The Caretakers Cottage Ready For Bookings

We cant believe we are even announcing it, but by May (in exactly a month) we will be all ready to receive our first guests…

With that in mind we are releasing the bookings for it TODAY. Well we are announcing the bookings today, we made it available over the weekend on our website and some clever people have already noticed and booked!

We want to ensure that we do it right so we will first be releasing it for a minimum two night stay at first so we can master the process and ensure the change over all goes well. We all know with the onset of COVID-19 restrictions last year it’s been a tough 12 months and we have all been stuck in the same environment for many months. So a change of scenery is an exciting idea right now! All going well with England's roll out of lockdown all should be well for the rental of the Cottage (subject to one household occupying the cottage until 16th May currently). With the tulips due to bloom anytime soon, we really want others to see it in person this year! We will be releasing only 3 months in advance so we can ensure we can close the cottage when we are doing any intense renovation work, which may disturb visitors.

The exciting thing about only having the Caretakers Cottage open for rental (currently), is that you get to enjoy the courtyards the majority of time by yourself, well if you don’t mind seeing us every now and then!

We know that a lot of you will want to see the entire estate, which is tricky as you know it still is a ‘work in progress’, also we work around the clock as we are doing everything ourselves. However, we are offering the option to have an hour tour of the estate as part of the booking. This way we can ensure we are available to do it and it will allow for additional support to restore the estate, with the focus of this money going towards the restoration of the original range that dates back to 1863 (our dream to restore but so far down our wish list!). As you know this will be our forever home but we want to ensure we could offer this to anyone interested and allow it further to help maintain and restore MyTinyEstate.

Not withstanding the tour, the Caretakers Cottage rental will have full private use of the entire two bedroom cottage and access to the Caretakers Courtyard, The Servants Courtyard and the Gym (the latter subject to a booked time slot).

This is the first of our plans on MyTinyEstate and whilst we are nervous with this new Chapter we are excited to be able to share what we have accomplished so far with any that are interested to visit.

We have done a lot of planning to ensure we have put everything in place for an enjoyable experience when renting the cottage. However, without a doubt we will be able to learn from the first occupiers to make it even better with valued feedback we receive.

Whether its to spend the day enjoying the cottage and having a bit of escapism for the normal daily grind or exploring the local area, there are quite a diverse range of things to do. We attach a link to the attractions and amenities nearby here. (All subject to current COVID guidelines)

ABOUT THE CARETAKERS COTTAGE

Once the residence of the Caretaker and his family, this home sits apart from the main Georgian House yet within the courtyards for ease of access. In 1911 a family of four lived here, the Caretaker and his wife who was a Maid, the son who was the footman for the Main Georgian House and the young daughter who was still at school. Prior to this, during the 1800’s the cottage was fully connected to the servants quarters and provided further living and working accommodation for the 10 staff they had living here in its height. The layout has remained untouched in many years and still retains its original form. We have recently restored the cottage back to its beauty, albeit slightly fancier, we are sure, from the staff accommodation it once was.

The spacious cottage comprises of a separate lounge and kitchen on the ground floor with a guest toilet and laundry facilities. On the first floor there are two separate large bedrooms with king sized beds and private bathroom to each. One room contains a bath with shower over and the other a shower.

LOCATION OF MY TINY ESTATE

My Tiny Estate is located in Coleshill, an ancient coaching town which sits on a hill adjacent to the river Cole (hence its name). It dates back to the Iron Age around 43AD with hut circles identified through excavation just North of the river. The town itself has retained in most parts its original layout and 19th Century Architecture, with the main high street running up the hill from the river. The street comprises of a mix of shops and restaurants set within mostly historic redbrick buildings. The original coaching inns still exist and provide local modern day accommodation and food.

My Tiny Estate sits at the top of the hill and at the end of the high street and occupies a significant part of the east side of the street. It adjoins the vicarage next door which is set back from the road in quite extensive land. The vicarage once shared its history with My Tiny Estate and there are still evidence of the connecting doors through the garden walls at the rear.

THE REAL NAME OF THE ESTATE…

Most will now know this house by ‘My Tiny Estate’ but it does go by another name, It is actually named Coleshill House but for many of the locals it is more known as the ‘Old Coleshill Library’ as it served the town for around 40 years before being relocated further down the high street.

Set within the heart of the town, My Tiny Estate is within walking distance of many local conveniences, yet has many lovely walks through the countryside which are located at the back of the Estate.

Opening of Coleshill House (MyTinyEstate) as a Public Library in 1961

High Street (Around 1900’s)

THE HEIGHT OF THE TOWN…

Coleshill became a very successful coaching inn because of its prime position. It sits between the two large cities of Birmingham and Coventry. Historically the town was said to have been more well known than the city of Birmingham, as many coaches chose to stay here on the commute North down to London. It sits near to the town of Meriden which is the centre most point of England. Did you know Brylcreem (Hair Product) and Typhoo Tea were invented in this town. Coleshill is a typical English town with a few restaurants and shops but provides a perfect base to spread out your wings to visit local attractions. The town has a beautiful church (Church of St Peter and St Paul) dating from the 13th Century it is one of the finest churches in Warwickshire, inside it has a 12th century font of Norman original, which is one of the finest examples in the country. This lovely piece of architecture is set within a lovely landscape which is tucked behind the main high street.

OPEN AGAIN FOR VISITORS AFTER 15 YEARS…

No parts of the house have been open to the public in over 15 years, since its use as a library. We are excited to share elements of this beautiful place with a select number of people now. Its finally being reinstated to its original use, albeit without the servants and in its place accommodation for visitors who will inevitably maintain the estate in another way!

Stay tuned for a full tour of the Caretakers Cottage this coming week on instagram.

Any questions just drop us a line by email or through instagram, we are happy to help.