The Artist Residence
More-so than any issue before, Volume Five has taken the In Clover team all over the United Kingdom. From the blustery Highlands in Scotland to the rocky shores of Penzance, we’ve been just about everywhere. Along the way we had the opportunity to stay in some of these areas, among them was the coveted Cotswolds area. Located just west of Oxford and sprawling over six counties and 2,000 square kilometres, the Cotswolds is the second-largest protected landscape in England, the first being the Lake District.
When you hear stories or see photos of the Cotswolds, you’re instantly transported to a Jane Austen novel where all the roofs are thatched and the streets are cobbled. We thought it was about time that we shared some of our favourite places to stay with you. Our weekend started out with a night’s stay at the newest addition to Artist Residence’s location in Oxfordshire. The next day we made our way north to Warwickshire where we stayed in a self catering thatched roof cottage. Both locations had an air about them that makes you feel instantly at home, and we think you will too!
Making our way from London, half the drive was spent just trying to get out of the city. Three wrong turns and two pheasant-crossings later, we pulled down a windy residential road where the quaint latest addition to Artist Residence sits. Stretching our legs as we got out of the car, we took in deep breaths that would alert any local that we were ‘city folk’. It was my first time staying in the Cotswolds and I had been especially excited to visit this Artist Residence, as it was the only location of theirs that I had yet to visit. With tan pebbled car park, honey-washed limestone walls, and of course a thatched roof, the first impression didn’t disappoint.
As we made our way to the front door, staff smiled and offered their hellos. From the moment you step into the old farmhouse you know that things have been done differently. So much so that we weren’t sure we’d walked in the right door!
The room is more of a cosy cottage lounge than a concierge behind a front desk. That’s not to say that the staff weren’t helpful, they were entirely so. Instead of the usual dynamic of employee and guest, it was more of host and new friend. The check-in all took place from a small podium by the front door that was quickly put to the side once the paperwork was through, god forbid it look like a hotel! It’s quite clear that the people at Artist Residence want you to feel at home from the get go. From the dog-friendly rooms to the two large hearths with roaring fires in their pub/lounge/welcome area, you can’t help but feel relaxed.
This 16th-century farmhouse was originally owned by the Mason family, before they gifted it to their butler, who turned it into a pub. Located on the edge of the Cotswolds in South Leigh, roughly an hour and a half drive from London, the village has a population of just 336. This inn is the fourth Artist Residence location for owners Charlie and Justin Salisbury.
After four successful locations, you’d think that becoming hoteliers was their life’s dream, when in fact it was something that they fell into after Justin’s mother was unable to continue looking after her guesthouse in Brighton. From there Justin and Charlie worked hard to make their property stand out from other local hotels and inns. They did this by asking local artists in Brighton to decorate bedrooms, creating a personal, eclectic and unique look unlike any other hotels I’ve been to.
After a tour of Mr Hanbury’s Mason Arms, the pub on the ground floor of the establishment, we were shown to our room, The Barn Suite. Unlike the rest of the rooms at the Artist Residence, the Barn Suite is separate from the main house, tucked away down a hedge-lined stone path. A large brass bell on a coiled piece of metal hangs outside the door, reminding me of service bells of the “Upstairs, Downstairs” era.
Upon entering, we were welcomed by a crackling fire in the log burner. The furnishings were an eclectic mix of English Countryside and Bohemian that I hadn’t seen before, and the smooth white walls were contrasted by worn wooden floorboards and a vaulted ceiling. To the left of the four poster bed was a doorway to a private terrace that sadly we didn’t take advantage of, due to inhospitable weather conditions.
The centrepiece to the room is the bespoke four poster bed, which was piled high with the most luxurious pillows and blankets. The frame is constructed from sturdy weatherworn branches, as if paying homage to the local countryside. Adjoining the room is a spacious bathroom, complete with a rainfall shower as well as a clawfoot bathtub. The walls are tiled in a deep sea blue green, making you feel as though you are underwater.
To anyone who usually boasts that they aren’t a fan of staying in hotels, preferring a more personal experience such as Airbnb, I would normally agree with them - but the thought and care that has gone into each and every detail at Artist Residences is anything but impersonal. To them, no detail is too small, from the selection of snacks in the room (my personal favourite were the Rococo Dusted Scorched Almonds) to the range of beautiful Bramley bath products in the bathroom.
After taking our time to explore the room, browsing the selection of magazines and books, we headed to the pub for supper. As it was on the early side we nabbed ourselves the corner table near the fire. Feeling utterly relaxed we took in our surroundings: garish neon lights, cosy corners, and felt artwork by felt artist, Lucy Sparrow.
The menu was small but packed a punch; everything done well without much fanfare. Exactly what you’d want from a pub in the countryside. The stars of the show were found on the drinks menu. It was a menu that could make anyone happy, from the wine fans to the whiskey fans, they had something for everyone. For dinner we dined on crispy polenta, heritage carrots and onglet with roasted shallots, chips and a bone marrow sauce. As the fire burned we chatted with the bartender and manger as they flitted in and out of the pub. A newly-wed couple on their honeymoon, who arrived just as we were leaving, greeted the other guests as if they were friends and not just strangers staying in the same hotel.
For just a night or a long weekend, the Artist Residence in Oxfordshire delivers all that one can expect from a getaway in the Cotswolds. After only one evening we left the quaint cottage hotel feeling refreshed and relaxed, with new memories and new friends.
Originally published in Volume 05 of In Clover Magazine, 2018
