The Alms House East at Forthampton Estate

High on a hill, behind the church and with sweeping views of the Severn Vale, this sweet 19th-century almshouse was designed by one of the Arts and Crafts movement’s leading architects, William Burges. As part of the Forthampton Estate, the house and its twin next door have been in the same family for nine generations, so there’s a lot of history here. A few antiques, family paintings and a guestbook filled with information about the area and its history give you a sense of its roots.

Two bedrooms upstairs under the eaves are cosy and welcoming (one can be a double or a twin) with more of those lovely vistas. Downstairs to the shared bathroom with underfloor heating, the kitchen which is compact and well-equipped, and the sitting room with a couple of comfy sofas in front of the wood-burner. There’s a dining room too, so somewhere to share meals.

It’s quiet – you’re in a churchyard after all, so the only disturbance is likely the occasional peal of the church bells and the sound of owls.