Brambly Thatch

Sleeps 5 people and baby.

Brambly Thatch is an attractive, thatched, 17thC farm cottage, located on a working mixed (beef and arable) farm, at the southern end of the Chiltern Hills, close to the Thames Valley in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The cottage is about 2 miles north of the village of Pangbourne, 7 miles north-west of Reading and about 20 miles south of Oxford. London is within easy reach, either about 40 miles via M4 motorway (junction 12) or by bus or train through Reading (or Pangbourne). The fastest trains take only 25 minutes London-Reading. "Occasional" country buses pass within 0.5 mile of the cottage, but a car is almost essential.

Places of interest locally include the National Trust properties at Basildon House and Greys Court, The Childe-Beale Wildlife Trust, Wellplace Bird Farm, Rain Forest Orchard Farm and Mapledurham House, Watermill and country park.

With the River Thames, Chiltern beech woods and countryside nearby, there is the chance to go walking, boating, driving or picnicking in a delightful variety of scenery.

A little further afield, you can visit Wellington Country Park, Highclere Castle, Windsor Castle, Legoland Windsor, Didcot Railway Centre and Beasonscot Model Village to name but six. North of us, Oxford, the Cotswolds and Stratford Upon Avon can all be explored easily from our base. There is more information at the cottage, together with recommendations for local pubs, restaurants, sports facilities etc.

The accommodation comprises of 1 double bedroom, one single bedroom, and bathroom/WC upstairs, while downstairs there is a kitchen, main living room, dining room, and third bedroom. An oil fired Rayburn in the living room heats the water, the centre of the house, and can be used for cooking if desired, while the rest of the house has modern electric night storage heating. Equipment includes electric cooker, microwave, kettle, toaster, fridge, dishwasher, washing machine, heaters, VCR, colour TV and telephone.

With the fitted carpets we have kept some older furniture to maintain the cottage atmosphere. Beds are made up for your arrival, and towels, cot (crib) and highchair are available on request. The cottage was set up in 1987 under the guidance and advice of our Regional Tourist Board, and is registered with the English Tourist Council, classified as "3 keys, commended" now "3 star". There is a small garden to the front and rear (overlooking fields and woods) with garden chairs etc. Parking in the garden or quiet farm lane outside is no problem.

We regret that in the interests of hygiene and farm safety, pets cannot be accommodated, except by special arrangement. We also discourage smoking in or near the cottage.