Shropshire self catering holiday cottages

Your journey of discovery begins at the gates of Combermere Abbey, a hidden gem in the rural borderlands of Cheshire/Shropshire in Northwest England. This magical place blends centuries of history, breathtaking landscape and compelling architecture with privacy, luxury and modern convenience. Discover somewhere to relax in our award-winning luxury holiday cottages; discover somewhere magical to hold your wedding and reception; discover somewhere spectacular to celebrate with friends; discover somewhere inspiring on a tour or business retreat or simply come and  discover somewhere special that you have never been to…yet!

Combermere Abbey’s seven beautifully appointed and individually designed holiday cottages offer our guests the perfect opportunity to enjoy the privacy and beauty of the estate and to explore the rich pickings of the surrounding area if you so wish.  

Whether you are looking for a quiet weekend retreat, a family get-together, friends’ reunion or business retreat – our commitment to the highest levels of quality and service will ensure you enjoy yourself to the full.
 
Within the stunning 19th century Stables are six cottages, surrounded by the estate parkland and close to the Walled Gardens.  Each one has been thoughtfully converted and individually decorated with original features cleverly conserved.  

Our seventh cottage, Stone Lodge, a gothic hideaway, nestles on the perimeter of the estate and has its own private entrance, car park, spacious sun-filled terrace and damson orchard.

Decorated with an African theme throughout, BECKETT cottage is a popular choice for house parties, birthday celebrations, reunions, anniversaries or family gatherings. Its elegant, spacious sitting room with its high ceilings, large windows, stone fireplace and original beams offers a versatile, welcoming space.  It sleeps 6 and dines up to 22 guests.  

You enter from the car park, down a garden pathway across a private stone terrace into the large dining room.   This room, painted in cream and decorated with dramatic animal paintings is refreshing and contemporary in feel.  Step up to a small hallway, perfect for leaving coats and boots and into the charming twin bedroom with special paint effects. The private shower room just off it can double as a downstairs 'loo'. The dining room leads into a hallway - to the left is the well-appointed integrated kitchen with a gas stove, and large fridge/freezer.

Directly opposite is the master bedroom with a four poster double bed and bespoke furniture leading into the en suite bathroom. The hallway leads into sitting room decorated in shades of raspberry, cream and green, enhanced by the strong striped curtain fabrics, antique furniture and comfortable upholstery. Stairs lead to the third double bedroom which can convert into a twin room. The safari tent effect over the bed enhanced by the ‘giraffe’ headboards give this room a 'fun' air. The bathroom is decorated in black and white with fabulous tiles.  This cottage is also entered from the main cobblestone courtyard and the adjoining cottages directly into the sitting room.

WELLINGTON Cottage with its original mullion windows and pointed turret, forms part of the Stables at Combermere Abbey, designed by Edward Blore and built for the first Viscount Combermere in 1837.

The building gives a very romantic and picturesque impression as one approaches it.  From the car park you enter directly into its private garden looking over the rolling organic parkland and its views of the Abbey. The cottage name remembers the famous Duke, who was Lord Combermere's mentor and godfather to his eldest son. 

The small entrance hall has amusing military pictures and leads directly onto the sitting room with its parquet floor and wood-burning fireplace. The warm pinks and greens of the furnishings blend with the elegant subdued paint colours used on the 19th century panelling, and the original bay window with its sitting alcove full of cushions is perfect for afternoons reading and relaxing. You step down into the bespoke painted wood kitchen and dining area with pine table and chairs.

The staircase in the hall, leads up to a landing off which is the elegant master bedroom and en suite shower room in the turret! Its wrought iron gothic four-poster dominates the room with its antique furniture and elegant linen curtains framing the mullion paned window. Across the landing is a double bedroom, looking over the inner cobbled courtyard and decorated in refreshing blue and white fabrics. A cosy single bedroom with its original fireplace (not working) and antique pine bed, decorated in hues of green and a shared bathroom with handle shower.

As you approach the restored Stables, COTTON cottage and its romantic Jacobean style turret, mullion windows and private garden comes into view. Accessible from both the garden and the cobbled stone inner courtyard, this cottage was originally the Coachman’s house.

From the garden, you go up two stone steps into a small hall, with downstairs loo and right into the sitting room. This cottage is decorated in an Indian style, painted a fresh yellow, and has an alcove dining area, comfortable sofas in striped fabrics and a wood burning stove in an Indian gothic fireplace.  Paintings, prints and antique furniture enhance the overall design theme.

Off a second hallway, entered from the courtyard, the bespoke fitted oak kitchen has rich burgundy and cream tiles and blinds. The staircase leads up to a double bedroom, with its original fireplace, splendid four poster bed and custom made furniture – setting off the rich crimson fabric with its strong floral motif. An en suite shower room and loo has been neatly tucked into the turret. Across the hallway, the twin bedroom in calm shades of green and cream, has specially designed beds and Indian style furniture. We have added a touch of whimsy with mosquito nets for sultry summer nights! Your own private bathroom with hand-held shower is next door.

EMPRESS cottage is named after Elizabeth, Empress of Austria who described Combermere as ‘one of the most romantic places in Europe’ Approached from a shared car park, the box edged pathway leads to its simple entrance directly into a hallway. From which you enter the elegant high-ceiling sitting room with original beams, wood burning fireplace and balconied second floor, created from a set of original stalls in the main Stable buildings. The tall windows let in wonderful light, which reflects off the antique mirror onto the comfortable sofas and dining area of this spacious room.

A second door leads onto the cobbled inner courtyard. Uncluttered and simply accessorized, with classic prints framed in black, the blues and warm pink fabrics complete its impact. The fully integrated kitchen is separated by an original stall divider.  Directly off the hallway, is the shared bathroom with power-shower with its black and white decorative theme and striking tiles.

The elegance is continued in the master bedroom with its highly decorative gilded half tester bed pelmet, originally owned by David Hicks. The unusually rich gold and black fabrics complement the antique furniture perfectly. The first floor balcony hides the twin bedroom on the first floor. Reached by a winding staircase from the sitting room, it is spacious and warm, decorated in strawberry and white fabrics with individually designed painted headboards and wonderfully comfortable beds.

Empress has a private garden entered through a white picket gate in the laurel hedge - the perfect spot for a quiet moment of relaxation or an evening tipple.

The warm and cosy atmosphere of POOLE cottage is reflected throughout in the colour and decoration.  This popular holiday cottage is accessorised with specially designed furniture with a rustic feel.  You approach from the car park through a private garden area with table and chairs and enclosed by a box hedge up to the cottage door. You enter into a spacious hall/dining room with handmade oak dining table, which can be expanded to seat up to 8 guests and views of the cobbled inner courtyard. An arch with original beams leads into the cosy sitting room decorated in warm tones of peach and navy. It has a gas fire, curl-up comfy sofa and armchairs and bespoke wooden furniture. Off the hall is a fully fitted kitchen.

Upstairs, the master bedroom has a unique Gothic window screen salvaged from a demolished wing in the Abbey, and a hand-crafted headboard, made from an oak floor from the same wing! It is decorated in soothing tones of aqua and taupe checks and stripes. The twin bedroom also has unique headboards and furnishings in warm yellows and greens – reminiscent of the woodland at Combermere, and an en-suite shower room. The pretty bathroom across the hall, private to the master bedroom is tucked under the eaves of the building and has a bath with hand shower.

This warm and inviting cottage is a wonderful getaway for anyone needing rest and relaxation but can easily entertain up to 8 booked with another cottage for 4.

The features of the original Tack Room, now cleverly integrated into STAPLETON Cottage show off the oak beams, high ceilings and long windows.   From the car park, you approach the cottage down a gentle path and through a small private garden with a trellis overflowing with honeysuckle.   Entering the ground floor sitting room with its comfortable sofas, dining area and fireplace with gas flame fire, the fresh bright designs and contemporary paintings beautifully complement the warm panelling.

To the right is the fully equipped kitchen with its bespoke cabinets, cleverly separated from the open plan style living/dining room by an original panelled stall divider. The staircase leads to an upstairs bedroom with a pretty wrought iron double bed and an en suite bathroom. Downstairs the hallway door leads onto the cobbled courtyard, and a twin bedroom and shower room, specifically designed for assisted disabled guests. The twin bedroom with its striking gothic beds and furniture painted in Caribbean colours is completed with roman blinds in a bold blue and white fabric.

Thanks to the width of the original stable doors, wheelchairs can navigate around the ground floor, and with appropriately positioned switches and sockets, our less agile or mobile guests can fully enjoy this cottage.

STONE LODGE  - this charming gothic gatehouse, built in the 1830's was designed by Morrison of Ireland and sits at the entrance to the estate.  It is now a romantic getaway cottage, with its own private entrance, large sunny terrace set in a damson orchard and surrounded by beautiful trees.  Very popular with couples, it is often booked by bridal couples for the wedding night!

 The original carved stone loggia has been enclosed and is now a hall/dining room, painted in warm yellow and highlighting the original stonework. The fireplace in the gothic sitting room has been enlarged to take a wood burning stove and its restored original panelling has been painted a soft warm shade to complement the fresh elegant colours of the furnishings.

Off the hallway is an elegant double bedroom with its own tiled walk-in shower room. The double bedroom is decorated in warm whites and complemented with rich tones of deep pink and café au lait. A brand new kitchen with eat in area has all the mod cons. Upstairs, the original landing and bedroom have been transformed into a private twin bedroom with a highly individual en-suite bathroom. Calm, elegant shades of blue and cream dominate this little hideaway with its views across the orchard.

The original entrance to the Lodge, 50 ft up its own driveway has been re-opened and a spacious car park created with a path to the large private terrace and the entrance.

Combermere Abbey, its holiday cottages and beautiful wedding venue is situated in the North Midlands of England on the borders of Cheshire and Shropshire.  We are 4 miles from Whitchurch, Shropshire and 7 miles from Nantwich, Cheshire on the A530.  Set in the rural heartland on a private estate surrounded by ancient oaks and rolling parkland.

We are a true gateway between the Midlands and the Northwest - easy driving distance from Manchester, Liverpool, Chester, the Potteries and the Midlands. Excellent access to Manchester, Liverpool and Birmingham airports and Crewe Railway Station  

 

Tel 01948 662 876

www.combermereabbey.co.uk