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The Squire Farm is a small farm in the secluded, peaceful surroundings of the Redlake Valley in the southwest corner of Shropshire, near to the Welsh border. The farmhouse, barns and the two holiday cottages are surrounded by twenty-five acres of woodland and pasture grazed by sheep and horses. There are also chickens, dogs and cats. A stream below the buildings meanders through some ancient woodland and the River Redlake runs along the northern boundary. The approach is by a private farm track, which ensures complete peace, privacy and safety.
The Squire Farm is about half a mile from the hamlet of Chapel Lawn where there is a village hall and a church. Bucknell (3 miles) and Clun (5 miles) have shops, post offices, a choice of pubs and there is a railway station at Bucknell. The nearest town of Knighton, (6 miles) is an appealing Welsh market town and can supply most of one’s needs. The very attractive town of Ludlow is about 15 miles east where you will find some highly acclaimed restaurants.
For walkers, riders and cyclists, there are plenty of footpaths and bridleways including Offa’s Dyke and a mountain biking trail within 3 miles and for those interested in archaeology, Squire Farm sits at the bottom of Caer Caradoc, an ancient hill fort. Squire Farm is an ideal base from which to explore the many castles and historically important border sites or the numerous gardens and country houses.
Squire Cottage is an old farmhouse built half in stone, half in timber and plaster. It sits at the top of a field looking down towards the River Redlake and the Dingle with its babbling brook and ancient wet woodland.
The cottage sleeps four people comfortably in two bedrooms; a cot and an airbed are also available for extra family members. The front door opens onto one open space with a large inglenook fireplace complete with bread oven, dominating the ‘living’ end of the room. Here you can sit around the open fire telling stories, reading, listening to music or watching television. At the other end, there is a fully equipped kitchen with hand built oak units and a large refectory table. There is also a small cloakroom with lavatory and washbasin and room for wellies and boots.
Wooden stairs (mind your head and don’t be distracted by the view through the window) lead up to a spacious landing and to one room with two single beds, the bathroom and the double bedroom with a magnificent chimneybreast.
The cottage keeps it’s ancient authenticity and rural feel by retaining the old beams complete with redundant peg holes through which the children can spy on their parents! New oak flooring with rugs and mats adds to the cosy and comfortable feel of the place; though watch your heads, some of the doorways are very low.
There is central heating and hot water provided by an oil-fired boiler. Bed linen and towels are included in the price as are logs for the fire and all the electricity and there is a telephone in the farmhouse should you need to use one. A cot is available and children and pets are welcome.
Xidong Cottage is a Japanese haven with a Chinese name meaning ‘Rising Sun’; an oriental retreat in the heart of Shropshire. Sleeping two, it is the perfect setting for a romantic weekend. It is converted from an old cowshed and has a private garden terraced with local stone and featuring two ornamental ponds and a luxurious hot tub, which can be used at any time of year. You enter through a cloakroom, which houses a washer drier and small freezer and space for your dirty boots and wet coats.
The large main room is open to the eaves and gives the feeling of space and luxury. It is decorated in an authentic Japanese style using natural materials particularly wood where possible. There is a locally made, bespoke oak table and chairs and a seating platform with bags and large cushions, which arrange into whatever comfort you desire! Large triple doors open out onto a small wooden deck and the garden with it's hot tub. A stone stairwell leads up from the living room to a little mezzanine bedroom with a low sloping ceiling. Don't be alarmed, you won't be expected to sleep on a futon on the floor! There is a modern well equipped kitchen with an extraordinary and unique curvy green glass division wall, which hides a slightly quirky but effective ‘wet’ room.
Electric under floor heating warms the whole cottage; all bed linen and towels are included in the price and there will be a telephone in the cottage should you feel the need to use one. A cot is available should you wish to bring your baby but the cottage is not suitable for toddlers because of the ponds and hot tub in the garden, and there are no sleeping arrangements for older children. The cottage is not suitable for wheelchair users.
The area is well stocked with Places to Eat, whether in pubs, cafes or posh restaurants. Ludlow, being known as the Food Centre of Britain, can provide some really top class dining.Food shopping can be fun too; Ludlow being a good place to shop for food. There is a little village shop, a garage a butchers and a post office in Bucknell and Knighton has a larger range of shops. Clun also has a good range of small shops.
Whether you want to walk, cycle or ride, there are plenty of well marked footpaths, cycle tracks and bridleways as well as quiet country lanes.
When you or the children are bored with walking or your parents want a more gentle form of entertainment, visit the numerous castles, houses and gardens, wildlife, forestry and farms in the area.
There are taxi firms you can ring for transport Don't rely on them to come out unless you give them plenty of notice. We are remote out here, public transport is for other people as far as I can tell; it is rare! However, there is a train service from Bucknell and a bus comes through once a week.
Tel 01547 530530
www.squirefarm.co.uk
Shropshire self catering holiday cottages