Nocturne

Introduction

A spirits store, a classroom, an ale shop, a wine bar, a restaurant, and an antiquarian. This isn’t a listing of what awaits in the market town of Stow-on-the-Wold; it's a century-by-century chronicling of the many lives of Nocturne. Built from that renowned Cotswolds lime, and still with some 300-year-old cross-mullioned windows, the townhouse is made of two separate residences connected by a single door. Its now-owners happened upon it while mooching around the cobblestone streets, without intent to buy. But so smitten were they with its wrought-iron antiques sign and sage shop windows, that they decided to preserve its legacy. Now, they're handing modern travellers the keys to their magnum opus.

Inside

It’s one of those old homes with a happy history. And like many listed buildings, it reveals character at every corner; charcoal beams, scored stonework, and linen cupboards given lease of life. Even what’s new is a lesson in traditional craftsmanship, like the Plain English kitchen licked in blush and burgundy, its sash doors opening to a courtyard garden cascading with purple wisteria. There’s a glasshouse hot tub, a cinema room, and a snug with pool and darts that gives all the cosy pubs of Stow a run for their money. Across its three floors, expect to find sweet sleigh beds wrapped in Adam’s Eden wallpaper, nickel slipper tubs, and books collected over a month of Sundays. All this behind the hush of thickset walls.

Outside

Enter from the street, close the teal-green door, and step out among the flowers. Rare are green spaces like these in the heart of the village. With its own little waterfall, and a flurry of ornamental onion and flowering vines, Nocturne’s courtyard is an oasis. One of few houses in the heart of Stow with parking (for three cars, no less), a stay here makes easy work of roving between the cultured beehive of Cotswolds hamlets. Take a leaf out of its owners’ book, and make a habit of the daily road trip; an espresso here, a farmers’ market there. Perhaps a slow morning in Bibury, a night in Broadway. And if the latter whips up images of theatre-going Manhattanites, you wouldn't be far off. This is A-list land, after all.

• PricingFrom £4,250 per week, £2,495 per short break for up to 12 guests
  An alternative group size of up to 8 guests is available during selected periods at a reflective rate
• FeaturesWilliam Holland hot tub, cinema room, games room
• PetsThree well-behaved dogs are welcome
  Each pet is charged at £60 per week or part thereof
• FamilyChildren and babies are welcome.
  
• PracticalitiesThere is off-road parking for three cars. The kitchen has a Rangemaster oven, induction hob, dishwasher, American-style fridge-freezer, and microwave. The utility room contains a washing machine and tumble dryer
• Private cateringWhether you're looking for a fully catered stay or a one-off meal for a special occasion, discover your bespoke catering options
  
  Explore private dining
• RestrictionsPlease note, fireworks and sky lanterns are not permitted. Parties considered on prior permission from the owner

Stow-on-the-Wold

This is crème de la country. A Cotswold market town made of gold lime shopfronts and trad pubs, Stow-on-the-Wold is a handsome chapter of the English country, where every passing hour is an elixir for busyness.

View property location Destination guide

Getting there

• On the map This luxury period home is located in Stow-on-the-Wold near Bourton-on-the-Water in the Cotswolds, ideally located for visiting Bibury and Cirencester.
• By car Nocturne is half-an-hour from Cheltenham and Cirencester, one hour from Oxford, and two-and-a-half hours from London by car.
• By train Kingham is 20 minutes away by car. There are regular trains from London Paddington with GWR with a journey time of under one-and-a-half hours.
• By air Gloucestershire Airport is one hour away, whilst Birmingham, Bristol, and London Heathrow Airports are each less than two hours away by car. There are private airstrips and helipads nearby.