Best for: a royal english stay
Owner Sarah gave us the friendliest, liveliest and most detailed tour we have ever seen from a host or even a hotel manager, making us feel incredibly welcome and a bit more excited about our stay – there was a hinder and bouquet on arrival to start. Unlike many anonymous rentals, the walls here are proudly overflowing with family photos, unusual objects and memorabilia (note the crocodile in the downstairs toilet and other real-life taxidermies), giving the felt like a warm and loving home, full of personality.
That said, this has always been a very sociable and open house, with a large dining room designed for indulgent dinners, complementing the relaxed dining space next to the working Aga in the particularly well-stocked classic country kitchen . There is also an exterior bowl available in the warmer months and a large alfresco dining area, as well as a self contained outdoor games room ideal for pitch and putts or table tennis matches all night. Decor is quintessentially English and elegant, almost stately, particularly in the flagship lounge, with lots of patterned designs, open fireplaces, and deep, lush rugs. The linens and towels deserve a special mention for their wonderfully high quality, and several in our group noted that the main shower in the house was the best they had ever experienced “in their life”, while the tub in the master bathroom was the fastest. we had never been witnesses. Game-changing stuff.
The pretty renovated Georgian parsonage is set in 10 acres of land with stray pygmy hens and what has been described as a ‘pond’ by the owner in a rather major understatement and is actually a lake, plus a fairly flat lawn for summer croquet, wooded areas and manicured shrubbery – and a very sweet den in a tree perfect for excitable kids (or adults) to discover. If you want to explore more you are 10 minutes from Silverstone or 20 minutes from Canons Abbey mansion and gardens, you can hire a local river boat with Stoke Bruerne Canal Boats, or stroll beyond the little town from Maidford itself to traditional pubs The Old Red Lion or Bartholomew Arms, both two miles away. By Becky Lucas
Sleeping: 12
Price: from £1,791 per night
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