The Old Stables is rather special. A superbly renovated 18th Century stone stable with many original features and set in its own private walled courtyard, within the historic Cowbridge conservation area but adjacent to the open countryside.
Turn up the lane from the courtyard gates and, after a walk through the glorious countryside have lunch or a drink in the Bush Inn, in the historic village of St Hilary. Turn down the lane and walk to the centre of Cowbridge in 5 minutes, sample its exquisite shopping experience or fine restaurants or pubs.
The spectacular living room with its limewashed walls, high ridged ceiling and its mellow original timber work has two huge west facing roof lights, which flood the room with natural light, making it a real risk that you may spend your holiday in here reading. Whilst the room's height gives it a feeling of spaciousness, its modern insulation and heating system keep it warm even in the coldest weather. In warm weather, with the large stable door open, the thick stone walls provide a cool haven within, which integrates seamlessly with the sunny courtyard with its own lockable gates from Coxen Lane, giving secure parking.
The kitchen has been carefully designed to fit within the stable's original hay store and still has a number of original features, including, the cooling slit which is now a tiny feature window. The immense, irregular shaped, limestone floor slabs have been re-laid and now add immeasurably to the kitchens charm.
The slate slabs from the adjoining dairy have been re-incarnated as worktops, supported on original bricks from the building, The fully fitted kitchen has a large roof light and includes an electric fan oven, gas hob, fridge freezer, washing machine and dishwasher.
The original stable building was split level. This feature has been retained with the original stone steps now leading up to the bathroom and bedrooms. The charming main bedroom, with it's timber ridged ceiling and handmade door, overlook the courtyard. The double bed is flanked on either side by fitted wardrobes, creating an intimate space, enhanced by the stainless steel bedside lamps with their individual integral dimmers, whilst the bedside pockets in the side of the wardrobe provide an elegant and original design solution to the somewhat dated concept of bedside tables.
The day-bed room, although compact, is inviting and loved by visitors. It has surprises at every turn, whether it is the split level above the bathroom with its skylight, the purpose made chest below the bed or even the ad-hoc dressing table by the window. It has a full size double day bed with access from one side only. The room is wonderfully light with two roof lights and a double window.
The fully equipped bathroom has a Grohe thermostatic shower above the bath, the ceiling above incorporating a skylight, which in addition to flooding the area with natural light, is superbly efficient at removing steam.
The Old Stables
Holiday Cottage at:
Coxen Lane
Cowbridge
Vale of Glamorgan CF71 7EP