The Hunting Lodge at Ragley Estate - sleeps 16 guests in 7 bedrooms

As you pull onto the expansive gravel drive there is a pleasing sense of arrival and the anticipation of staying somewhere rather special, for The Hunting Lodge at Ragley Estate is Grade II listed and dates to the 16th century. Many original features remain giving it bags of character and charm, but this delightful house also boasts all the creature comforts needed to put fun and relaxation centre stage.

Step inside and you'll find flagstone floors, huge windows, with meadow views at every turn, ancient beams, and open fires. The huge dining room table is the place for convivial meals by firelight, whilst two living rooms offer space to relax and be sociable or simply curl up with a good book and enjoy some quiet time. The games room, with a pool table and, for footie fans, a table football set, provides endless competitive entertainment. Two ground floor bedrooms offer flexible living arrangements, whilst on the first floor, there are five further bedrooms, three of which have ensuite bathrooms, and a family bathroom with a gorgeous clawfoot bathtub.

Outside you will find a space as delightful as the ones inside. A whimsical swing hangs from a mature tree in the front garden, and when you wander through the wrought iron gate on the side of the house, the full scale of the far-reaching views hits you. Rolling fields and tree-clad hills form the backdrop for two and a half acres of garden, which is yours to enjoy. Spread a picnic blanket in the old orchard and listen to the birds, let the children run free making magic and adventures in the playhouse or just head for the hot tub and relax amongst the bubbles. There is parking for up to 8 cars on the private driveway.

Ground Floor

Entrance Hall:
The covered porch shelters the old wooden front door, which opens into the original entrance hall. Old timbers form the ceiling and there's a high-sided bench, where you can perch to take off shoes and boots, a smoked glass light fitting and a console table with a large mirror hanging over it. From the entrance hall, you can go left into the second of two living rooms and the main living area of the house. Alternatively, there are four steps on the right which lead to the games room, a boot room, and one of the ground floor bedrooms.

Snug/Living Room:
With two large comfy sofas, lots of floor space and an open fire this is an ideal room to allocate for children as a playroom, and there are plenty of games and books on the shelves beside the fire. It's also a great space for a little quiet time, where you can light the fire and curl up on the sofa beneath the huge window with a good book. Reading lamps ensure there is plenty of light, and occasional tables mean there is always somewhere to rest a drink.

Living Room:
The main living room features three sofas set around the feature stone fireplace. There's a large Smart TV and multi-pane windows looking out to the rear garden beyond. Gather here for evening drinks whilst little ones play next door.

Inner Hall:
Linking the two parts of the house, the inner hall boasts the same original flagstones seen throughout, there's a door to the rear garden and the staircase to the first floor.

Dining Room:
With flagstone floors, ancient oak beams lining the walls and marching across the ceiling, plus a huge fireplace with a wood-burning stove, the dining room is atmospheric and filled with character. Lay the long table and gather your nearest and dearest together for wonderful meals.

Bedroom Six:
This ground floor bedroom is a pretty twin room (can be a king-size bed on request) overlooking the rear garden. A large rug on the flagstones adds splashes of colour to the pale greys and neutral tones of the room and the original beams add character and charm. There are bedside tables with reading lamps and a double wardrobe and a four-drawer chest of drawers for storage. Please note whilst there is a ground floor cloakroom through the kitchen, guests staying in the room should be aware the main family bathroom is on the first floor.

Kitchen:
Filled with character, the kitchen is packed with original features including flagstone floors, exposed beams, and there's even a cream AGA tucked into the old fireplace. Everything else is 21st century however including a range cooker with ceramic hob, two dishwashers, a microwave, and a freestanding fridge-freezer. There's plenty of crockery and glasses, plus enough pots and pans to cook up a feast. There's a door to the front garden and a ground floor cloakroom with a W.C and hand basin.

Games Room:
If you turn left and walk up four steps from the main entrance hall you'll find the games room. With a pool table, including balls and cues, and a table football set, there's plenty to keep you entertained, this is also where you'll find a selection of outdoor games. There's a TV mounted on the wall and at the far end a utility area with a washing machine, tumble dryer, iron, and ironing board. There's also a second fridge for additional food or maybe for keeping drinks cool, and a kettle so guests staying in the ground floor bedroom at this end of the house can make themselves a morning cuppa.

Boot Room:
This useful space has a door to the rear and would be a great way to bring wet doggies in to dry off before going through the rest of the house. It also gives easy access to the outside for guests staying in bedroom seven.

Bedroom Seven:
Up one step is the second of the ground floor bedrooms, set up as a twin room, it can also be configured as a king-size on request. Exposed stone walls and old beams create a warm and welcoming place to stay. Bedside tables with reading lamps stand on either side of the beds and coat hooks with wooden hangers provide hanging space. There's also a chest of drawers with a large mirror over, and windows to the front provide natural light.

Ensuite:
The ensuite to bedroom seven features a large step-in shower cubicle with two shower heads, one of which is hand-held. There's a vanity unit with a rectangular hand basin and a W.C. A lead-paned window looks over the side and the slightly vaulted ceiling is lined with beams.

First Floor

Stairs with a wooden handrail lead to the first floor, halfway up there's a large window with lovely rural views.

Bedroom One:
The master bedroom lies at one end of the hall and is a light and spacious room with pale grey wallpaper and a window looking over the entrance to the countryside beyond. A built-in wardrobe fills one wall providing plenty of storage, whilst there's also a large sideboard with drawers. A king-size bed faces the window and is flanked by bedside tables with reading lamps. An easy chair sits by the window.

Ensuite:
Carved out from one end of the bedroom is an ensuite bathroom with a step in shower cubicle, W.C and a circular hand basin with twin mirrors above.

Bedroom Two:
This spacious room is perfect for families with a king-size bed and two single beds. A huge window overlooks the rear garden offering wonderful rural views of the rolling hills beyond, while a double wardrobe and chest of drawers provide storage.

Bedroom Three:
Down four steps at the other end of the hallway lies a pretty, king-size room with an abundance of character, including some low beams so please mind your head, and it would be easy to while away the hours just gazing at the view over the rear garden. There are bedside tables with reading lamps on either side of the bed and a three-drawer chest of drawers, along with wall hooks and wooden hangers to provide storage.

Ensuite:
Up two steps, behind a brace and latch door (the door has low headroom so please be careful) lies a cunningly hidden ensuite, with a large step-in shower cubicle with an electric shower, W.C and a handbasin. The room has natural light from the side window looking over the garden, it could be described as a loo with a rural view!

Bedroom Four:
Opposite bedroom three sits bedroom four, a light and airy room with twin beds (can be a king-size on request). There's plenty of space to relax, a chest of drawers for storage and wall hooks with wooden hangers. The occasional chair is a peaceful spot to sit and ponder the view. This room is perfect for families as bedroom five is accessed from this room too.

Bedroom Five:
Accessed from bedroom four this is a cosy twin room with wooden framed beds and views to the front and side of the house. There's a shared night table between the two beds with a reading lamp, a chest of drawers and wall hooks with wooden coat hangers for storage.

Bathroom / Shower Room:
The main family bathroom is spacious and features a separate step-in shower cubicle with an electric shower, standalone claw-foot bath, WC and hand basin with a large mirror over. There's a handy shelf alongside the bath for resting a book, and views over the front of the house from the large window.

Outside

To the front of The Hunting Lodge at Ragley Estate is a lawned garden with mature trees and planting. The full glory of this holiday home's garden is revealed when you walk through the wrought-iron gate to the side. Sitting on two and a half acres of grounds, there's a large patio with outside dining, a gas barbecue, and a hot tub. In front of you is a large lawn, perfect for outside games, a delightful playhouse and a wooden climbing set. A weathered, low brick wall provides a border to the fields beyond and there's an old orchard, hidden away through a gap in the hedge. For outdoor space, this garden takes some beating. There is a large gravel drive that can accommodate parking for up to eight cars.

* Additional fee of £177 for use of the hot tub per stay.

As a guest of The Hunting Lodge at Ragley Estate - sleeps 16 guests in 7 bedrooms, you'll find a hot tub, barbecue grills, and an arcade/games room. The front desk is open around the clock.

This Alcester farm stay is smoke free.