Brook House, Bishop's Offley Near Eccleshall

Staffordshire. Sleeps up to 10

Eccleshall 3.7 miles. Situated on the Staffordshire / Shropshire border this historic property is rich in character and vintage charm and has original features such as exposed oak beams and an inglenook fireplace. Brook House dates back over 400-years and yet it is still a comfortable home-from-home for visitors, with all modern conveniences, fittings and appliances and comfortable soft furnishings throughout. It is suited for a large family or group, whether celebrating big occasions or not at all, you don't need an excuse to spend quality time with your friends and loved ones. Please note that the downstairs bedroom and cloak room, access ramp over the orangery threshold may mean that people confined to a wheelchair can enjoy the ground floor of Brook House. NB there is no downstairs shower and a three inch step between the living room and the kitchen. Choose from one of the lovely reception rooms to relax in at the end of the day, whether that's the sitting room for a spot of TV while the woodburning stove roars away, or in the snug area where another wood-burning stove can be found in the inglenook fireplace. A perfect place to read a good book, with both areas offering soft seating and classic décor alongside the rustic exposed beams. Find a well-equipped kitchen offering an 5 ring hob electric range cooker with double oven for cooking up some delicious dishes, along with all the other essential appliances, you can perch at the breakfast bar and oversee the activity with a glass of wine. Gather around for a sit-down meal in the dining room where a large wooden table accommodates all, you can create some timeless memories here and recall old ones too. Natural light floods the heated orangery, a bright and open space to enjoy, whatever the weather is like outside One of the bedrooms is on the ground-floor, offering twin beds, there is a washroom and toilet (not en-suite), but no shower. Upstairs you can find four bedrooms, including a king-size bed with an en-suite bathroom with an indulgent Jacuzzi bath, a king-size bed with an en-suite shower room a further bedroom with twin beds and the fifth bedroom has a double bed. Each bedroom has been thoughtfully put together to provide ample storage for each guest and decorated with pretty and harmonious colours and furnishings. The final (upstairs) room completing the property is a beautiful, large and modern bathroom with a free standing bath, wash basin, toilet, bidet and a separate walk in shower. The walled cottage garden can be a real sun trap in the summer and the outdoor seating for 10 is perfect for alfresco dining, please enjoy it to the full. As Brook House is so busy with visitors we may have to do some garden maintenance during your stay, of course we shall do our best to respect your privacy but ask for your understanding. The garage building and greenhouse are locked and not accessible to guests. If you wish to walk a little further along the River Sow which flows alongside the property, public footpaths lead to Jacksons Marsh with its board walks maintained by the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, if you are lucky you may spot kingfishers or otters. Continuing the walk for a couple of miles leads to the beautiful lake of Copmere and the nearest pub, The Star, a traditional inn serving excellent food and drink. Returning you can visit Jacksons coppice a real treasure on a hillside just a couple of hundred metres from Brook House, in late spring the bluebells are breath-taking and it is also the site of one of the largest badger colonies in Staffordshire. Alternatively follow the Terence trail, a circular walk that takes around 2-3 hours, mainly on footpaths and very minor roads. Maps are on the information table upstairs. Bishops wood is about 2 miles away, the largest wood in England (any bigger and it would be a forest!) an excellent place for dog walking. Follow the steep road to the top of the sandstone gorge (known locally as ‘The Rock’ you will reach the village of Bishops Offley (300metres). You will see a triangle of grass with a signpost and village notices. The village Millennium Green has regular events which you will be welcome to join, barbecues’ concerts, ‘rounders’, Guy Fawkes night, treasure hunts, village walks etc, if this is of interest just keep an eye open for details. Our neighbours at Offley Mill, the working water mill, just 100 yards upstream, mill stone ground flour, although there is no shop they may well sell you some flour if they are available. Our neighbours, a further 100 yards up the road on the right, on the left side of the gravel lane sell eggs and all kinds of meats, chicken, sausages and burgers from the livestock raised on their small holding, you are welcome to call by and see what is available. If you can tear yourself away from this beautifully classic property, head to the town of Eccleshall for any essentials, like supermarkets, pubs and shops, restaurants and cafes. Head north west to Loggerheads Country Park for a day outdoors exploring this wonderfully conserved area with a wooded river valley and dramatic cliffs offering wonderful scenery and views, you can follow the well-marked Discovery Trail for a great way to explore. Within driving distance of Brook House are the county towns of Stafford, Shrewsbury and Chester, as well as Alton where the famed Alton Towers is situated, Brook House is a perfect base for enjoying the best of Staffordshire, Shropshire, Cheshire and the West Midlands with your loved ones. There are numerous National Trust properties, and gardens open to the public (Dorothy Clive, Shugborough, Biddulph Grange, Hodnet Hall, Wollerton old Hall, Trentham (with its adjacent Monkey Park), museums (Iron Bridge gorge, Black Country, Potteries, Cosford), areas of natural beauty Cannock Chase, Hawkstone Follies, The Wrekin, Shropshire hills and The Peak District. Note:This property can be booked with ref; 954503 together they can sleep 16 people, situated about 50 meters apart within the grounds.