Houses for hire in Herefordshire - issued 19/08/03
For those who want to escape to the country, celebrate a special occasion, or stage a get-together with a group of friends, there's nothing quite like taking over an entire manor house, country house hotel, or a set of self catering cottages. What better than combining a social occasion, with a short break? And can there be a choice of locations and venues in Britain to match this selection of Herefordshire house parties?
The Ashe Holiday Cottages
"Any excuse for a party." Based in Bridstow, and boasting its own golf course, fishing, hard tennis court, and croquet lawn, The Ashe holiday cottages are housed in four separate buildings - The Granary, The Mill, The Stable, and Orchard Cottage. It is, according to owner Maria Ball, the sort of place perfectly suited to "anyone who has an excuse to get together for a party". Capable of accommodating up to 18 people, it lends itself to outdoor activities and social get-togethers, and already hosts 'house parties' ranging from university reunions, to a group of senior citizens who trample the croquet lawn into submission by playing on it for 12 hours a day. Short breaks, long weekend, and week-long bookings are all available.
Contact: Maria Ball. www.ashe-holiday-cottages.com. Tel: 01989-563336
Farr Cottages
"Farr from the madding crowd". Over the years, the picturesque village of Llangarron has become a 'second home' to many families and groups of friends from all parts of Britain. Best summed up by the fact that the key is occasionally left under the front door mat - "One guest told me that even the mat wouldn't be safe left outside in London", says Angela Farr - Farr Cottages are a collection of tranquil home-from-homes in two semi-detached cottages, a converted barn and a five bedroom house. Groups of 26 can be accommodated at present, but there are plans to add to that total soon. Grandparents, parents and children all gather here for house parties to celebrate special occasions. And New Year, Easter and the long winter months are all popular with groups of friends, colleagues and former students who want to gather together to enjoy a weekend in the country.
Contact: Angela Farr. www.farrcottages.co.uk. Tel: 01600-750333
Ford Abbey
"Luxury that's a-ford-abbey". Owned by Dutch millionaire, Dr Albert Heijn, Ford Abbey, close to Leominster, was opened to the public in July 2002, and offers both B&B and self-catering accommodation of the very highest order. Nestling in a sheltered valley amidst 320 acres of magnificent Herefordshire countryside, it combines five-star luxury with a relaxed atmosphere. Guests are as welcome to drop into the kitchen to discuss the evening's menu, as they are to dive into the heated pool. Five double suites in the main building are complemented by four self-catering cottages - Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. All have been renovated around a former abbey and farm buildings, which date back to the 15th century. Go Dutch to spread the costs, and any group of friends can enjoy a relaxed reunion here.
Contact: Michael Wildmoser. www.fordabbey.co.uk. Tel: 01568-760700.
more over….
Glewstone Court
"Country living." Glewstone Court, near Ross on Wye, has been owned and run by Christine and William Reeve Tucker from 1987…and has been winning accolades and awards ever since. Much of its reputation is based on the fine food it serves, using the very best local produce. Groups of friends filling the eight bedrooms can also enjoy exclusive use of a private dining room, and spend the weekend walking, shooting (by prior arrangement), or simply taking part in a very sociable weekend amidst this superb Herefordshire countryside. One group of friends - calling themselves The Rickety Ramblers - have already adopted Glewstone Court as their base for regular get-togethers.
Contact: William Reeve-Tucker. www.glewstonecourt.com. Tel: 01989-770367.
The Olde Rectory
"Catering for the self". It sounds almost too good to be true. Someone to do the shopping for you. A maid on demand. A chef if you need him for a black-tie dinner. Even a full body aromatherapy massage. All this in the most luxurious of surroundings, in either Hooch Hall, The Barn, Coach House, or Potting Shed, at The Olde Rectory in Whitbourne. Cliff and Gilly Poultney first opened their self-catering properties at the Olde Rectory in 1999, and have received plaudits ever since. But don't just take our word for it. Browse through the Visitor's Book, and you will also spot the names, and comments, of Maureen Lipman, Anton Rodgers, Helen Mirren, Timothy west, Prunella Scales, Coronation Street stars and English Touring Theatre actors who have all 'discovered' this hidden five star gem. Herefordshire house parties are a new speciality, and the Poultney's have already hosted family gatherings and a group of gals who "just wanted to dress up and eat in". With the recent opening of “Hooch Hall”, the parsons former cider mill, the cottages can sleep groups from as small as 2 to as large as 25.
Contact: Gilly or Cliff Poultney. www.olde-rectory.co.uk. Tel: 01886 822000.
Pengethley Manor
"To the Manor born". Country house weekends, black tie dinners, walking weekends, and Oriental banquets are just a small selection of the options available to families and friends wanting to take over Pengethley Manor for couple of nights. Located close to Ross-on-Wye, the hotel also offers croquet, a giant chessboard, a 9 hole golf improvement course, an outdoor heated pool open in summer months….and one of the county's very few helipads. "We've catered for reunions from all over the world, school friends get-togethers, family reunions and hen parties," says Natalie Whistance, adding that magicians, fireworks, musicians, discos, photographers and outward-bound activities can also be arranged to add to the atmosphere of the house party. Capable of accommodating up to 50 people, it's still possible to gain exclusive use of Pengethley Manor with a minimum of 20 people. Rates need to be negotiated depending on numbers, and whether or not the helipad will be required!
Contact: Natalie Whistance. www.pengethleymanor.co.uk. Tel: 01989-730211.
Wine Weekends
"Uncork the perfect weekend". Jon Hurley, wine expert, author, journalist, raconteur and perfect host has been offering Wine Weekends in Herefordshire since 1973. "I'm really rather good at it now," he claims in all modesty! Turn up on a Friday evening with a group of friends, settle into your accommodation, then let Jon do the talking and your tastebuds do the rest of the work. Jon guides guests through a couple of dozen different wines over the course of the weekend, while his wife Heather leads a local walk- ranging from 3 to 14 miles - on the Saturday. Best shared with friends!
Contact: Jon Hurley. www.wineweekends.com. Tel: 01432-840649
[Ends]

Herefordshire house parties - issued 19/08/03
Every once in a while, a new tourism trend emerges*. Sometimes, the trend matches perfectly with a specific destination. And occasionally, that destination may create an entire tourism product around the new trend.
That's exactly what has happened in Herefordshire, where a number of self-catering cottages, manor houses and hotels have responded to demand, by launching a new web site entirely dedicated to the increasingly popular concept of 'house parties'.
Over the past couple of years, Herefordshire has become a first-choice destination for house parties, and is now catering for a growing number of family celebrations, social gatherings, hen parties and 'friends reunited' groups from school, college or university.
Ideally placed geographically for an 'escape to the country', Herefordshire's other major advantage in meeting this demand is the range and quality of accommodations which are particularly suited to this type of 'house party' gathering.
There are hundreds of reasons for groups such as these to come together. But all are united by the desire to gather together under one roof.
"Not everyone needs an excuse such as a birthday or anniversary to arrange a Herefordshire house party," explains Tourism Marketing Officer Kate Tudge. "Family groups, or friends, who live a long way from each other, are now increasingly likely to want to organise a get-together - and it could be that none of their houses are large enough. That's where a growing number of our accommodation providers are able to help."
The exclusive use of a manor house is one option at the top end of the scale, while another is booking a group of self-catering cottages at any one location. All of the operators involved in the Herefordshire House Parties scheme, meanwhile, are prepared to be totally flexible in terms of time and costs, as well as highly imaginative in terms of themes or 'added extras'.
One award-winning self catering property, for example, is even prepared to book a chef for the night, and to host black tie dinners in their main dining room; while another of the county's ready-made options is a themed 'Wine Weekend' under the professional tutelage of the renowned wine expert and raconteur Jon Hurley.
Full details are on the new web site www.herefordshirehouseparties.co.uk.
[Ends]