Larchfield Estate — Blossoming Birds

Last week we took a midweek trip to Larchfield and I haven't stopped thinking about it! The excuse for a night away just the two of us was perfect, wedding anniversary and also to finish Colin's 30th birthday celebrations (you know because you need to drag that one out!)

I had heard of Larchfield Estate before but didn't really know much about it, I knew it held weddings and I wasn't even sure what accommodation it offered so when we got invited to stay over I didn't know what to expect or even if I should pack something for the evening if heading to a resturant?

Now before I go any further, when we were invited we were under no obligation to blog (royal 'we' Colin accompanies, suffers the full nights sleep and I blog) this is not a paid post and if we didn't enjoy this stay I wouldn't be blogging and saying how wonderful a place was for my followers to spend their hard earned money on recommendations and this accounts for anytime I blog.

Sorry, back to the Larchfield. When we arrived and drove up the long drive to the 1750s house I began to quickly fall in love with the surroundings and at this point I thought I'd have loved to have taken the girls, greeted by the most stunning trees, gardens, donkeys, cows and Lhamas, I could imagine the girls faces though we could just feel our shoulders drop as we started to relax.

We met the owners Sarah and Gavin at the door who kindly offered to show us around. We hit it off with these pair straight away, they are the most down to earth couple with 3 little ones, married 10 years and running the estate for 10 years... anyway I know this post should be about the stay away but it was after meeting Sarah I could truly see her personal touches and the couples personality and attention to little details in each area of the cottage and estate. The whole place has a homely and welcoming feel, the kind that can only be created not by external design companies who replicate for each place but by someone who is adding to an extension of their own home.

Also anyone that happens to stay, appreciate the leather chair in the bathroom... Sarah choose it, Gavin had to get it in (by removing a bathroom window) I can just imagine that conversation! 😂

There is available accommodation on the estate for up to 24 guests, this is in beautifully restored carriage rooms that have retained many of the original features. We got to stay in Rose cottage, a one bedroom cottage with double bed, a stunning free standing bath, living room, shower room, and Range cooker in the kitchen... a home from home.

We arrived in to the most beautiful hamper with all local produce for breakfast and a vast variety, the fridge was stocked with dinner just to pop in the oven as we poured a glass of wine and they even got wind that it was Colin's birthday and left a lovely homemade cake and card for him. I was very taken back with all the personal touches and details to make the stay as hassle free and stress free as possible.

In the evening we both enjoyed a beauty treatment, a beautician came to the cottage and I enjoyed a pedicure in front of the fire, there was something very different and special about not having to leave the beautiful surroundings, you could enjoy your treatment in your pajamas while the dinner was in the oven. There are many activities that you can choose, Falconry and Trout fishing, foraging session lead by an award winning chef or yoga/ Pilates.

I do love a hotel stay and am partial to a trip to the spa but there was something about this stay that made me feel we got to really unwind and reset. From the evening we got to lock the door, pour the bubbles, cook dinner and sit down together with no where to go or get ready, we sat in our comfies in the luxury farm style surroundings and there was literally not a sound, no hustle and bustle but just pure tranquility.

Everything stocked in the cottages is produced locally from the food to the bars of soaps and shampoos.

We are already planning another night away but this time to stay in glampers that they are currently designing using an old army truck to be kitted out with a drinks cabinet, sofa, bed and stove and a large wooden barrel as a wood fired sauna and shower room, the front end will be made of glass to let you enjoy the views of the stunning countryside and gardens... Colin's favourite programme is George Clarkes Amazing Spaces and we can already tell this is exactly what it will be.

After breakfast in the morning the rain stopped and we took a walk around the gardens, we could have got lost roaming and exploring and time was just going too quick, we are hoping to take the girls a walk around in the next few weeks. If anyone happens to be staying soon I would definitely recommend bringing your morning coffee out to the gardens or your evening wine to the lit up green house then sit back and take in in the beauty of the surroundings.

Anna xx

* I have attached the details of a fabulous competition for your chance to win this amazing package. This summer the Larchfield Estate will have opened its doors for weddings and corporate events for 10 years. To celebrate, they are running a competition with two fantastic prizes.… all you need to do is visit here to find out how to enter. Either submit a 90 sec video telling them ‘Why Larchfield is special to you’ OR submit a short written entry describing what your perfect day there would look like, for your chance to win one of these two prizes; Video entry prize; An overnight stay for up to 10 people in Larchfield's luxurious onsite accommodation including: Prosecco on arrival Dinner ‘a la cart’ * Use of their wood fired sauna Luxury hamper of artisan products for breakfast AND an experience of your groups choice from: i) Falconry, take a private walk around the estate with a bird of prey and Trout Fishing on our privately stocked lake (Tuition included if required, and three estate rods OR ii) A Foraging session on the Estate led by an experience award winning chef OR iii) 1 hour Yoga / Pilates or Fitness session (supplied by Freedom retreats) If you aren’t able to submit a video, you can submit a written entry in now more than 50 words, to have the chance to win one night’s stay for two people in the 5 Star Rose Cottage, including prosecco on arrival, dinner ‘a la cart’* and a luxury hamper of local produce for breakfast Send entries to LarchfieldTurnsTen@larchfieldestate.co.uk Full terms and conditions online (and attached)!