The latest luxury large group holiday house to be added to our carefully curated collection and the reason for much happy dancing in the office, is Brook Barton. Deep in the Herefordshire countryside, this quirky conversion of an old milking parlour and two grain silos sleeps 16 in 7 bedrooms; in the large garden there’s a hot tub and table tennis. Just look at it - there’s not another house like this anywhere! It’s such a special place to stay for holidays and celebrations with friends and family, elegant hen weekends and corporate away days. Bring it on.
On a farmyard in the depths of the Herefordshire countryside, a former milking parlour and two grain silos stood empty, unused, slipping slowly into disrepair. But now look, now that they’ve been thoughtfully converted into a gorgeous large group holiday house – Brook Barton. 7 bedrooms sleep 16, there are 2 living rooms, 2 kitchens, a wrap around terrace with a hot tub and outdoor table tennis, and large lawns to play on.
This certainly isn’t any old holiday house, far from it; this is something entirely different, something that’s out there, on its own in terms of looks, style and substance. The layout melds so well, that link between parlour and silos, the house stands handsomely in the landscape. If you like unique, you’ll like this.
Inside the vibe is country modern, with a nod to the original character of the buildings – flagstone floors, exposed brick walls, metal staircases. It’s light and airy and it feels SO relaxed. Good to know is that all bedrooms have zip and link beds so you can opt to have them arranged as super kings or twins, and that 2 of the rooms sleep 3, so they work well for families. The round rooms in the towers are a big feature of the house, the full height windows mean glorious views of the fields.
Those towers can be as much a part of the house as you want them to be; seamlessly linked to the main house, the first tower has a kitchen/living room on the ground floor and a bedroom with an ensuite shower room above. Back downstairs, a short passage links to a shower room and another bedroom in the second tower. So if you have people in your group who like to have their own space, it can be almost self-contained - but it needn’t be if you all want to mingle; it works both ways.
Brook Barton is a great place to stay for peaceful holidays in the country, and it fits so many scenarios - multi-generational stays, family holidays, low-key birthday or anniversary celebrations, civilised hen weekends, even corporate team building or hospitality breaks. You might well be content to while away every minute of your stay right here, though if you feel inclined to venture out, there’s plenty to do in this neck of the woods.
The obvious one is to go for a walk – why not when you’re staying in such beautiful countryside? Stroll into Pembridge and have a look at the lovely old buildings, many the black and white timber framed type that this area is known for. Linger for lunch at the centuries old New Inn, or go to The Cider Barn on the edge of the village for the best of local fare.
Lovers of literature will be glad to know that Hay on Wye isn’t far; browse the many bookshops and quirky independent places, like The Old Electric Shop. Stop by for lunch at Hay Castle Café or Tomatitos Tapas Bar & Restaurant. Come on Thursdays for market day, come in May for the annual Hay Festival packed with live events and workshops.
If gorgeous gardens are your thing, you’re in for a treat because within easy reach are Berrington Hall, Hergest Croft Gardens and the very imaginative Westonbury Mill Water Gardens. If you’ve got kids on board, take them to the Small Breeds Farm Park, go canoeing on the River Wye, have fun on the track at Hereford Raceway, or watch cheese being made at Monkland Cheese Dairy.
Pootle about on the Black & White Village Tour, passing through some of the prettiest little places where the streets are lined with those lovely old half timber houses this area is known for – wonky windows, wonky walls, wonky chimneys - and so much charm! Pause for a mooch around Weobley, or Eardisland where you can paddle in the river and tuck into homemade scones at Rita’s Tearooms
And you know what? It all feels a world away from the hectic pace of life, and that’s partly why it’s so special to stay at Brook Barton. The pace slows down, you don’t have to do anything at all but smile and enjoy time spent with the people you’re close to. The days will be long and happy, the nights restful, and the memories will last forever.