Filly Island
Cirencester, Gloucestershire, The Cotswolds, UK
Life began at Filly Island in the 1700s, when the cottage was used to store the cart which the neighbouring mill's horse dutifully pulled upstream. Flash forward to today and this luxury self-catering cottage in the Cotswolds is a beguiling melange of creative style and romantic ideologies. Sat upon a tiny island accessed by a humpback bridge, whether staying the weekend or entire summer, two people and two dogs can claim Filly Island all for themselves.
Introduction
The owner's passion for upcycling and discovering use for old objects is what makes this unique homestay so special. Pre-loved finds are revivified to great effect, from the fire bucket light shades to the curtains made from old Hungarian grain sacks to the vintage mangle and cartwheel. When you can tear yourself away from this luxury cottage in Cirencester, the pretty Cotswolds scenes outside tempt exploration. Spend afternoons sauntering around picture-postcard villages following honey-coloured streets, before peeling out to uncover the rolling hills which comprise this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Inside
From your morning cup of tea to the moment you slip between the sheets, every aspect of Filly Island has been carefully and lovingly considered so your whole day is as gorgeous as possible. Look forward to home-cooked repasts crafted in the rustically stylish kitchen before taking a seat by the window to dine. In winter the woodburner merrily crackles away to create a warm, romantic ambience; sink into the sofa and unwind as the dogs snooze at your feet. Conclude the day with a soak in the fire-engine red roll-top bath before heading to the double bedroom, sprinkled with luxury touches.
Outside
Situated in the pretty Cotswolds village of South Cerney just three miles from Cirencester, Filly Island sits on a tiny triangular island betwixt a millstream and the River Churn. Stand on the tip of the ‘island’ to enjoy views upriver to the village beyond, or challenge your partner to a game of Pooh sticks. Summer afternoons sat underneath the big sycamore tree threading buttercups and daisies into a chain to press and frame will create a cherished keepsake which will last long after your holiday ends. Once the day is done, unwind in the cottage garden of your own tiny island with a G&T.
The Facts
- SleepsUp to 2 guests
From £895 per week, £750 per short break - Bedrooms and bathroomsOne double bedroom, one bathroom with a roll-top bath and over-bath shower.
- PetsTwo small well-behaved dogs are welcome
Each pet is charged at £60 per week or part thereof - Arrivals and departuresArrival Day: Friday or MondayArrival Time: 4pmDeparture Time: 10am
- FamilyYes, babes-in-arms up to six months are welcome; one cot and one highchair are available.
- PracticalitiesThere is parking for one car over the humpback bridge to the rear of the property. There is a fridge with freezer box, electric oven with hob, microwave, coffee machine, washer dryer and dishwasher.
- Homestay includesLuxury welcome hamper with local produce and a bottle of Prosecco, Smart TV with Netflix and NowTV, iPad, WiFi internet, linen, towels, logs and kindling to get you started...House book - your property and destination guideDiscover more little luxuries
- Private cateringDiscover your options for private dining and fully catered breaks.
- Additional extrasA handpicked selection of unique experiences are available at this property.
- Other informationProperty terms and conditionsFrequently asked questionsEV charger locationsCheck mobile signalRecommend to a friend
Prices & Availability
Cirencester
This thriving Gloucestershire market town, often referred to as the ´Capital of the Cotswolds’ is steeped in history. Picnic by the river churn, wander handsome golden streets and admire the cathedral-like Parish Church of St. John Baptist at the heart of the square.
Getting there
- On the Map Filly Island sits in the village of South Cerney, near Cirencester in Gloucestershire, The Cotswolds.
- By Car Approximately one and a half hours from London, just half an hour from Cheltenham and an hour from Oxford.
- By Train Kemble is the nearest station, about 10-15 minutes by car. Oxford is an hour in the car, depending on traffic.
- By Air Both Birmingham and Heathrow airports are just over an hour's drive away.
From the owner
“Whilst my own history with Filly is in its infancy having moved to the village in recent years, falling head over heels with South Cerney´s charm and surrounding countryside, it quickly captured my heart. And then there was Filly, a beautiful part of my dog walks, drawing you in with its character, the waterways and stunning backdrop.”
The cottage was originally built around 1750 as a cart store for the Old Mill. Filly Island lies between the River Churn and the original mill stream. Its history has remained unchanged for many years, but in the early 1900s the mill became an orchard and the cart house became an apple store. In May 2014 the cottage was purchased by the previous owner who lovingly ensured that throughout its renovation, Filly Island was kept ensconced in its history, so everything in it where possible was handcrafted, hand-made, up-cycled and recycled.
The care taken during the renovation was clear to see, transforming a humble cart store into a tranquil escape. Never did I think Filly Island, would be part of my story but having spoken to the previous owner who was sadly moving on, I was delighted when we had agreed the next chapter of the island would be with myself and my little one. Wishing to continue on with the handcrafted; previously loved objects, which are given a peaceful life here, adding to its history whilst it is within my family's care.
Cam
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.
To Eat
Lynwood & Co Cafe, Lechlade
Owned by the owner´s close friends, Lynwood & Co Cafe is award-winning and brings the down-to-earth and family-oriented coffee culture of Sydney to the Cotswolds. Enjoy excellent ´proper´ coffee, lovely breakfasts and light lunches.
To Do
The Cotswolds Way
There is no shortage of footpaths or country lanes in the area. Try out the Cotswolds Way; a historic 102-mile footpath running along the Cotswold Edge escarpment, showcasing some of the most picturesque villages and breathtaking countryside.
To Do
History and Culture
Whether it´s a visit to the Corinium Museum, Brewery Arts Centre or the Roman Amphitheatre, Cirencester has plenty to offer. You are also within easy reach of Westonbirt Arboretum and Cotswold Wildlife Park.
To See
Tetbury
This charming little town is packed full of antique shops and Cotswold history. Roam the streets or simply watch the world go by from one of the many tea rooms.
Guest Testimonials
Thank you for having us on your beautiful little island. We´ve had a really relaxing weekend enjoying the idyllic countryside, exploring the local area and the tranquillity of the river sounds. Thank you for the delicious treats and recommendations, we had some lovely meals which were a great way to celebrate our wedding anniversary. Filly Island is one of the best gems in the Cotswolds, we hope we can visit again soon!
Our stay at Filly Island was just perfect and the owner is the best and most attentive host we have ever had the fortune of meeting!
We have had an amazing couple of days staying at Filly Island. Time to relax and enjoy the sound of the river and birdsong was just what we needed after days exploring the surrounding area. We had everything we could have possibly needed and the owner made us feel very welcome.
We had an amazing time, thank you. Filly Island is one of the most well equipped places we have stayed and is a beautiful home, we cannot wait to come back one day. Thank you, again!
We absolutely loved Filly Island, and it has a wonderful owner. This is the first time we have used Unique Homestays and we were certainly not disappointed. Many thanks for a great experience!
A fabulous mini-break was had by us in the lovely Filly Island. A gorgeous place to stay, and thank you for the amazing goodies in the hamper. We had many delightful walks around and about with Pickle, our Beagle, and enjoyed wading through the river Churn. We also visited many extraordinary and fascinating nearby towns and places. A lovely time was had by all!
Excellent correspondence throughout the booking process and the owner is delightful and went over and above to make us feel welcome. Thank you for such superb service, we can´t wait to return.
Thank you, we had such a lovely stay. We can´t thank you enough for your gracious hospitality. We walked, biked and ran for miles across the beautiful countryside and Filly Island could not be a more perfect place to put our feet up at the end of each day!
We had a lovely stay here. The cottage is perfectly decorated and has everything necessary for a cosy stay. The surrounding area is great, and we explored lots of nearby places. Now we are travelling back to the busy city of Amsterdam, where we will be recommending Filly Island to all of our Dutch friends. Thank you!
Wow, what a weekend! We have been blown away by your place. The design is amazing but it´s all of the little things that make it that extra bit special! Thank you for the advent calendar and bits in the hamper too! We´ve enjoyed trips to Daylesford, Bourton on the Water, Tierra and Mar in Cirencester and The Old Boathouse, plus lots of local walking with our little dog, Bear. But perhaps the best thing and why Filly Island will always be special to us is because we got engaged! Thanks for hosting such a special moment for us.
Filly Island is a beautiful, peaceful and relaxing place. We could not have wished for a better place to stay.
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Filly Island, everything was perfect especially the welcome hamper which was delicious. The owner was very welcoming and had left plenty of ideas for us to do during our stay.
This little place is one in a million. As an artist myself, I look for places that are unique and perhaps a little kooky. The owner has done an amazing job with a small space; giving it a new lease of life. The location is also pretty unique. Our hound, Cholmondeley, loved to sit by the door and watch the wildlife outside. Simply incredible.
The owner was outstanding. She kept us in the loop regarding the village being closed off due to some lone weekend festivities. She has a great eye for design and Filly Island fully reflects that as well as her personality. Highly recommended from this end. Brilliant stuff.
I initially booked Filly Island due to the location, but I fell in love with everything. The style of the property, how private it was, the amazing bath tub, and the fact we could bring our dog. Everything was amazing.
Recipe for the perfect weekend away: Take two moderately well behaved boys (of both four legged and two legged varieties). Add liberal amounts of water based excitement and miles of walks filled with other friendly dogs. Leave to rest. (A trip to Barnsley House Spa and nearby village pub speeds up this process). Baste with red wine, fine takeaway foods and the hospitality of the villagers of South Cerney. Heat over a traditional wood fire. Enjoy!
Had a wonderful time! Cottage was beautiful, loads of home comforts and stunning views. Couldn´t fault it. We will definitely be coming back. Perfect spot for our Weimaraner too- Maggie loved it! Looking forward to our next visit.
We had a wonderful time enjoying my birthday on our own private island. We loved just sitting with the door open and listening to the sound of the water flowing by. Just the relaxing and romantic weekend away we needed.
We had a wonderful time at Filly Island, this is a magical place and I feel recharged after four days here. The cottage is so lovely, full of quirks and there is not one attention to detail that has been left out. Chester and I were made to feel welcome from the moment we were greeted on arrival, thank you for sharing this wonderful place. We hope to visit again soon.
We enjoyed a lovely four days in this unique and charming cottage. We have thoroughly enjoyed walking from Filly Island to neighbouring villages, along the Thames path and around the Cotswolds water park...such a peaceful and relaxing part of the world!
We had a magical three night stay at Filly Island (´Filly´ being my nickname made our stay even more special!) Thank you for making us feel so welcome and for creating such a wonderful stunning place. It has been so quiet and relaxing. We will visit again soon for sure.
What a wonderful place and beautiful cottage- thank you for sharing your beautiful home with us. We have had an amazing and relaxing weekend and really do not want to leave. It´s so peaceful and we have really enjoyed our trips out from Filly Island and walks around the surrounding villages.
The island was simply perfect for the rest and relaxation we needed. We explored your suggestions of locations and found them beautiful and idyllic. The food was on point, and the views memorable. I am sure we will revisit in the near future for more of the same. Until we meet again, many thanks.
The owner was wonderful and very friendly. We felt if anything came up she would take care of it immediately. The river around the little island was idyllic. The home was very cosy and we will definitely come back soon. Our dog loved the island and met many friendly people and other dogs. The villagers were also very welcoming. A dream stay!
Wow! Thank you for creating such a special place to stay. So much has been thought of with this little house, and we loved all the quirky and original features. We loved every minute of our holiday and hope we can visit again soon.
Unique extras
Enhance your stay with a unique experience from one of our preferred suppliers. From professional in-house chefs to luxury at-home spa therapists and wine delivered to the door, see what’s on offer for your bespoke escape.
Press
Below are a selection of features in which Filly Island 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.
complete an image bank request
Island Weekends
Lonely Planet
January 2019Love nests: Great places for two
The Times
February 2018Design A Space With Texture
Country Homes & Interiors
December 20167 Reasons We Need to Visit this Country Cottage Right Now
Country Living
September 2016Going With The Flow
Country Living
May 2016Going With the Flow
Country Living Modern Rustic
November 2015Staycation in splendid isolation
Country Living
May 2023Britain´s best holiday cottages
The Telegraph
May 2023
Collections > Waterside Living > UK > Gloucestershire > Cirencester > Filly Island
Related Collections
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.
