Kingham holiday home wins Sykes Gem Award for Central England

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 28 Oct, 14:38 · Archive

A three-bedroom stone cottage in Kingham has won gold at the 2026 Sykes Gem Awards for best holiday let in Central England.

A three-bedroom stone cottage in the Cotswolds village of Kingham has been named best holiday let in Central England at the 2026 Sykes Gem Awards, which recognise highly rated holiday lets across the country. The property at 12 Manor Farm Close, owned by Simon Doolan, impressed judges with its style, facilities and guest feedback.

The cottage underwent complete renovation during lockdown. It now features three bedrooms, each with its own bathroom, and a spacious communal area for guests to cook, dine and relax. The property is located in the heart of Kingham, within walking distance of two village pubs, countryside walks and Daylesford Farm Shop.

Mr Doolan began holiday letting around a decade ago when he bought a property in North Norfolk. He has since expanded his portfolio to include properties in the Cotswolds and France, often selecting homes needing renovation to transform them. He said of the award: 'I'm over the moon to have been recognised with this award. I don't win much, so this was a huge surprise. We put a lot of work into renovating the cottage and making it somewhere guests can enjoy spending time together.'

How it is being reported

• Cotswolds village holiday home named among best in the UKA Cotswolds village holiday home has been named among the best in the UK.Oxford Mail · 28 Oct, 14:00
• Cotswolds village holiday home named among best in the UKA Cotswolds village holiday home has been named among the best in the UK.Oxfordshire Guardian · 28 Oct, 14:00

In this story: Simon Doolan · Kingham · Sykes Holiday Cottages · Daylesford Farm Shop · North Norfolk

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