Kington Grange, Claverdon - sleeps 16 guests in 7 bedrooms

Escape to the country for a taste of blissful rural living in this gorgeous country house, parts of which date to the 16th Century. Tree-lined country lanes dip and wind through pretty villages leading you to Kington Grange, an elegant country retreat which is also only a stone’s throw from heritage treasures such as Stratford-upon-Avon and Warwick Castle.

Filled with curios, cherished collectables, and artwork from the owner’s forays over the years, there is nothing cookie-cutter about Kington Grange. Beyond the traditional façade, this is a house with a warm charm and colourful personality. The ground floor flows effortlessly through a sunny garden room, a divinely peaceful drawing room, and an elegant dining room. The large kitchen boasts an AGA for aspiring Heston’s or Nigella’s and leads into a glorious orangery/breakfast room with a row of doors that can be thrown open to the garden. Seven distinctly different bedrooms named after Shakespearean characters lie across the first and second floors and offer charm and character in abundance. Old beams, quirky corners, beautiful upholstery handcrafted by the owner and antique furnishings create welcoming spaces where drifting off to the land of nod will come as easily as counting sheep. Across the courtyard, the impressive celebration barn is really the icing on the already delectable cake.

Step outside and there are pretty gardens to discover complete with a tennis court, sweeping lawns for garden games and summer picnics, a natural swimming lake, hot tub and a patio that’s perfect for sundowner cocktails on warm evenings.

Ground Floor

Reception Hall:
The stage is set as you step into the impressive reception hall with original wooden timbers, time-worn flagstone floors, beautifully lit artwork, and deep turquoise walls.

Cloakroom:
Delightfully decadent and frivolous this is not your ordinary cloakroom. Deep red, flocked wallpaper adorns the walls, ornate cabinetry, handmade shutters, a candelabra style light fitting, seating, and a marble sink mean you may find yourself spending more time in here than you thought!

Garden Room:
South and west-facing windows overlooking the garden fill this modern addition to the house with light, whilst French doors lead out to a pretty patio, where a sundial, flanked by benches forms a peaceful spot to soak up the sunshine. A rich green feature wall, pale lime green blinds, comfy sofas and plants create a delightful room. If your stay involves work, there’s a desk in here too but be warned there are plenty of distractions. It’s a place to relax with the Sunday papers and a strong coffee or to curl up with a book and watch the weather outside when it’s wild.

Drawing Room:
Timelessly elegant and with a tangible feeling of peace, the drawing room invites you to linger for a while before the cosy flames of the open fire. The traditional décor is both warm and welcoming and perfectly in keeping with the elegance of Kington Grange. Gently sparkling chandeliers cast a pretty glow, whilst the multi-paned windows with cushioned window seats look out to the gardens beyond. This is a room for convivial conversations over a glass of something rich and fruity, there is however also a Smart TV with Chromecast, cunningly and discreetly concealed within a radiator cabinet.

Dining Room:
Smooth stone floors, an open fireplace and beautiful antiques form the backdrop to an elegant dining table. Set it with sparkling crystal, and polished silver, and take the opportunity to dress for dinner for a formal dining experience. Huge windows swathed in floor-length curtains look out to the garden with glass chandeliers hanging above the cosy window seats.

Living Room/Library:
With a cosy wood burner, purple chesterfield sofas and walls lined with bookshelves, this is a relaxing room where children can play, whilst you gather in the kitchen next door. Huge beams line the ceiling and large windows with cushioned window seats beneath offer a place to perch and look out to the garden beyond.

Orangery/Breakfast Room:
Four sets of double doors flank this stunning room which opens out to the garden and patio. The glass lantern roof is the perfect foil for the swan neck chandelier and the grey dresser is packed with everything you could possibly need. The long refectory-style table speaks of long, lazy brunches in the sunshine and relaxed feast-filled suppers.

Kitchen:
Taking centre stage in the spacious kitchen is the huge cream AGA sitting in an original chimney breast, there is also a two-ring induction hob, a single oven/microwave, and a multi-cooker. A Quooker tap provides boiling water. An AGA cookbook is on hand if you are new to the AGA experience. There’s plenty of storage and pots and pans to cook up a storm along with a large larder-style fridge freezer and a dishwasher. The brick-red central island ensures lots of prep space too.

Boot Room:
This useful room has plenty of coat hooks and shelves for outdoor gear and leaving muddy wellies. It’s also a good place to dry wet paws after countryside rambles.

Utility:
Practically equipped with a washing machine and a freezer, there’s also a pulley clothes airer across the ceiling.

First Floor

The Master Bedroom:
This dreamy bedroom is simply stunning and boasts a super-king size bed (which can be a twin on request) and huge windows overlooking the lovely gardens. Decorated in the palest shades of blue and cream this gorgeous room is a sheer delight and heaven-sent for long lie-ins. Antique furnishings include an elegant chest of drawers and beautiful bedside tables.

En-suite:
The sumptuous en-suite features an inviting, deep bath where bubble-filled soaks are most definitely the order of the day. There’s also a large shower with a rainfall showerhead and a double vanity. The large, low windows reach almost to the floor and provide wonderful garden views from the loo! Make sure to look at the delicate bathroom cabinet, restored and upholstered by the owner of Kington Grange.

Hopeless Romantic Bedroom:
Whether you have a child who dreams of being a fairy princess or you are simply a hopeless romantic, this is the room for you. The white timber four-poster king-size bed is draped in fairy lights and upholstered in polka dots whilst pretty pink wallpaper adorns the walls. At the foot of the bed, the carved cot bed is a family heirloom handcrafted by the owner and perfect for little guests. Two windows gaze out over the gardens and there is plenty of storage with built-in wardrobes and a G-Plan chest of drawers.

En-suite:
The en-suite features a shower cubicle, a toilet and a handbasin with a large mirror above it and a storage cupboard.

The Creator Bedroom:
Fit for a king or a queen! Stunning Mulberry Grand Flying Duck wallpaper creates a real statement and is the perfect backdrop for the beautifully restored mahogany king-size Half Tester bed. Night console tables stand on either side of the bed, topped with reading lamps and a deep red wardrobe offers plenty of storage. Looking out from the window gives views over the tennis court and natural swimming lake and you may be lucky enough to see more flying ducks.

Innocent Bedroom:
Soft grey linen curtains frame the pretty window which looks over the front of Kington Grange. A gentle contrast to the floral wallpaper, which in turn reflects the pewter king-size bed. The original beams and high ceiling add character and charm, whilst the 1950s-style dressing table and mirror which belonged to the owners grandparents bring a touch of nostalgia.

The Hero Bedroom:
This super-cute twin room features full-size single beds, so it works for both adults and children alike. There’s an unusual, upholstered wrap-around headboard and an antique bench cushioned in primrose yellow silk and a wall-mounted glass display cabinet. A bedside table with a reading lamp is placed between the beds.

Bathroom / Shower Room:
The family bathroom is spacious, sleek, and stylish. The huge walk-in shower has both a handheld and rainfall shower head and is complemented by the double-ended bath, where you can soak weary bones or let little ones splash to their hearts' content.

Second Floor

Star-crossed Lover:
Bold, beautiful and impactful, this room is certainly not a shy retiring wallflower. There is a super king-size bed which can be arranged as a twin. Vibrant wallpaper in cerise pink and vivid orange creates a real statement and is a contrast to the original beams of this room tucked in amongst the eaves. Bedside tables with reading lamps stand on either side of the double bed and under the eaves storage provides hanging space.

En-suite:
Like a game of hide-and-seek, open the brace and latch wooden door in the wall and crafted in behind you’ll find a well-equipped en-suite shower room. There’s a big step up and over the floor beam, so younger guests with little legs may need assistance. Inside there’s a corner shower cubicle, WC and hand basin.

Explorer Bedroom:
At the other end of the second-floor landing lies the last, but by no means least seventh bedroom, perfect as a family room. With a super king-size bed (which can be arranged as a twin) and two single beds, this is a spacious room at the top of the house. There’s plenty of character with original beams and roof lights, windows look out over the side of the house. It’s worth noting that there is a large floor beam to step over and a low headroom as you go through the doorway into the room.

Shower Room:
This spacious en-suite has a corner shower cubicle, WC and hand basin.

Outside

Formal gardens, sweeping lawns dissected by gravel pathways, a tennis court and a natural swimming lake all come together to create a very English country garden space. For an added slice of luxury you can end the day amongst the relaxing bubbles of the hot tub. There’s plenty of room for little ones to run around and find new hidey holes, a hanging tree pod and sunny patios for alfresco dining, sundowners and relaxing in the fresh air.

* Additional fee of £177 for use of the hot tub per stay.