The Butts, Poulton, Cirencester

"Original features, including a village bread oven, are elevated by contemporary touches in this 17th-century home"

This 17th-century, two-bedroom stone cottage lies in the thriving village of Poulton, at the southern edge of the Cotswolds National Landscape. Blending period character and a modern sensibility, the living spaces are arranged across two levels and have been sensitively renovated by the current owners. A traditional cottage garden lays in front of this idyllic countryside retreat - complete with established plants and an atmospheric garden room.

Setting the Scene

A lush front garden reflects the care found inside this picture-pretty farmhouse cottage, its pathway framed by tall echinacea and mature fruit trees. Beyond, a honey-hued stone façade rises across two storeys, and new windows have been set within the original stone-mullioned surrounds.

Inside, the house teems with original period features, from gently curved stone walls and enveloping low ceilings to exposed oak beams. A selection of eco-conscious lime washes by Bauwerk and Earthborn in an earthy palette has been applied throughout, while tactile materials contribute to an overall elegant feel.

The Grand Tour

The cottage is set back from a quiet village street and accessed via a shared pathway that leads to the front of the house, which is in turn anchored by an established private garden brimming with flower beds and fruit trees.

The front door reveals a welcoming space with room for hanging coats and storing boots. Ahead lies a bright farmhouse kitchen and dining room, fitted with cherry-red units, brass handles and wooden countertops. Traditional flagstones extend underfoot and continue into a generous dining area with a log burner.

Toward the rear, a doorway opens to an inviting snug, with walls painted a soft madder pink shade. A corridor flows to a spacious sitting room, where a large, original village bread oven provides a striking focal point. Two south-facing windows allow plenty of natural light in.

Across the corridor is an atmospheric ‘garden spa’ bathroom. Inspired by the traditional design of Japanese onsen, it is clad in cedar shingles and slats and fitted with a large bathtub and wavy-edge oak shelves. It opens to a secluded Japanese-inspired courtyard.

From the kitchen, a curved staircase climbs up to the first floor’s landing, which is fitted with practical cupboards. There are two light-filled bedrooms on this floor, with sloping ceilings and tranquil views over the garden.

The principal bedroom is dressed in a lilac lime wash that beautifully complements several exposed oak beams. The second bedroom is picked out in a soft, buttery yellow.

Mediterranean-inspired, the shared bathroom is finished with a waterproof tadelakt render in a distinctive burnt-orange hue. It has a shower over the bath and solid timber floorboards.

The Great Outdoors

A south-facing cottage garden unfolds in front of the house, planted with large beds of flowers and herbs, their scent and colour mingling to striking effect. Towering echinacea sway with the wind, while grassy sections are interspersed with areas for dining and lounging. Roses and clematis ramble over willow hurdle partitions, creating "rooms" within the secluded space. Appropriately, pear trees crop heavily in borders lined with hard perennials such as rosemary, crocosmia, vinca and hostas.

At the far end, a contemporary garden room offers a quiet space, ideally suited for both focused work and rest. There is ample public parking on the main road directly outside the gate.

Out and About

Poulton is a quintessential countryside village set at the heart of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The village has a pub, The Falcon Inn, serving modern British fare and locally brewed cask ales; a Grade II-listed 19th-century church; a children's playground and playing field; and Poulton Hill vineyard. Nosh, the village deli, provides local amenities.

The closest grocery shops are in nearby Fairford, a short five-minute drive from the house, while the surrounding villages offer excellent dining opportunities. The Crown at Ampney Brook is an award-winning pub and restaurant set in a 16th-century inn serving seasonal farm-to-table menus. The Village Pub in Barnsley offers home-cooked, hearty food - the perfect treat after a weekend stroll.

Bibury, described by William Morris as “the most beautiful village in England”, is a short 12-minute drive away. Here, the picture-perfect 14th-century cottages of Arlington Row are some of the most photographed in the region. A little further afield, Bourton-on-the-Water is another popular destination.

A 10-minute drive away, Cirencester is often called the ‘Capital of the Cotswolds’ and combines Roman roots and Georgian grandeur. It provides an excellent array of shopping opportunities, alongside cafés and open green spaces. The town is also home to the New Brewery Arts Centre and The Barn Theatre, while The Pig in the Cotswolds, with its celebrated hotel, restaurant and gardens, is a 10-minute drive away.

Cheltenham, a Regency town renowned for its festivals of literature, jazz, film, folk music, comedy, and science, is under a half-hour drive away. It also has a busy racing calendar, including the Gold Cup.

Kemble station is a 15-minute drive away, with regular trains to London, while Swindon station is around 25 minutes’ drive south, providing direct railway routes to London Paddington in under an hour. A regular bus connects the village to Cirencester. Heathrow can be reached in approximately 80 minutes by car. There is easy access to the M4 via the A419 and to the M5 via the A417.