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Manor Holding Byre

Manor Holding Byre

Sleeps 3

Period barn conversion with full height living room featuring exposed oak roof timbers.

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Manor Holding Cottage

Manor Holding Cottage

Sleeps 4

South facing Jacobean cottage farmhouse overlooking enclosed private garden.

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Welcome to a Wyre Forest Cottage

Holiday accommodation at Manor Holding in the ancient forest of Wyre on the Shropshire – Worcestershire border.

Escape the rat race. Step back in time. Relax and unwind in the comfortable, homely, unhurried rustic setting, of a bygone era.

Take a break in a forgotten corner of Britain and restore your equilibrium, clear your mind, focus on the best things in life, and reawaken your creative inspiration.

The healing power of fresh air, good food, beautiful tranquil panoramic views, forest walks and rides, open spaces, solitude or romance are here in abundance.

There's loads to do, either challenging or restful to suit each person's tastes. And it is perfect for your pets too!

For every age group there is plenty to stimulate the mind, with incredible wildlife diversity and abundance, plus history writ in every stone, plant, timber and contour.

Manor Holding is a romantically secluded, Grade II Listed, half timbered, Jacobean cottage farmhouse in the middle of the ancient Wyre Forest, half a kilometre from the nearest tarmac road.

It has been sympathetically restored over many years, to meet current standards for comfort and convenience, reusing traditional materials and techniques where possible.

The cottage is set in 2ha (5 acres) of wild flower grassland with ancient cherry, apple and pear orchards, rich in wildlife including occasional Fallow and Muntjac Deer.

The tranquil Wyre Forest is home to many rare and endanged plants and animals. It has England's largest woodland National Nature Reserve and one of the most extensive Sites of Special Scientific Interest, including the orchards in the cottage grounds.

The forest is laced with cycling and horse riding trails as well as a comprehensive network of footpaths, connecting right to the door of the cottage.

This ancient oak forest stands astride the River Severn, England's longest river, south of the Ironbridge Gorge, a World Heritage Site.

The beautiful countryside around it, including the 'South Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty', is rich in historic settlements and other places of interest.

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Guest Comments

I hope we have the opportunity to visit the Wyre Forest from this base next time. Good luck with the continuing restoration work adjacent! M&E - Gt Wakering, Essex

- 20190609 - 4

Our 4^th visit and the kids are already planning what they’d like us to do next year. The safari / theme park is always a highlight but this year they’ve really enjoyed visiting the farm next door (turn left at the end of the lane) & helping D feed the animals + collect eggs (11am is a good time to go). We all love our walks in the woods + are pleased the rope swing is still there – go into the woods near the end of the lane + keep following the path down – go over 2 cross paths until the path bends to the left, then take a smaller path on the right. You may need wellies to cross the stream to get to the swing as the bridge is still broken – we did build stepping stones across. Once again we’ve enjoyed collecting apples + brambles for crumble – it always tastes better here! Many thanks for upgrading the washing machine. We’ve enjoyed playing table tennis in the sunshine – we’ve left extra balls we brought just in case… only one went into a tree this time! We hope future guests enjoy this place as much as we do. We’ll definitely be back! R, A, P, + J – Newcastle

- 20180812-C

Our 4^th visit and the kids are already planning what they’d like us to do next year. The safari / theme park is always a highlight but this year they’ve really enjoyed visiting the farm next door (turn left at the end of the lane) & helping D feed the animals + collect eggs (11am is a good time to go). We all love our walks in the woods + are pleased the rope swing is still there – go into the woods near the end of the lane + keep following the path down – go over 2 cross paths until the path bends to the left, then take a smaller path on the right. You may need wellies to cross the stream to get to the swing as the bridge is still broken – we did build stepping stones across. Once again we’ve enjoyed collecting apples + brambles for crumble – it always tastes better here! Many thanks for upgrading the washing machine. We’ve enjoyed playing table tennis in the sunshine – we’ve left extra balls we brought just in case… only one went into a tree this time! We hope future guests enjoy this place as much as we do. We’ll definitely be back! R, A, P, + J – Newcastle

- 20180812

9 Days at the beginning of July: Our aim was to spend two weekends at the 1940’s on the Severn Valley Railway with friends. And enjoy the week by ourselves, away from "it all". We have had a tremendous time. All of us enjoying discovering your cottage. Beatifully positioned, amidst a garden full of fruits and flowers. Thanks you for fresh cherries, gooseberries, & blackcurants. We have taken a little, and left you plenty more. During an exceedingly hot period, we loved the cool of the cottage. I’m sure it is just as welcoming in other seasons as well. We have visited ruined castles & stately homes (even saw "The Tempest" at Witley Court) and of course, more trips on the Severn Valley Railway. It has been a privilege to stay. Thank you. F&DM

- 20180709

My sister M and I have had a wonderful week in your cottage. The setting is idyllic and we have enjoyed some excellent forest walks, even when the weather has not always been at its best! Enjoyed our trip to Arley Arboretum and a day trip to Bridgnorth on the Severn Valley Railway. It’s worth noting though that you cannot park at Arley station, so we went from Bewdley. Excellent bird watching; pleased to see a Dipper on Dowles Brook and the many garden birds. The Blackbird nesting in the eaves of the cottage roof and the Spotted Flycatcher under the eaves of the new conversion are both very nervous of us using the patio seating area. Suspect both are sitting on eggs. The top (Moon) lawn made an excellent setting for croquet and mini bowls and we love the cottage garden; so many bees, 2 toads, butterflies (including a Brimstone), moths and the bats in the evening. The cottage had everything we needed so thanks very much. R&MO (Kent)

- 20180603

Thank you Nigel & Penny for your wonderful hospitality during our 1 month stay. We all loved your cottage very much and it was a perfect place for us to relax after our return from overseas after 7 years! Your cottage garden is delightful & we loved spending time in the garden with family & friends that visited & the bbqs. Your cottage is in an idyllic location! The peace & quiet & fantastic walks on our doorstep we loved exploring. The cottage is very well equipped and had everything we needed & we will highly recommend to anyone wanting to visit the area! All the very best & thanks again. T, M, F, K

- 20180527

Despite being our wettest holiday for 30 years we loved the cottage; warm deep baths, well equipped kitchen, each room a delight to be in. Just sorry we could not enjoy the garden more. Both Cleobury & Bewdley good ports of call for bread, local beer & other essentials. Loved "bumping into" the Severn Valley trains on our river walks. Very dramatic with the swollen waters & speeding currents. C&PC

- 20180415

This is a beautiful restored house with lots of modern amenities like well equipped kitchen for cooking at home, beautiful and cosy log burner in the lounge/dining area, and comfy bedding with luxury feather duvets and pillows. The underfloor heating is subtle and makes the tiles and floorboards comfy. We walked into the woods from the house, and walked through the woods to the Wyre Forest Visitor Centre for lunch which was a great 7mile walk. Very quiet area, very peaceful, lovely thick curtains for a lie in, and enough distance between the house and neighbours to be able to listen to music at a reasonable level in the evenings. We asked for some more toilet roll and a non-feather pillow for our friend who was allergic, and our hosts were very helpful and went out of their way to be accommodating. Thanks! AW

- 201801

A beautiful cottage in very tranquil, peaceful surroundings with a gorgeous cottage country garden. The cottage is really well equipped and Nigel and Penny are great hosts. There are many great walks through the forest and along the brook which are fantastic! Even though it is very rural you are not far from towns nearby with all the amenities you could need. Thanks so much to you both for your hospitality and everything we had a wonderful time and loved your cottage. TP&M

- 201805

Manor Holdings is a truly lovely cottage, finished to an exceptionally high standard in polished hardwood everywhere. The building is hundreds of years old, yet has all modern comforts. The garden is secluded, and very natural, with a lot of fruit and berries growing. It is so peaceful and quiet, and well off the beaten track. We really loved our time there. Your cottage is really beautiful, and absolutely spot-on. Thank you. D&FM

- 20180708

R&MK + family "Very nice and beautiful place with a big garden with different terraces and levels in the middle of an overwelming nature. From the house you can walk in to a beautiful forest with a fantastic wildlife. For us it means peace and quite after a hectic citylife in the west part of the Netherlands. The house is more lovelier and bigger then you see at the photo's of Airbnb. It's nice and cosey. "

- 20180728-1

We have enjoyed a wonderful week in this idyllic setting. Our two young daughters loved playing hide-and-seek in the house and gardens, and visiting their ‘neighbours’ (the sheep and lambs). Despite being late May there were a few chilly days and the wood burner kept us toasty. There is wildlife aplenty in the garden and nearby forest; we saw some fantastic birds and wood ants! There is a plethora of things to do in the area: we loved the varied cycle routes, picturesque and interesting NT properties and sampling the food in the local pubs (The Hop Pole Inn in Bewdley is particularly welcoming and good). Thanks for hosting us in this lonely cottage! L, E, R(7) and C(2)

- 20190601

This has been a truly unforgettable and memorable experience. the silence is deafening and makes you imagine that you are really a long way back in time. The cottage is a work of art. The skill and attention to detail is wonderful. Truly rural England lives on here in this peaceful little haven. Everything I hoped for in a relaxing break. The visiting kitten (feral) was a bonus. Many thanks.

- Lilian + Ted from York

We have had a fantastic time. You have obviously tried to make this a home from home and it has really worked. We arrived on the 1st night at 8pm and we all immediately felt cosy and relaxed. Jovi (3 1/2) went into every room and announced, ’This is nice!’ Angelique (1 ½) also had a fabulous time shrieking to her heart’s content. Well done you have thought of everything, and we definitely want to visit again very soon. (PS) We too have stayed in many a holiday cottage and we love this one.

- S, L, J and A

We have had a fantastic time, the cottage is absolutely lovely, really comfortable The garden is fab, I love the different sections, one for me to read, one for the girls to play in. All in all we have had a lovely holiday and are sorry to be going back to reality. rested, relaxed and restored, exactly what we needed. Thank you so much for the use of your well equipped, comfortable cottage We would love to come again.

- K, F, L and S

Lovely secluded location well situated for touring Shropshire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire and the Marshes. We also had an airy walk over Titersford Clee Hill from Cleeton St Mary. Several runs through the forest and back over the fields from Buttonbridge have helped to maintain fitness! Meal out at the Plough was good value for money, although the pseudo-themed interior rather spoiled the anticipation evoked by the authentic exterior.

- D, L and N the geriatric dog

Bewdley is a lovely little town with everything. We are a family with a sweet tooth, so also appreciated the sweet shop. Two of us had a great meal at the Royal Forester a restaurant pub so a bet more expensive but worth it. You would probably need to book a table or go early. Ludlow is beautiful. Stourport is undergoing regeneration and should be great in a few years time. Enjoyed a ride on the Severn Valley Railway. Forest walks are wonderful, if a bit scary at dusk!

- Dand Awith R the dog

What excitement we had when we woke up to see a stag under the apple tree outside the front door We were pleased to meet with Baby, the hand reared sheep who wanders down the lane like a pet dog – belongs to the neighbour. The holly bushes are in bloom and beautiful. In the field ahead of the lonely building we found an apple tree with an abundance of mistletoe. It was lovely seeing the real deal. Thank you for allowing us to share this special piece of countryside

- N and D

What a privalege to have stayed in a beautifully restored Grade II Listed cottage. We're full of admiration in the amount of work that's gone into the place to achieve the level of accommodation on offer. We enjoyed a lovely meal at the Eagle and Serpent in Kinlet, the staff being welcoming and hospitable. Only downside has been the rain, rain, rain!!! but didn't dampen our spirits or the enjoyment of our visit!

- J+J 3

What can we say that hasn't already been said? We along with our 2 dogs have had the most wonderful time. We would like the thank Nigel and Penny for giving people the opportunity to stay in this fantastic cottage. From the moment we arrived it felt like home (a home only a lottery win could provide on a permanent basis) and we are feeling very sad to leave. The facilities provided were first class and everything we needed is here. We will miss this place but take away some very happy memories. Many Thanks.

- MandN, M + L 4