We’ve all seen films featuring the rich and famous enjoying the high life in historic country houses and have probably wondered what it would be like to experience the luxury of living in or staying in a quintessential Cotswold manor house.

I was invited to do just that quite recently and was not disappointed by the experience!

Invited by Tom Leahy, one of the renowned team of architects at ARC, I was looking forward to being a welcomed and pampered house guest in the converted Cardynham House – a stunning three-storey, 15^th century Painswick wool merchant’s manor house retaining many of its original features.

Tom had also invited around 18 art student guests, some of whom study at the Royal College of Art, to share the experience of feeling privileged in a huge, but cosy Grade II listed retreat in the ‘Queen of the Cotswolds’ and to view the many art exhibits displayed around the ground floor of the house, some of which were created by the students themselves.

We were the first guests to arrive and were met by Tom, who offered us a glass of wine from the bar and a guided tour of the house.

Wandering through the communal dining hall conveniently located next to the bar and then on through  a myriad of rooms and numerous nooks and crannies, I was quite enthralled by the variety of opportunities to socialise – large sitting rooms with squishy squashy sofas; cosy snugs for feet-up book reading time; and more formal drawing rooms for cocktails and grown-up conversations – most with grand open fireplaces and period features – and all arranged around an internal courtyard.

Being the first to arrive, Tom explained that we could have first pick of the nine bedrooms that can sleep up to 26 people. At the top of a modern wooden staircase that led directly to a first-floor bedroom above the dining hall, we found a sumptuously furnished bedroom complete with modern ensuite shower room. I was happy to unpack right then and there, but we decided to take a sneak peek at one more room, which Tom temptingly said was his favourite.

This time we climbed a period oak staircase that led to a more traditional room complete with ceiling beams, exposed stone walls, a hip bath in the corner of the bedroom, a separate ensuite shower room and three windows – one with a view into the courtyard below, another overlooking the meadows to the village beyond and the third peering over several Cotswold stone-tiled roofs and gables to the countryside and Painswick Hills.

Quickly unpacking our suitcase in our chosen room for the night, we then went down the old oak staircase to the hub of the home – the kitchen with a large island, wine fridge, two dishwashers, two hobs and four ovens – where Tom and some of his friends were preparing the evening’s supper.

Despite never having met any of the other house guests before, the conversation flowed effortlessly around the dining table with everyone enjoying lots of banter, loads of laughter and a few glasses of wine. The happy engagement with our new group of friends continued afterwards when we formed four teams to play a competitive game of skittles at the nearby skittle alley, just a two-minute walk away.

Activities like skittles can be booked through the dedicated concierge service – ARC Lobby, which can also provide the best local breakfast delivered to your door; a private bartender for a cocktails-night; an in-house yoga class or a photographer to document your special getaway experience. Or you can just do nothing and relax – house guests can choose to do as much or as little as they want.

ARC Painswick – Cardynham House – offers a new concept in socialising; a holiday experience that is like no other – an opportunity for a short or longer break with multiple friends and family. It is designed to be shared and can comfortably host up to 30 people.

This is no ordinary ‘hotel’, but a private country house experience that you can book in its entirety to spend quality time with friends and family for a special occasion.

Suitable for all seasons of the year, Cardynham House features its very own outdoor heated swimming pool for the warmer weather with all the equipment you’ll need for alfresco cooking and dining including a firepit, an outdoor pizza oven and braai.

During the winter months, most living rooms have outstanding open fireplaces for log fires as well as modern efficient central heating. Being located right in the centre of Painswick, there are many places to visit right on the doorstep, including lovely pubs, the Rococo Gardens and the churchyard of St Mary’s with its 99 famous – or infamous – yew trees. Folklore has it that the Devil would never allow the 100^th tree to grow!

Until my stay at Cardynham House, I would never have considered renting a whole house for a leisure break or family party. It was a revelation to experience this incredibly sociable staycation.

The property is an excellent choice for larger parties of friends, family or favourite people to get together to celebrate special occasions or explore the beautiful Cotswolds or just enjoy some down time. Because of the property’s size and layout, it not only encourages socialising, but also provides guests with privacy and the space to retreat and unwind.

Twice a year the art in the manor house changes and new ideas are displayed from the emerging and established artists. Each show is curated for the specific enjoyment of the house guests and are also open for public viewings.

ARC Painswick – Cardynham House – is located in Tibbiwell Lane, Painswick, GL6 6XX. To find out more, visit https://arc.club/.