Hillsmore cottage has been recently renovated and restored by us, Helen and David Merrett. It is a place very dear to our hearts that we love for its character and peaceful nature.
Hillsmore was owned by Percy Hayward and his family for 4 generations prior to him. Percy himself planted the beautiful oak at the back of the garden. His family lived, farmed and worked here for generations, the lean to building at the back of the cottage was his grandfather’s cobblers shop, and the barn and orchard behind were where they kept their pigs.
He had no central heating and lived a simple lifestyle at Hillsmore. When it came to the decisions about how to modernize the cottage (as, to be honest, it wasn’t pretty!) it felt wrong in so many ways to install fossil fuels into a cottage that had made it through for hundreds of years without. So, we didn’t!
Our cottage is powered by our Farm Solar installation – the hot water running directly off this, using heat storage to maximise electrical output during sunny spells. Sunflow Electric Heating, made close by in Wiltshire, and extensive insulation work to the inside walls of the cottage have turned the damp cold cottage into a warm and cosy haven!
We are blessed with an abundance of wonderful walks from the doorstep. In the hallway you will find an OS Map of the River Bend and OS Maps of the area further afield – There are some books of Cotswold Walks also.
The Severn Way follows the river the entire way around the Peninsula and there are leaflets outlining 4 circular walks (starting at the pub!) available in the hallway. Hillsmore’s doorstep is en route for at least 2 of these walks.
The Severn Bore flows upstream with every tide, and at certain times of the year these waters can be surfed all the way to Gloucester, if you can stand up that far!
There is a beautiful spot called Hock Cliff due south of Hillsmore behind Overton Farm– ripe with fossils after each tide – perfect for small children wanting to fossil find.
Frampton on Severn is an Estate village, with old gravel pits that are now lakes – wonderful and pretty easy walking on tracks and flat going. The House is stunning and worth walking the footpath along the lakeside to view the house at its finest angle. The green is the longest village green in the country.
If you want to venture further or faster there are routes taking in the Canal towpaths of the Gloucester to Sharpness Canal, Frampton village is also nice viewed by bicycle!
We are blessed with some delicious places to eat and drink here!
The Red Lion in Arlingham
It is a village owned pub with the most amazing chef and manager.
Worth booking for a Sunday lunch as it is very popular! Dog friendly and walkable if you don’t mind a couple of miles! I probably wouldn’t recommend the walk in the dark though!
The Ship Inn
Lovely friendly canal side pub with huge outdoor eating areas and garden, and cosy interiors. Great pub food, including great pizzas. Plenty of parking.
Also dog friendly and within walking distance – but again a country walk not a quick 5 min road walk!
The Old Passage
Beautiful spot overlook Newnham on the Banks of the Severn – great for a coffee stop on a walk, dog friendly, parking available, light lunches and cakes
Ley Bistro
Coffee Shop at the end of the green in Frampton which is well worth a wander down the green to see the picturesque village
Takeaways
Just Eat
Bella Mia Pizza offer lovely stone baked pizzas that taste great and get delivered fast considering where we are!!
Fat Toni’s
If you are a big Pizza lover and don’t mind picking up – head to Fat Toni’s either in Quedgeley or Stroud – AMAZING!
In Whitminster on the A38 (7 mins drive) GL27NY you can find a fish and chip shop (annoyingly cash only)
Here you can also find a Chinese takeaway and an indian takeaway, both deliver and both are also restuarants
Indian Garden
China Garden
Shops
The Green Shop – Frampton on Severn
Great local shop with all the basics, post office, local produce.
A bit further out but worth a trip if you fancy a treat!
Eastington village also has a small Co-Op at 4 Alkerton Rd, Eastington, Stonehouse GL10 3BJ Open 7am – 10pm 7 days a week
Petrol Station – nearest is on the A38 as you leave Frampton on Severn and head north on the A38.
Supermarkets aplenty available in Stroud, and Gloucester
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