May 2021
We’re welcoming guests …
Our doors have opened and we have welcomed our first guests back through the doors. It is such a good feeling to see the smiles on people’s faces as they arrive. Thank you to everyone who has booked to have a stay here over the next few months.
We could all do with it warming up a bit and for Summer to arrive! The garden is about to burst with flower but they are all green buds at the moment. There has been a magnificent display from a Prunus tree that I refer to as a three day wonder. When it flowers it is stunning but I walk past it the rest of the year telling it ‘the time has come’. Needless to say it has reprieved itself for another year!! See the photo below.
Whatever your plans for a short break you can realise them here; activity or relaxation, meeting friends or family, restaurants or cafes, day visits to local towns or walks from the doorstep. The choice is yours, we can help you with your break.
Send a booking request on the ‘Book Your Stay’ tab or ask a question on the ‘Contact’ tab and we’ll get back to you
The vivid crimson pink of the Prunus in the middle of its ‘3 day wonder’ display! The Wisteria, in the bottom left corner, has been reluctant to get going this year, still a lot of flower bracts to fully open
Cowslips on Lardon Chase coordinating with the fields of Rape in the far distance, beyond Streatley Farm
February 2021
We are taking bookings for whatever plans you have this year, and next! – send me an enquiry and we’ll start something for you to look forward to. Your booking is taken on the understanding that whatever Covid rules and regulations are in place at the time of your visit, they will be adhered to. We will also completely refund your booking if it has to be cancelled by yourself or ourselves due to Covid 19.
This third Lockdown, or is it fourth, (whatever - it is a long one!) has been much more difficult to cope with. I find everyone is feeling the same about it. Cold, damp days. Long, dark nights. Very little sunlight. But it’s February already and next month Spring arrives! It’s tempting to be ‘glass half empty’ about the situation but there are still lots of reasons to be positive. We are all learning to appreciate the ‘here and now’ rather than what could be or what hasn’t been.
The vaccination is allowing everyone to have thoughts of a holiday and more and more of you are thinking you are going to explore the UK during 2021.
Let Chaddleworth provide a base for your explorations or a calm oasis of peace and quiet for some time out. Whether it’s local history, National Trails or local walks, foodie delights, tv and Film set trails, homes of famous authors, National Trust visits, a family Wedding or visiting your family but you need extra space and some time to yourself in the evening, Chaddleworth is the spot.
I look forward to hearing from you,
Susan
Christmas Cooking (December, 2020)
Sunrise beside Chaddleworth (January, 2021)
October 2020
We have enjoyed opening our doors to guests in a Covid friendly way over the last few months. You have all been so understanding of a few regulations such as taking temperatures on arrival, masks inside the house in the communal areas, and using sanitiser when you come in. Serving breakfast in the bedroom meant guests could have a table for two beside the wide window looking out into the trees in full leaf. Red Kites swoop by - you really are in the tree tops there! Because I couldn’t serve a cooked breakfast there were generous portions of croissants, bread rolls, packs of butter, packs of cheese, yoghurts and peelable fruit. I was more than happy if anyone wanted to take the left overs for their packed lunch.
We have had people setting themselves a target during 2020 by walking the Thames Path or the Ridgeway, those just wanting a break away from their routine, some time away where they can forget about their worries and those who have heard about the delights of our two villages that have so much to offer in the way of relaxing, enjoying cafe and pub culture, and taking advantage of the River Thames for picnicing, swimming, and adventure. Some guests just love to stay in their room enjoying the peace and comfort.
The Summer seemed to go on long into the Autumn which resulted in wonderful Autumn colours in the foliage, both in the garden and in the nearby woods. Walking was a joy under the branch canopys or by the river, seeing the tumbling leaves and colours elongated into the reflections in the river. The garden kept giving with daily Dahlia blooms for indoor vases, squash and pumpkin harvest for the table, and due to the continuing warmth we were able to enjoy sitting outside early in the evening whilst the sun skimmed through the tall grasses leaving them sparkling in the rays.
We have had news that we will have Lockdown 2 from the 5th November through to the 2nd December. So once again no rooms will be available. Let's hope the Winter passes quickly - I have started going out for a walk just as the sun is setting. Now the clocks have gone back this means I go at about 5 pm walking out in the setting sun and back with the rising moon. Its a lovely time of the day especially by the river as the geese noisily fly back to their roosting spots in formation. They definitely have a pecking (excuse the pun!) order and a 'Sergeant Major' issuing orders for the descent! The other advantage is that you feel the day has lasted a bit longer before you are inside shutting the curtains and lighting the fire.
If you feel you can look ahead to next year do consider a stay here - you’ll be most welcome!
Susan
Autumnal walks near Goring (October, 2020)
Sun skimmed grasses at Chaddleworth BnB (October, 2020)
September 2020
The Summer continues - we used to call September sunny days ‘an Indian summer’. It really has felt like that this year. Guests continue to come - with Willow and Chestnut alternating as the en suite rooms. Only one room in use at any one time, but by alternating between two rooms it means I can give a period of time for deep cleaning between guests.
The sunflowers have grown to an enormous height this year. It never ceases to amaze me how such a tall plant , some of mine must be 12 feet high, can grow from a small seed in a matter of months. I planted them like a row of soldiers down each side of the vegetable patch alternating with tomatoes and squashes and pumpkins. A riot of golds, reds and oranges. The espaliered apples back on to one side of the vegetable patch and I have allowed (purple) verbena bonariensis to set seed and grow amongst the asparagus which have their bed under the apples.
Guests have been able to have a choice of where they take their breakfast either in their room or under our little round tent in a corner of the garden. As you will probably imagine the tent wins each time!
Come and see soon!
Susan
Apple harvest (September, 2020)
A quiet breakfast spot (September, 2020)
July 2020
Here, at Chaddleworth Bed and Breakfast we have started to reopen. As I am sure it is the same with many of you, coming out of lockdown is a strange feeling and there are so many different things to consider with the running of a bed and breakfast business.
Primarily our concern is the safety of our guests and so we have looked carefully at the way we offer our service and how we can ensure that we stay within government guidelines . We have always had the highest standards so we are confident that we do have the correct measures in place to maintain social distancing and keep the highest hygiene procedures.
To begin with we are offering one room only each night, Willow, which is on a floor of its own and very airy and spacious. It has a sitting area and its own ensuite with a separate bath and shower within. You can see pictures here on the website, it now has a modern TV rather than the old one shown!
If you feel like a short break here in Streatley, where you can switch off and forget the world for a brief moment, then get in touch by filling in the form on the booking page or calling me on 07711 420 586. There is loads to do in the Goring Gap from enjoying the river continuing its journey towards London to having a drink in a pub garden, walking many local paths including two National Trails and buying delicious spoiling food in our brilliant @GoringGrocer or @PierrepontsCafé.
Our garden has enjoyed the wonderful weather so far this summer and has different areas where you can sit and relax. Time slows down when you are out there.
See you soon,
Susan
Summer by the Thames (July, 2020)
Summer in the Garden (July, 2020)
March 2020
During this unprecedented time of a worldwide epidemic it is with sadness that Chaddleworth Bed and Breakfast is currently not receiving visitors. Our number one concern is the health and safety of our guests and until we are advised otherwise by the Government, we will not take bookings for this period.
However, it may provide some momentary distraction to browse our website and to plan a future visit for when this epidemic is behind us. Send us an enquiriy and we can draw up a very flexible arrangement. It is always a nice idea to have something ahead to look forward to and a stay here will definitely provide that much needed R and R.
If you are in need of a unique present for a family member or friend you could consider a gift voucher for a stay here at Chaddleworth. Any amount can be arranged and organised with a very flexible long term cut off date. Do send me an enquiry on the Contact page and we can then discuss what you might like to arrange for that special person.
Until we meet, stay safe and well.
Susan Carter
Chaddleworth Bed and Breakfast
Sunset from Room Chestnut (March, 2020)