Wayside Cottage, Bedfordshire

This traditional, Grade II listed semi-detached cottage rests in the pretty village of Pavenham, just north of Bedford. With character touches throughout, Wayside Cottage welcomes families and couples looking for a relaxing break amidst Bedfordshire. Bring along your canine companions dogs, and although the garden is an enclosed courtyard, the gate leads directly from the back garden onto the John Bunyan way, so you and your four legged friend are straight onto the fields and footpaths at the back of the cottage. Turn right, and you are x3 back gardens from the back of the Pub, which has a gate from the footpath into their garden! Enter into the hallway, immediately noticing the engineered oak floor, before hanging up your coats and discovering the lounge, with the alluring woodburning stove calling for a cosy night in. Move into the sumptuous kitchen, boasting all the equipment for a self-catered break, with quality fixtures and fittings such as the Belfast sink and oak worktops, this is a lovely space to prepare family meals. Venture upstairs to find the bedrooms, offering a sumptuous king-size and a single, each with neutral tones and cottage style windows, served by a deceptively large bathroom, perfect for enjoying deep soaks in the roll-top bath or even use if the walk in shower. After a night's sleep, begin your day within the enclosed courtyard, sipping on a fresh coffee as you plan where to visit that day. The side gate takes you to the John Bunyan trail which has lots of walking and cycling opportunities to enjoy. Less than 100 yards from the cottage is The Cock, a welcoming pub that serves food, while there is a choice of restaurants and takeaways in Harrold, just three miles away as well as many other local villages with other choices to enjoy. Only 200 yards away is the Pavenhan golf course and 4 more courses within a 20 minute dive. Take time to explore on foot, joining many scenic footpath and nature reserves in the vicinity, such as Harrold County Park, known for its wild bird life, or take part in a range of country sports and activities in the area, such as archery, horse-riding and clay pigeon shooting. Bedfordshire is a truly rural county with many well maintained footpaths which will delight the walker; and the Bunyan Trail provides a very good introduction. The Trail passes through a number of attractive villages and scenic countryside, taking in many places of historic interest connected with Bunyan. The Bunyan Trail starts in Pavenham, right next to Wayside Cottage! The village is home to two nature reserves, Stevington Marsh, a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and Pavenham Osier Beds, which is managed by the Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. There are many footpaths that lead from Pavenham into the Ouse valley. Some highlights in this picturesque river valley include, Harrold Country Park, Chellington Church walk, Felmersham Gravel Pits, The Great River Ouse, The John Bunyan Trail, with great places to eat and drink along the way. The Cock pub is in the village of Pavenham itself, the Red Lion at Stevington, or the Sun at Felmersham, are all a walk away. For those feeling slightly more adventurous, Twinwoods Adventure is located a short drive away, offering opportunities for skydiving, shooting, racing and surfing. If you travel further afield, you could spend a day exploring the delights of the city of Cambridge or catch an event at Silverstone, home of British motor racing. If exploration takes you further afield, then be sure to visit the large towns and cities of Cambridge, Bedford, Kettering, Milton Keynes and Northampton, ensuring your stay at Wayside Cottage is filled with adventure. Wayside Cottage promises to be a wonderful escape at any time of the year.