BROOK BARTON - Herefordshire

Those old farm buildings that no longer serve their intended purpose, what do you do with them? Well, you turn them into luxury large group holiday houses, of course – like Brook Barton. This used to be a milking parlour and grain silos, all part and parcel of a busy Herefordshire farm, but now, creatively converted, it comes stomping into 21^st century with snooze space for 16 in 7 bedrooms, 2 light and airy living rooms, a slick kitchen/dining room, and a wrap around garden with a hot tub and outdoor table tennis.

It’s brilliant – the way the silos have been brought into the design, two striking tin clad towers that can be as much a part of the main house as you want, or can be almost separate accommodation if you have people in your group who like their own space. Inside is fresh and cheery; country modern and the traditional come together nicely. What a lovely place to stay for holidays and peaceful celebrations with family and friends, for relaxed hen weekends, and even corporate away days.

Lovers of all things literary should note that Hay on Wye is only 30 minutes away, so this makes a great base for the annual Hay Festival. If you’re well into walking, this is perfect because on the doorstep there are miles and miles of glorious countryside, and within easy reach are Offa’s Dyke, the Black Mountains and the Brecon Beacons. At the least, you could amble into Pembridge for a pub lunch at the centuries old New Inn, or to sample the best of local fare at The Cider Barn.

A good way to see the area is to follow the Black & White Village Trail from Leominster, taking you through some of the prettiest places, with old timber framed buildings and plenty of country pubs and tea shops to stop at.

Get a load of the gorgeous gardens at Hergest Croft or Berrington Hall; for something truly unique, go to Westonbury Mill Water Gardens. Take a family trip to the Small Breeds Farm Park and Owl Centre, go and have an adventure on the River Wye with canoe hire at The Ferry Boat Inn at Witney-on-Wye; see how they make their tasty cheeses at Monkland Cheese Dairy, release your inner Lewis Hamilton at Hereford Raceway, spend a day in Hereford where you can visit the famous cathedral with its 17^th century chained library and the Mappa Mundi.

You’ll have such a lovely time when you stay at Brook Barton – even if you go nowhere at all. Take a big fat helping of country life, Herefordshire style, love every second of it, keep those precious memories safe.

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Great for: Holidays and celebrations with friends and family, elegant hen weekends, corporate breaks

Where To Go & What To Do: Black & White Village Trail | Hergest Croft Garden | Small Breeds Farm Park and Owl Centre | Monkland Cheese Dairy | Westonbury Mill Water Gardens | Hereford Cathedral | Berrington Hall | Hay on Wye | Ludlow | The Black Mountains | Shobdon Church | Hereford Raceway

Places To Eat: The Cider Barn, Pembridge | The New inn, Pembridge | The Crown Inn, Dilwyn |The Stagg Inn, Titley | The Riverside, Aymestry | The White Swan, Eardisland | The Causeway Restaurant & Bar | The Cross Inn, Eardisland | The Wobbly Badger, Weobley | Jules Restaurant, Weobley