Lambs born in March will be out in the fields with their mothers and throughout April, May and June, will be seen gambolling around outside your bedroom windows before they get a bit – well …frankly, boring -and pay more attention to eating grass than playing together! Daffodils outside and in your bedroom, fresh, new green leaves and a huge amount of beautiful birdsong – with the clocks moving forward in late March – more time for walks as the evenings lengthen. The woodburners will continue to be lit when there is still chill in the air. The National Trust places nearby open after the winter break. Racing at Ludlow Race Course – less than 10 minutes drive last meeting in May until it resumes in early October. We have an amateur Military jockey in the family and a National Hunt Yard based here on the Downton Hall Estate so we take a keen interest in this sport! Ludlow Point to Point – a stroll across a couple of fields – country sport at its best.

With June 21st as the longest day, opportunities to spend more time out doors and take in the views, eat outside, walk or ride – we have bikes to borrow or hire and maps – loads of off road circular routes from our door or a short drive to Ludlow with more walks in the forests and along the river. Sit in the gardens with a good book and relax. Ludlow festivals – Shakespearean and Food. We will barbecue here by request when the weather is good. The Severn Valley Railway is a 40 minute drive from here – can book or turn up – check their website. Herefordshire – Black and White Village trail – real England – so very unspoilt! Hereford Cathedral – the Mappa Mundi and Chained Library – go and see if you can spot The Titterstone Clee Hill on the Medieval map of the world! It really is there! Burwarton Show 1st Thursday in August. Possibly the best single day agricultural show in the country – a 10 minute drive from here. Acton Scott Working Victorian Farm, Black Country Working Museum, Stokesay Castle

Any excuse to light the log burners! Good, wholesome old fashioned dinners by candle light -romantic or just simply cosy. Spectacular colours of the trees, the Medieval Christmas fair in Ludlow at the end of November and early frosts with Christmas just around the corner! As mentioned for Spring - Ludlow Races – less than 10 minutes drive from here. September Food Festival – one of the original food festivals – in the castle grounds. National Trust – Berrington Hall Croft Castle – different events during the year.

The sheep go inside around the middle of January until they produce their lambs in March so the dogs are fine to be off the lead in the fields that surround us. The woodburners are always lit ( we do have oil central heating and the 2 bathrooms have underfloor heating as well!) A game of scrabble or cards with the steady ticking of the old long case clock and crackling logs in the hearth and a comfy sofa in front of the fire is never a bad idea!
Decorating for the Christmas period takes place around 14th/15th of December – never earlier as we have proper trees and proper greenery – with holly, mistletoe and ivy from the fields and woods around us and the place feels fabulously old-worldly festive!