It all begins at the wrought-iron gates. Wend your way up the long driveway past the curving lawn and you already feel special. Is there enough space for your car? There’s enough space for 30 cars.
Beyond that, the scale only gets bigger. The three acres of parklands are sitting pretty and waiting for a picnic. Explore the orchard. The terrace with table and chairs suggests a beer and a barbie. Pile out into the sunshine, pop open the Prosecco and raise a glass to al-fresco dining.
Immaculately and sympathetically refurbished, Beachley House is the 1830s English gem that fits beautifully into 21st century living. From the entrance porch, with its original solid-wood door and arch window, right through to the multiple reception rooms, everything here invites you to lie back in the arms of luxury.
Full-height sash windows, original shutters, feature fireplaces, picture rails, alcoves and downlighting compete for your attention. The living room comes with parallel sofas that suggest a hot drink from the cafetiere and a good book or possibly a nosey around Netflix. The TV’s on the wall.
Beachley House definitely has its tux on, but it’s always homely and not above a spot of fun and frivolity. Head to the flagstoned-floored games room to catch a little cinema or play some table football or pool beneath the spotlights. Grab a refill from the solid-wood bar.
Need to escape? With four receptions, there’s always some peace and quiet to be had somewhere. Try the drawing room, elegance itself with full-height sash window, marble fireplace and original shutters. Head on through the double doors to the conservatory for a little inside-out flow and a tipple on the sun terrace.
Keen chef or not, we can convert you. This is a kitchen that could turn anyone into Anton Mosimann. Raid the Marks and Spencer food hall in Chepstow or Waitrose in nearby Caldicot and then prepare to do battle. But if you’d rather swallow your pride than do yourself proud, call up our chefs for a celebration or a fully catered break.
The facilities do inspire. Sitting invitingly in the 19’ x 15’ kitchen is a bespoke Jeremy Davies range of handmade base and eye-level storage units. A standalone larder unit comes with integrated fridge and microwave. A granite-topped island seems to be the size of nearby Lundy and the Belfast sink is as big as, well, Belfast.
Take your croissants and coffee in the breakfast room or out on the sun terrace. Everyone can get together for evening dining, with space for two dozen around the dining table – the kind of sumptuous arrangement that demands a butler. Demand away. Anything can be arranged.
Eat out in quirky, historical Chepstow. There’s Shangri-La for Chinese, Sitar Balti for Indian or the Riverside Wine Bar for nibbles and tapas washed down with a White Lady Zinfandel or Waipara Hills Pinot Noir. For the taste of Michelin-starred Andalusian excellence, head to Bristol’s Paco Tapas.
Choose from seven bedrooms, each a little more luxurious, lazy and languorous than the last. Deep mattresses and crisp cotton come paired with family bathrooms featuring clawfoot baths and marble tops.
Bedroom three is the monster master bedroom sleeping four in a zip-and-link double and two singles. Windows to the front and side offer views out over the gardens. An en-suite that needs its own postcode includes wardrobes, his and hers sinks and a rolltop bath. Lose yourself in the steam awhile.
Bedroom one sleeps two in a double with optional zip-and-link arrangement. Bedroom two offers accommodation for four with a zip-and-link double and two extra single beds. It’s a similar story in bedroom four with zip-and-link double and 1 extra single.
Bedroom five offers a zip-and-link double and one additional single. Bedroom six accommodates up to six guests in two zip-and-link doubles and two additional singles. Last but by no means least is bedroom seven offering a zip-and-link double and two additional singles. A double sofa bed is available in the sitting room if required.
