Babes In Toyland

Babes In Toyland: Oxfordshire

Pretty as a picture, this period townhouse in the heart of Henley is just the ticket if you're looking for a quintessential English home. Set over three storeys and packed with character, it's a charming address that's rustic on the ground floor and more elegant on the upper levels.

Downstairs, the bare floorboards, botanical artwork and artfully weathered wood furnishings lend the feel of a country pile, and there's no shortage of natural light thanks to the huge skylights that line the ceiling at the far end of the space. The glass doors that sit underneath lead out to a green courtyard complete with seating and a barbecue — talk about being ready for summer.

Back inside, the boot room with a shower is perfect if you're thinking of heading into the Chiltern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty at any point — less than five minutes' drive away, by the way — while the snug at the front of the house and the tub in the master bedroom are lovely places to rest sore limbs.

It's fair to say that you'll have everything on your doorstep here. Just three minutes' walk to the banks of the River Thames, there are also shops, restaurants and cafes aplenty, but — best of all — the host has an agreement with the pub next door which can provide room-service food and drink during your stay. Why not take the night off washing up?

Home truths:
*At full capacity, two guests would be sleeping on a double sofa bed in the lounge
*All of the bedrooms are on the top two floors reached only by stairs, so the home might not be suitable for guests with reduced mobility
*Two of the bedrooms feature zip and link beds that can be made up as super-kings or two singles — let the host know beforehand which you would prefer
*There's free parking available nearby — check with the host beforehand for more details