Heribert Cottage

Pontesbury 2.1 miles.

Heribert Cottage is a characterful reverse-level barn conversion that can sleep up to four guests, making it a quirky base for your next adventure in Lea near Pontesbury, Shropshire.

In a very quiet rural position yet not remote, it is less than 15 minutes from Shrewsbury town centre.

It has been thoughtfully decorated and furnished throughout and has a simple and efficient heating system.

Cosy in the winter and lovely cool bedrooms in the summer.

On the ground floor, there is a bathroom with a Jacuzzi bath to relax in or an over-bath shower if you’re quickly freshening up for the day, with a helpful handrail for stepping in and out.

The hallway has the washing machine tucked away behind the door.

There are two lovely ground-floor bedrooms with quality furnishings, one with a double bed, and the other with a 4-foot double.

Though the bedrooms are on the ground floor, they have an elevated position which makes them feel like you are upstairs.

Both bedrooms enjoy the morning sun (there are blackout blinds) and views of the eucalyptus tree in the attractive courtyard below.

The stairs lead you to the first-floor open-plan living space, with a Velux window, a much-admired elephant tapestry, and pictures of local scenes.

A very well-equipped kitchen has everything for your self-catering needs, and a dairy maid airer is sited unobtrusively in the eaves.

The Ikea 3-seater sofa bed in the living area transforms into a sumptuous king-size bed to offer flexible sleeping arrangements.

There are lovely countryside views, and outside there is private, concealed off-road parking.

From the gravelled driveway, the cottage has shared steps down to its own pretty patio with colourful planted tubs and a choice of seating for you to enjoy the morning sun - indeed, sun all day as it is south-facing and the peacefulness of your surroundings.

Heribert Cottage (and its neighbours) derives its unusual name from the Cadfael series, which was filmed in Shrewsbury around the time the barns were converted.

The cottage nestles on the northern edge of the Shropshire Hills AONB, a website well worth visiting, and is a fantastic base for walkers and cyclists.

It is close to Earls Hill, Pontesbury Hill, and a fraction further away are the Stiperstones and the Long Mynd, all with beautiful walks.

Choose your route for an easy walk or something far more challenging or just walk out of the drive for an evening stroll along the pretty lanes.

For cyclists, there’s a fantastic network of rural cycling - it is on Route 44, the Six Castle Cycle Way.

This is a 58-mile signed route between Shrewsbury and Leominster, linking six very different castles, from the romantic ruins of Bishop’s Castle and Richard’s Castle to the substantial stone buildings of Shrewsbury, Ludlow, and Croft Castle, and the elegance of Stokesay.

Highly recommended by birdwatching enthusiasts is the Polemere Nature Reserve, less than half a mile away from the cottage.

The nearest village shop is a short distance away in Hanwood.

You can find the Nag’s Head pub, an excellent butcher, and a further selection of village stores in Pontesbury, just 2 miles away.

On the main road, within walking distance, is an ex-pub-turned-takeaway Tandoori (they will deliver as well).

There are good supermarkets within a short drive and a retail park just off the Shrewsbury bypass where you can do your shopping.

In historical Shrewsbury, birthplace of Charles Darwin, there is the castle, many lovely independent shops, great places to eat, and the award winning Shrewsbury market hall packed with quirky businesses, traditional butchers and fishmonger and food stalls.

For the avid golfers and fisherperson, golf at Arscott welcomes non-members, and you can find the course and Lea Cross Fishing Village within one and a half miles of Heribert Cottage.

For hill walking: Pontesford Hill and Earls Hill, Heather-Clad uplands of The Long Mynd and The Stiperstones, Montgomery, Rodney’s Pillar, Hawkstone Park Follies and Lake Vyrnwy.

For days out: Powis Castle, The Ironwork Centre Oswestry, Attingham Park, Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre at Craven Arms, Ludlow, Ironbridge Gorge, Enginuity, Black Country Museum, RAF Cosford Air Museum.

For birdwatchers: Polemere Reserve, Venus Pool near Cross Houses, Whixall Moss in North Shropshire and the lakes at Ellesmere.

For a quaint and homely, centrally located base in Shropshire, choose Heribert Cottage.