Warwickshire &amp; West Midlands


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-where">WHAT? WHERE?</h2>



<p>In the heart of pretty Gloucestershire, and the Midland&#8217;s second city of Cov, you&#8217;ll find a clutch of luxurious rentals by family business <a href="https://eshostays.com">Esho Stays</a>. They&#8217;re all conveniently placed for exploring the area, and great for a family trip, girly getaway or if you’re looking for somewhere to stay for work. The team, headed up by owner Rachel Lowe-Mukherji, have more than 20 years experience and promise exceptional service, impeccable cleanliness and a real eye for detail. It’s basically all the service and amenities of a hotel, but in the comfort of a home. Ideal, right?</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-vibe">THE VIBE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/10/Untitled-design-36-1000x667.jpg" alt="lounge cirencester echo stays" class="wp-image-58454" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/10/Untitled-design-36-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/10/Untitled-design-36-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/10/Untitled-design-36-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/10/Untitled-design-36.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Contemporary, modern, luxury. I went for a girly weekend, stopping in a three-bedroom property with my mum, auntie and sister, and it was pretty much the perfect escape. Easy to find and with parking close by, so no hassle of lugging bags around. The property had been done up to an immaculate standard, with period features like fireplaces, beams and high ceilings next to modern design, quirky artwork and pretty plants. There was a cute garden complete with outdoor sofas, perfect for relaxing in when the great British weather behaves itself. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/10/Untitled-design-38-1000x667.jpg" alt="exterior cirencester echo stays" class="wp-image-58456" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/10/Untitled-design-38-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/10/Untitled-design-38-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/10/Untitled-design-38-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/10/Untitled-design-38.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Pretty much everything had been thought of, starting with a plate of mouth-watering cakes from a local bakery and bottle of wine waiting on the table when we arrived. Both essentials for any girls&#8217; weekend, no? Oh, along with the Nespresso machine. What I really liked was there&#8217;s everything you need to just get there and chill. The kitchen is stocked with essentials like tea, coffee, some snacks and spices. There&#8217;s plenty of dishwasher tablets, toilet rolls etc &#8211; those little things you can often go away and have to buy for just a few days then feel the need to fill the car to the brim taking it all home with you.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/10/Untitled-design-40-1000x667.jpg" alt="lounge cirencester echo stays" class="wp-image-58458" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/10/Untitled-design-40-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/10/Untitled-design-40-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/10/Untitled-design-40-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/10/Untitled-design-40.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>It&#8217;s a spacious property, with room for the four of us to sit comfortably in the lounge, with a few chairs spare. There was a large dining table where we enjoyed some great meals, with a hatch through to the kitchen just handy for passing a bottle of something chilled through. The kitchen was rustic, with tiled floors, a farmhouse vibe and huge cooker which was more than up to the job of catering for the four of us after a busy day shopping! </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/10/Untitled-design-39-1000x667.jpg" alt="dining room cirencester echo stays" class="wp-image-58457" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/10/Untitled-design-39-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/10/Untitled-design-39-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/10/Untitled-design-39-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/10/Untitled-design-39.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pillow-talk">PILLOW TALK</h2>



<p>In the property we stayed in there were three spacious bedrooms &#8211; two doubles and one with twin beds. Rooms were decorated in neutral tones with the softest blankets at the bottom of the bed perfect for snuggling up in. Everything was thought of, from places to hang your clothes, baskets to put things in and muted lighting. Both double rooms had a lovely period fireplace with a huge mirror hung above. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/10/Untitled-design-37-1-1000x667.jpg" alt="bedroom cirencester echo stays" class="wp-image-58455" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/10/Untitled-design-37-1-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/10/Untitled-design-37-1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/10/Untitled-design-37-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/10/Untitled-design-37-1.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Beds were super comfy, blinds kept the light out and we all said we&#8217;d slept well &#8211; which is not always the case when spending the night in a new house. Rooms were quiet and you can&#8217;t hear any noise from the street, a coup due to the proximity to the centre. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/10/Untitled-design-6-1-1000x667.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-58492" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/10/Untitled-design-6-1-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/10/Untitled-design-6-1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/10/Untitled-design-6-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/10/Untitled-design-6-1.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scoff-amp-quaff">SCOFF &amp; QUAFF</h2>



<p>Eat out, cook, order a takeaway &#8211; do what you fancy here! You&#8217;re literally in the centre of Cirencester with it&#8217;s great restaurants, cafes, pubs and bakeries all around, and a fabulous kitchen if you&#8217;re staying in. We were looking forward to hunkering down in the house so took everything we needed to rustle up a chicken salad for dinner one night and steak the second &#8211; props to the chef, my mum! </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/10/Untitled-design-1-1000x667.jpg" alt="kitchen cirencester echo stays" class="wp-image-58461" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/10/Untitled-design-1-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/10/Untitled-design-1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/10/Untitled-design-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/10/Untitled-design-1.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Fancy eating in but without any faff then there&#8217;s <a href="http://www.cookfood.net">Cook</a> literally a one minute walk away for something to bung in the oven. If you want to eat out there&#8217;s some great options like all-day dining hub&nbsp;<a href="https://glosworcs.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/roots-seeds-kitchen-garden-cirencester-gloucestershire/">Roots + Seeds Kitchen Garden</a> and foodie hotspot <a href="https://www.mbbbrasserie.co.uk/">MBB Brasserie</a>.&nbsp;Love seafood?&nbsp;<a href="https://henrysbarandrestaurant.co.uk/">Henry’s Bar &amp; Restaurant</a>&nbsp;does cracking plates of lobster or there&#8217;s award-winning fish and chips at the <a href="https://www.maltandanchor.co.uk">Malt &amp; Anchor</a>. Hip coffee haunt&nbsp;<a href="https://www.luxecafebar.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Luxe</a>&nbsp;(with the best ever candy pink interior) makes for a great snack stop. Don’t miss out a trip to&nbsp;<a href="https://kneadbakery.co.uk/">Knead Bakery</a>, a patisserie that takes cakes to another level, and <a href="https://www.hallsqualitybakers.co.uk">Hall Bakery</a> for show-stopping bakes and bread. Check out&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lynwoodandco.com/">Lynwood &amp; Co</a> for barista coffee and artisan bakes with a friendly smile.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-out-amp-about">OUT &amp; ABOUT</h2>



<p>We spent the day shopping and bar hopping, and it was pretty much the perfect girls day out. Head for the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mydanishwardrobe.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Danish Wardrobe Company</a>&nbsp;or the stylish&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sue-parkinson.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sue Parkinson</a>&nbsp;boutique for fashion and homewares (one of the only places locally to buy designer names from Stella Nova to Mulberry). Don’t miss a browse in&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.frenchgrey.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">French Grey</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.biggiebest.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Biggie Best</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.moonstruckcirencester.co.uk/">Moonstruck</a> for homewares. And boho-chic emporium&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lawandcompany.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Law and Company</a> has the most covetable clothes. Frilly-sleeved designer <a href="https://llewelyn-bowen.co.uk">Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen</a> also has his flagship store here which of course is worth a look. It&#8217;s also worth a snoop in some of the town&#8217;s charity shops, I spotted some great pieces by the likes of Dolce and Gabbana and Stella McCartney.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2024/07/image.jpeg" alt="cirencester pool" class="wp-image-62370" /></figure>



<p>Cirencester is so elegant even the town’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cirenopenair.org.uk/">Open Air Pool</a>&nbsp;is fed by pure spring water (heated to 80°F in the summer). Bask on the patio at this stunning outdoor pool with it’s fairytale castle backdrop. Spend the morning at&nbsp;<a href="https://coriniummuseum.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Corinium Museum</a>&nbsp;or take a saunter (or a canter) through the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bathurstestate.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bathurst Estate</a>&nbsp;and get a hot chocolate from the Beano horse box whilst you’re there. The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Interest/Abbey-Grounds-Cirencester-121306465211070/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Abbey Grounds</a>&nbsp;is lovely for picnics, or head 10 mins south and discover the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.waterpark.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cotswold Water Park</a>&nbsp;with 150 lakes to walk around, a pop-up beach, pedalos, and watersports galore.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dog-friendly">DOG FRIENDLY</h2>



<p>Cirencester is one of the most dog-friendly places around, so it would be a travesty not to bring your pooch here. Most of the Esho Stay properties are dog-friendly, including the one I stopped in, so no need to leave the most important member of the family behind!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-muddy-verdict">THE MUDDY VERDICT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/10/Untitled-design-42-1000x667.jpg" alt="bedroom cirencester echo stays" class="wp-image-58460" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/10/Untitled-design-42-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/10/Untitled-design-42-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/10/Untitled-design-42-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/10/Untitled-design-42.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p><strong>Good for:</strong> Those looking for a slice of luxury and tranquility while just a stone&#8217;s throw from the buzzy centre. Perfectly placed for exploring the Cotswold during staycations, girly or couples breaks, family holidays, breaks with the pooch and business stays. </p>



<p><strong>Not for: </strong>Those with accessibility issues might struggle with the stairs at this particular property, but there&#8217;s others in Gloucester and Coventry with disability access &#8211; just drop Rachel a line!</p>



<p><strong>The damage: </strong>One-bedroom properties start at £80 a night going up to £200 per night for a five bed. Split the cost you&#8217;d spend on a hotel and it&#8217;s an absolute steal!</p>



<p><strong><em><a href="https://eshostays.com">www.eshostays.com</a>, various locations across Coventry and Gloucestershire. Tel: 01452 903703</em></strong> <strong><em>to speak to owner Rachel for more details. </em></strong></p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/10/Untitled-design-5-1-1000x667.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-58490" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/10/Untitled-design-5-1-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/10/Untitled-design-5-1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/10/Untitled-design-5-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/10/Untitled-design-5-1.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Rachel Lowe-Mukherji</figcaption></figure>


Review: Esho Stays, Coventry & Gloucestershire

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