This superlative property is set on a historic family farm on which blackcurrants are harvested to create the finest British cassis. The property has been thoughtfully renovated to create an impressive holiday home with eight en-suite bedrooms for 16 people, making it ideal for multi-generational gatherings and very special celebrations. This is an excellent base for visiting the bookshops of Hay-on-Wye (16.5 miles) or the foodie destinations of Ludlow (19 miles). Even closer are Pembridge (5 miles), a picturesque village lined with black-and-white cottages and quintessential tearooms, and Leominster (12 miles), where you’ll find an array of antique shops. In the riverside city of Hereford (18.5 miles), the cathedral is a must-see, with its Medieval Mappa Mundi, an original copy of the Magna Carta and atmospheric Chained Library. Alternatively, get out and about in the stunning landscapes of the Brecon Beacons or the Shropshire Hills, both within 20 miles.
This beautifully converted period property is set over two storeys, and its series of spaces are arranged around three sides of a Victorian stable yard. Stroll through the generous rooms and you’ll be spoilt for choice in terms of where to relax. Perhaps your first gathering point will be the kitchen/breakfast room/family room – a double-height space with exposed beams and a kitchen at one end, dining table in the centre and comfortable seating and a plasma screen at the far end. This room opens onto the courtyard, so you can spill outside with drinks on a summer’s evening. The drawing room/dining room opens to the long terrace and is an impressive space with a huge, circular table, plenty of soft seating, a TV and a grand piano. This room has use of a second kitchen, and leads to a light-filled lounge which overlooks the courtyard – an inviting spot for a peaceful moment with a book. Finally, a cosy, panelled snug features sofas around an open fire, a welcoming setting for a sundowner with a game of chess. When the night draws in, you’ll find four bedrooms on the ground floor (two with steps leading to them). One is a self-contained, adjoining studio apartment with a sitting area, kitchenette and king-size bed, plus a wet room. The others comprise two king-size bedrooms, one with a bath with shower attachment and the other with a bath and a separate shower, and a super-king-size room which boasts a dressing room, a shower, and a fabulous roll-top bath on a mezzanine. The first-floor bedrooms share two kitchenettes between them, and are made up of a twin with a bath and separate shower, a super-king-size with a shower, a super-king-size with a roll-top bath and a super-king-size (or twin on request) with a bath and separate shower. Completing this fabulous property is a very special feature: a squash court, all equipment provided, with a viewing gallery above.
Step outside and enjoy the quintessentially English walled gardens, bordered with fragrant lavender. Take a stroll, use the heated outdoor swimming pool (for your private use every afternoon, from May to September) or simply enjoy a lazy lunch on the terrace. Relax in the hot tub or sauna, or set up badminton, table tennis or croquet if you are feeling competitive. Parking is available for 12 cars.