The Chapel

One of the most picturesque spots in the Cotswolds – people come from afar to see the burbling stream and you need only open the door and it’s there! Rachel and David have transformed a Methodist chapel into the sleekest, snuggest of boltholes complete with glass mezzanine. None of your boring beige inside – instead, bright colours, modern art, David’s hand-crafted furniture and light streaming in through windows onto both levels. Downstairs a neat kitchen in bright azure and everything needed to rustle up a romantic supper; dine at a turquoise table, sink into the corner sofa and light up the wood-burner for cosy evenings. Steps (not for the less than nimble) head up to the mezzanine floor – mostly vast white bed with a slip of a wet room on the side. Walk to the pub, head out on walks and bike rides from the door. If you need to get out of the bubble (and you might, there’s no such thing as a supermarket here!) Cheltenham is 25 minutes for shops, races, jazz and literary festivals. Next door River Barn sleeps two (plus two little ones) so take both spaces if you want to come with friends – the flowery, sunny gardens connect.