Rent Find self catering and cottages with an open fire or a wood burner in West England

The Knoll Tower, Weston-under-Lizard Shifnal, Shropshire, West England

Sleeps 2
Weekly prices from £354

Self catering accommodation in Weston-under-Lizard Shifnal sleeps 2.

Features include: • Internet Access • Open Fire or Woodburning Stove • Romantic Breaks • Easy Walking Access • Cottage Sleeps 2

Accommodation overview:

The Knoll Tower details

The Knoll Tower, built circa 1865, is located in the midst of the ancient and historic park of Weston Park, with panoramic views of the Shropshire countryside and Welsh borders.

This luxury self-catering bolt hole is available for week or weekend short breaks throughout the year. Sleeping two this Victorian Hunting Lodge was built in the late 1800s by the third Earl of Bradford. Set over three floors, leading up to a top floor sitting room with stunning panoramic views over Capability Browns stunning 18th century parkland, the Tower combines all the home comforts you could would want but in a unique historic hideaway.

The Knoll Tower is situated on the outer reaches of the Park and as well as unrivalled views across to the magnificent 17th century stately home and the Temple of Diana, also enjoys views across the Shropshire Hills, affording total privacy for a relaxing escape.

The magnificent 17th century stately home, which can be seen from the Tower was built in 1671, the estate also features two more Grade 1 listed buildings, the Temple of Diana and the Roman Bridge in Temple Wood. Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli, a frequent visitor to Weston, suggested building a hunting lodge on the Knoll and so the Tower was created.

Guests staying at Knoll Tower can enjoy walking through Temple Wood, one of only five Capability Brown Pleasure Grounds left intact in the UK. The Granary Grill and Deli on the estate is open all year round with the Grill serving lunch and dinner and the Deli stocking a wide range of speciality food and drink.

Although the Earls of Bradford owned much of the land around Weston the Knoll on which the Tower was erected was owned by the Durrant Family of Tong, a village close to the Park, up until 1855 at which time their small estate was put up for sale.

The Durrant Family of Tong had made their money in the Caribbean in the sugar trade. The last owner before the sale of the estate divorced his wife after which he led a fairly extravagant life style. A character not loved locally, he erected a monument on the Knoll to celebrate his divorce. On his demise, his two sons blew the monument up and we believe there is a remnant of the masonry in the woodland near the Tower.

The Weston Park Foundation took over the Weston Park estate in 1986, the Tower was unused and semi derelict at that time. In 2002 it was restored and permission granted to build an extersion providing kitchen, bathroom and heating. In December 2013, the property went through a major redecoration programme to enable the charity to offer the property as a unique destination for short breaks.

Lower Moor Lodge, Hay-on-Wye, Herefordshire, West England

Sleeps 4
Weekly prices from £608

Self catering accommodation in Hay-on-Wye sleeps 4.

Features include: Wheelchair Accessible • Garden • Pet friendly • Open Fire or Woodburning Stove • Pub near by • Detached Property • Cottage Sleeps 4

Accommodation overview: Lower Moor Lodge, Hay on Wye is a lovely, cosy cottage located conveniently for this historic and delightful literary town. The cottage, which is over 200 years old and was once the lodge to the Lower Moor Manor, has a wealth of period features, including original flagstone and wooden flooring and wood burning stove. The owners have cleverly mixed old and new to make it a very charming home. There is a lovely garden and super views to the south. The property is located just 15 mins level walk from Hay centre with its shops, cafes and restaurants. (Hay on Wye is a world renowned for its book festivals and book shops NB: 'Hay Festival' is charged at Xmas ratesACCOMMODATION (all on one level, with two steps to bedroom 1)Entrance through to Kitchen.Kitchen, equipped with Rayburn hob and oven, dishwasher, fridge (no freezer), washer/dryer plus table and two chairs. Stable door to garden and patio area.Dining Room, a lovely room with a view towards the garden, table and four chairs.Living Room with flagstone floor and large rug, plus one sofa and two chairs, log burner, TV with DVD player. Bedroom One with super view, double bed, wardrobe and chest of drawersBedroom Two with two single bedsBathroom with bath, electric shower over, WC and washbasinOutsideThe cottage enjoys a good size garden which surrounds the property, including off-street parking. The garden is lovely with many cottage style plants along with a patio with table and chairs. Beyond there are fields in one direction while the town is in the other. Saturday Changeover Please. One Pet Welcome. No Cot or high chair supplied. Heating & Electricity included, as well as a starter pack of logs. (The property is suitable for those with limited mobility, but please do note that there is a step into each bedroom and that the shower is in the bath.)Short Breaks welcome October to Easter, except School Holidays. Otherwise, short breaks only at 3 weeks notice.

Little Marstow Cottage, Ruardean, Gloucestershire, West England

Sleeps 2
Weekly prices from £427

Self catering accommodation in Ruardean sleeps 2.

Features include: • Garden • Open Fire or Woodburning Stove • Cottage Sleeps 2

Accommodation overview: Little Marstow Cottage is cosy, cosy, cosy! Set on the slopes above the Wye Valley, this delightful holiday cottage is a real gem - surrounded by green fields and from the garden there are spectacular views of twenty miles plus over the surrounding countryside towards the Brecon Beacons. Once a wee farmhouse, and first built at the beginning of the 18th century, the self catering accommodation retains much of the character of the original building and now provides a warm and welcoming character home in a delightful setting. Inside character features include a wood-burner and beams while outside you have a private garden and little bothy - perfect for relaxing on those long summer days. This is an excellent base from which to explore this beautiful area and represents superb value for money.  ACCOMMODATIONGround FloorEntrance to lobby leading to KitchenKitchen, equipped with electric hob and oven, microwave and fridge. Snug / Dining Room with chairs plus table and chairs. Living Room with wood-burner, three arm chairs plus TV, DVD and digibox and views to the private gardenBathroom with bath, electric shower above, WC and washbasinFirst FloorMain Bedroom with double bed, plus wardrobe and chest of drawers. Additional Single Bed available on the landing area, a good size area!  OutsideA delightful garden overlooking the fields can be found to the front of the cottage. To the rear there is further space with an extra Bothy with seating ideal for enjoying those 'sundowners'! Modern night storage heating and radiators running from the wood-burner. Parking for one car. Stabling available for ponies and horses. Regret No Pets. Regret No Children under 10 years .LocationForest-of-Dean, Wye Valley, Symonds Yat, Ross-on-Wye, Tintern Abbey, Ledbury, Forest-of-Dean cycleway, canoeing and fishing on the River Wye. Country walks from your doorstep. Local shop and Inn serving good food 2 miles.

Oat House, Snowshill, Worcestershire, West England

Sleeps 7
Weekly prices from £658

Self catering accommodation in Snowshill sleeps 7.

Features include: • Garden • Internet Access • Open Fire or Woodburning Stove • Pub near by • Easy Walking Access • Cottage Sleeps 7

Accommodation overview:

Oat House details

The Oat House is an attached property built in traditional style using mellow honey coloured Cotswold stone beneath a slate roof. The village of Snowshill is situated on the top of the Cotswold escarpment above the villages of Stanway, Stanton Broadway, Buckland and Laverton.

The village is secluded with period cottages and houses and a 19th century church clustered around a small green. Snowshill is renowned for its manor house with beautiful gardens and tea rooms which are administered by The National Trust. The Lavender Farm on the edge of the village also has tea rooms. The village pub, The Snowshill Arms, serves good food and is only a two-minute walk away.

Locally there are many public footpaths and close by is the Cotswold Way.

Nearby, picturesque Broadway offers a wide range of shops and restaurants. Chipping Campden, Cheltenham and Stratford upon Avon with its renowned Royal Shakespeare Theatre are all within easy reach.

For the sporting enthusiasts there are several golf courses nearby along with National Hunt Racing at Cheltenham, Polo at Cirencester Park and Cricket at Worcester.
We offer other options at this location, which may be of interest if you need to accommodate a different sized group. The others are:

The Gatehouse, Bridgnorth, Shropshire, West England

Sleeps 4
Weekly prices from £582

Self catering accommodation in Bridgnorth sleeps 4.

Features include: • Internet Access • Open Fire or Woodburning Stove • Romantic Breaks • Cottage Sleeps 4

Accommodation overview:

The Gatehouse details

The Gatehouse at Upton Cressett is one of the most romantic and historically significant gatehouses in the country, often compared to the Tower at Sissinghurst Castle in Kent. It has won the Best Hidden Gem award at the 2011 Hudson's Heritage Awards and was recently voted runner up in the 2015 Hudson's Heritage Award for best luxury accommodation.

The property has its own imposing entrance gates, gravelled drive-way and parking. Wrought iron gates lead through to a medieval courtyard and 16th century cobbled archway.

Prince Rupert, nephew of Charles I and commander of the royalist troops,stayed in the Gatehouse during the Civil War and the panelled bedroom he slept in is named after him.

Built in 1580 as an entrance to the moated manor of Upton Cressett Hall,the turreted Gatehouse with bedroom suites on two floors has been featured on the cover of Country Life and was admired by Nikolaus Pevsner. In his acclaimed book Best Houses of Britain, Simon Jenkins described the Gatehouse as 'an Elizabethan gem'.

There is a long-standing story that the young Edward V (one of the princes in the Tower), son of King Edward IV, stayed at the early manor in 1483 on his fateful journey from Ludlow Castle (some 17miles away) to the Tower of London. Others who have stayed in the Gatehouse, as well as Prince Rupert, include Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and Sir Denis Thatcher, Elizabeth Hurley and many writers.

The Gatehouse can be taken in conjunction with The Coach House (also in our brochure) to provide accommodation for eight guests.

Great Catley Hop Kilns, Bosbury, Herefordshire, West England

Sleeps 2
Weekly prices from £303

Self catering accommodation in Bosbury sleeps 2.

Features include: • Garden • Internet Access • Open Fire or Woodburning Stove • Pub near by • Cottage Sleeps 2

Accommodation overview:

Great Catley Hop Kilns details

The Grade II listed Hop Kiln adjoins Great Catley in a stunning rural setting with wildlife, footpaths and cycle routes surrounding it and the Malvern Hills in the distance. The property, which dates back to the 16th century, was once a working hop and cider farm but now comprises luxurious living within a traditional stone and oak structure with many old features that were used at that time for hop making.

It is situated in the hamlet of Catley, a mile from the village of Bosbury and only 20 minutes from the M50. Two local pubs are within a mile and a half, the Bell at Bosbury and the Oak at Staplow. Both serve local ales, excellent food and take-outs. The area is a perfect retreat for exploring the beautiful Herefordshire countryside.

The old town of Ledbury has its traditional black and white buildings but within them are a very eclectic range of independent shops and restaurants. Close by are Eastnor Castle, the Three Choirs Vineyard and Westons Cider Mill. The cities of Hereford and Worcester are an equidistant 15 miles. Both have beautiful cathedrals and riverside settings. Hereford has the famous Mappa Mundi and Worcester its cricket ground and racecourse.

The Malvern Hills are just 20 minutes away together with its spa town and theatre. Ludlow, Hay-on-Wye, Gloucester and Cheltenham are all less than an hour away with their own renowned festivals.

Bearwood House, Pembridge, Herefordshire, West England

Sleeps 10
Weekly prices from £989

Self catering accommodation in Pembridge sleeps 10.

Features include: • Pet friendly • Internet Access • Open Fire or Woodburning Stove • Hot Tub • Golf near by • Pub near by • Games Room • Cottage Sleeps 10

Accommodation overview:

Bearwood House details

Bearwood House is a half-timbered property in an idyllic rural holiday setting. The house is adjacent to but entirely separate from Bearwood Cottage. If the house and cottage are booked together there is ample space in the dining room for 15 guests.

Endless entertainment is provided. In the sunken garden there is a luxury outdoor hot tub for six people. The games room contains a pool table, air hockey table, tennis table and darts board. Six bicycles including a tandem, croquet, badminton, boules and many other garden games are provided. There is a Wii, a playstation 2, an iPod docking station and a good selection of board games. Tennis is available at the owner's house nearby. Free wireless broadband is provided.

The house is set in grounds of more than an acre with an arboretum, sunken garden and loggia.

The 15c New Inn, village shop, delicatessen and farm shop are a mile away in the picturesque "black and white" village of Pembridge. The Michelin-starred Stagg Inn is within 15 minutes' drive and the market towns of Ludlow (with a further two Michelin-starred restaurants) and Hay-on-Wye are within 25 minutes' drive. Golf at England's highest golf course and flying lessons are nearby. Numerous other outdoor pursuits can easily be arranged. Yoga, tennis and golf lessons can be arranged on request. For something different tarot parties, readings and meditation can also be arranged.

Places to visit within the area include:
Berrington Hall - A fine house created by Henry Holland, explore the many rooms or relax by the lake.
Croft Castle - Home of the Croft family for nearly 1000 years the castle has many stories to uncover.
Hampton Court and Gardens - Offering a variety of events throughout the year, the castle dates back to the 15th Century and has an interesting history.
Hergest Gardens - Set in the Heart of the Welsh Marshes with stunning views towards the Black Mountains.
Ludlow Castle - A fine Medieval Castle with a fascinating history, makes a great day out for all the family.
Hereford Cathedral - A beautiful building and home of the Mappa Mundi.
Monkland Cheese Dairy - A working dairy farm. Learn and discover the methods of cheese production with an experience day.
Dunkertons Cider Mill - Makers of traditional organic Cider and Perry with a shop on site.
Leominster Antique Centre - Situated in the middle of the town with over 25 antique shops to visit.

Blacksmiths Cottage, Boresford, Shropshire, West England

Sleeps 2
Weekly prices from £274

Self catering accommodation in Boresford sleeps 2.

Features include: • Internet Access • Open Fire or Woodburning Stove • Romantic Breaks • Pub near by • Cottage Sleeps 2

Accommodation overview:

Blacksmiths Cottage details

Blacksmiths Cottage is a detached barn conversion offering spacious accommodation on a single level.

It is set in a very rural secluded valley on the borders of Wales, Herefordshire and Shropshire, offering easy access to popular places such as Ludlow, Leominster and Hay on Wye.

Locally there are many walks in the lovely countryside and two bicycles are included should you prefer. The nearest country pub is situated in Lingen just four miles away with many further restaurants including two Michelin starred in the medieval town of Ludlow.

There are local amenities in the local town of Presteigne or Knighton. The nearest train station is Knighton which is five miles away.