Let me take you through the first day of spring at Little Red Lock. We parked up at a remote layby in the middle of the Oxfordshire countryside, grabbing our bags and piling onto a canal boat aptly named 'Slowly Slowly'. The sun was blazing as we sat on the roof and sailed towards our accommodation, a converted lock house miles away from the nearest town. Our little slice of paradise.
As we entered through the large wooden doors, the rustic interiors welcomed us. Room after room opened up to reveal leather sofas, cosy woodburners, and Persian rugs. A hamper full of local goodies awaited us in the kitchen, nestled next to a clotted cream-coloured Aga and exposed wooden beams. The bedrooms and bathrooms accommodated us perfectly, with rolltop tubs, rainfall showers, and comfy beds. The real highlight though? The outdoors. The garden is home to a hot tub, vintage tractor, fire pit, and a picnic bench overlooking the countryside. There are even kayaks which can be used to explore the calm waters of the canal. Bliss.
We tore ourselves away from our new home and took a short drive to the rolling Cotswold hills, enjoying the quaint villages and abundant farm shops which make the region famous. There were hiking trails galore, cosy pubs, and markets where we could shop for fresh local ingredients. We breathed in the fresh spring air, admired the blooming magnolia, and got our walking boots dirty. A day well spent.
Once we returned to Little Red Lock, we made out way to the hot tub, just in time to watch the sun go down over the surrounding landscape. Shades of candyfloss pink painted the sky as we expressed our gratitude for a beautiful day. We all agreed, we had just found our favourite holiday home yet.
