Special Places to Stay - More than a bed for the night

Next to the village pub is a 1700s cottage dressed in warm stone and lintels. The owners have kept the cottagey charm and added comfort and style: creamy fresh colours, limestone floors and roaring log-burner. A lovely surprise to step inside to so much space – a sitting room with a leather sofa and armchairs, an antique bench as a quirky coffee table and Linda's artwork brightening the walls; the dining room, with Windsor chairs and rustic chandelier, has a country elegance. Upstairs find bamboo floors and three bedrooms with beamed ceilings, wrought-iron beds, a delicious style (and, for one, a garden view). Luxuriate in a claw-foot bath on heated black tiles, pop under a sparkling shower. The state of the art kitchen lies in a large extension looking out to the garden (note the home-baked cake on arrival!) and if you fancy a meal out, you don't need to go far: the lovely Red Lion is next door. The terraced garden, dreamy on a summer's day, has views to Carsington Water, it's blissfully rural and there's lots to do. Sail and fish on the reservoir, grab a picnic, jump on the bike. Walks start from the door.