Nestled in a glade on the edge of acres of striking mature woodland is the stunning fairytale-esque Sunny Cottage, perfect for a restful break in the Lincolnshire countryside. Make your way through beautiful forest tracks to discover this former gamekeepers cottage, which is now a family-friendly dwelling, enjoying delightful seclusion, privacy and tranquility half a mile up a hill above the village of Barkston, this is your own hidden escape in a secret garden! Through a pair of five-bar gates is a gravel parking area for several cars overlooked by apple trees and a log store. The cottage hides in the middle of a quintessentially English cottage garden approached via a winding brick path laid in herringbone pattern, over grown with lilac and edged with hellebores, the fragrance in spring and summer is intoxicating. The garden was created in the 1950s by a well-known local garden designer called Herbert Exton and it was laid out to look magically overgrown, reminiscent of the one described in Frances Hodgson Burnetts classic story The Secret Garden, the garden actually appears in Rosemary Vereys book Secret Garden and it was also featured in Geoff Hamiltons popular television series Paradise Gardens, at that time, Herbert reckoned there were over 2000 varieties of plants and flowers in the garden. The charming cottage garden, with its stunning mass of tree peonies, snowdrops, wild flowers, ferns, aquilegia, fruit trees and pretty flowered borders now surround the buildings, connected by narrow pathways running between the trees, shrubbery and the old brick estate wall - perfect for hide and seek, there are also no fewer than seven benches positioned around the garden to follow sun or shade. The cottage itself retains tremendous character, make your way into the main building, boasting original features, exposed beams and contemporary furnishings, with a handy cloakroom and boutique boot room found on entrance. Homely meals can be cooked inside the bespoke country kitchen area where you'll find rustic original flooring, Belfast sink, Sandyford range Stove and timber kitchen units, complemented with breakfast seating for two for those who want to overlook the cooking. Resting behind here is a stylish and spacious utility (fitted with a large fridge/freezer, handy dishwasher, washing machine and microwave oven) with a backdoor leading out to an extensive herb garden and sunny dining area next to raised beds and a potting shed, enjoy an alfresco lunch or breakfast on a bright morning, perfect for spotting passing pheasants and deer in the surrounding wood. French doors lead off the kitchen to a gorgeous bright orangery dining room where family meals can also be enjoyed at a large rustic wooden table and benches, Theres also a relaxing Adirondack chair and a selection of gardening and beekeeping books. Unwind in one of two delightful sittings rooms, grabbing the popcorn and picking a film from the Smart TV as you snuggle into a blanket, or cosy up in the book lined library room next to the woodburning stove. Upstairs is the fantastic family bathroom with underfloor heating, unwind in the lavish cast iron roll top bath after a day of exploring, or catch a brisk morning wake up in the mosaic lined shower, When you're ready to call it a night, retire to one of the three charming cottage bedrooms, a king-size with a spacious wardrobe and stunning French antique bed (duckdown or hypoallergenic duvets & pillows available), a twin room with an antique writing desk and a cosy childrens single room with a large selection of childrens books for all ages, there is ample storage across the rooms and designer decor. Then make your way to the separate garden lodge annexe via the lovely nature-filled walkway, to find two bedroom suites, a ground floor king size oak bed or a quaint antique cast-iron double, both bedrooms share a spacious Jack and Jill en suite shower room with toasty under floor heating throughout the annexe, treat yourself to a cinema experience with the overhead projector from the comfort of your bed or enjoy a tinkle on the piano, while making use of the tea and coffee making facilities, this space is flexible for either one family or two couples, each bedroom has a separate exterior entrance. If you can tear yourself away, in spite of its secluded location, the cottage is very well-situated for a wide variety of day trips, head a couple of minutes down the main road to Belton House, a magnificent National Trust property with formal gardens, avenue lined wooded parks, an enormous wooden adventure playground in the forest, a miniature train and an indoor play/cafe for wet weather days, the pretty market town of Grantham nearby has most major supermarkets which can also home deliver. The local village of Barkston boasts the Stag pub as well as a filling station with a shop, while less than a mile down the road is the wonderful Syston Park estate farm shop and deli with fresh local food and cafe, in summer months you can also enjoy picking your own sensational fruit on the farm. There are a choice of golf courses within a 15 mile radius, Belton Woods Hotel and Country Club is only a couple of miles away, offering two championship golf courses, racquet sports, a gymnasium and swimming pool. There are familiar film locations nearby too (as seen in The Crown, Pride and Prejudice and The Da Vinci Code etc), Discover glorious Belvoir castle, which commands a superlative view across the Lincolnshire plains (and which exhibits the original world-famous portrait of King Henry VIII by Holbein) and then dine at delightful Chequers Inn pub nearby or visit the other local castles of Grimsthorpe & Tattershall or Doddington Hall & Gardens, splendid Tudor mansion Burghley House is three quarters of an hour away by car, visit the museums of Melton and Millgate, or Southwell workhouse before visiting one of Geoff Hamiltons 38 charming plots at Barnsdale Gard. Twenty-five minutes south is Sir Isaac Newtons birthplace, Woolsthorpe Manor, now a charming National Trust museum with a wealth of science games available for children as well as being home to Newtons infamous apple tree, long since a place of pilgrimage for renowned scientists the world over, Einstein was there, Stephen Hawking, enjoy a potter in the exquisite town of Stamford before a delicious meal at The Olive Branch pub in Clipsham, (UK Pub of the Year, Good Food Guide, Michelin guide), beautiful Rutland Water is perfect for hiring bikes and other water sports while the nature reserve is another stunning spot for birdwatching and local wildlife. Children will delight in the chance to visit little Jacks Farm at Bottesford, feeding animals or enjoying the indoor and outdoor craft areas, for an action packed day out, visit the vibrant city of Lincoln, home to the famous cathedral and castle fortress as well as a host of pretty retail stores, lively bars and restaurants and there's an entertaining theatre on and around the historic Steep Hill. Or closer to home enjoy afternoon tea at the quaint Allington Manor or Sunday lunch at the award winning Brownlow Arms pub in nearby Hough-on-the-Hill. All in all Sunny Cottage is an idyllic and atmospheric holiday home in central England set in private tranquil surroundings, conveniently situated just a few miles off the A1.
