We had a wonderful time at Calcot Cottage. It was beautiful, in a glorious location and so pristinely clean that it seemed a shame to use anything! The beds were super comfortable and the lounges really comfy. I was very grateful and pleased that the heating was very efficient (memories of other chilly cottages in the past!). It was delightful to see all the pheasants and to relax in the hot tub. A great extra luxury amenity.

A staycation in the idyllic county of Shropshire feels like taking a journey back in time, its panorama of lush green hills and sweeping valleys stretching as far as the eye can see. From our chic farmhouse base in the village of Chirbury, we were perfectly placed to explore Shropshire’s pretty and beautifully preserved historic towns, and we spent a fun and all-too-brief afternoon in Shrewsbury itself, a market town on the River Severn.

I am now officially cross with myself for not looking at the next county down, Shropshire, after having enjoyed a marvellous bit of R&R in what is a truly beautiful location. Country lanes, rising hills, swathes of green dotted with sheep and cows, it was all wonderful to gaze upon as … we were heading to a cottage on the Marrington Estate, close to Montgomery… our “shall we try Shropshire?” conversation proved to have been one of the best decisions we have ever made.

Why isn’t the Shropshire Hills AONB more celebrated? Alfred Housman’s “blue remembered hills” are ridged by Lilliputian mountains such as Long Mynd and have the best section of Offa’s Dyke, between Knighton and Kerry Ridgeway, yet everyone talks about Bannau Brycheiniog (aka the Brecon Beacons) instead. A hot tub with a view is one reason to book Camlad Barn — soak at night, the stars here are beautiful. Other reasons are large living areas, the peace of a private estate and the proximity to pinch-me pretty Montgomery.