A Gothic Revival Christmas
Cotswold Life|December 2019
The Feinsons’ handsome Victorian home in Cheltenham is perfectly suited for a traditional family Christmas
Victoria Jenkins
A Gothic Revival Christmas

The Old Rectory in Cheltenham seems designed for Christmas. Built in the 1860s, it still has many of its original Victorian features, such as the ornate plasterwork ceilings and deep skirting boards, together with mullioned windows and colourful encaustic tiles in the hallway.

“And with five bedrooms, there’s plenty of room for the rest of the family to come and stay,” says Caroline Feinson, who lives there with her husband Paul and 12-year-old son. “We like to have a big family dinner at home on Christmas Eve and then go out for lunch on Christmas Day. There’s a great choice of fantastic restaurants in and around Cheltenham and it saves our doing a lot of washing up. We open one or two presents in the morning then wrap up warm and go for a walk in the park. The rest of the presents are opened slowly after lunch while we watch Christmas films on TV.”

The Grade 2 listed Old Rectory is a particularly striking example of Gothic Revival. Way back in the 1860s, architect John Middleton designed it for a beautiful classical square in Cheltenham and the Feinsons loved it on sight.

“It was so different from the grand Georgian townhouses surrounding it,” says Caroline. “Despite being Victorian, it works really well for a modern family like ours.”

However, it did need updating and the couple decided to give it an overhaul.

This story is from the December 2019 edition of Cotswold Life.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the December 2019 edition of Cotswold Life.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM COTSWOLD LIFEView All
Gloucestershire After The War
Cotswold Life

Gloucestershire After The War

Discovering the county’s Arts and Crafts memorials of the First World War

time-read
6 mins  |
November 2020
THE WILD SIDE OF Moreton-in-Marsh
Cotswold Life

THE WILD SIDE OF Moreton-in-Marsh

The days are getting shorter but there’s plenty of reasons to be cheerful, says Sue Bradley, who discovers how a Cotswolds town is becoming more wildlife-friendly and pots up some bulbs for an insect-friendly spring display

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2020
Mr Ashbee would approve
Cotswold Life

Mr Ashbee would approve

In the true spirit of the Arts & Crafts Movement, creativity has kept the Chipping Campden community ticking over during lockdown

time-read
8 mins  |
November 2020
The Cotswolds at war
Cotswold Life

The Cotswolds at war

These might be peaceful hills and vales, but our contribution to the war effort was considerable

time-read
7 mins  |
November 2020
Trust in good, local food
Cotswold Life

Trust in good, local food

‘I’ve been following The Country Food Trust’s activities with admiration since it was founded’

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2020
Why Cath is an open book
Cotswold Life

Why Cath is an open book

Cath Kidston has opened up almost every nook and cranny of her Cotswold idyll in a new book, A Place Called Home. Katie Jarvis spoke to Cath ahead of her appearance at this year’s Stroud Book Festival STROUD BOOK FESTIVAL – THIS YEAR FREE AND ONLINE: NOVEMBER 4-8

time-read
10 mins  |
November 2020
From the Cotswolds to the world
Cotswold Life

From the Cotswolds to the world

Most people know that the Cotswolds have featured in a fair few Hollywood movies and TV series.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2020
The Wild Hunt
Cotswold Life

The Wild Hunt

In search of the legendary King Herla in the Malvern Hills

time-read
6 mins  |
November 2020
Fighting spirit amid the flowers
Cotswold Life

Fighting spirit amid the flowers

Tracy Spiers visits Warwick, a beautiful town that is open for business and ready to welcome visitors

time-read
9 mins  |
November 2020
Final journey
Cotswold Life

Final journey

Cheltenham author and volunteer on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR), Nicolas Wheatley, recounts the fascinating story of funeral trains

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2020