Team Travels : Heart of England

It’s that time again – one of our intrepid members of staff has been out and about enjoying the places where you’ll find some of our luxury holiday home rentals. For this exciting instalment, our staff photographer Leti had a mini adventure around the heart of England – here’s what she had to say!  

What was the highlight of the trip?

The trip went really well and I loved all of it! England has such a beautiful countryside, which is easy to forget living in London where you only see a tree once every other block.

The most amazing part of it was Peak District, where Kinder Castle is situated. The view was stunning (even though the weather wasn’t too good when we visited). Don’t take your fancy shoes here – there is rabbit and sheep poo everywhere, but that just makes the hike even funnier.

We also visited a little village called Bakewell, where the Bakewell tarts come from! A very cute little place with plenty of cute little cafes, it was pretty difficult to pick which one to try.

Being a huge fan of churches, I managed to have a few minutes in Hereford Cathedral and St Mary’s, in Kidderminster. Its part of an association of eight churches and all eight are organised and managed by just a dozen people and most of them are women (as two frequent visitors told me).

Kidderminster is full of surprises. It hides the Stone House Cottage Garden, a splendid little place with plenty of colours and scents – truly beautiful thanks to the flowers and their vivid colours! I’ve also never seen grass that green!

What and where was your best foodie moment?

The best food was the steak pie I ate in an inn, lost in the middle of loads of fields. I did not think it was possible to get so many carbs in one meal! The meat was to be found underneath a pile of creamy mash, chips and gravy (of course). The mix was surprising but really nice. I was so hungry and this lunch had me sorted for a day. I even dipped the chips in the mash!

Favourite property that you saw and why?

Two properties on this trip were stunning, Tudor Courthouse Manor and Kinder Castle. They are both grand properties and it was my pleasure to get lost in all their corridors and admire the design, paintings and art they have on display. They are both decorated with impeccable taste, with a careful mix of modern and classic design. Not a single object is out of place, they all fit perfectly together!

For anyone travelling to the Heart of England, what can’t they miss?

There are loads of places to see and England has always a surprise around the corner. The Peak District has to be seen, as well as Bakewell and Kidderminster which are really cute towns and so typically English. There is also the space centre, not far from Loughborough, which is great for kids. For something a bit different I recommend the Chase Distillery – they make vodka, gin, wine and beers. An official tour of the distillery can be done on Fridays, but if you ask very nicely, they’ll be happy to show you around.

***

Planning a UK Break? Have a look at these posts for more inspiration:

Going Walkies? Here are 10 Dog-Friendly Cottages for a UK Break

The Best Coastal Holidays in the UK

Team Travels: South of England

Recent Posts

Our Top Wedding Venues in France

If you're looking for the perfect luxury villa to rent for your big day, you've… Read More

20 hours ago

10 Best Holiday Destinations for Families

Family holidays are always special – you get to spend quality time together (a rarity… Read More

1 day ago

Alpine Stays and Elevated Experiences in Europe 

Guest post by Dakota Murphey When you think of a perfect winter stay, cosy chalets with… Read More

2 days ago

Top 25 Chateaux to Rent in 2025

It’s no secret that France is always a hit holiday destination for the whole family.… Read More

3 days ago

10 Of The Best Beaches In Menorca

There’s more to Menorca than its historic twin cities and mysterious Neolithic monuments. Its 200km-long… Read More

7 days ago

Top 10 Things to Do in Croatia On Your Next Visit

Historical architecture, sandy beaches, plentiful national parks and homegrown wine – it’s not hard to… Read More

2 weeks ago