Short Summary Stylish Victorian cottage with fireplace, patio, pet-friendly. 5 min walk to train station. Summary Queens Cottage is a stylish Victorian retreat in Wivenhoe, riverside village near Colchester. SLEEPS 4: Two double bedrooms, one bathroom. LOCATION: Quiet residential street, 5 min walk to pubs, restaurants, riverside. Train station 5 min (65 min to London). PRACTICAL: Open fireplace, fully equipped kitchen, Smart TV (Netflix/Prime/Disney+), unlimited WiFi, washing machine. Private patio garden - rare for village centre. Pet-friendly. Free on-street parking directly outside. Space ELEVATED & EFFICIENTLY LOCATED Located on the crest of a rise in the much sought after ‘lower Wivenhoe’, this hideaway proffers peace & quiet but still affords easy and quick access to the numerous renowned restaurants and bars of historic Wivenhoe, all within a 4-5 min walk. PAST & PRESENT Your own Victorian cottage for the duration of your stay delivers a dose of period charm, curated art & quirkiness while also providing all the mod-cons required for you to enjoy a relaxing sojourn: * 40-inch Smart HD TV * Fast Unlimited (FTTP) Broadband / Wi-Fi * Fully Equipped Modern Kitchen * Delightful suntrap terrace garden & comfy furniture * An art lover's home from home ACCESSIBILITY & MOBILITY The accommodation is over two levels and despite being the norm for period properties in the area, the carpeted stairs are steep and there are no stair gates provided. There are 3 steps up to the front entry door. There is a threshold step between the kitchen and the rear entry lobby. The bathroom is located on the ground floor and the bedrooms on the first floor. Therefore we do not recommend booking Queens Cottage for guests or pets who: * have mobility issues * are elderly or unsteady on their feet * have young children that need supervision near steep stairs PARKING Free on-street parking on premises. VIRTUAL TOUR A virtual tour of the property is available upon request. Access Guests will have private and exclusive access to the entire cottage and its amenities. This includes the living room, kitchen, both bedrooms, the bathroom, and the private patio garden. Enjoy the entire space to yourselves for a comfortable and private stay. Self check-in via secure lockbox. We'll send you the code and detailed arrival instructions before your stay. Come and go as you please. Free on-street parking directly outside the cottage on Queens Road and adjacent street. Interaction I take great pride in creating a welcoming and comfortable space for all my guests. While I respect your privacy and will not be present during your stay, I am available should you need anything and am committed to making your stay unforgettable! I look forward to welcoming you. Neighbourhood Wivenhoe is not only situated in an area of natural beauty but is also a cosmopolitan village influenced by its proximity to Essex University and is home to scholars, artists, poets and musicians, all of whom very much add social colour to this pretty little village. There are many interesting pubs here; 'The Greyhound', which offers an open fire-place, a spacious garden bar with raised terraces, covered pergolas and a range of delicious meals all topped off with courteous & friendly service; 'The Black Buoy', a community-run pub, with a varied and interesting menu and very welcoming hospitality; 'The Rose & Crown', right on the river-front with outdoor seating from which to sit & enjoy the Colne drift by; 'The Railway', which hosts travelers looking for a quick drink or bite to eat between trains! If pubs aren't your thing we also have a plethora of restaurants and cafes; Indian, Italian, Spanish and Middle Eastern that can satisfy your need for either a Full English, a slice of Victoria Sponge or tasty tapas. Not forgetting of course, our two 'chippies' (fish-and-chip shops) serving scrumptious and traditionally cooked fresh fish. One is located not far from the river-front action and the other our award winning fish & chip takeaway, 'Henleys of Wivenhoe' is situated in upper Wivenhoe. The Wivenhoe Trail is a footpath and cycle path which connects the village to the University and to Colchester. It's mainly wooded so offers good shelter in the summer months and does open up as you get nearer to Colchester. It's lovely walking alongside the river. There are also footpaths along the river in the opposite direction that will lead you to nearby Alresford and Brightlingsea. Dogs love the freedom of these walks. Another idea, is to jump on a 'foot ferry' during the summer months, departing from the Wivenhoe jetty, to nearby Rowhedge and to Fingeringhoe just across the Colne river. Both are worth a visit but do look up the ferry timetable as it only operates during the months April thru October and trips are subject to tide fluctuations. Mersea Island is another fantastic destination for both seaside and rural vistas. You can easily drive there in less than 30 min or catch a bus from Wivenhoe (via Colchester). However be aware of the tide times when planning your arrival and/or departure from the island as the road can be cut off for short periods by high tides. We have a sailing club and the village hosts an annual town regatta in July. Wivenhoe has been holding this regatta since the 1800's and people flock to the quayside to watch a variety of sailing craft, including smacks (traditional East Coast craft), gigs, canoes and kayaks ply the estuary. The hotly contested 'raft race' draws the biggest crowds and laughs... There are also stalls galore, selling a variety of food and artwork made by locals including jewelry and beautiful pottery. A great day out by anyone's standards! As you can see, Wivenhoe offers a lot! Transit WELL CONNECTED Wivenhoe has its own railway station (65 min to London Liverpool Street), frequent buses to Colchester (10 min) and other Essex coastal resorts, plus a summer river ferry to Rowhedge. RAIL Wivenhoe Station - 5-7 min walk - London Liverpool St: 65 min - Colchester Town: 8 min - Harwich Ferry: 59 min - Clacton-on-Sea: 21 min - Frinton/Walton: 30-33 min BUS High Street stop - 2 min walk - Colchester: 30 min (every 12 min) - Brightlingsea: 23 min (every 15 min) DRIVING A12/A120 accessible in 10 min. Free parking at King George V Playing Field if street parking unavailable. Notes DRINKS ARE ON US! When you arrive there will be a welcoming libation for you to enjoy. We know that we enjoy a complimentary refreshment when we travel and not surprisingly... our guests do too!