissa. We would love to return and make more great memories here.

We really liked the decoration, hot tub and the beds were so comfy! I would 100% recommend this place to anyone visiting near Stroud. Thank you for such a lovely and enjoyable stay.

We came to paint the beautiful landscape and were not disappointed! What a lovely cottage and beautiful surroundings. We left feeling very inspired and relaxed. Thank you once again.

A good week surrounded by so much nature. We were lucky to spot owls, badgers, woodpeckers and a faithful robin during our stay. Thank you for such an enjoyable and relaxing stay.

Thank you for a beautiful stay. Elissa is an amazing house with beautiful views and plenty of great walks to explore. We have left feeling very content. We´ll be coming back soon!

We had a fabulous few days at Elissa and the property was simply stunning, so unusual and beautifully renovated. I was amazed at how much bigger it was than it looked in the online photographs. Wish we´d been able to stay for a whole week!

The property is as stunning as it looked in the photos - we loved the outside hot tub, we used the BBQ fire pit, sat on the terrace and slept so well in the ridiculously comfy bed. We´ve never left a holiday rental before with a list of items we are going to buy for our home because we loved them so much: the hot tub; the set of kitchen knives; the glasses! The property looked so wonderful online and in real life - it exceeded our expectations

Elissa was such a lovely property. We loved the style and the decor. The layout was comfortable and roomy, and the location felt secluded and exclusive while still being accessible to nice areas of the Cotswolds. We are hoping to go back soon.

We had a wonderful stay at Elissa with our two young children. The property was warm, comfortable and fully equipped with everything you needed for a relaxing stay. The children´s bedroom was beautifully decorated and being able to ring the chapel bell was a real highlight. Great walks from the property and gorgeous views over the countryside. The information provided was well presented and informative and the communication about our stay has been great. We would definitely recommend this property and would stay again if visiting the area.

We had a lovely honeymoon in Elissa! It has great features, particularly the chapel bell. The hot tub was very luxurious and the views from it were stunning. The furnishings were beautiful and we felt right at home as soon as we walked through the door.

Unique extras

From private chefs to luxury at-home spa therapists and adrenalin-fuelled retreats, once you’ve booked your stay we’ll introduce you to our owner-recommended suppliers to create a truly bespoke, memorable escape.

Press

Below are a selection of features in which Elissa and Unique Homestays has appeared. If you would like to feature the property in an editorial capacity, please contact the marketing team on +44 (0)1637 882014.

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Disclaimer: These particulars, whilst believed to be accurate, are set as a guideline so should not be relied upon as a statement of fact. The photographs show aspects of the property at the time they were taken and it should not be assumed that the property remains precisely as displayed. If there are points of particular importance that need clarifying before you book, please contact us.

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