This is a old timber framed cottage, with bathroom extension. The decor is traditional but not modern. The cottage is secluded but not isolated. Access is down a quiet country lane in the hamlet of Bircher. The nearby villages of Yarpole and Orleton are within walking distance and both have thriving village shops (Yarpole community shop is in the church) and churches. There are a wealth of footpaths in the area as well as long distance footpaths. The Mortimer Trail and Offa's Dyke path are both within reach. The area is one of rolling hills and agricultural land, in one of the most beautiful areas of the Welsh Marches. The garden is mostly lawn with scattered fruit trees which provide some shade in summer. Vintage garden furniture.
Property manager
Mary Walter
Languages
English
Add dates for prices
Amenities
Kitchen
Outdoor space
Parking available
Barbecue grill
Fireplace
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Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
We should mention
A car is required for transport to and from this property
About the area
Leominster
Located in Leominster, this cottage is in a rural area. National Trust's Croft Castle and Parkland and Castle Lodge are local landmarks, and some of the area's attractions include Ludlow Food Centre and Westonbury Mill Water Gardens. Herefordshire Raceway and Clee Hills are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Leominster, England
What's nearby
National Trust's Croft Castle and Parkland - 5 min drive - 2.7 km
Ludlow Castle - 10 min drive - 11.5 km
Ludlow Brewing Company - 12 min drive - 12.6 km
Berrington Hall - 12 min drive - 13.2 km
Mortimer Forest - 26 min drive - 10.7 km
Getting around
Leominster Station - 13 min drive
Birmingham Airport (BHX) - 90 min drive
Restaurants
Barons Cross Inn - 10 min drive
O K Diners - 9 min drive
The Duke's Head - 9 min drive
The Riverside Inn - 7 min drive
The Bellllll - 9 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is Picturesque Black And White Cottage pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
What time is check-in at Picturesque Black And White Cottage?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Picturesque Black And White Cottage?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is Picturesque Black And White Cottage located?
Situated in a rural location, this cottage is within 2 miles (3 km) of Yarpole Shop - The Shop in the Church, National Trust's Croft Castle and Parkland and Oaker Wood Leisure. Kilpeck Church and Mortimer Forest are also within 9 miles (15 km).
Reviews
9.6
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
My wife and I very much enjoyed our week at Gatehouse Cottage. The cottage exudes an olde world charm with its huge wooden beams and stone fireplace, while being comfortable and well equipped. The large orchard was beautiful and the location was wonderfully quiet and peaceful. Its close proximity to two National Trust properties, Croft Castle and Berrington Hall, was a great bonus too. We were grateful to the owner for quickly resolving an issue with the back door. Unfortunately, our first impression of the cottage were not the best due to its old, rickety wooden gate, which is in need of replacement. Also, we found the so called "vintage" garden furniture to be rusty, uncomfortable and virtually unusable. Fortunately, we had our own fold up chairs with us so we were able to enjoy the lovely orchard. The owner mentioned that she was thinking of providing new reclining chairs, which would be a great benefit. Overall though, the cottage is lovely and we would really like to return.
Really enjoyed our third stay at this lovely cottage. The garden is amazing and it is a great location for visiting the many lovely places in Herefordshire. There are some beautiful walks right on the doorstep. Thank you Mary and Steve for a another lovely stay.
This gorgeous cottage was perfect for us. Really cosy with its log burner and central heating. Long country walks can be had right from its doorstep with no need to drive anywhere. It is perfect for a “get away from it all” holiday. I am a bit reluctant to say just how great it is in case it’s not available for our inevitable return. There are so many cottages available but you can’t go wrong with this one.
We really enjoyed our second stay at this lovely cottage. The garden is so beautiful and the cottage is very quaint and has everything you could possibly need. The area is ideal for visiting many local areas of interest. Hopefully we will be able to stay again very soon. Thank you so much.
Charming, comfortable and picturesque. Cosy and well equipped, quiet and peaceful, rural and rustic. Would suit countryside lovers, walkers and those with an interest in history.
Lovely countryside cottage. Secluded and surrounded by beautiful views. Plenty of nearby pubs that cater for lunch and dinner and close by is Croft Castle which is amazing and has some lovely walks. Highly recommended.
We had a really enjoyable short stay here in this cottage. We loved the garden and spent most of our time in it when we were not out exploring. Would definitely recommend a stay here.
This is a lovely cottage set in a idyllic peaceful location. The garden was beautiful and perfect for the children to run around. The cottage is perfectly situated to explore Ludlow and the surrounding countryside. We had a lovely meal at the Bell in nearby Yarpole, and a lovely day at Hampton Court Castle. We would definitely stay here again and hope to return one day.
We loved our stay at this beautiful cottage. The garden is lovely and the location is ideal as there are many places to visit in this area and some beautiful walks. The cottage had absolutely everything we needed. Lovely comfy bed and the shower was good.. We would highly recommend and definitely would love to come back again. Thank you
Clean and well equipped. Mary left us an array of goodies which was very much appreciated. We chose the property for its location to National Trust properties ie Berrington Hall, Croft Castle, Stokesay Castle and also lovely gardens including Hampton Court Castle, well worth a visit. As we have been self isolating, average age 80 years we managed to maintain this.
The photos don’t do it justice, the cottage is lovely, with everything you need. The garden is massive and enclosed, so great for kids. It’s location means you are close to a lots of fun days out (we had a car). The owner was very quick with any little questions we had and left some lovely treats on our arrival. Would definitely recommend.
Lovely to have a beautiful change of scenery after being confined to barracks for over 3 months! Cottage is comfy & reasonably equipped & perfect for 2 adults and 2 small children. Huge garden full of wildlife.. rabbits are almost tame.
This cottage is so homey and charming! My fiancé and I had a lovely Christmas stay in this much needed retreat from city life. Steve and Mary were helpful and easy to reach. The bed was comfy and the kitchen amenities, heating, and hot water worked very well. The cottage is also conveniently close to Ludlow and Leominster. There are pretty views of the English countryside we enjoyed while sipping tea and watching the sunrise. We would highly recommend this quaint country cottage to all visitors!
A quaint black and white cottage in the middle of nowhere. Peacefull, lovely garden , everything one needs. Lovely fireplace, pity the weather was so good we could not light a fire or we would have melted.
A super place to explore the surrounding towns and countryside. Plenty of good pubs around serving good food.
Alltogether a very enjoyable stay.
Booked for my daughter & family. Owners could not have been more helpful and welcoming and was very reasonably priced.
Rhianon T.
8/10 Good
Glenice D.
28 July 2018
Picturesque cottage, well supplied with all necessary equipment and plenty of information of area
Well situated for NT properties, we visited Croft Castle and did Ancient tree walk to see 400 year old sweet chestnut trees, fantastic avenue a must for nature lovers. There was also Birch common and Clee hills not too far away. We enjoyed our stay in lovely Herefordshire countryside.
Glenice D.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2018
10/10 Excellent
Philip M.
14 July 2018
Comfortable, quaint and quiet
Having stayed in the cottage last year for a long weekend, this time we had a 2 week stay. The cottage is an old timber-framed building (obviously) and has lots of character. It lies within lovely rolling countryside and in a quiet village location. The garden is long and a pleasure to be in. The weather was rather too hot, but something we learned was that timber-framed buildings are cooler. A brick building is rather like being in a large storage radiator. Highly recommended for the discerning holidaymaker.
Philip M.
Stayed 11 nights in Jun 2018
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.
10/10 Excellent
Jim D., Sheffield
17 November 2017
A delightful rural retreat
The Gatehouse Cottage is an attractive and cosy half-timbered property in a delightful location. The cottage itself is comfortable, well-equipped and has ample parking for at least three cars up a short but steep drive. There is a very attractive orchard attached to the property and we were extremely fortunate in coinciding with a spectacularly bountiful apple harvest. They are delicious!
A beautifully quiet green lane alongside the cottage provides a wonderfully tranquil short walk and the nearby village of Yarpole, with its well-stocked community shop in the church is also easily reached by field paths. Nearby Bircher Common provides ample opportunities for longer walks.
The location is excellent for visits to nearby National Trust properties such as the medieval manor house at Brockhampton (highly recommended) and nearby Berrington Hall. The original Hampton Court Castle and spectacularly designed gardens are also well worth a visit. Ludlow and Leominster provide interesting places to explore and the Riverside Inn at the nearby Village of Aymestry is an excellent venue for good quality well-prepared meals.
All in all, this part of the world is over=looked and under-rated but definitely worth seeking out. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the cottage and would recommend it unreservedly.
Jim D.
Stayed 9 nights in Oct 2017
About the host
Hosted by Mary Walter
Gatehouse Cottage belonged to my grandparents, and was passed down to my Mother and then to myself. It was originally a farm workers cottage, and my Mother remembered the 6 children who were brought up in the small cottage with no running water or electricity. My husband and I moved to Herefordshire when he retired and now manage the cottage for holiday lets. We live about 8 miles away so can readily attend to changeovers and deal with any problems.
What makes this property unique
Although the cottage is on a quiet lane, it is close to several highways, and you can travel north, south, east and west with ease, without having to retrace your steps. The garden is a delight and can be enjoyed at all times of the year. There is ample parking space, and plenty of room for children to run around.