Awarded the Trip adviser "Certificate of Excellence", for 5 years running and Visit Britain's 4 star Gold award "The Retreat" - No 2 Clematis cottages offers a stunning setting from which to enjoy your holiday or romantic short break. Beautifully and very tastefully converted from an old stone outbuilding "The Retreat" is set within 5 acres of private flower and vegetable gardens and benefits from secluded seating areas, spectacular wildlife lakes, and panoramic views. We have recently had an Electric Vehicle Charging Point installed for our guests who embrace sustainability.
The cottage will be prepared ready for your arrival complete with linen and towels plus all of the basics to get you started.
Peace and tranquility are only some of the reasons why your break will be one to remember! Lodge farm house, built in 1635, is located on a hill top overlooking the medieval hamlet of Aunby on the outskirts of Stamford and enjoys views of rolling countryside, fields and forests to all four aspects The peace and tranquility that surround the cottages helps you to unwind away from the pressures and stresses of day to day living. Even the wi-fi reaches out into the garden so you can book your day return to see a London show whilst enjoying the views. It is the ideal location for a "get away from it all' holiday or short break.
Richard and Kaye who live in the seventeenth century farmhouse on site, bought Lodge farm in the year 2000 and since then have worked tirelessly to create a sanctuary for wildlife and wild birds. Jokingly, their friends refer to them as Tom and Barbara (for those who can remember the "Good life!" )They have created a vegetable and herb garden to die for, with herbs also planted in the flower borders for guests to help themselves. The apiary is situated in one corner behind the vegetable garden where the chickens go about their business ensuring that fresh eggs, vegetables, and honey are almost always available we also use all of our own produce to provide a selection of Jams, Chutneys and artisan Jellies for our guests to purchase.
2007 saw the addition of the wildlife lake and ponds to the flower meadow. Attracting a variety of regular visitors ranging from ducks, red kites, woodpeckers and damsel and dragon flies, to deer, hares and badgers. (Keen bird and bat enthusiasts are regular guests.)Strategically sited benches and a summerhouse are inset into the copse of native trees and around the lake and meadow enabling guests to enjoy the simple pleasures of watching nature at it's finest; whilst sipping a glass of wine watching the sunset on the western horizon. Many guests enjoy an evening stroll along the bridle path, and some even bring their fishing rods and visit the local Mary Wood fishing lakes which are only a short walk away.
The Retreat is Visit Britain rated four star and Gold award. It benefits from a double upstairs bedroom, and downstairs a beautifully fitted kitchen complete with Dishwasher, washing machine, fan oven with extractor, microwave and all of the utensils that you require to prepare a light lunch or 4 course meal or you can put your feet up and relax in front of the Smart TV. There is a cosy seating area and luxury shower room, the cottage has been converted from a stone outbuilding which was believed to date back to the eighteenth century. It has been sympathetically restored and tastefully converted retaining many original features and oak beams to provide luxury accommodation, and is furnished to a very high standard.
Clematis Cottages are three individual cottages and comprise of 'Clematis Cottage' 'The Retreat' and 'The Eco Barn' there is also a newly converted annex which can be booked either on it's own or with any of the cottages. All cottages benefit from dedicated parking areas, and the all important high speed internet (wi-fi) connectivity, (so rare in the countryside,) and mobile phone connectivity is not an issue ensuring that if you need to be in contact with the outside world, you are! All properties are fully self contained, and centrally heated making them fully available all year round. (Please call Kaye directly to chat about details on holidays/breaks for larger groups.) We always try to ensure that when parties are sharing the facilities available that their wishes are respected. For our younger guests there are 2 cots and high chair available. Clematis cottages make the ideal venue for those very special family /friends reunions, and there is always a quiet sanctuary for Grandma and Grandpa to retreat to!
The award winning town of Stamford, Rutland water, Burghley house and the Elizabethan Tolethorpe hall (venue for the open air Shakespeare productions) are all only a few minutes drive away. Fine dining is on our doorstep with, 'The 6 Bells' at Witham on the hill, the "Olive Branch" pub of the year 2013 in nearby Clipsham, and the "Jackson Stops"country Inn at Stretton.Nearby Ryhall, is home to the local post office and general store, good for the Sunday paper together with the "Wicked Witch" restaurant and the locals Green Dragon pub serving fresh pizzas.The river Gwash which runs through Ryhall marks the start of many stunning walks, in fact 19th Century poet John Clare is said to have walked his girlfriend from Great Casterton to Ryhall along the banks of the river on summer evening after a day working at the Lime Kilns in nearby Pickworth. The Retreat can be booked in conjunction with Hollyhock, Orchard cottage and The Oak eco Barn which collectively can sleep up to 20 guests.
