I’ll never forget the drive down to that tucked-away spot in Oxfordshire – we’d been buzzing with excitement about our little family getaway, just me, my wife, and our two lads, but of course, it didn’t go entirely to plan. Halfway there, somewhere near Bicester, the sat-nav decided to have a mid-life crisis and sent us looping round a muddy farm track. We ended up with a splattering of Oxfordshire clay on the tyres and a good laugh about it, but honestly, it ramped up the anticipation. By the time we pulled up to this gorgeous, architect-designed house in the peaceful village of Merton, we were proper ready for some downtime.

First impressions? Blimey, it was love at first sight. This expansive five-star gem is all sleek contemporary vibes inside, with open-plan living spaces that just invite you to flop down and forget the world. Six beautifully appointed bedrooms – three with en-suites – meant we had masses of room for the four of us, though it could easily swallow a full family gathering of 12 or 14. Tucked away for total privacy, yet only 4.9 miles from Bicester, it felt like our own private bubble in the heart of the countryside. We arrived mid-afternoon, dumped the bags, and straight into the hot tub with a cuppa, watching the sun dip over the fields. Pure bliss.

The next few days were all about those simple pleasures – the sort of cottage life chaos that makes a holiday unforgettable. Mornings kicked off with brekkie in the massive kitchen, scrambling eggs while the lads raided the stylish bar for fizzy drinks (non-alcoholic, mind). We’d mooch over to nearby Bicester Village for a spot of outlet shopping – I snagged a bargain jacket, and the wife treated herself to some posh wellies we didn’t need but looked fab. Back home, it was pure relaxation: a sweaty session in the commercial-grade gym (I puffed through 20 minutes on the bike, feeling virtuous), followed by the sauna to melt away the effort. Evenings? Cocktails at the bar – GandTs for us grown-ups – then piling into the private cinema for a family film night. The boys voted for some daft animation, and we all ended up snoring through the credits.

One highlight was a gentle wander around Merton itself – picture-perfect lanes, a cheeky pint at the local pub, and picking blackberries that somehow ended up as a lumpy crumble (my baking skills need work, clearly). There was this moment, sat in the garden with the hot tub bubbling away, when I caught myself reflecting: life’s mad rush back home in the city feels miles away here. We’re always chasing the next thing, but these quiet days – the lads splashing about, my wife giggling at my failed crumble – that’s the real stuff. No grand plans, just us, a bit of chaos, and this welcoming escape reminding me to slow down.

We hated leaving after four nights, but it’s the kind of place that pulls you back. If you’re after a relaxed couple’s break with family in tow, or just some Oxfordshire tranquillity, this is it. Simple pleasures, sorted.