Welcome to Kestrel Cottage in Great Bedwyn, Near Marlborough in Wiltshire.
Kestrel Cottage is a self-catering cottage, sleeping up to 6 people and is set in the owners' grounds on a country lane on the edge of the village of Great Bedwyn. The village is in the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, within the area known as the Vale of Pewsey, and has a mainline railway station on the London Paddington to Penzance line which runs past the cottage boundary, London Paddington is just an hour 15 away.
Great Bedwyn has a Post Office (which also sells locally made bread and pastries) and a Village Store, as well as The Three Tuns public house, renowned for its food.
Just down the lane from the cottage is Crofton Beam Engines where you can find the oldest Boulton & Watt steam engine in the world which still does the job it was designed to do 200 or so years ago. The engines are in steam on a number of weekends throughout the year and you can check their website for dates.
A mile or two away is Wilton Windmill, the oldest working windmill in the south west of England. The mill is not normally in operation at opening times and requires quite a strong wind to drive it! However the Windmill is open for guided tours on Sunday afternoons between 2pm and 5pm from Easter to the end of September. The site is really tranquil with fabulous views, so worth a visit and a picnic.
We are also very close to the ancient Savernake Forest and right on our doorstep is the Kennet & Avon Canal which can be accessed from the end of our paddock. The canal provides a fabulous walking or cycling route. In fact the area is criss-crossed with footpaths, where the wildlife abounds and the views are stunning.
The Vale of Pewsey is renowned for its little villages, winding lanes and thatched cottages. We are close to the market towns of Devizes, Marlborough and Hungerford, as well as the village of Pewsey. And if you fancy going further afield, then Stonehenge and Avebury, Silbury Hill, Marden Henge, Stourhead and Longleat are all very accessible from here.
If you would like to know what is going on in the Vale of Pewsey during your visit, then have a look at Visit Pewsey Vale. You can also find lots of ideas for walking and cycling, as well as prime picnic spots.
This part of the world is a hidden gem in the south of England - we do hope that we will be able to welcome you to it very soon!
The Vale of Pewsey - Quintessential England
- rolling countryside, country lanes, thatched cottages, white horses carved into the hills ...... find out why the Vale of Pewsey in Wiltshire in South West England is so popular.
Click on the picture of Crofton Beam Engines to see a video of this lovely part of the world.