From the kitchen sitting area, drift out with your drinks to the private garden, an oasis of lush grass, inviting terracing and big skies. The garden is fenced and relatively secure for children and dogs (both very welcome here!) with lots of space to let off steam.
The rustic Englishness continues outside. There’s a classic lawn for kids to race and chase, and plenty tables and chairs for accommodating a party round the barbie. Set the steaks to sizzle, open up a bottle or two and hit the hot tub.
If it’s an occasion, make it memorable with al-fresco dining. Book one of our tried and trusted chefs for a celebratory meal, dropped off food or perhaps a hog roast and BBQ.
The luxury is laid on thick in The Stables. But not in an opulent, showy way. Rich in natural textures, exposed local stone, and wooden beams, the owners have fashioned a rural retreat that’s short on stress and long on homeliness and heartiness.
There’s space here to spread out, too – 5200 feet of it is yours to come together for movies or merriment. But there are places to escape, too, with a novel and a nightcap. On sunny days, open up the glass walls to the courtyard and head out to the private hot tub with a full glass and a fluffy robe.
The Stables and Granary might be rustically chic, but the technology’s fully switched on to 21st-century living. Wifi floods the space, there’s bluetooth Bose Speakers for sharing your sounds and the smart TVs sit ready for family film nights or hop over to the Granary to burn excess energy in the games room.
In your authentic country kitchen, the aroma from the freshly baked bread and the newly ground coffee is tantalising. You must have been inspired by the fully equipped range kitchen. And now it’s time for dinner. Prepare it yourself or put in a request for our chef, who’ll even dispense with the dirty dishes when you’re done.
With flagstone floors and granite worktops, this is a pleasant place to be. When your plates are empty, sidle over to the sitting area for mints, coffees and conversation. If the sun’s playing ball, head out to the courtyard for the sizzle of steak and sausages.
Out and about, the pubs come thick and fast in Kington. Pick from The Bells at Almeley for real ales, log fires and homemade food, The Tram Inn for hearty hot stuff, or The New Inn for snacks by the fire.
If only a restaurant will do, head to Pembridge for The Cider Barn’s pan-fried brill with bourride or venison haunch steak with persillade. Pushing the boat out? You won’t have to push too far. The Stagg Inn in Kington cooks stunningly from scratch and is the top eatery in the local area.
There’s no shortage of accommodation here and the bedrooms lay the simple luxury on thick, with throws and rugs, exposed-stone walls and low beams. Décor in the shape of one-off gems from around the farm dots the rooms and farm-life-inspired artwork reminds you you’re deep in the rural dream.
Eight spacious bedrooms all come with an en-suite or their own bathroom. There are four ground floor bedrooms, three super king and one room in the eaves with four single beds, perfect for children (or small adults!).
Gone are the days when the only way to view a house was solely by way of poring over flat and sometimes confusing floor plans. With the emergence of 360-degree video we have an exciting new way of being introduced to the layout of a house.
With a few clicks you can be leisurely making your way through living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, kitchens and bathrooms – the whole house in all its beauty waiting for you to step on in for an effortless and insightful virtual tour.
