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Enchanting rural setting in the Garden of England

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Property grounds
Private entrance to cottage
Antique dresser with ample storage
Cosy sitting room area with view of woodland and meadow
Kitchen/dining area

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
1 bedroomSleeps 2

Popular amenities

  • Onsite parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Barbecue
  • Balcony or patio
  • Free Wi-Fi

Explore the area

View map
Old Wives Lees, England
  • Place, Kent Downs
    ‪18 min walk‬
  • Place, University of Kent
    ‪13 min drive‬
  • Place, Canterbury Cathedral
    ‪14 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 2)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bathroom 1

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Enchanting rural setting in the Garden of England

Nestled in the Kent countryside you will find this traditional oak framed self-catering hideaway with luxury finishes, and beautiful surroundings. With stunning views and the historic village of Chilham just a short walk away, Copse Corner is an ideal location to explore the Garden of England. Set within the 4 acres of the Owner's property and adjoining a small woodland and meadow, this is a perfect retreat to relax and unwind.
Copse Corner features a cosy open plan living and dining/kitchen area with vaulted ceilings, which includes a fridge with small freezer, Smeg induction hob and compact oven/microwave. A further separate utility room is available with a washing machine and laundry facilities. The living area features a wood-burning stove, especially useful on those chilly autumn nights, and a free supply of logs. The comfy seating is an ideal place to relax and unwind, and perhaps enjoy a glass of your favourite tipple. Duck down through the quirky low doors to access the patio which is set in a quiet corner adjacent to the woodland and meadow. The bistro table and chairs offers the perfect spot to enjoy the birdsong and fresh country air, you may even catch a glimpse of the pheasants as well as other wildlife.
A spacious bedroom with chunky oak framed king size bed adorned with luxurious bed linen, ample wardrobe and storage space leads to the en-suite bathroom with a spacious walk-in shower as well as beautifully finished fixtures and fittings. Copse Cottage is the perfect retreat for those looking for a place to stay that is within easy reach of London (37 minutes by high speed train from Ashford International to St. Pancras). The vibrant and historic City of Canterbury is 6 miles away while a short trip to either Dover or Folkestone offers easy access for a day out to France. There are many National Trust properties to visit, including Bodiam Castle, Chartwell, Ightham Mote, Scotney Castle and Sissinghurst Castle to name but a few. The famous Leeds Castle is half an hour away. There are many interesting towns and villages to explore, including Faversham, Whitstable, Tenterden, Rye and Sandwich. For those who are seeking something more energetic, there are several walks and cycle routes nearby (we have a covered bicycle 'parking' area where you can secure your bike). A dedicated parking space is available. Copse Corner is available for a minimum stay of 3 nights. The Owners live on site and are on hand should you need them, but otherwise will not disturb your stay.

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Adults only
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking allowed: in designated areas

Important information

You need to know

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

Canterbury

Located in Canterbury, this cottage is in a rural area. Arden Theatre and Canterbury Roman Museum are cultural highlights, and some of the area's landmarks include Canterbury Cathedral and Chilham Village. Garden of St Mary de Castro and Dane John Gardens are also worth visiting. Take the opportunity to explore the area for outdoor excitement like cycling.
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Map
Old Wives Lees, England

What's nearby

  • Kent Downs - 18 min walk - 1.6 km
  • Marlowe Theatre - 13 min drive - 12.6 km
  • University of Kent - 13 min drive - 13.7 km
  • Canterbury Cathedral - 14 min drive - 13.3 km
  • Whitstable Beach - 22 min drive - 22.5 km

Getting around

  • Canterbury Chilham Station - 4 min drive
  • London (SEN-Southend) - 109 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Artichoke - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪The Stag - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Macknade Cafe - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪The Korean Cowgirl - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Pausa Caffe - ‬9 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Enchanting rural setting in the Garden of England pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Enchanting rural setting in the Garden of England?

As of 7 May 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Enchanting rural setting in the Garden of England on 12 July 2026 start from AU$236, 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 Enchanting rural setting in the Garden of England?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Enchanting rural setting in the Garden of England?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Enchanting rural setting in the Garden of England?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Enchanting rural setting in the Garden of England located?

Situated in a rural location, this cottage is 0.8 mi (1.3 km) from Kent Downs and 2.8 mi (4.5 km) from Chilham Village. Mount Ephraim Gardens and Garden of St Mary de Castro are also within 9 miles (15 km). Canterbury Chilham Station is 24 minutes by foot.

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 38 out of 38 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 38 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 38 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 38 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 38 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Nicola L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautifully presented property in a secluded corner of owners' large garden. Very peaceful with lovely views over open countryside yet only 6 miles from a park and ride for easy access into Canterbury. Would definitely stay here again.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Gail J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely break

Beautifully presented & well thought through petit & bijou cottage, perfect for our three nights away.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

William I.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely fews days in Kent

This is a perfect location for exploring the beauties of Kent villages and countryside. The cottage is lovely, well-appointed, and cozy.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2022
Archival

10/10 Excellent

amy p.

Beautiful, cozy hideaway

Had an absolutely wonderfull stay in this amazing cottage. Has everything you could possibly need and more. Brilliant location for a day trip to france and some wonderful walks in close proximity to the property.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2017
Verified

10/10 Excellent

David C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Peaceful stay in Kent

Small but perfectly formed. Sheila and Stephen's cottage is charming, comfortable and very peaceful. Ideally situated for us in exploring East Kent, particularly English Heritage properties. A lovely stay and very much recommended. A
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Richard Pellett

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Exceptional cosy and clean accommodation !

This delightful rural property is exceptional. The hosts pride themselves on delivering accommodation that is charming, comfortable, spotlessly clean and well equipped to a high standard. A rare find ! One not to pass over. Thank you Sheila and Stephen for being such lovely hosts. Your warmth spills over in abundance.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jean K.

Exceeded All Expectations

Copse Cottage is a beautiful honeymoon retreat tucked in the corner of a lovely Kentish property. Sheila and Stephen were perfect hosts who attended to every little classy detail. I had read other reviews about the bread, jam, and fresh eggs but wasn’t prepared for how well-supplied the cottage is. It is also gleaming spotless with a fabulous king bed. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Thank you.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2018
Verified

10/10 Excellent

darren k.

So relaxing

Wow! What a beautiful place . We stayed here over the Easter weekend and were so lucky with the beautiful weather. We enjoyed sitting on the patio watching the wildlife whilst enjoying a g & t ! The cottage is perfect...Sheila and Steve we really appreciated the lovely goodies that were left for us....especially the gorgeous fresh eggs. Thanks for a very relaxing break ...just what was needed following recent health issues. Hoping to visit again in the future Thanks again
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Wayne W.

Lovely cosy comfortable immaculate well equipped, serene setting, nature on door step.

A very enthusiastic greeting on arrival, a very nice welcoming hamper including very freshly laid eggs from Sheila’s and Steve’s hens. Lots of places worth visiting. Our favourite was Scotney Castle. The National Trust volunteers were so engaging when we showed our interest. We generally spent our days out and about, but retired to the cottage in the evenings where utilised the well equipped kitchen to prepare our meals. It was great to look out the bedroom window each morning to see squirrels and pheasants within a few metres of the cottage. We had a lovely week there. Thoroughly recommended.
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2018
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Rohan P.

Loved everything about this place

We stayed five nights at Copse Corner in early October and we couldn't have chosen a better place. The setting is so beautiful - looking out over green fields, playful squirrels darting around, lots of birdlife. The owners, Sheila and Stephen, are very nice and welcoming but also respect your privacy, and the cottage is set far enough away from the main house to make it very private. They have clearly put in a lot of effort into making the cottage attractive and comfortable, with high quality furnishings and equipment. The bed is super comfortable, the bathroom really lovely, the kitchen and living room good for two people. The cottage was really clean and welcoming. It was also the perfect location for exploring a beautiful part of Kent: Chilham is just a couple of minutes' drive, Canterbury 15 mins, Dover and Whitstable each 30 mins, and the Eurostar station at Ashford just 20 mins away. Lots of fabulous walks - Chilham to Wye and the King's Wood were highlights. We really loved our stay here and would definitely book again.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2018
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Carol D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

40th Anniversary weekend break

The property far exceeded our expectations, in every respect. The location was beautiful, the property stunning and the owners friendly and welcoming. The quality of the furnishings and finish were beautiful, comfy and cosy. The attention to what would make for a perfect stay went above and beyond expectations. Everything that you could possibly want had been catered for. Sheila and Stephen had provided us with fresh bread, milk, butter, tea, coffee, sugar and 6 fresh eggs from their chickens - delicious!! And all much appreciated, as was the anniversary card from them both. The location, on a hill with wonderful views and set in nicely sculpted gardens was also very special. We were able to observe rabbits, squirrels, and a variety of birds from the comfort of the sofa! We loved the chickens in their 5* fully automated hen house and especially the delicious eggs they produced! We would have no hesitation in recommending the cottage or Stephen and Sheila, who were great hosts, and hope to return soon. A perfect property for a perfect weekend.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Anne Stephane d.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Séjour paradisiaque

Le cottage de Sheila et Stephen est un havre de paix très confortable, ravissant, décoré et équipé avec goût et qui offre un confort inégalé. L’environnement est très soigné et ravissant, la vue magnifique. Et Sheila et Stephen sont extrêmement attentifs, chaleureux, discrets. De nombreux lieux d’intérêts sont à portée de voiture pour découvrir les beautés du Kent. Notre séjour a été une perfection.
Stayed 14 nights in Jul 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Lynne C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

An altogether fantastic experience

From the hosts' generous welcome and their meticulous attention to detail throughout the accommodation, the cottage was cosy, comfortable, spotlessly clean and also perfectly located for all our day trips. We had a wonderful break and would highly recommend this listing to anyone wanting to explore this area of the Kent countryside. We would love to return.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

MANISHA P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Warm and Cosy!

I booked this lovely little cottage over a long weekend for my husbands birthday. The cottage was well equipped, clean and in perfect condition, complete with a log fire which was perfect for December! Highly recommend staying here, the owners were lovely and made sure every detail was looked after!
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Colin G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Delightful place for a break

We loved the location and the decor of the cottage which was of excellent quality. The goodies left for us were a surprise and a great help in getting settled in.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Melissa H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Pure Relaxation

A lovely country retreat and great base to explore from. Cosy, quiet, warm and comfortable in beautiful surroundings. Everything detail was thought of, with a great welcome pack of goodies. We will be back 🙂
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Anne H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Just lovely!

We only had 3 full days here and should’ve booked longer! What a beautiful place to stay! Sheila and Stephen have though of everything - and such lovely hosts too! We had wonderful weather (strange) and sat out on the patio for breakfast - the view is just so pretty and peaceful. The bed was really comfortable, as were the pillows. The bathroom is great with a large walk in shower and the kitchen is stocked with everything you might need! We went into Canterbury by train on our first day, went for a lovely 10 mile walk in the heat for our 2nd and decided against the mountain biking on our third…..!! Just had a nice relaxing day on the sun loungers. Thanks so much to Sheila and Stephen! Can’t rate this property highly enough! X
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Joanne K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Delightful

It was with trepidation that we booked a few days away during these strange days. With this property and Steve and Shelia as hosts, we felt safe, secure and welcomed. Property was of the highest quality, stunning setting and peaceful. We ate, read and slept our way through the three days. The property has a very unique history. Would throughly recommend.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Ruth L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fabulous

This is a beautiful little hideaway in a fantastic location. Sheila and Stephen were very friendly and helpful from our first booking right through our stay. Copse Corner was scrupulously clean and there were sensible COVID precautions which were much appreciated. The decor and furnishings were beautiful. There is a very comfy bed and lovely bathroom too and the kitchen has everything one could need . The surroundings were rural and very peaceful (with pheasants and rabbits hopping around outside the back door) but there were lots of interesting places to visit within easy distance. We went to Whistable and Margate, Leeds Castle and Sissinghurst - all really interesting. A lovely place to stay. Would recommend.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jasim M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

An absolutely incredible stay

Honestly I am unable to fault a single thing about our experience, Sheila and Stephen were extremely helpful when we arrived and went above and beyond with their service. This included even prior to our visit by sending us regular emails to ensure we have a comfortable experience and thanks to that we didn’t have any surprises. Even during our stay, their communication with us via vrbo was efficient, any enquiries we had was replied to instantly. The location itself was wonderful, far away from the city centre but just close enough to get to if we really needed to. The cottage was honestly immaculate, the care, thought and precision put into it was something to admire. They thought of everything and it made our stay just that much better. Me and my partner even had a running joke when we couldn’t find something, we just knew we would eventually find it somewhere because it didn’t seem like they’d missed anything. We spent most of our time in the cottage because we just didn’t want to leave, we went on a few walks around the property which was very quiet and peaceful. We talked about coming back someday before we had even left the cottage, it was one of the best experiences we had and it was better than some of my stays abroad which is incredible considering it was just a short distance away from London.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Michael B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Blissfully quiet bolthole

Corrner Cottage was perfectly placed, spotlessly clean, well equipped and cosy: an ideal base to explore Kent. The views of the paddock were soothing for the soul with frequent rabbit, fox and squirrel visitors. And we loved having the chickens next door, they were a characterful bunch. Sheila and Stephen were perfect hosts from start to finish - great communication, a lovely welcome and they were on hand (but never intrusive) if we needed anything. They have done a splendid job with their property and gardens and are a lovely couple. We wouldn't hesitate to return.
Stayed 14 nights in Jun 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

John S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

wonderful rural locationn

quiet and well appointed. delightful hosts.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Marianne R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Couldn’t be better

Such a brilliant place to stay. We came last year and absolutely loved it. Sheila and Stephen are so lovely - they gave us some flowers and a card when they found out it was our anniversary which was just so thoughtful. It’s a lovely property with loads of great touches and everything you would need, loads of rabbits to watch outside the door too which was my favourite thing. Definitely want to come back again soon
Stayed 3 nights in May 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sharon L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Restful retreat in beautiful countryside

Sheila & Stephen are the perfect hosts. Copse cottage is beautifully decorated and they really have thought of everything to make it a comfortable home from home. It also felt very covid safe, they have worked hard to make sure that everything is clean and sanitised - thank you. We stayed for a long weekend and were lucky with the weather. The views outside of the cottage are stunning. We loved listening to and watching nature do it’s thing; cute rabbits & squirrels hopping about and the birdsong was a treat to listen to each day. For those without a car we did some lovely walks from the cottage to Perry Woods and a nice circular through Denge wood. The village shop down the bottom of the hill has everything you need to cook a nice meal. And we cannot leave without commenting on Sheila’s beautiful hens, the eggs were scrumptious! Thank you so much for creating such a wonderful space - we felt immediately relaxed when we arrived and it was just the tonic we both needed after a very long lockdown. We didn’t want to leave... Highly recommend to anyone needing a serene and comfortable break away with gorgeous countryside surroundings. Thank you again Sheila & Stephen! Adrian & Sharon London
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Christine H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely cottage in a wonderful tranquil location

We would definitely recommend Sheila and Stephen as wonderful hosts and their property is in a lovely location for a quiet getaway. We found that there was a lot that we could do without using our car. We really enjoyed some lovely walks from the doorstep and also went to Canterbury by train. Chillham train station is just a 15 minute walk from the cottage and Canterbury is then a 10 minute journey. Our welcome at the cottage was very thoughtful with the table set with a tea set and fresh bread, butter and jam and cookies. Lovely fresh eggs too. The cottage is extremely clean and everything's like new! Sheila had also taken a lot of effort to make sure that Covid-19 requirements were adhered to so we felt very comfortable with that. As I said to Sheila and Stephen it would be lovely to be able to lift their cottage and surrounding view to a variety of different locations in the country for other holidays! So we would definitely recommend this as a wonderful, quiet holiday destination.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2020

About the host

Hosted by Sheila & Stephen Best

Host profile image
We are both originally from Essex but built our own oak framed house here in Kent in 2005. We are enthusiastic DIYers and continue to work on projects in the garden - we recently re-built our chicken housing and run. They now enjoy a purpose built safe, spacious enclosure and run and provide us with golden eggs on a regular basis. We are both retired so are able to devote a lot of time and energy to making our home and garden a welcoming place for friends and family. We never tire of the beauty that surrounds us and take great pleasure in sharing it with our guests too.

Why they chose this property

One of our other projects was to build this purpose built holiday let to enable us to share our beautiful surroundings with others. It offers the opportunity of a peaceful and relaxing time away to unwind in cosy surroundings with all the modern comforts and finishing touches to make it a memorable experience.

What makes this property unique

Everyone has different needs and tastes but we believe the underfloor heating, woodstove, high end bathroom fittings, luxurious king size bed and kitchen equipment make the cottage a desirable and comfortable base. The woodland setting and countryside views complement the cottage and its proximity to local attractions and London make it a perfect retreat.

Languages:

English
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