Finial House, Broadwell

The Accommodation

Finial House, a lovely Cotswold stone period property set in the peaceful village of Broadwell on the border of Oxfordshire is a perfect place to unpack and enjoy a bed and breakfast stay in the countryside.

Built around 1640 with later additions the main house and separate coach house was at one stage the Rectory for the vicar of St. Peter & St. Pauls church in the village. Friendly and charming owners, Fran and Peter have lived at Finial House for the past 20 years so know the area well. Peter, with a background in film production has designed a series of hand drawn maps to help guests find their way around.

The house has lots of lived in character with paintings, books, games, antique furniture and interesting things collected, gathered and used over the years. It’s a much-loved family home with three comfortable guest bedrooms, one on the first floor with its own bathroom and two bedrooms on the top floor with new bathroom and overhead shower in between. One is a twin bedded room and two others with king sized beds, plenty of space, lovely views out across the gardens, and fresh flowers in each room.

With their two gentle whippets, Willow and Minka, this is a dog-friendly home. Guests can enjoy a complimentary sherry in the drawing room, or out on the terrace overlooking the croquet lawn.

Breakfast is a feast with juices, Greek yoghurt with fresh seasonal berries and honey and range of homemade muesli and cereals. Fran makes her own Cotswold Crunch bread from Matthews Flour Mill at Shipton under Wychwood and all her jams. Sausages and bacon are from Christopher Maughan at Kelmscott and organic eggs from their own lovely chickens.

For a special treat or celebration, if the weather is fine, guests can hop onboard their Edwardian punt on the River Thames for strawberries and cream with prosecco or elderflower cordial, with Peter at the helm.

It’s a relaxed, fun and peaceful place to be with villages and market towns to explore in all directions and a choice of some great foodie pubs and places to eat nearby.

The Village and Location

Broadwell is a small honey-stoned village sandwiched between the villages of Kencot and Langford, close to Filkins and within four miles of Lechlade in one direction, and Burford, the other and just over the border in the county of Oxfordshire. Walking, cycling or riding around and through the village is the best way to appreciate some lovely stone houses and tucked away gardens, the Norman church built around 1190 with a 13th century spire, peaceful village lanes and birdsong.

Just near the church are the stone remains of a medieval village cross which is Grade 11* listed. A large manor house used to be in the village although sadly no longer; two stone pillars now mark its entrance.

This a great little village to head out to all sorts of places in the Cotswolds and within easy reach of some lovely places to eat.