Herefordshire self catering holiday cottages

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Herefordshire self catering holiday cottages

Set in the north Herefordshire village of Brierley. The Well House offers spacious self-catering holiday accommodation for up to 15 people (12 adults & 3 children), making it the ideal venue for family celebrations, reunions and expats on home leave. Occupying a quiet, yet accessible rural location (Leominster 2 miles, Hereford 12 miles, Ludlow 14 miles) the beautifully restored half timbered barn in the Heart of England, provides you with all the comforts of contemporary and environmentally friendly country living.

The Local Area

There is evidence of a settlement in Brierley from pre Saxon times. In Old English, Brierley means "woodland clearing where briars grow". We hope that there aren't too many of those in the immediate vicinity but go for a walk along one of the footpaths leading up from the house in autumn, and you may be lucky to find some laden with blackberries!

Today, the area still holds a special place in English history. This border county is steeped in history and legend. You will find castles and houses, gardens and farms which have changed very little over the centuries. You will find a decidedly slower pace of life here - the ideal start to a relaxing rural escape!

In a previous life, The Well House was used for storing and drying the hops that were grown in the fields close by. Hops are still grown locally - check out the beer from the Wye Valley Brewery! The original half timbered barn has been sympathetically restored with oak flooring and exposed beams throughout. Ceilings are high and rooms are light and airy. As you step into the hall, you are aware of the sense of space and light.

Entrance Hall. A spacious entrance lobby, with a convenient loo, leading to kitchen/dining area, snug & west wing on the right, living room & east wing on the left and stairs to master bedroom.

Kitchen/Dining Area. This space was made for socialising in! The kitchen is equipped with everything needed for serious entertaining, it includes a wealth of granite work surfaces, a Rangemaster© stove and a full range of painted cottage style cupboards containing every conceivable piece of kitchen equipment - right down to the mushroom brush! The dining area is dominated by the splendid oak table which comfortably seats 12 people. Next to the kitchen there is a spacious utility room.

Utility Room. Just off the kitchen there is an additional fridge freezer within easy reach, a wine cooler to keep the bottles cooler for those summer bar-be-ques, an under counter freezer, washer & dryer. There is also a large walk-in shower to supplement the bathroom demand during peak hours! There is also a door to the outside for direct access.

The 'Snug'. Just one step from the kitchen - this is library/TV room. The family can be suitably amused with books, board games, TV, CDs and DVDs in a wonderfully inviting room while the dinner is prepared next door! (Serious 'Archers Addicts' need not miss out as there is radio in the kitchen!)

The 'West' Wing. Not the corridors of power but a lovely long passageway of bedrooms. The first (No.4) contains two single beds, which can be linked together to make a 6' bed; the next (No.3) includes a fabulous Feather and Black© brass bed and some lovely Chinese camphor wood furniture. Next door is a bathroom with a luxurious stand alone bath - you'll need some seriously expensive bath oils for this one! The last bedroom (No.2) is beautifully spacious with another Feather and Black© brass bed and understated camphor wood furniture. It leads into an appropriate en suite bathroom with walk-in shower.

Go back along the passage, through the kitchen to the hall and you will find the ...

Living Room. This is a stunning space with exposed beams and an inglenook fireplace with a Clearview wood-burner (they don't get better!) A perfect room to relax and sprawl! The large sofas and wing backed chairs invite you to curl up while you watch TV, read or socialise. Oriental rugs on the oak floors add to the feeling of comfort and warmth.

The 'East' Wing. We call it that but couldn't tell you at which point of the compass it actually stands - it's the 'other' wing! This end of the house has two bedrooms (Nos. 5 and 6), each containing two single Feather and Black© iron beds. There is a fully sprung roll away bed in the larger of these rooms. We've put in two 'reindeer' bean bags for children of all ages to use if they'd like a sprawl in front of the telly!

Go back through to the hall and up a lovely oak staircase to reach ...

Master Bedroom (No.1). You'll have to fight for this one! It occupies a magnificent position and houses a 6ft Gothic style Feather & Black© bed. A flat screen TV and a chest of drawers complete with the eclectic selection of pictures. There is a comfortable sofa bed making the room ideal for families or those who just want to relax. Go through a gnarled oak door into a stunning en suite bathroom. A free standing bath dominates the centre of the room whilst the shower at the far end provides a generous deluge of hot water. The ash wood wardrobe provides ample space for hanging and storing clothes and complements the warmth of the oak floor.

Outside. There is parking for up to six cars at the front of the house. At the back there is a lovely lawn and patio for morning coffees, afternoon tea, and alfresco pre-dinner drinks. The local cider goes down particularly well while tending the large Weber© barbecue!

Accessibility. The Well House is mostly on one level; however, some uneven floors and a few steps may affect those less able. To help you get a better picture about accessibility below are a few notes:

At present, the house is approached by a gravel drive; however vehicles may back right up to the front door for off loading.
There are three ground floor rooms entered by way of a few steps. Grab rails are provided at each of these locations.
Kitchen counter tops are all standard height and are therefore not accessible for wheelchair users; however, the room is spacious and affords plenty of room for manoeuvre.
Remote controls are provided for all TVs and stereos.
There is a shower stool and bath step at the house - please ask at time of booking.
All showers and baths are fitted with grab rails.
The floors are natural products and are uneven in places.
There are a few steps that may affect those less able so please ask the owners about accessibility at the time of booking.

Additional Notes.

If you visit this part of Herefordshire, you will be taking a delightful step back in time! We would like to preserve this unspoilt countryside and would ask you to consider your impact on the immediate environment.

Children and well behaved adults welcome!
Up to two well behaved obedient dogs at the guests responsibility by arrangement (nominal charge applies). This is, amongst other things sheep country so dogs must be under strict control!
Linen and towels are included.
Smoking is not permitted in the property however ashtrays are provided outside for those so inclined.
Recycling bins are provided for guest use.
Most bedrooms have an iPod docking station for guest's use.
We have Sky HD and free WiFi in the house.
We aim to use environmentally friendly cleaning (and other) products which are also available for your end of let clean-up.
We also provide an initial supply of the basic consumables (loo paper, washing-up liquid, logs, etc.). Further supplies can be purchased locally.
We like to promote local producers and have provided a sample of local produces in our 'Welcome Basket'. If you like them, buy locally before you depart! See also links in the local area page.

The Well House provides an excellent base for exploring the unspoilt Herefordshire landscape. Occupying a quiet, yet accessible rural location, the wealth of local footpaths wending behind the house deserve exploration. Hops are still grown locally - check out the beer from the Wye Valley Brewery! The house lies close to the Mortimer Trail and Offa's Dyke Path, three National Trust properties and numerous award-winning pubs (one with Michelin stars). The market town of Leominster is only 2 miles away. The cathedral city of Hereford, home of the Mappa Mundi is 12 miles distant. Beyond that, Wales beckons. The Brecon Beacons and the Elan Valley are all within striking distance and well worth a visit.

Tel 01568 760377

www.heartofenglandbarn.co.uk

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Herefordshire self catering holiday cottages

Herefordshire self catering holiday cottages

The internet guide to all forms of self catering holiday accommodation throughout the UK including cottages, apartments, farm properties and flats

Herefordshire self catering holiday cottages

The internet guide to all forms of self catering holiday accommodation throughout the UK
including cottages, apartments, farm properties and flats