Three Bed Family Friendly Cotswold Holiday Cottage in Stow-on-the-Wold - Steps Cottage
Steps Cottage is a elegantly furnished 18th century, end of terrace holiday home with a beautiful annexe, called the Bolt Hole. This wonderful property sleeps 6+4 guests, in three well-appointed bedrooms, with the +4 option being two sofa beds in the Bolt Hole's sitting room and two 180cm x 75cm single sleeping spaces on the landing of the main house, with two spacious bathrooms. The main house and the annexe have been lovingly refurbished by its owner, retaining character features such original wooden beams, exposed stone walls and a cosy, Jotul wood burning stove. This exquisite family home has stunning spacious living areas for socialising with family and friends, and adjoining the two properties is a beautiful multi-level garden, boasting plenty of outdoor seating and a gas barbecue, creating the perfect spot for al fresco dining.
Accommodation This three bedroom holiday cottage, plus annexe, in Stow-on-the-Wold is perfectly suited for those looking to get together with family and friends, exploring the local countryside and eateries. The accommodation is laid out as follows:
Main House
Ground Floor
Sitting/dining room Sunny dual aspect with exposed stone walls, solid beech flooring, exposed beams, large fireplace with Jotul wood burning stove, two two-seater sofas, Smart TV with full BT package, armchair, window seat and a wooden dining table that comfortably seats ten guests
Kitchen Galley style kitchen, well-equipped for rustling up a home cooked meal, amenities include an electric oven with gas hob, fridge/freezer, microwave, kettle, toaster, coffee percolator, liquidiser and an armchair
Utility room Dishwasher, washing machine and tumble dryer
Cloakroom Victorian loo
Conservatory French doors from the living room lead into the wooden conservatory, which provides direct access to the garden and contains four chairs
First Floor
Bedroom 2 (Sleeps 2) Dual aspect room with an exposed stone feature wall, beech flooring, two single beds (can be super king size bed on request), built-in wardrobe, armchair and a Freeview TV with DVD player
Family bathroom Bath with overhead shower, loo, basin and a heated towel rail
Second Floor
Primary bedroom (Sleeps 2) Elegantly presented eaves room with exposed wooden beams, Velux window, sloping ceilings, king size bed and a chair
Landing space (Sleeps +2) At the top of the stairs there is a large landing area with two 180cm x 75cm single mattresses running lengthways on a raised platform, available on request, built-in wardrobes, hooks for additional hanging space and an armchair
Bolt Hole Annexe The peaceful Bolt Hole is nestled away at the end of the garden above the garage. Stone steps lead up to the front door and the following rooms are available:
Sitting room/tea point (Sleeps +2) Sunny aspect, open-plan space with two single sofa beds, available on request, Freeview TV, table with seating for four, fridge, microwave, sink, kettle and toaster
Bedroom 3 with ensuite (Sleeps 2) Stylish bedroom with two single beds (can be super king size bed on request), and a built-in wardrobe Ensuite bathroom with bath with overhead shower, loo, basin and a heated towel rail
Outside Multi-level landscaped garden with a variety of mature plants and shrubs, pretty flowers and an impressive tree casting shade over the gravelled area, home to an outdoor table with seating for eight, plus eight additional garden chairs and a gas barbecue. Guests are also welcome to store bicycles within the double garage below the Bolt Hole
The Finer Details... The maximum occupancy for this property is 10 guests. Infants do not count towards the occupancy figure, however, due to space restrictions the occupancy can only be exceeded by 2 additional infant (aged 2 or under) Bed linen and towels are provided Steps Cottage has a double garage with space for two cars and if required, further free parking can be found a short walk from the cottage 2 Tripp Trapp chairs (without baby attachments or child harnesses) and 1 stair gate are available on request. The stair gate is permanently fixed at the top of the second flight of stairs, to safely enclose the landing space Sorry, no pets of any kind, including birds & rodents Strong WiFi Mobile phone reception is variable Smart TV with full BT package Enclosed garden Gas BBQ (guests are responsible for cleaning BBQ after use) Gas central heating system Starter supply of wood provided for the wood burning stove The main house is set across multiple floors with some relatively narrow and steep stairs, and low beams Access to the bolthole from the garage courtyard level is by stone steps to the garden pathway, then wide shallow wooden steps to the annexe which could be slippery when wet The smoke and CO detectors operate on a sound only basis and, therefore, those who have serious impairment of hearing may not be able to hear the alarm systems and could be at risk No smoking or vaping is permitted throughout the property
Things to Note... Hen, stag and other same sex groups can enquire Commercial and work related bookings are allowed but labourers are not permitted Events are not permitted without prior consent A security deposit is required at this property Check in is from 17:00 and check out is by 10:00 It is important to the owners that guests are courteous and considerate towards the neighbouring properties who are permanent residents. We politely request that guests are considerate about noise and that loud music is not played outside after 21:00 The Stow Horse Fair is held twice a year, typically on the Thursday closest to 12th May and the Thursday closest to 24th October, however, we would recommend checking the exact date ahead of placing your booking. This is a traditional fair for gypsies and travelling people to meet up and trade which dates back to 1476 when its Charter was granted. Stow is very busy for a day or two before and after each fair, and a number of shops, pubs and restaurants are closed. Whilst many visitors enjoy the colour and vibrancy associated with the fairs, other visitors prefer to avoid Stow on these dates Charging electric vehicles at this property is not permitted
Add dates for prices
Have a question?
AI iconBetaBeta
Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
About the area
Cheltenham
Located in Cheltenham, this cottage is in a rural area. Old Mill and Sezincote House & Garden are local landmarks, and some of the area's attractions include Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens and Bourton Leisure Centre. Cotswold Falconry Centre and Bourton House Garden are also worth visiting.
Is Three Bed Family Friendly Cotswold Holiday Cottage in Stow-on-the-Wold - Steps Cottage pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at Three Bed Family Friendly Cotswold Holiday Cottage in Stow-on-the-Wold - Steps Cottage?
As of 13 May 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Three Bed Family Friendly Cotswold Holiday Cottage in Stow-on-the-Wold - Steps Cottage on 23 June 2026 start from AU$1,107, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
How much is parking at Three Bed Family Friendly Cotswold Holiday Cottage in Stow-on-the-Wold - Steps Cottage?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Three Bed Family Friendly Cotswold Holiday Cottage in Stow-on-the-Wold - Steps Cottage?
Check-in begins at 5:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Three Bed Family Friendly Cotswold Holiday Cottage in Stow-on-the-Wold - Steps Cottage?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is Three Bed Family Friendly Cotswold Holiday Cottage in Stow-on-the-Wold - Steps Cottage located?
Situated in a rural location, this cottage is within a 10-minute walk of St. Edward's Church and Fosse Gallery Fine Art. Old Mill is 2.4 mi (3.9 km) away.
Reviews
8.4
Very good
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
This was a wonderful location, easy walking to shops and surrounding areas. Slept all of us comfortably and had a lovely garden for our dinners.
Deborah G.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 14 June 2022
Thank you so much for your wonderful review Deborah! We are delighted that you had a great stay and enjoyed eating your dinners all together in the lovely garden. We hope to welcome you back again soon.
From a partner site
8/10 Good
24 Sept 2025
Smashing cottage with annexe extremely close to the central square of Stow
A smashing cottage with annexe literally a minute or so from the centre of Stow. Kitchen had plenty of utensils with large fridge/freezer. Sitting room was comfortable. Didn't use the lean-to conservatory. Bedrooms were of a good size and comfortable. Nice, small garden area between the main building and the annexe which is built above the garage. The annexe has 4 beds, dining area, kitchen and bathroom/shower. The property was very clean. We were a family of 6 adults and two young children and the property proved to be excellent for our needs. Would definitely recommend.
Response from VrboOwner on 24 Sept 2025
Thank you Geoffrey for your review of Steps Cottage. We were thrilled to hear that you found the cottage to be comfortable, well equipped and in a great location. We hope to be able to welcome you again soon.
Like most other reviews here I’d echo the location is superb and the benefit of off street parking. I’d also agree that a freshen up would be worthwhile given the cost.
Marc S.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 10 May 2023
Thank you Marc for your review of Steps Cottage. We are so pleased you enjoyed the location of the property and we appreciate your feedback.
From a partner site
10/10 Excellent
9 Mar 2025
Just what we needed
A gathering of the family for my brother’s 50th. Ages from 88 to 4 months. Had a lovely stay. Perfect position. Kind touches such as the wine, cake and milk. Thanks very much.
Only reservation was the 2 single beds in the cottage that go end to end. A bit hard but the youngsters coped.
Response from VrboOwner on 10 Mar 2025
Thank you Alison for your review of Steps Cottage. We are delighted to hear that you all had a lovely stay and we hope you will be back to stay again soon!
Verified
8/10 Good
elaine b.
9 Apr 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, location, listing accuracy
Lovely weekend stay
We enjoyed our stay at Steps cottage.A group of friends for a 40th Birthday party.Lovely localtion right in the heart of Stow on the wold.Comfortable cottage and annex and kitchen facilities.Nice welcome pack wjth milk and cake thank you.Not easy to negotiate check in through the garage and parking for only 2 cars.Some areas mainly the kitchen in need of a revamp and de clutter.Would have been helpful to have an information pack with cottage and area information.Check out info only handwritten on a white board difficult to read.We enjoyed our stay just a little more info would be helpful and update of facilities.
elaine b.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 10 Apr 2025
Thank you Elaine for your review. We hope you will be back to stay again soon!
From a partner site
10/10 Excellent
Valentina P.
2 Aug 2023
Great short break for up to 10 people!
We had a really lovely family time at Steps Cottage.
We thoroughly enjoyed the location as the cottage is situated right in the picturesque town of Stow on the Wold. A beautiful village and a great place to explore the Cotswolds..... Chippen Camden, Burton on the water and many more.
Anything you need is provided. The cottage offers a private garden, with a BBQ and an outdoor dining table and chairs.
A welcoming bottle of sparking wine was just perfect to celebrate my daughter graduation.
It was really nice to meet the owner on our departure.
Would have loved to stay longer and I would recommend it to anyone from a short break to a longer holiday time.
Valentina P.
Response from VrboOwner on 2 Aug 2023
Thank you Valentina for your review of Steps Cottage. We are delighted you found the property to be well equipped and in a great location. We hope you will be back to stay again soon!
Wonderful location, fabulous cottage but improvements needed
The property sits beautifully on the high street in Stow on the Wold - A lovely location. The living room is great for four but not so comfortable to seat six or more. Little improvements could go a long way in making this property the perfect stay. For example: soap and dishwashing liquid was watered down, the two beds outside the top floor bedroom are just thin foam mattresses, there's a big pile of rubble spoiling an otherwise gorgeous garden, curtains would help block out the 5am light in the annex accommodation, the downstairs toilet overflows and the kitchen is in desperate need of a new toaster.
Alyssa B.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 3 Aug 2022
Thank you for your review The Steps. We are delighted that you enjoyed the gorgeous garden and the great location of this property in the centre of the beautiful Cotswold town of Stow-on-the-Wold.
The open plan living room/dining room (which can be viewed in the photographs) comprises 2x two-seater sofas and a Lloyd Loom armchair, there is also an upholstered window seat and seating for up to 10 people around the dining table.
For reasons of cleanliness and hygiene the owner prefers blinds to curtains. We are very sorry to hear that you were troubled by the early morning light in the annex bedroom as typically, the metal lined light excluding blinds in the annex are left semi retracted for guests on their arrival. Unfortunately, when these are fully retracted, they can be difficult to spot.
The property manager would have been happy to help you during your stay with the issues you have raised but have confirmed that following your feedback they have now all been addressed i.e. the toaster has been replaced, the toilet fixed and the temporary stack of Cotswold building stone covered and fenced off. We appreciate you taking the time to bring these points to our attention as it provides us with an opportunity to make improvements for the benefit of future guests.
My family and I loved staying here whilst visiting the Cotswolds. The location can't be beat. Upon walking out the front door, you're only a few steps away from lovely shops and restaurants. Drinking tea in the sunroom that overlooked the gorgeous, private garden was a highlight of our stay here. When we arrived we discovered that the fridge was stocked with milk. That was such a thoughtful and appreciated touch. I would definitely stay here again, but next time I will travel with a smaller suitcase as all of the bedrooms are up at least one flight of stairs. If you are staying in lovely places like this during your time in England, do yourself a favor and don't bring a large suitcase. We learned this lesson the hard way! :)
Ginger R.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 7 Sept 2023
Thank you Ginger for your lovely review, we are delighted you enjoyed your stay in the Cotswolds. We hope to welcome you back again.
From a partner site
6/10 Okay
Kaye F.
7 Apr 2024
In need of some repair, renewal and up-dating
Arrival was a bit fraught. Instructions tell you that the arrival point is the garage but there's nothing to identify the garage doors as belonging to the cottage and we're not really familiar with using "Just Three Words". Getting into the garage which is right on a very busy road involves a very tricky manoeuvre. We found the keys to the house door but couldn't open it. Eventually we rang a contact number who said that the door was probably already open. We had been locking an unlocked door. We were a bit stressed by now but wanted to put our food away before having a relaxing drink. The owner had left us a chilled bottle of wine. Great.! Why they had put it in the salad drawer of the fridge, we couldn't imagine but we put it in the door as usual, put our vegetables in the salad drawer and stocked the fridge. We re-opened the fridge door and the bottle of wine promptly fell out and smashed all over the kitchen floor where some of our food still was. Padding around in our wet slippers, we eventually found mop and bucket in the flooded corner of the sunroom and by now were really, really fed up! The following evening, we tried to switch on the oven. We followed the plentiful instructions fixed up in the kitchen but still couldn't. The final and vital instruction was missing. The owner came out and to our delight got the TV working which pleased our by then, ravenous, grandchildren.
More objectively, a previous reviewer described the cottage as "tired". That's the kindest word we can find. The bedrooms are fine although the mattresses are a bit unforgiving and there's no way to stop light getting into the annexe bedroom . The kitchen and bathroom need modernising generally and the fridge replacing or covered in warnings. The sunroom was out of use and flooded in one corner. The back door and living room/hall door handles are in danger of failing and locking people in or out. Full instructions are needed to set the oven.
Kaye F.
Response from VrboOwner on 9 Apr 2024
Thank you Jonathan for sharing your recent review of Steps Cottage. We would like to thank you for your feedback and we are very sorry to read that you were disappointed with the property and it wasn't up to your expectations. I have passed your feedback onto the property owner for his attention. There are plans for future ground floor renovation works to be carried out to the sunroom in the near future when planning has been approved. The mattresses are memory foam on slatted bases, the owner will invest in mattress toppers for the beds in the property. The owner will look into updating the arrival guide details to avoid any confusion. We do hope that you enjoyed exploring Stow on the Wold and the Cotswolds and we look forward to welcoming you back soon.
From a partner site
8/10 Good
Ella Teasdale
17 Oct 2022
October family stay
We had a family weekend in the Cotswolds. The cottage is lovely, warm and comfortable and great location right in the town of Stow on the Wold but on the expensive side (£926 for 29hours for 7 adults, 2 children and a baby). My sister had made a 3 hour trip down with a tiny baby who needed changing and arrived 15mins early at 4:45pm (check-in at 5pm). She was met with a very rude reception from the owner about this but we though ok fair enough a bit strict but they were slightly early. However when it came to checking out the owner and cleaners were waiting outside from 9:40am when check out was at 10am. Quite hypocritical and a bit intimidating when we had 2 little children and a baby to get into cars etc. The other issue was that the boiler was incredibly loud and made a clattering sound every time the hot water tap was used. I've received far too many emails for one short stay especially asking for reviews! I'd recommend the property if it were cheaper but it's definitely not worth the price sadly and that was on a deal.