There are many reasons one might choose Gloucestershire as their destination for a quick getaway or longer family holiday. It has it all and it has it for all ages. From its tiny timeless villages to its towns conversant in culture and history, its hills and valleys and stretches of uninterrupted green decorated in endless natural beauty, no matter the season, contain something special for every individual.
For years the Cotswolds has proven itself as highly coveted an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty as it should be, so it’s no surprise to learn that Charles & Camilla, and Princess Anne’s grand Gatcombe Park are only a stone’s throw away. Chestnut House itself knows a thing or two about royalty, being once home to a German princess.
Writers and royalty aside, what you’ll find at Chestnut House is the means for the whole family to get out and about in an area famous for its variety of activities, culture and present-day, around-the-clock fun.
As you make your way through the far gate, approaching the house by way of its long drive shaded in the woods, and eventually coming out from under the trees and onto the grand sweeping drive, you’ll have your first impression of the unobtrusiveness of the 11 acres this house sits amongst.
Stretch your legs – you’ll want to use them here! Step out of the car and hear that first crunch as you light upon the gravel and look around wide-eyed. You won’t see it all just yet, and that’s the beauty of these grounds.
Stepping past the drive and the immediate external features of the house – large patio, 6-person hot tub, and fountain – the green begins: fit for cricket, football, picnics, parties and more, it unfolds by stages as you make your way past the chicken run and the children’s play area with slide, swings, climbing frame and trampoline. Find more paths: this way down to the barn and stables and that way up past the ménage and through the private field, leading to Nailsworth just half a mile away. You may even spot foxes, badgers, pheasants, deer and other wildlife that sometimes like to make an appearance at Chestnut House.
Step between the pillars and through the front doors. What’s the first thing you see as you step over the Rhodian solid marble threshold? It is the epitome of the years of attention to detail that has gone into making these interiors truly special: a hall stretching out before you, clean and white, gleaming from floor to cornicing in chandelier light.
On your immediate right and left you’ll find the formal dining room and living room, the former featuring an open wood fire and enough comfortable seating for all your guests; the latter comprising modern glass-front wood fire; 50” SMART TV with Sky, Netflix and more; as well as the plush and luxurious sofas on which to lounge while watching your movies.
Moving down the hallway, you’ll find to your right the games room, let the kids go at it while we carry on. You’ll find an extensive bookcase filled with a variety of literature and lots of popular board games, and finally you’ll find more quality sofas before a log burner and a 55” TV with the same great channels and apps. From both the living room and the games room, open the doors and shutters for instant access to the patio – just a quick bare-footed hop to the hot tub!
Limestone flooring surrounds the large centre island of solid black granite. See that control panel? At the touch of a button you have rising from the stone the extraction fan for your own teppanyaki grill. This kitchen does modern oh so well – electric and steam ovens, induction hob, large fridge-freezer with ice machine, as well as a range of cookery books and all the essentials you’ll need for making special meals – or for letting the professionals make them for you!
That’s right: whether you’re dining inside or out, whether you feel like a four-course formal meal or a BBQ meat feast, why not have a specialty catering company or private chef come to the house, bringing with them bespoke and effortless options. They’ll leave you more than replete and won’t leave the house until everything has been cleaned and tidied away. Alternatively, work up your appetite with a short walk into Nailsworth for tapas and cocktails at The Vault, delicious steaks and pastas at Wild Garlic, or fresh fish soup and oysters at William’s.
Comfort reigns in many ways at Chestnut House, and the final proof of that can be found on the carpets and beneath the sheets of each bedroom. Cool, soft cotton, thick duvets, plump pillows, heavy curtains and dreamy shades that in lamp light or first light come together to create that quintessentially peaceful countryside slumber you won’t want to part with.
Sleeping up to 15 guests, Chestnut House holds on its second and third floors Super Kings, Doubles and Singles, providing options for single adults and couples, as well as children (two rooms are zip-and-link, meaning that its two Single beds can be attached to make a King).
As well as the en-suite off of the master bedroom (which can just as easily be a shared option) – there is a shared bathroom across the first-floor landing and, on the top floor, a shared bathroom with shower over bath, between the final two bedrooms. You’ll also have the option of sleeping three more guests on roll-out Singles.