Bed and breakfast Clare Valley, South Australia
Comfortable rooms and amenities for cottage accommodation with an intriguing history, located near the Riesling Trail
Ethel’s Cottage in Clare Valley
Bed and breakfast in Clare Valley
Ethel’s Cottage is a bed and breakfast in Clare Valley, South Australia, in Leasingham with three queen bedrooms and a beautiful garden setting. It accommodates up to six guests in three queen bedrooms within a large mid-nineteenth-century stone cottage. The house sits on spacious grounds with lawns and a cottage garden, close to Trail access and cellar doors. The fresh, colourful, country look decor complements the beautiful house.
Separate lounge and dining rooms provide families and friends with space to gather and socialise. A fully equipped kitchen makes self-catering easy, and full breakfast provisions are included daily. This flexible cottage accommodation in Clare Valley offers a self-contained layout that suits couples, families and friends.
Floor plan and layout of the cottage accommodation
In this Leasingham accommodation, you move easily between the kitchen, dining and lounge, with bedrooms grouped off a central corridor. You will enter the kitchen from the covered veranda. On the left side, you find the first bedroom (the Green Room), the dining room for meals, and a separate lounge for relaxing and quiet evenings by the wood fire. At the far end of this side sits the second bedroom (the Dunstan Roon). On the left side of the corridor after the kitchen area, you find the bathroom with a shower and a separate deep bath, the third bedroom (the Campbell Room).Every room has windows to let in light and fresh air.
Layout highlights
- Entry through covered veranda with night lighting
- Kitchen at the heart of the house with dining room adjacent
- A separate lounge for relaxation
- 3 bedrooms grouped with queen-sized beds
- Bathroom with easy access
Ethel’s Cottage bedrooms and sleeping
Bedroom: The Campbell Room
This room is named in honour of Major Campbell, who donated the land for the site of Leasingham. The room features a queen bed with high-quality linen and a woollen underlay, as well as an electric blanket for cooler months. It features bedside lamps and power points by the bed; a fan and a room heater help with seasonal comfort. Blackout curtains and flyscreens support a restful sleep.
Bedroom: The Green Room
The room is named in honour of the Green family, who worked for John Horrocks in the earliest days of the Clare Valley. This room also served as the local post office. This bedroom features a queen bed set up with the same comfort features as the other bedrooms. It has bedside lighting and convenient power points. A fan and a room heater are provided. Blackout curtains and flyscreens are fitted.
Bedroom: The Dunstan Room
The room is named in honour of the Dunstan family, who conducted a fruit and vegetable growing business here for many years, selling their produce from the Packing Shed. This bedroom features a queen bed with quality linen and the same comfort features. It also has bedside lighting and power points by the bed. A fan and a room heater are available. Blackout curtains and flyscreens are installed.
Everything you need for a comfortable stay
Bathroom and laundry
The bathroom has a shower and a separate deep bath for long soaks. Hot water and heating can be set for your comfort after a day on the Riesling Trail. Soft towels are provided for each guest. The laundry facilities support longer stays with a top-loading washing machine, a dryer, an iron, an ironing board, and a double laundry trough.
Lounge and dining
The lounge centres on a combustion wood fire with a generous supply of firewood in cooler months. There is comfortable seating, a television with a small selection of DVDs and CDs, as well as board games and books for a relaxing evening. The dining room seats six for shared meals and simple conversations that stretch out.
Kitchen and breakfast
Cook in the full kitchen that is ready for everyday meals. You have a stove and oven, a large fridge, a dishwasher, plus a microwave, toaster, and kettle. Cookware, knives and boards, plates and bowls, glasses and serving dishes are supplied. Pantry staples and cleaning items are available to help with easy preparation and cleanup.
Full Breakfast included each day
Full Breakfast provisions are included daily for each guest. The full country breakfast includes bacon and eggs, cereals, locally baked grain bread, generous condiments, juice and filter coffee. Cook the breakfast when it suits you so mornings stay unhurried.
Outdoor areas
The cottage is set among spacious and mature grounds, featuring a beautiful garden and trees. Perfect for families with children, offering ample space to play, or a group of friends enjoying a quiet evening meal in the covered seating area, or simply sitting under a tree and relaxing.
Key features and amenities of our bed and breakfast
Bedrooms
- Sleeps up to 6 guests in 3 queen bedrooms.
- Quality bed linen, electric blankets, woollen underlay, bathrobes
- Mattress protector and 2 pillows per guest
- Bedside lamp x 2 in each bedroom
- Power outlet by the bed
- Blackout curtains, privacy blinds and flyscreens
- Mirror, chair in each bedroom
- Each bedroom is equipped with fan and a room heater.
- Additional roll-out bed if requested & infant cot
Bathrooms
- Bathroom with WC
- Separate shower
- Heating/ventilation
- Vanity storage; magnifying mirror; shaving point
- Towels: 1 bath sheet, 1 bath towel, 1 hand towel and 1 face washer per guest
- 3 bath mats provided
- Hairdryer
Kitchen
- Filter coffee supplied; breakfast provisions included
- Full stove/oven, large fridge, dishwasher, microwave
- All utensils supplied
- Small appliances: toaster, kettle
- Cookware: pots/pans/bakeware; knives; chopping boards
- Tableware: plates/bowls; regular glass/wine/champagne glasses; tumblers; serving dishes
- Pantry staples (oils, salt, pepper, foil and cling wrap
- Cleaning: dish tabs; cloths/tea towels; recycling/compost info
Dining room
- Table seating for 6
- Serving ware/placemats
Laundry
- Laundry available, top loader washing machine, dryer, iron and ironing board, double laundry trough
Lounge / Sitting Room
- 2 x 2-seater and 1 x 2.5 seater
- Flat screen TV; legacy Austar/DVD/CD/Radio/iPod with Foxtel, DVD player and DVDs, CD player and CDs
- Wood fire (combustion) in the lounge
- Smart speaker
- Coffee table/chest including a range of board games
- Heating/cooling in room: combustion heater, wood supplied
- Small selection of board games, books and movies
Heating, cooling & seasonal comfort
- AC in the kitchen
- Fans in each bedroom
- Combustion wood fires in the lounge
- Electric blankets on each bed
- A generous amount of firewood is provided
- Heater in each bedroom
Outdoors & Garden
- Country setting on 2 acres with cottage garden
- Covered outdoor area with BBQ + table & chairs
- Outdoor parking
- Seating for six, lighting
- Large lawn area
- Seasonal fire safety rules (Total Fire Ban days procedure, any local restrictions)
- Evacuation procedure and floor plan, including the nominated community safe area, are provided in the cottage
Tech & connectivity
- Mobile coverage is good and can hotspot
- Foxtel is available on TV
Bikes & Riesling Trail
- Bikes & helmets supplied for the nearby Riesling Trail x 6
Parking & access to cottage
- Gravel driveway and large parking area suitable for multiple cars
- A locked box with a key code sent by SMS on the morning of the arrival day.
- Entry is via a covered veranda, which features lights for nighttime access.
Safety & housekeeping
- Smoke/CO alarms locations; extinguisher/blanket; first aid kit
- Bushfire plan, seasonal guidance; total Fire Ban compliance
- Guests leave the cottage tidy and start the dishwasher on departure and the caretaker manages bins.
Accessibility
- Not full disability rated. There are steps on entry and doorways that were constructed in the 1850s, so some are narrow.
- If you have questions about access, please ask before booking.
Provisions & welcome
- A full country breakfast includes bacon, eggs, cereals. Locally baked grain bread, generous condiments for toast, juice and filter coffee provided for each guest for each day of their stay.
- Arrival treats including port, chocolates, cheese, biscuits
- Filter coffee supplied
- All food meets standard dietary requirements. Special requirements should be advised when booking and may attract an additional charge.
House rules
- No smoking inside
- No pets
- No additional overnight guests without prior payment
- These simple rules help keep the cottage comfortable for all guests.
Check‑in/Check‑out
- Check‑in from 2 pm; Check‑out by 11 am (historical listing)
- Guests can contact us by phone if needed, and we will respond as soon as possible.
Rates and inclusions
Rates include daily breakfast provisions for each guest. Minimum nights apply on weekends and long weekends, and an extended minimum applies at Easter and significant events.
View our Clare Valley cottage rates and fees for full details.
Booking and availability
The best price is available when you book directly. Check dates and secure your stay on the booking and availability page. A deposit confirms your reservation, and payments can be made by Visa, MasterCard or direct deposit. If you have any questions about dates or special requests, please contact us before booking.
Frequently asked questions about bed and breakfast in Clare Valley, SA
Is breakfast cooked or provided as part of the provisions?
Breakfast is provided in generous quantities for each guest each day. You prepare it in your own time, which keeps mornings relaxed and unhurried.
Do you provide a cot or highchair for young children?
A portable cot and highchair can be provided upon request, subject to availability. Please mention your ages and any specific needs when booking so we can prepare the cottage accordingly.
Is the kitchen set up for family meals and longer stays?
Yes, the kitchen features a full stove and oven, a large fridge, a dishwasher, and a microwave, along with cookware and tableware for family cooking. Pantry basics and filter coffee are supplied, so breakfasts and simple dinners are easy. The kitchen has a table and bench seats for casual dining
How close is the Riesling Trail, and what is the best way to access it?
Trail access is about six hundred metres from the cottage. You can walk or roll to a nearby entry and set out for easy rides between villages and cellar doors.
Do you supply bikes and helmets for guests?
Bikes and helmets are available for guest use; however sizes and fit may vary. You are welcome to bring your own bikes, and there is undercover storage for them.
Is the cottage suitable for families and small groups?
Yes, the three queen bedrooms sleep up to six guests, with space to gather both inside and outside. Families appreciate the lounge with a wood fire, the dining table for shared meals and the garden for play.
What are the check-in and access details?
Check-in is from 2:00 pm, and check-out is by 11:00 am. A key safe code is sent via SMS on the morning of arrival, allowing you to arrive at a time that suits you.