The Hyde

Beamed ceilings are ten a penny over here in Herefordshire, but not the original medieval ones. Peta and Ivo’s renovation of The Hyde is nothing short of spectacular, letting the building’s lengthy history sing through its auction-sourced antiques, wonky ceilings and meat hooks protruding (safely) from the kitchen ceiling. All generations will relish the opportunity to explore all the nooks and crannies both inside and out.

You’ll have the whole place to yourself – the main house, and the cottage across the courtyard with four extra bedrooms if the space is needed. A veritable army of helpers are used to fulfil all manner of requests, including delicious food ready to put in the oven or a wander down to the award-winning restaurant on the estate.

The best quirk can be found in the garden: for an extra charge you can chug around the grounds through stations, steam billowing through tunnels and viaducts on the narrow gauge railway.