Stamford is the perfect weekend retreat from the hustle and bustle of London life. It is not as widely known as The Cotswolds or Bath but it most definitely shares the same architectural significance, history and beauty.
Stamford is without doubt one of England’s crown jewels, Sir Walter Scott once proclaimed it “the finest stone town in England”. It boasts over 600 listed buildings of honey-hued limestone in the town centre, including five medieval churches. It is also home to the magnificent Burghley House, one of the largest and grandest houses of the first Elizabethan Age and an absolute must visit. Stamford has retained so much of its olde worlde charm that filmmakers have flocked to feature it in iconic films such as Pride and Prejudice and The Da Vinci Code.
There are a vast selection of outstanding pubs, restaurants and boutique shops. In 1967, Stamford was declared a conservation area and was recently crowned ‘the best place to live in Britain’ as voted by the Sunday Times.
The sleepy picturesque village of Tinwell sits on the very edge of historic Stamford. It is a quaint area, which is surrounded by lush greenery and boasts charming chocolate box cottages. The Parisian is located in the grounds of The Old Rectory, a dreamy Grade II listed 19th century style home made from golden stone with vast sash windows.
The Parisian is a luxurious 18th century cottage, designed perfectly for two. It was originally a humble stable and subtle nods to its past still remain, such as the row of nails set into a beam with paper pinned above, some of which still denotes the faded name of the horse whose tack would have hung beneath.
Aesthetically it is an absolute dream, it has maintained many of its original features and charm whilst incorporating all of the contemporary amenities guests could wish for, such as; 3D TV and Blu-Ray, iPod dock, extensive DVD library, Internet and under floor heating.
It has been exquisitely and carefully decorated in the style of a traditional Parisian home. It is the lovechild of classic and contemporary, decorated in a palette of white and adorned with character.
The Parisian is filled with beautiful handpicked antiques, aromatic candles and fresh flowers. The exposed beams in the living room and the bedroom contribute to the quietly elegant and rustic feel of the property.
A beautifully lit wooden staircase leads to the bedroom, which is exquisitely decorated. The vintage queen-size bed is made from hand-carved oak and is laden with locally sourced crisp fine linens, a deluxe alpaca duvet and cloudburst pillows. There is also a contemporary bathroom, complete with a spacious shower and a deep bathtub big enough for two.
The living room and open-plan kitchen has a charming New England aesthetic with limed oak flooring complete with under floor heating. The kitchen is stocked with all of the sleek contemporary amenities you could possibly need and the cupboards are full of thoughtful necessities, such as tea, coffee and sugar. The fridge is stocked with a rustic wicker hamper filled with delicious local produce, including; fresh milk, butter, bacon, eggs and a crusty loaf of bread from the famous Hambleton bakery nearby.
Through a set of French doors, there is a quietly elegant dining room bathed in natural light. Delicate white orchids and fine candlesticks decorate a large rustic wooden table and the antique armoire has a variety of plates, cutlery and glassware.
The contemporary glass doors in the dining room slide open onto an intimate private courtyard garden, where you can enjoy dinner under the stars. There is another larger courtyard at the back of the property, which overlooks luscious greenery as far as the eye can see. It is perfect place to eat a delicious breakfast with the newspaper in the early morning sunshine. The scent of fresh lavender fills the air from the gardens and there is only the sound of birds chirping in the nearby trees for company.
The owners of The Parisian are as wonderful as their property; they are a warm, charismatic and inviting family and it is impossible not to become instantly enamored with them. They are the perfect hosts, informative, gracious and private but always on hand to help when required.
The Parisian is the epitome of rustic opulence, with the romance and beauty of Paris and the charm of the British countryside. It is decadent yet comfortable and bursting with character. At The Parisian you want for absolutely nothing, everything has been lovingly and carefully provided with you in mind. If you are looking for a beautiful and luxurious stay in a dreamy rural setting, look no further than here.
From The Parisian, with love.
To book The Parisian or another of Unique Home Stays incredible properties, visit:
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