Rural Retreats was founded in 1985 with the aim of making the countryside more accessible for holidaymakers and giving them the best possible choice of holiday homes across the UK. Rural Retreats’ continuing success is based on excellent local knowledge and painstaking research, together with a flair for finding delightful and unusual properties. All of this has enabled us to build a portfolio of over 450 exceptionally fine holiday homes in stunningly beautiful locations, all available for you to rent. When you are looking for your own perfect holiday home, our experienced and helpful staff can help to point you to the property of your dreams. Whatever you want to ask about any of our properties, there will be someone on our staff who knows the cottage or apartment at first hand.

"The Gap" sits at the end of a charming terraced row of mid 19th century cottages with exceptional views over the village deer park and of the rolling Cotswold hills beyond. With sumptuous furnishings and stylish finishes throughout, you may not want to leave this Rural Retreat to explore the wonderful countryside on your doorstep.

Information correct at time of writing. The Gap is situated in the picturesque village of Blockley, just up the road from one of the Cotswolds’ most iconic towns, Moreton-in-Marsh, with its honey-coloured stone buildings lining the Fosse Way. Stroll along the meandering streets, do some window shopping at the independent boutiques and stop and enjoy the refreshments in one of the many tea rooms. Stretching over 56 acres, Batsford Arboretum is home to an incredible 2,850 labelled specimens of tree. With a large garden centre and café, it’s a lovely place to visit any time of year, but the spring colours are particularly photogenic – and if you’re here in the autumn, don’t miss the fiery reds and oranges of the Japanese maples. Just up the road from Batsford Arboretum is the Cotswold Falconry Centre, where you’ll find over 130 birds of 60 different species. You can come and watch the daily flying displays, stroll past the aviaries and book for special events like owl evenings or eagle days. Dating back to the early 1600s, Chastleton House is a unique time capsule. The property was handed over to the National Trust in 1991, having never been modernised or renovated much throughout its 400-year history. It’s a fascinating day out, and has links to the Gunpowder Plot, Bonnie Prince Charlie and even the game of croquet. For clay pigeon shooting and more, try Rob Ireland’s Activity Days, just three miles or so from Moreton-in-Marsh. The countryside all around you at The gap is magical, but if you yearn for a few town comforts, Cheltenham is just a short drive away. You’ll find some familiar retail names along the pedestrianised Promenade, as well as independent boutiques and restaurants in the Montpellier area. Depending on the time of year you visit, you might get to catch the Literature or Jazz Festival and, don’t forget, Cheltenham Racecourse, it’s always an exhilarating day out. Shakespeare's Stratford-upon-Avon is just a 30 minute drive away, with...