6 THE HYDE HOUSE, HEREFORDSHIRE
THE HYDE MUST BE THE ONLY HOUSE IN THE UK – IF NOT THE WORLD – THAT HAS ITS OWN STEAM TRAIN IN THE GARDEN. KIDS AND ADULTS ALIKE WILL LOVE RIDING THE 2KM NARROW GAUGE RAILWAY (FROM MARCH TO OCTOBER), WHICH GOES THROUGH TUNNELS, BRIDGES AND EVEN A VIADUCT IN THE GROUNDS. THERE’S A TREE HOUSE, MINI-MAZE AND TENNIS COURT IN THE GROUNDS TOO.
RIDING THE TRAIN WAS JUST ONE HIGHLIGHT OF OUR STAY AT THE HYDE – A 13TH-CENTURY, GRADE II-LISTED PROPERTY RESTORED WITH THE HELP OF ENGLISH HERITAGE. THE MAIN HOUSE SLEEPS 12 IN SIX MEDIEVAL-ESQUE BEDROOMS (FOUR ARE EN SUITE, TWO HAVE ROLL-TOP BATHS AND ONE HAS A BEAUTIFUL FOUR-POSTER BED). PLUS A FURTHER EIGHT PEOPLE CAN BE ACCOMMODATED IN THE COTTAGE NEXT DOOR.
THE FRIENDLY OWNER PETA HAS THOUGHT OF EVERYTHING – FROM A WELL-STOCKED
TOY CUPBOARD TO A WELCOME HAMPER
FULL OF DELICIOUS LOCAL PRODUCE INCLUDING CIDER FROM NEARBY APPLE ORCHARDS AND HONEY FROM HIVES ON THE ESTATE. THE HEREFORDSHIRE COUNTRYSIDE SURROUNDING THE HOUSE IS IDYLLIC AND THERE ARE PLENTY
OF PLACES TO VISIT, INCLUDING LUDLOW, HAY-ON-WYE, HEREFORD AND WORCESTER.
PETA CAN ALSO ARRANGE HOME-COOKED MEALS TO BE DELIVERED (WE HAD A LAMB AND CHORIZO STEW) OR HIRE A LOCAL CHEF TO COME IN AND COOK YOU A SPECIAL
MEAL FROM £40PP. SHE CAN ALSO ARRANGE A BRUNCH, BBQ OR ROAST SUNDAY LUNCH PLUS OTHER ACTIVITIES LIKE CLAY PIGEON SHOOTING OR SPA TREATMENTS. AN AMAZING PROPERTY FOR A SPECIAL THREE-GENERATION CELEBRATION. Emma Justice
THE COST THE HYDE (THEHYDE.INFO; 01885 410321) COSTS FROM £2,500 FOR THREE NIGHTS (£41.66PP PER NIGHT, BASED ON FULL OCCUPANCY OF 20), OR £3,500 FOR A WEEK IN LOW SEASON, £3,600 FOR THREE NIGHTS OR £5,500 FOR A WEEK IN HIGH SEASON. STEAM TRAIN RIDES CAN BE ARRANGED FROM £250 FOR TWO HOURS. >>