Traitors and Faithfuls will love country estate living in Shropshire

Our temporary home from home, Calcot Cottage, was picture-postcard gorgeous. There were plenty of oohs and aahs as we entered the building on arrival to take our first look around and claim whichever one of the beautiful bedrooms we wanted. As part of the Marrington Estate’s group of properties, ranging from the Annexe, a cosy bolthole for two, to Marrington Hall, a spectacular late 16th century listed country house which sleeps 14, it proved to be an ideal place for our small multi-generational group.

While our gaggle didn’t, unfortunately, warrant a stay To The Manor Born in the central hall, our four-bedroom haven would sleep eight in luxury. It was also totally private, surrounded by gardens, where pheasant chicks wandered happily around unfazed by these curious southerners who were invading their pristine rural space.

There are two sitting rooms with plenty of comfy sofas and a huge farmhouse kitchen with a central table with every modern gadget you could want. And, a definite priority of mine, this extensive property was really warm.

There were so many thoughtful touches at the cottage such as outdoor and indoor games for all ages, including the chance to pit our deception tactics against each other with a Traitors board game. Think how fantastic that would be with a much bigger group staying at Marrington Hall. It’s enough to make Claudia shiver with delight! The main residence among Marrington’s 600 acre estate also has a solar-heated swimming pool and a firepit for Faithfuls and Traitors to sit, chat and deceive. There’s even a croquet lawn.

But one brilliant addition to the amenities at Calcot was the large hot tub on the patio. Those cute little pheasant chicks seemed unfazed as swimsuit-clad humans loudly enjoyed time in its soothing, bubbly waters. It was a fun time - even in the less than warm autumn time - and an added extra that I’m sure any family will love.

But what we enjoyed, and visitors to all of the properties can enjoy, is access to the stunning countryside of this south-western corner of Shropshire, in the West Midlands.

Steps away from the cottage’s front door and through a private gate is the start of one of the many walks around the estate that guests can enjoy. While it’s quite a steep path, the way down through the forest to the gorge below is well worth it. It’s a stunning sight.

And if we’d wanted to explore further there is comprehensive information and tips from the owners to help with other walking trails, including to Offa's Dyke Path, which winds through the area, tracing the ancient border across rural Shropshire and Wales.

Indeed in this border country that’s seen both cooperation and conflict between the English and Welsh over hundreds of years, it’s sometimes difficult to know when you are in one country or the other. But we found one brilliant reason to venture into Wales was to visit Powis Castle, Welshpool, a short drive away.

Even to us National Trust stalwarts, this was a wonderful ‘find’.

The medieval castle, built in 1200, sits high on an escarpment above the Severn Valley. There are extensive, terraced gardens to explore after wandering around inside the castle walls. With serious hedge envy, my jaw dropped at the collection of the castle’s dramatic yew topiary — some specimens over 300 years old. They line the outer walls and the top path where we chose to linger and look out over the distant views and the lower, formal gardens.

Highlights within the castle include The State Bedroom with richly decorated with textiles and gilding; The Clive Museum which contains treasures from India collected by Robert Clive (“Clive of India”); the stunning Long Gallery – filled with paintings and family portraits and the Grand Staircase with its ornate carved woodwork.

There is a restaurant at the castle and courtyard to sit and eat when weather permits, but on our way home from a great day out at Powis Castle, we were lucky to get the last table reservation of the day at the excellent Nags Head Inn in Garthmyl. I must mention the trouble the proprietors went to to fit us in during a very busy time for the award-winning eatery.

There’s a very extensive menu with everything from steaks to fish and chips and even venison with kids’ choices all served up by very efficient and friendly staff. I highly recommend this restaurant. See nagsheadgarthmyl.co.uk for details.

In nearby Montgomery, the five star Checkers Restaurant is somewhere interesting to try too, but I would say is more suitable for special occasions. See www.checkerswales.co.uk for details.

This rural hideaway will certainly leave wonderful memories. I’d love to go back, but, perhaps, with a bigger group both Upstairs and Downstairs!

Travel facts

From now until the end of March, Marrington Escapes (www.marringtonescapes.com or call 01743 234 232) has up to 25 per cent off stays across all 10 of its self-catering properties all set within a 600 acre private estate on the idyllic Shropshire/Wales border. Each property comes kitted with a Traitor’s Game, cloak and kit for a modern-day take on the classic murder mystery. While for the walkers, there are mapped paths into ancient woodlands direct from the door with Shropshire’s Bishop’s Castle and Wales’s Montgomery within easy reach for a pint and a browse.

Discounted rates using the code WINTER2026, Calcot Cottage (sleeps 8) costs from £984 staying seven nights (was £1,312); Marrington Mill (sleeps up to 10) costs from £1,417.50 staying 7 nights (was £1,890). Camlad Barn (sleeps 6) costs from £699 staying 7 nights (was £932). Marrington Hall (sleeps 14) costs from £3,522.75 (was £4,697). Dogs welcome.