An idyllic retreat for a couple’s getaway or solo retreat, this cottage is set in Church Stretton, a small market town in South Shropshire’s National Landscape. Among its many Tudor-era buildings are Edwardian streets crammed with independent shops, pubs and places to eat, as well as an excellent antiques centre. When you’ve spent time exploring the town, pull on your hiking boots and head straight from your door into the National Trust’s Carding Mill Valley and the Long Mynd, or towards Ragleth Hill, Hazler Hill and the impressive Caer Caradoc, which is topped with an Iron Age hillfort and offers spectacular views. If you feel like a change of pace, the historic towns of Shrewsbury and Ludlow are within 16 miles, the latter renowned for the quality of its food and drink. For history buffs, Ironbridge – the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution – is only 18 miles away.
This delightful corner cottage has many delightful historic features, including exposed beams, a large stone inglenook and a turning, cottage-style staircase. From the front door, kick off your boots in the vestibule and take a step down into the lounge/diner, a delightfully inviting room with soft seating and a wood burner for glowing warmth on chilly nights. A Smart TV adds the option of streaming a favourite box set as you relax. The dining table stands ready for serving up hearty meals or unfolding a map to plan your next day’s adventures. From here, there’s one step up to the kitchen, a well-planned space which includes a microwave, cafetiere and next door is a utility that’s home to a washing machine and a useful ground-floor WC. The stairs lead up to a quiet landing with seating, board games and books, and then it’s two steps up to the super-king-size bedroom. This inviting room has a high, sloping ceiling with more of those rugged beams, built-in storage, a dressing table and a TV – perfect for lazy lie-ins. Completing this level is a chic bathroom with a shower over the bath.
While the cottage has no dedicated outside space, it’s just steps from all the amenities of the village and has walks into delightful landscapes from the door. Parking is on-street, subject to availability.