Bourton House

In a peaceful Cotswolds village, this five-bedroom 17th-century farmhouse brings period character and contemporary design into balance – with landscaped gardens and a sense of calm that comes naturally.

Life slows to a gentler pace in Bourton-on-the-Water. Steeped in history yet brimming with charm, its honey-stone streets are lined with antiques shops, tearooms and traditional pubs. Close to the village’s heart, this house stands quietly apart – a Grade II-listed farmhouse that has evolved with sensitivity and style.

A private drive leads through electric gates to landscaped gardens, where a brick façade and climbing greenery make a captivating impression. Inside, interiors by JH Designs bring modern comfort to the home’s 17th-century bones. Beamed ceilings, leaded windows and carved stone fireplaces form a rich architectural backdrop, softened with light tones and thoughtful furnishings.

Two reception rooms pair heritage and harmony – one centred around a wood-burning stove, the other inviting easy conversation. The dining room lends itself to long lunches or evening gatherings, while a study offers quiet focus with garden views.

To the far end of the home, the kitchen captures a contemporary country aesthetic. Beneath a vaulted ceiling punctuated by skylights, shaker-style cabinetry meets a cream AGA and zellige-tiled splashback. Steel-framed glazing opens to the terrace and gardens beyond – a south-facing setting of nearly half an acre. Past the patio, explore a walled expanse of lawn, orchard and rose garden that shifts with the seasons.

Outdoors, the walled garden is a particularly attractive feature of the property and is principally laid to lawn with well-stocked flower and herbaceous borders, a small orchard area and a rose garden. The garden has a southerly aspect and in all, the property measures almost half an acre in total

Upstairs, the principal bedroom suite brings a sense of retreat with its dressing area and generous en suite bathroom, where a shower and rolltop bathtub await. A second en suite bedroom and three further rooms complete the layout, all light-filled and elegantly composed.