We’re all hoping there will be an end to the COVID-19 epidemic soon that is changing the world, but in the meantime let’s take advantage of encouraging the UK economy by enjoying a staycation and in fact boosting the economy in all of our own countries. The entire world is in need of help and support now.

We recently had the privilege of staying for a couple of rather special days in one of the most beautiful cottages in Bray Village with Bray Cottages, a superb all-encompassing holiday rental business. Bray Cottages offer a full concierge service; the cottages are well stocked, including a great selection of alcoholic drinks and mixers, a fridge full of breakfast goodies, a jar of homemade cookies, and a cupboard with all the necessary basic ingredients, mainly Duchy of Cornwall!

We stayed in Lavender House, a stunning three-bedroom cottage, beautifully and tastefully decorated to an extremely high standard, with fabulous soft furnishings and artwork ensuring you feel completely ‘at home’. Lavender House has a huge hallway leading to a spacious open-plan kitchen, dining and lounge area with fully opening ranch-style sliding doors leading onto a stunning cottage garden featuring fabulous garden furniture, a barbecue, water feature and a mature, well-cultivated array of plants. The ground floor also had a cinema room and study. We spent most of our time outside in the garden; the weather was fabulous and we managed to catch up on some work while enjoying breakfast al fresco.

Upstairs were two large double rooms that were a mirror image of each other and a family bathroom with a great waterfall shower. The main bedroom included a large bright dressing room and a pretty bathroom. All of the fixtures and fittings were of very high quality and the tiles in both bathrooms were stunning. It was just perfect: comfortable, quiet, well-appointed, stunningly designed and really rather an elegant cottage. The concierge service was impressive; we were treated to fresh bread each morning and freshly brewed coffee.

Bray village is foodie heaven, including six Michelin-starred restaurants, and Ollie, manager of Bray Cottages, is able to secure a table in any of them, even when they are ‘fully booked’—a case of who you know, not what you know!

Included in Lavender House are two electric bikes, with helmets; we got to grips with them immediately and spent a good hour exploring the pretty village. They were great fun and we would recommend taking a little trip out on them.

The highlight of our trip was a couple of hours with Captain Tom from Private Boat Hire. Private Boat Hire run a fleet of five luxury river cruisers based in various locations on the Thames catering for up to 12 people. We picked our boat up with a picnic and a bottle of champagne and met some friends for a most special treat. The boat was spacious and comfortable and we cruised sedately taking in the stunning properties on the riverside. The sun was shining and it was the most spectacular afternoon with great friends, a delicious picnic and the friendly, well-informed Captain Tom.

Our stay in Lavender House with Bray Cottages was a special experience indeed. There are several properties in the Bray Cottages portfolio, varying in size, and the village is ideally located for all manner of day trips and annual events, such as Ascot, Henley Regatta, a visit to Windsor Castle and so much more. The dining in Bray is extensive, including The Fat Duck, The Hind’s Head, The Waterside Inn, Caldesi in Campagna and Sheesh, all local or in Bray Village.

The cottages ooze character, luxury and charm and the eclectic mix of modern and traditional style ensures your complete comfort.

Bray Village is small, quaint and quiet and the perfect escape from our usually busy life. The cottages are well-appointed and the concierge service is superb; nothing is too much trouble for Ollie and his team to ensure you have exactly the stay you desire.

Bray Cottages | T: 01628 583505

Written by Debbie Stone, Global Editor for Luxuria Lifestyle International