Orchard House

About this property

Tucked away on a quiet family-run farm next to the Welsh border and the Shropshire Hills AONB, Orchard Cottage is ideal for large or extended family holidays. It easily sleeps up to 14 people in five beautiful bedrooms and has plenty of space inside and out. Sit back and enjoy the stunning countryside views, swim in the indoor heated pool or watch the kids have fun in the adventure playground or games room. Located at the point where Shropshire, Herefordshire and Powys meet, there are plenty of attractions including Offa's Dyke, Hereford and Ludlow within easy reach.

Orchard House could be the setting for your best holiday ever. Converted from a stone barn on a quiet farm in the most spectacular location, the holiday home easily sleeps up to 14 people in five bedrooms, making it a particular favourite of extended families and friends. The owners have taken great care to create a welcoming environment where guests have everything they need to relax and enjoy themselves, and these efforts have been recognised with the Gold Award from Visit England.

The barn is on family-run Hicks Farm, with stunning countryside views that encompass Powys, Shropshire and Herefordshire. It feels peaceful and secluded yet is only a few miles from pretty villages and excellent country pubs whose menus include meat from surrounding farms and locally brewed beers and ciders.

Orchard House is perfect if you want to explore the area but its space, location and facilities make it a fantastic holiday destination in its own right, and you could happily spend your days within the farm's boundaries. The owners raise lambs and pigs and a holiday during lambing season is popular with children, particularly those who help to bottle feed any needy lambs. The farm is also home to a diverse array of birds and wildlife. Facilities include an indoor swimming pool (heated to a comfortable 29 degrees!) next to a wet room and change facilities which are wheelchair accessible. There is a separate games room with a pool table and toys for children of all ages, and an outdoor adventure playground.

Days out can include a visit to see the historic Mappa Mundi at Hereford Cathedral or a day exploring the many excellent food shops and Tudor buildings in Ludlow. Walk along Offa's Dyke or mountain bike in the nearby Shropshire Hills aonb. With the opportunity of walking around ancient ruins, through cider orchards or down the streets of pretty villages and charming market towns, there is something to delight everyone.

Orchard House has a 4-Star Gold award and is one of two self-catering properties at Hicks Farm which can be booked together to accommodate even larger groups, depending on availability. Please see the owner's website for more information.

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Accommodation Comprises:

The interior of Orchard House has been designed and furnished to be comfortable and accessible for all guests, including wheelchair users with wide hallways and suitably placed light switches and power points.

Downstairs:

Welcoming entrance hall with room to leave boots and hang coats. There is a second hallway/lobby with a staircase and a landline telephone.

Spacious living room with very comfortable furnishings wand ample seating for up to 14 people. There is a wood-burning stove that extra cosy feeling in winter, a Bluetooth speaker and a flatscreen TV, and everyone can enjoy family movie nights thanks to the built-in hearing loop and loop amplifier. The house has WiFi and the owners have also provided a choice of family-friendly games.

Fantastic kitchen/diner which ticks all your "Country Living" dreams. The fitted oak kitchen has plenty of bench and cupboard space, and the appliances are of high quality. Everyone will be happy to sit around the table, which has room for up to 24 people when extended.

Large bedroom with beds that can be set up as two full-sized (3ft-wide) single beds, or zipped together into a super king-sized bed. Please let the owner know your preference when booking. The tiled ensuite is wheelchair accessible with a shower, WC and handbasin. This room also has a hearing loop, emergency alarms, a wall-mounted television and tea and coffee making facilities.

Upstairs:

Master bedroom with a king-sized bed, ample storage and a sitting area. There is also a television and tea and coffee making facilities, giving the house the air of a country hotel. The ensuite has a bath with shower overhead, WC and handbasin. An adjacent room has a cot.

Triple ensuite room with a king-sized bed, single bed and sitting area. The ensuite has a bath with overhead shower, WC and handbasin.

Two further bedrooms have three and four single beds respectively, sleeping up to seven guests between them. The windows overlook the orchard and they have proper hanging and drawer space.

Family bathroom with a bath with overhead shower, WC and handbasin.

Outside: Not only do guests have use of Hick Farm's shared facilities, but Orchard House also has a huge private garden with outdoor furniture and sporting equipment for playing cricket and football. There is parking for up to five cars on the driveway with space for a further five cars by the Pool Barn. Nearby you will find the massive BBQ cabin which is just for Orchard House -  with a bar area with glassware and crockery - this means you can always have a BBQ whatever the weather and it seats 21 people!

Additional Information: Travel cots, high chairs, stair gates and other baby items are available on request. Well behaved pets are welcome through prior arrangement. Smoking is permitted but not in the Pool Barn Leisure facilities which is a 'public area' so non-smoking. Short breaks are possible all year round.