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The lake where this converted lorry has trundled to a permanent stop is in a small valley surrounded by trees, that has been nurtured into thriving health by owners Milly and Ian. They restored a broken dam and watched as kingfishers, otters, muntjacs, badgers, dragonflies and ducks, to name just a few, all came to call the area home again. There’s a continuous display of colourful flowers throughout spring and summer and the whole place feels like a magical garden. The lorry, named for its former use taking taking baskets to fairs and shows across the country, is at the top of the lake. It’s been kitted out with the fruit of many raids on the local antique shops. There’s a king-size double bed, a gas-powered shower and gas hobs inside, and a bbq outside, as well as a herb trough for use in cooking or cocktail making. There are usb charge points in the lorry and normal sockets can be found in another great restoration project, the boat house, which you’ll see as you walk round the corner from the parking space. The boat house is also where you’ll find some of the 800 acre farm’s fabulous produce for sale, including eggs and, in season, all the asparagus you could ever want! You can also step out onto the jetty and take to the lake on the paddleboards or in Tiddler, the little rowing boat, maybe even trying for a trout or two.
Milly and Ian take great care of their land, considering every detail from small things like providing eco toiletries, to larger things like restoring an entire area of lowland heath, which is now a carpet of purple wildflowers in the autumn. They recommend taking to the bridleway, which you can find a few hundred metres from the lorry, and hiking your way to Pattingham, a lovely village with a fine local pub, although The Inn at Shipley, a few miles further off, is a great choice for food. There’s also the Ironbridge World Heritage site round the corner, the cliff railway and castle ruins at Bridgnorth or the foodie town of Ludlow just half an hour down the road, so you’ll never be stuck for entertainment. At the end of a full day, you can come back to the lorry, light the fire, stretch out on the sofa and doze off in the quiet of your lakeside haven.
Read more
Essentials
The important stuff
Check in: 4 pm
Check out: 10 am
Please bring an extra torch, wellies and suitable walking boots
Please note that the lake is only 10 metres away
Please be aware that this space is situated on a working farm so you may hear farm machinery in the distance
Initial amount of firewood is provided. Extra can be purchased for £5 per bag
Mobile phone signal
Sleeping arrangements
One king-size bed
Extra space available
Space
for 1 baby
no charge.
High chair can be provided
Cooking
Gas hob
Oven
Electric fridge
Fully equipped kitchen inside the lorry
BBQ
Washing
Shower
Sink
Compost loo situated behind the lorry
Heating, lighting & bedding
Bed linen and towels provided
Wood-burner
Electric lighting inside the lorry
Solar lighting outside the lorry
USB plug sockets
Entertainment
Books
Cards
There is a rowing boat named 'Tiddler' and two paddle boards for guests to use
Read more
Getting there
Lake William, Birchley Farm, Chesterton Road, Pattingham, WV6 7DZ
///plotting.holidays.desiring - This takes you to the turning onto the owners land – you then have to drive past the farm and follow the directions until you get to the car park for the accommodation.
By car
Close to M6, M54 and M40.
From M40/M5 head to Bridgnorth then onto A454 to Wolverhampton on to Worcester road, follow 1mile. Turn right at cross roads onto Chesterton road. Birchley farm will be on your right.
From M6, head on M54 to Albrighton (Cosford) then to Pattingham. From Pattingham head out on Chesterton road, there is a blue sign at the end of the farm drive on left.
Up the drive and as you get to the farm buildings, take a right down the track in the field. Will be signed. Arrive at car park at the end of the track.
By public transport
Wolverhampton train station is 7 miles away.
Albrighton train station is 5 miles away.
Telford station is 10 miles away.
Buses from Wolverhampton to Pattingham, also from Bridgnorth to Rudge Heath.
Read more
Food & Drink
At Birchley Farm
A box of their fresh free range eggs from the chickens is provided.
Seasonal boxes are available to pre-order. Please ask the owners regarding what they have to offer.
Local shops
The nearest shop for basics is in Pattingham, 1.5 miles away.
Pubs & restaurants
The Inn at Shipley - Only a couple of miles away. Serving really delicious seasonal food. Very friendly staff and they keep a few tables free for 'walk ins' so you can sometimes get away with not booking. Great atmosphere.
Crown in Pattingham - 1/2 mile away, easy to walk to. Also has delicious local food (the owners supply them with pheasant and other things, so very local).
Bridgnorth has lots more lovely restaurants as well.
Read more
Activities
At Birchley Farm
There is a lovely bridleway 300m from the lorry, so bring your bike or walking boots.
There is a rowing boat named 'Tiddler' and two paddle boards for guests to use.
You can try trout fishing on Lake William (£15 for a day ticket).
Local Wildlife
The surrounding heathland is home to a host of plants and animals. When the sun is out it is teaming with butterflies, solitary bees and grass hoppers and if you are lucky you might spot snakes and lizards. In the autumn the heather flowers and the whole area turns purple.
Since restoring Lake William the owners have seen kingfishers, otters, swallows diving to drink, coots, moorhens, little grebe, mallards, tufted and mandarin duck, geese and countless dragon and damsel flies. If you are quiet you might even see fallow deer, muntjacs, foxes, and badgers walking past the lorry. The wildflowers around the lake put on a beautiful display from April until September.
Places to visit
Pattingham (1.5 miles) - Has a couple of pubs, a village hall, great playground and nice cafes.
Our nearest market town is Bridgnorth and has many lovely attractions, the castle ruins, Severn Valley Railway, the cliff railway, theatre on the steps, antiques shops and restaurants.
The foodie town of Ludlow is 30 miles away. If you time it right you will be able to enjoy one of their food festivals, a must! Almost every day there is a market of some sort in the main square. Lots of delicatessens and antique shops.
Ironbridge, world heritage site has many museums is 13 miles away. Including Blists Hill victorian town, Ironbridge Gorge museum, Enginuity, Coalport China museum, Bedlam Furnaces and even Raft tours along the river Severn.
Pattingham to Chesterton and beyond. Bridle way is 300m from the lorry.
The Wrekin 19 miles away, junction 7 off M54.
Clee hills NR Ludlow 25 miles.
Cardingmill Valley and Long Mynd hills are about 35 miles away.
Lots of National Trust properties like the arts and craft Wightwick Manor, Attingham Park, Dudmaston Hall, and Kinver Edge and the Rock Houses.
Row on the lake in Tiddler
Read more
Meet your hosts
Meet Ian, Milly, George, Florence and Caspar
In the 1920's Ian's great grandfather bought the estate and although it has changed shape since then, three generations later, in 2012, they took on the running of the 800 acre farm themselves and in 2014 moved into the main house. They love living on the farm and are always outdoors come rain or shine, doing something or other. When it comes to the children it usually involves digging in mud, they are as free range as the chickens! They felt very lucky to have a walled garden at the house which was empty when they moved in, so over the last 6 years they have worked hard to create a very productive veg patch, fruit cage and large mixed orchard where the chickens and ducks roam freely. Although they are mostly arable on the farm they have a herd of rare breed shetland sheep to graze on the lowland heath and also a herd of mangalitzas (very hairy sheep pigs).
At home, like on the farm, they aim to be as sustainable and self sufficient as possible in terms of the food they eat and energy they use. Although they are only just starting out on their farm restoration / conservation adventure they aim to expand the heathland and move towards less intensive agriculture over the whole area. The glamping at Lake William is at the heart of these plans, not only does it allow them to show off what they have done so far, but diversifying the farm business will also enable them to do more.
Having both grown up in Shropshire they are excited to share this beautiful county and everything it has to offer with everyone who comes to stay at Lake William. Slow down, relax and enjoy the peace and quiet of the nature around you.
Wildlife & the environment
They run an 800 acre farm which is a mix of arable land, permanent pasture and woodland. They grow wheat, barley, millet and potatoes alongside a large area of asparagus (which is very popular with the hares). In conjunction with the cropped areas they are also in the Higher Level Stewardship Scheme, under this scheme they grow wild bird seed mixes, pollen and nectar mix as well as wild flower margins and grass corners to protect water courses. However, the most exciting part of the scheme is a conservation project to restore an area to lowland heath (with the help of their shetland sheep), which is a rare habitat in the UK.
The lake where this converted lorry has trundled to a permanent stop is in a small valley surrounded by trees, that has been nurtured into thriving health by owners Milly and Ian. They restored a broken dam and watched as kingfishers, otters, muntjacs, badgers, dragonflies and ducks, to name just a few, all came to call the area home again. There’s a continuous display of colourful flowers throughout spring and summer and the whole place feels like a magical garden. The lorry, named for its former use taking taking baskets to fairs and shows across the country, is at the top of the lake. It’s been kitted out with the fruit of many raids on the local antique shops. There’s a king-size double bed, a gas-powered shower and gas hobs inside, and a bbq outside, as well as a herb trough for use in cooking or cocktail making. There are usb charge points in the lorry and normal sockets can be found in another great restoration project, the boat house, which you’ll see as you walk round the corner from the parking space. The boat house is also where you’ll find some of the 800 acre farm’s fabulous produce for sale, including eggs and, in season, all the asparagus you could ever want! You can also step out onto the jetty and take to the lake on the paddleboards or in Tiddler, the little rowing boat, maybe even trying for a trout or two.
Milly and Ian take great care of their land, considering every detail from small things like providing eco toiletries, to larger things like restoring an entire area of lowland heath, which is now a carpet of purple wildflowers in the autumn. They recommend taking to the bridleway, which you can find a few hundred metres from the lorry, and hiking your way to Pattingham, a lovely village with a fine local pub, although The Inn at Shipley, a few miles further off, is a great choice for food. There’s also the Ironbridge World Heritage site round the corner, the cliff railway and castle ruins at Bridgnorth or the foodie town of Ludlow just half an hour down the road, so you’ll never be stuck for entertainment. At the end of a full day, you can come back to the lorry, light the fire, stretch out on the sofa and doze off in the quiet of your lakeside haven.
Lake William, Birchley Farm, Chesterton Road, Pattingham, WV6 7DZ
///plotting.holidays.desiring - This takes you to the turning onto the owners land – you then have to drive past the farm and follow the directions until you get to the car park for the accommodation.
By car
Close to M6, M54 and M40.
From M40/M5 head to Bridgnorth then onto A454 to Wolverhampton on to Worcester road, follow 1mile. Turn right at cross roads onto Chesterton road. Birchley farm will be on your right.
From M6, head on M54 to Albrighton (Cosford) then to Pattingham. From Pattingham head out on Chesterton road, there is a blue sign at the end of the farm drive on left.
Up the drive and as you get to the farm buildings, take a right down the track in the field. Will be signed. Arrive at car park at the end of the track.
By public transport
Wolverhampton train station is 7 miles away.
Albrighton train station is 5 miles away.
Telford station is 10 miles away.
Buses from Wolverhampton to Pattingham, also from Bridgnorth to Rudge Heath.
A box of their fresh free range eggs from the chickens is provided.
Seasonal boxes are available to pre-order. Please ask the owners regarding what they have to offer.
Local shops
The nearest shop for basics is in Pattingham, 1.5 miles away.
Pubs & restaurants
The Inn at Shipley - Only a couple of miles away. Serving really delicious seasonal food. Very friendly staff and they keep a few tables free for 'walk ins' so you can sometimes get away with not booking. Great atmosphere.
Crown in Pattingham - 1/2 mile away, easy to walk to. Also has delicious local food (the owners supply them with pheasant and other things, so very local).
Bridgnorth has lots more lovely restaurants as well.
There is a lovely bridleway 300m from the lorry, so bring your bike or walking boots.
There is a rowing boat named 'Tiddler' and two paddle boards for guests to use.
You can try trout fishing on Lake William (£15 for a day ticket).
Local Wildlife
The surrounding heathland is home to a host of plants and animals. When the sun is out it is teaming with butterflies, solitary bees and grass hoppers and if you are lucky you might spot snakes and lizards. In the autumn the heather flowers and the whole area turns purple.
Since restoring Lake William the owners have seen kingfishers, otters, swallows diving to drink, coots, moorhens, little grebe, mallards, tufted and mandarin duck, geese and countless dragon and damsel flies. If you are quiet you might even see fallow deer, muntjacs, foxes, and badgers walking past the lorry. The wildflowers around the lake put on a beautiful display from April until September.
Places to visit
Pattingham (1.5 miles) - Has a couple of pubs, a village hall, great playground and nice cafes.
Our nearest market town is Bridgnorth and has many lovely attractions, the castle ruins, Severn Valley Railway, the cliff railway, theatre on the steps, antiques shops and restaurants.
The foodie town of Ludlow is 30 miles away. If you time it right you will be able to enjoy one of their food festivals, a must! Almost every day there is a market of some sort in the main square. Lots of delicatessens and antique shops.
Ironbridge, world heritage site has many museums is 13 miles away. Including Blists Hill victorian town, Ironbridge Gorge museum, Enginuity, Coalport China museum, Bedlam Furnaces and even Raft tours along the river Severn.
In the 1920's Ian's great grandfather bought the estate and although it has changed shape since then, three generations later, in 2012, they took on the running of the 800 acre farm themselves and in 2014 moved into the main house. They love living on the farm and are always outdoors come rain or shine, doing something or other. When it comes to the children it usually involves digging in mud, they are as free range as the chickens! They felt very lucky to have a walled garden at the house which was empty when they moved in, so over the last 6 years they have worked hard to create a very productive veg patch, fruit cage and large mixed orchard where the chickens and ducks roam freely. Although they are mostly arable on the farm they have a herd of rare breed shetland sheep to graze on the lowland heath and also a herd of mangalitzas (very hairy sheep pigs).
At home, like on the farm, they aim to be as sustainable and self sufficient as possible in terms of the food they eat and energy they use. Although they are only just starting out on their farm restoration / conservation adventure they aim to expand the heathland and move towards less intensive agriculture over the whole area. The glamping at Lake William is at the heart of these plans, not only does it allow them to show off what they have done so far, but diversifying the farm business will also enable them to do more.
Having both grown up in Shropshire they are excited to share this beautiful county and everything it has to offer with everyone who comes to stay at Lake William. Slow down, relax and enjoy the peace and quiet of the nature around you.
Wildlife & the environment
They run an 800 acre farm which is a mix of arable land, permanent pasture and woodland. They grow wheat, barley, millet and potatoes alongside a large area of asparagus (which is very popular with the hares). In conjunction with the cropped areas they are also in the Higher Level Stewardship Scheme, under this scheme they grow wild bird seed mixes, pollen and nectar mix as well as wild flower margins and grass corners to protect water courses. However, the most exciting part of the scheme is a conservation project to restore an area to lowland heath (with the help of their shetland sheep), which is a rare habitat in the UK.
What a wonderful idyllic place. So peaceful and the van has everything you need. It was just what we needed to relax and chill. Used the rowing boat and went cold water swimming in the lakes.
13/09/2024
Sarah
Booked for my Partner's birthday getaway. We wanted peace and quiet, and that is exactly what we got!
The day was full of relaxation..... hanging our feet off the jetty into the lake, rowing in 'Tiddler' the little rowing boat, strolling and foraging for fallen twigs and branches to put on the fire pit later.
When the day turned to night, we were amazed by the pretty solar lights that were scattered around the entire area. Absolutely gorgeous! It was while strolling by the lake looking at all the lights that we saw the little bats flitting about. We stood and watched for ages!
The firepit was lit, and we played boardgames under the gazebo with glowing fairy lights. When it got cold, we retired to the cosy, comfortable horsebox.
06/05/2024
Carolyn
We had an amazing stay at Basket Weavers. A very beautiful setting and perfect for a trip away. We did walking, reading, cooking, and had some great quality time.
28/07/2023
Xana
We had a fantastic time at Lake William enjoying the tranquil views and calmness by the water’s edge. We had plans to go on walks before we went, but found it so peaceful and captivating that once we arrived, we didn’t leave once! We had everything we needed and were able to enjoy everything nature had to offer - we saw lots of beautiful dragonflies, frogs, birds and bats. Absolutely beautiful. We won’t forget this trip!
06/08/2022
Emily
Basket Weavers was wonderful! Milly was an amazing host - meeting us to check us in and brought us lovely fresh veg from the farm! The lorry is so nicely kitted out and fitted that its perfect for a weekend away. Cosy, nice appliances and furnishings. We would highly recommend staying!
28/08/2021
Dimitri
We spent two nights in this retreat. It is a beautifully and professionally converted horsebox.Very comfortable and stylishly decorated. Fantastic location overlooking lake.
09/08/2021
Fran
Very peaceful and relaxing, surprised my wife for her 30th with this and we enjoyed 2 day’s of peace and quiet in a stunning setting.
15/07/2021
Liam
Perfect. We had an absolutely fantastic time at the Basket Weavers Retreat. Accommodation was excellent and very comfortable; everything needed was provided. Set in an amazing location; so peaceful and tranquil.
11/07/2021
Annette
Birchley Farm is absolutely gorgeous and the horse box in a beautiful secluded part of the farm. We were provided with everything we needed and had the option to purchase veggies, eggs and preserves from the honesty shop not too far away. Enjoyed the weekend massively and would go back if I could.
09/07/2021
Funmbi
We had a wonderful stay! We chose this location as it was close to Ironbridge, but also due to its lakeside location which made it idyllic. The accommodation was also quirky, something different.
03/07/2021
Tom
It was wonderful. Truly magnificent place. The owners were very helpful. Just me, peace and quiet and nature. The food from the owners farm was delicious and really fresh. I had everything I needed for an amazing stay.
20/06/2021
Liliana
We had the most peaceful couple of days at the Basket Weavers Retreat. Everything we could possibly need for a relaxing couple of days were provided. We enjoyed having a BBQ and roasting marshmallows at night listening to all the birds and watching wildlife, but mostly loved using ‘the Tiddler’ and rowing around the beautiful lake. We will definitly be returning!
10/06/2021
Grace
"Beautifully Natural and Naturally Beautiful" Our two nights stay was just perfect, thank you to Milly and Family for sharing your beautiful piece of British Countryside. The wildlife on the doorstep was lovely to see and we were very much aware that we were sharing their space.
The Lorry was immaculate and beautifully decorated and very well equipped, we needed for nothing.
Tiddler was great fun and a distraction for my husband whilst I enjoyed the peace and quiet.
Beautiful surrounding countryside too.
We know where to go to recharge our batteries in future.
03/06/2021
Sharon
Absolutely Incredible. The place is stunning.
26/05/2021
Nicholas
Stayed for three nights. Absolutely loved it... amazing views and idyllic
17/05/2021
Antonia
Chose this place as it was not too far from home but still in a fantastic area of the country.
09/05/2021
Marie
Peace and tranquillity in beautiful surroundings. We had a lovely stay at the Basket Weavers Retreat and would recommend it to any couple who want to escape from the hustle and bustle for a few days. It had everything we needed for a comfortable stay and only wish we had stayed a couple of days longer! Thank you
12/04/2021
Marcus
We had a wonderful stay. I still cannot quite believe how secluded, yet easy to reach it was!
08/10/2020
Georgia
What a magical place. Just what was needed to relax and unwind. The surroundings are stunning. I couldn't fault this place. The accommodation was cosy, comfortable and had everything needed. Enough wood was supplied for the gorgeous log burner and outside fire basket, the kitchen was well equipped with tea, coffee, sugar, washing up items, salt & pepper, pots & pans etc. The cooker, hob and fridge were in great working order. I would highly recommend getting a veg box, delicious. The bed was comfortable. The shower was lovely and plenty of instant hot water. The way the horsebox has been kitted out and decorated is beautiful and is great use of space without feeling cramped. I could definitely live there. Being off grid and away from the hustle and bustle was perfection. Having a lake on your doorstep provided a wonderful view with the added experience off having 'Tiddler', our own rowing boat which is not to be missed. We popped to Birdgnorth which was a delightful town with wonderful shops, cliff railway and lovely cafes however next time we go we plan on staying put and staying longer. Milly and Ian were both very welcoming. Thank you for a perfect weekend xx
18/09/2020
Emma
We stayed here for two nights and loved every single minute. The grounds are even more beautiful than what you see in the photos and rowing on tiddler was one of our highlights! All the small touches make this perfect place to stay, from the solar lights in the outdoor loo to the fresh flowers on the dining table. I cannot recommend this place highly enough!
05/09/2020
helen
Really beautiful spot, the lake is over a hilled track, and at the far end, you find your home, sitting prettily with full views. The inside is pristine, cosy and has a wonderful energy with everything thought. Surroundings are very peaceful and full of wildlife. Attentive, warm hosts, who give complete privacy, and offer a selection of delicious organic offerings for purchase. Perfect.
03/09/2020
Jocasta
Set in a very Secluded spot in a corner of paradise, Basket Weavers is such a special place. Located in the middle of nowhere, at the side of your own private lake and woods, this special place comes fully equipped with everything you need to get away from everything. Refurbed and decorated to a very high spec, we spent 4 blissful nights here but I wish it had been for longer. Eg It is fitted with a full sized shower (hotel standard) and very comfy king sized bed. Apart from Milly and Ian, who went out of our way to make our stay extra special (veggie boxes, eggs, home made pickles, honey, gin) we didn’t see a soul for 4 days. It is a nature lovers haven, owls and bats on a nighttime, fowl and birds of prey through the day, and such unpolluted and clear skies on a night for stargazing next to your. Lots of fab walking, and fun right outside your front door - you even gave your own boat and boathouse, 2 mins walk from Basket Weaver’s (with full electricity), plus you have charge points in your home, with lighting, gas for cooking/boiler. The ecoloo is just round back of weavers so a 15 second walk) honestly, photos don’t do this place justice...you are so very far away from anyone!
16/08/2020
Alison
Reviews
What a wonderful idyllic place. So peaceful and the van has everything you need. It was just what we needed to relax and chill. Used the rowing boat and went cold water swimming in the lakes.
13/09/2024
Sarah
Booked for my Partner's birthday getaway. We wanted peace and quiet, and that is exactly what we got!
The day was full of relaxation..... hanging our feet off the jetty into the lake, rowing in 'Tiddler' the little rowing boat, strolling and foraging for fallen twigs and branches to put on the fire pit later.
When the day turned to night, we were amazed by the pretty solar lights that were scattered around the entire area. Absolutely gorgeous! It was while strolling by the lake looking at all the lights that we saw the little bats flitting about. We stood and watched for ages!
The firepit was lit, and we played boardgames under the gazebo with glowing fairy lights. When it got cold, we retired to the cosy, comfortable horsebox.
06/05/2024
Carolyn
We had an amazing stay at Basket Weavers. A very beautiful setting and perfect for a trip away. We did walking, reading, cooking, and had some great quality time.
28/07/2023
Xana
We had a fantastic time at Lake William enjoying the tranquil views and calmness by the water’s edge. We had plans to go on walks before we went, but found it so peaceful and captivating that once we arrived, we didn’t leave once! We had everything we needed and were able to enjoy everything nature had to offer - we saw lots of beautiful dragonflies, frogs, birds and bats. Absolutely beautiful. We won’t forget this trip!
06/08/2022
Emily
Basket Weavers was wonderful! Milly was an amazing host - meeting us to check us in and brought us lovely fresh veg from the farm! The lorry is so nicely kitted out and fitted that its perfect for a weekend away. Cosy, nice appliances and furnishings. We would highly recommend staying!
28/08/2021
Dimitri
We spent two nights in this retreat. It is a beautifully and professionally converted horsebox.Very comfortable and stylishly decorated. Fantastic location overlooking lake.
09/08/2021
Fran
Very peaceful and relaxing, surprised my wife for her 30th with this and we enjoyed 2 day’s of peace and quiet in a stunning setting.
15/07/2021
Liam
Perfect. We had an absolutely fantastic time at the Basket Weavers Retreat. Accommodation was excellent and very comfortable; everything needed was provided. Set in an amazing location; so peaceful and tranquil.
11/07/2021
Annette
Birchley Farm is absolutely gorgeous and the horse box in a beautiful secluded part of the farm. We were provided with everything we needed and had the option to purchase veggies, eggs and preserves from the honesty shop not too far away. Enjoyed the weekend massively and would go back if I could.
09/07/2021
Funmbi
We had a wonderful stay! We chose this location as it was close to Ironbridge, but also due to its lakeside location which made it idyllic. The accommodation was also quirky, something different.
03/07/2021
Tom
It was wonderful. Truly magnificent place. The owners were very helpful. Just me, peace and quiet and nature. The food from the owners farm was delicious and really fresh. I had everything I needed for an amazing stay.
20/06/2021
Liliana
We had the most peaceful couple of days at the Basket Weavers Retreat. Everything we could possibly need for a relaxing couple of days were provided. We enjoyed having a BBQ and roasting marshmallows at night listening to all the birds and watching wildlife, but mostly loved using ‘the Tiddler’ and rowing around the beautiful lake. We will definitly be returning!
10/06/2021
Grace
"Beautifully Natural and Naturally Beautiful" Our two nights stay was just perfect, thank you to Milly and Family for sharing your beautiful piece of British Countryside. The wildlife on the doorstep was lovely to see and we were very much aware that we were sharing their space.
The Lorry was immaculate and beautifully decorated and very well equipped, we needed for nothing.
Tiddler was great fun and a distraction for my husband whilst I enjoyed the peace and quiet.
Beautiful surrounding countryside too.
We know where to go to recharge our batteries in future.
03/06/2021
Sharon
Absolutely Incredible. The place is stunning.
26/05/2021
Nicholas
Stayed for three nights. Absolutely loved it... amazing views and idyllic
17/05/2021
Antonia
Chose this place as it was not too far from home but still in a fantastic area of the country.
09/05/2021
Marie
Peace and tranquillity in beautiful surroundings. We had a lovely stay at the Basket Weavers Retreat and would recommend it to any couple who want to escape from the hustle and bustle for a few days. It had everything we needed for a comfortable stay and only wish we had stayed a couple of days longer! Thank you
12/04/2021
Marcus
We had a wonderful stay. I still cannot quite believe how secluded, yet easy to reach it was!
08/10/2020
Georgia
What a magical place. Just what was needed to relax and unwind. The surroundings are stunning. I couldn't fault this place. The accommodation was cosy, comfortable and had everything needed. Enough wood was supplied for the gorgeous log burner and outside fire basket, the kitchen was well equipped with tea, coffee, sugar, washing up items, salt & pepper, pots & pans etc. The cooker, hob and fridge were in great working order. I would highly recommend getting a veg box, delicious. The bed was comfortable. The shower was lovely and plenty of instant hot water. The way the horsebox has been kitted out and decorated is beautiful and is great use of space without feeling cramped. I could definitely live there. Being off grid and away from the hustle and bustle was perfection. Having a lake on your doorstep provided a wonderful view with the added experience off having 'Tiddler', our own rowing boat which is not to be missed. We popped to Birdgnorth which was a delightful town with wonderful shops, cliff railway and lovely cafes however next time we go we plan on staying put and staying longer. Milly and Ian were both very welcoming. Thank you for a perfect weekend xx
18/09/2020
Emma
We stayed here for two nights and loved every single minute. The grounds are even more beautiful than what you see in the photos and rowing on tiddler was one of our highlights! All the small touches make this perfect place to stay, from the solar lights in the outdoor loo to the fresh flowers on the dining table. I cannot recommend this place highly enough!
05/09/2020
helen
Really beautiful spot, the lake is over a hilled track, and at the far end, you find your home, sitting prettily with full views. The inside is pristine, cosy and has a wonderful energy with everything thought. Surroundings are very peaceful and full of wildlife. Attentive, warm hosts, who give complete privacy, and offer a selection of delicious organic offerings for purchase. Perfect.
03/09/2020
Jocasta
Set in a very Secluded spot in a corner of paradise, Basket Weavers is such a special place. Located in the middle of nowhere, at the side of your own private lake and woods, this special place comes fully equipped with everything you need to get away from everything. Refurbed and decorated to a very high spec, we spent 4 blissful nights here but I wish it had been for longer. Eg It is fitted with a full sized shower (hotel standard) and very comfy king sized bed. Apart from Milly and Ian, who went out of our way to make our stay extra special (veggie boxes, eggs, home made pickles, honey, gin) we didn’t see a soul for 4 days. It is a nature lovers haven, owls and bats on a nighttime, fowl and birds of prey through the day, and such unpolluted and clear skies on a night for stargazing next to your. Lots of fab walking, and fun right outside your front door - you even gave your own boat and boathouse, 2 mins walk from Basket Weaver’s (with full electricity), plus you have charge points in your home, with lighting, gas for cooking/boiler. The ecoloo is just round back of weavers so a 15 second walk) honestly, photos don’t do this place justice...you are so very far away from anyone!
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Book with us in confidence knowing you won’t find that place cheaper elsewhere. All of the prices we display are set and matched by our Owners. (In this world of foreign currency, we do have to say 'subject to exchange rates' for some of our European places.)
What does ‘from price’ mean?
Our ‘from price’ is based on a four night stay in low season and designed to help you to compare different prices across our collection. Some of our Owners vary their nightly rates and check in days throughout the year, so it may differ from the rate quoted below the calendar. It is quite common (although by no means universal) for places to charge a little more in peak season or for shorter stays, to cover changeover costs. Consider booking longer stays during the cooler months if you’re looking for the lowest nightly rates.
Agency Terms & Conditions
Except where otherwise specified, we Sawday’s Canopy & Stars Ltd (Company No 09088366) of Merchants House, Wapping Road, Bristol, BS1 4RW act only as an Agent in respect of all bookings we take and/or make on your behalf. As an Agent we act as an intermediary between you and the owner (‘’Owner’’) of the holiday accommodation (‘’Property’’) you will be staying in. We help to arrange reservations and bookings between you and the Owner and take payments from you on behalf of the Owner.
We are only arranging a contract between you and the Owner for hire of the Property and for any other services or arrangement you purchase from the Owner (the “Booking”). This means the legal contract for the Booking is between you and the Owner despite the fact that a payment for the Booking has been made to the Agent. Your contract for the Booking is not with Sawday’s Canopy & Stars Ltd (Canopy & Stars).
Canopy & Stars is part of the Sawday’s family of companies, a majority employee owned business, 24% owned by a charitable trust and a B Corp. We accept no liability in relation to any contract you enter into in relation to Bookings or for the acts or omissions of any supplier(s) or other person(s) or party(ies) connected with any Booking.
When making your Booking we will arrange for you to enter into a contract with the Owner, as detailed in clause 1.2 below. Your Booking is subject to these Agency Terms & Conditions and any other specific booking conditions of the relevant Owner(s) you contract with. The Owner’s booking conditions may limit and/or exclude the Owner’s liability to you.
You may decide to make more than one Booking at the same time. The price charged in total for more than one Booking will always equal the prices charged separately for each individual Booking. All Bookings are available to be purchased separately at the same price as they are when more than one Booking is made. This means that any multiple Bookings do not constitute a package as defined in the Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992.
By making a booking, you agree that:
- You have read these Agency Terms & Conditions and agree to be bound by them;
- The lead name on the Booking will be the person responsible for the Booking and shall be responsible for paying the deposit and the full price, for making any amendment and cancellation requests and for the payment of any additional charges. The lead name accepts these Terms & Conditions on behalf of all persons in the Booking;
- You consent to our use of your information in accordance with our Privacy Policy;
- You are over 18 years of age and where there may be age restrictions in place, you declare that you and all members of your party are of the appropriate age
The Canopy & Stars online booking system enables Guests to make Bookings 24 hours a day. To confirm your booking, you must pay a 25% deposit (or full payment if booking within 10 weeks of your check in date) and the entire Booking will be subject to the cancellation policy as outlined in clause 2 below. The Canopy & Stars telephone booking line is open Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm and Saturdays 10am to 2pm. When using the online enquiry form, for those Properties without online booking, please allow 24 working hours for us to contact you by telephone to confirm the Booking. If we are unable to reach you by phone, we will attempt to contact you by email. We will contact you during Canopy & Stars working hours (Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm and Saturday 10am to 2pm). Online or email enquiries will be dealt with in the order they are received, but please be aware that we cannot guarantee reservation of your selected dates until the receipt of suitable payment. Therefore, if possible, we do recommend that you book on the Canopy & Stars website using the online booking system.
1. Booking and payments
1.1 In order to confirm your chosen Booking, you must pay a 25% non-refundable deposit as required (or full payment if booking within 10 weeks of the date of your check-in). The deposit is non-refundable as it covers costs incurred and services provided to enable your Booking. These include, but are not limited to, marketing and PR, property inspection fees, Owner management, booking management, credit card fees and customer service.
1.2 Your Booking is confirmed and a contract between you and the Owner will exist when we receive payment of the deposit and send you a booking confirmation on the Owner’s behalf. This Booking confirmation email will be sent within 24 hours and will contain the details of your Booking and of payments made and due. If you have not received your Booking confirmation email within the specified time, please notify us as soon as possible by email (bookings@canopyandstars.co.uk). Please check your confirmation carefully and report any incorrect or incomplete information to us immediately. As we act only as booking Agent, we have no responsibility for any errors in any documentation except where an error is made by us.
1.3 Once the 25% deposit has been paid, the full balance payment will be due 10 weeks in advance of your check in. A reminder to pay your balance will be sent to you one week prior to this 10 week date, where applicable, by email. We automatically take the balance payment using the same card as used to make the deposit payment. It is your responsibility to advise us if we should use a different card and to contact us by telephone (0117 204 7830) to arrange for alternative payment method. If the automated balance payment does not successfully go through as there is a problem with your card, such as it is expiring, then we will contact you to try and take alternative payment. If you do not make any payment due to Canopy & Stars by the due date for payment and at the latest within 5 days of this date, then with regret, we will notify the Owner who will cancel your Booking and terminate their contract with you. In these circumstances, your rights to a refund are set out in clause 2.3 and 2.4 below. Please note that if you have paid in a currency that is different to the original pricing, we will not be able to guarantee the same conversion rate that was used to convert the deposit payment.
1.4 Except where otherwise advised or stated in the booking conditions of the Owner concerned, all monies you pay to us for a Booking will be held on behalf of the Owner(s) concerned.
1.5 Credit Card payments are processed via Elavon who provide merchants services facilities to Sawday’s Canopy & Stars Ltd.
2. Cancellation by You
2.1 If you have to, or want to cancel or amend your Booking, this request must be sent to us by email (bookings@canopyandstars.co.uk) and will be considered and responded to within two working days of receipt. Please ensure that you have received written confirmation of any changes to your Booking prior to travel. Whilst we will always try to help, we cannot guarantee that such requests will be met.
2.2 Cancellation by you at any time will result in your 25% deposit being forfeited. The deposit is always non-refundable as it covers costs incurred and services provided to enable your Booking.
2.3 All bookings are non-amendable and non-refundable within 10 weeks of your check in date. If you need to cancel your booking within 10 weeks, the total cost of the accommodation including the deposit will be forfeited. Cancellation should always be in writing to bookings@canopyandstars.co.uk.
2.4 If you need to cancel your booking at a date 10 weeks or more in advance of your check in date, the 25% deposit will be forfeited. If the booking has been paid in full the balance will be returned to you, minus the 25% deposit. Refunds will be issued in the same form and ratio as the original payment was made. Therefore, if a Gift Voucher was used to book your stay, the refund will be back onto a new Gift Voucher at the same amount as originally used. Alternatively, if you paid in cash, your refund will be processed in the currency of the booking. Where this is different to the currency of the payment card, this will be converted at the current exchange rate on the day of the refund.
2.5 Cancellations made by you, at any time, may incur a £50 administration fee in addition to us retaining the non-refundable deposit. This represents the administration costs incurred by us on behalf of the Owner to deal with such requests.
2.6 If extreme weather prevents you from reaching your holiday, taking, or finishing your holiday, you are still subject to these cancellation terms as outlined in clause 2.3 above. We strongly recommend that you take out a travel insurance policy which covers this eventuality. In the event of the property becoming unavailable (such as due to fire or flooding), Canopy & Stars will endeavour to provide the Guest with suitable alternative accommodation, starting with any other accommodation that may be available with the same Owner of your Booking, or will refund all monies paid, or a proportion in the case of curtailment. The Agency cannot, however, pay any compensation or expenses as a consequence of such an event.
2.7 Cancellation insurance is available to purchase from many providers, but will be a third-party arrangement and not involve Canopy & Stars or the Owner in any way. You are strongly recommended to take out personal travel insurance for all members of your party for UK holidays and you must take out personal travel insurance for international holidays, including for illness and cancellation due to Covid-19. It is your responsibility to ensure that the insurance cover is adequate for your needs, including cancellation and curtailment.
2.8 If you fail to check-in on your date of arrival your Booking will be cancelled and no refund will be due.
3. Amendments to your booking, requested by you
3.1 Amendments to your Booking can only be made more than 10 weeks prior to the check in date, after which time amendments may be treated as cancellation and our refund policy as detailed in clause 2.3 above may apply. All amendments are subject to availability and may incur a £50 admin fee detailed in clause 2.5 above.
3.2 If we can fulfil your request to amend your booking, any differences in price as a result of the amendment, will be paid by you in the case of an increase and refunded to you in the case of a decrease in price, e.g. amending your booking from low season to high season.
3.3 In the event that a date swap is offered, this will normally be agreed with a set timeframe to rebook and sometimes a credit against a future stay will be offered. The credit can only apply to a stay at the same space as originally booked.
3.3.1 If a date swap is offered, then the Agency Booking Terms and Conditions applied at the time of your original booking will still apply. Therefore, if your date was swapped within 10 weeks of the original check in date, the 10 week cancellation policy set out in clause 2.3 applies to your new stay, even if the new check in date is beyond 10 weeks.
4. Refunds
If a refund is issued it will be in the same form and ratio as the original payment was made. Therefore, if a Gift Voucher was used to purchase the original stay, the refund will be back onto a new Gift Voucher at the same amount as originally used.
5. Insurance
You are strongly recommended to take out personal travel insurance for all members of your party for your holiday, including holidays in the UK. It is your responsibility to ensure that the insurance cover is adequate for your needs, including cancellation and curtailment for any reason. Please read your policy details carefully and take them with you on holiday.
6. Changes and Cancellations by the Owner
We will inform you as soon as reasonably possible if the Owner needs to make a significant change to your confirmed Booking or to cancel your Booking. We will also liaise between you and the Owner to try and organise an alternative Booking offered by the Owner, or a refund but we will have no further liability to you.
7. Cancellations due to events outside of Owner’s control
An Owner may have to cancel a booking due to events outside of their reasonable control (see clause 22). In such circumstances, we will liaise between you and the Owner to try and organise an any alternative Booking offered by the Owner, or a refund but we will have no further liability to you.
8. Complaints & Procedure
We always aim to provide the best possible holiday experience, however, if you have any complaint or problems during your stay, please immediately notify the Owner during the stay itself, so that the Owner has the opportunity to resolve the problem at the time. If you do not follow this procedure, there will be less opportunity for the Owner to investigate and resolve your complaint and to make your stay as enjoyable as possible. Delays may also mean that the amount of compensation you may be entitled to, may be reduced or negated.
Whether or not your complaint is dealt with satisfactorily, please also let us know of the problem as soon as possible by emailing info@canopyandstars.co.uk. We will aim to respond within 1 working day to acknowledge your email. We will then review your feedback and investigate the complaint. This may involve discussing your concerns with the owner, revising the website listing for inaccuracies, and reviewing previous guest feedback and internal inspection notes. This process can take time to complete, so please allow approx. 7 working days for a final response.
We also welcome you to fill in our feedback survey which will be sent to you via email the day after you check out. It is important for us to gather as much information as possible about the experiences our guests are having. This is what helps us support our Owner in fulfilling their potential and identifying if anything could be improved.
9. Our Responsibility for your Booking
Your contract is with the Owner and its booking conditions apply. As Agent, we accept no responsibility for the actual provision of the Booking. Our responsibilities are limited to making the Booking in accordance with your instructions and acting properly in accordance with our legal duties as an Agent. We accept no responsibility for any information about the Booking that we pass on to you in good faith. However, in the event that we are found liable to you on any basis whatsoever, our maximum liability to you is limited to twice the cost of your Booking (or the appropriate proportion of this if not everyone on the Booking is affected). We do not exclude or limit any liability for death or personal injury that arises as a result of our negligence or that of any of our employees whilst acting in the course of their employment.
10. Your Responsibilities
10.1 Please note that you have a contract with the Owner of the property. As such you are under a responsibility to behave in a proper, appropriate and legal manner whilst staying at the property with due respect to the Owner, the Property and other guests and their Property.
10.2 You are responsible for informing the Owner of any losses or damage to the property as soon as possible. Please note that you will be liable to pay the Owner for any losses or damage to the property caused by you or a member of your party (except reasonable wear and tear). Some Owners may also require a damage deposit. If so, this information will be provided on the website place page under ‘essentials’.
10.3 You must also leave the property by the check-out time specified on your Booking. If any guest behaves inappropriately or improperly (of which the Owner will be the final judge on their Property), or illegally, the Owner reserves the right to ask the guest and their party (at their discretion) to leave the Property before the end of the holiday period and/or refuse any future bookings from you. Please note that this would be without the right to any refund.
11. Pets
11.1 Not all properties accept pets. If you wish to take your pet on holiday, please advise us before booking and we can check whether pets are accepted at the property. You must obtain the prior consent of the Owner before taking any pets to the property. If you take a pet to a place that doesn’t allow pets, or you exceed the number of pets allowed at a place, the Owner has the right to refuse you to stay at the Property, and/or they may ask you to leave the Property before the end of the holiday period. Please note that this would be without the right to any refund.
11.2 A nightly charge may be made by the Owner for each pet and additional terms may apply, you will be notified of this at point of Booking. Please check these terms carefully before booking and arriving.
11.3 Please do not leave your pets alone or unsupervised in the property at any time during your stay. For the safety and comfort of your pet we request that Owners exercise due diligence at all times, especially where the property is located near a road/livestock. Canopy & Stars nor the Owner can accept responsibility for the safety of your pet.
11.4 If any guest has an allergy to pets, please be aware that Owners (and we) cannot guarantee that a pet has not stayed in a particular Property. We and Owners cannot accept responsibility for any suffering which may occur as a result of such animals having been present in a property.
11.5 We ask that all owners of pets keep their pet under control at all times and to be responsible for ensuring that they do not damage the Property, livestock or vegetation during the stay. You will be liable for any damage caused by your pet. Any damage is to be reported to the Owner immediately. Any additional cleaning required, that may incur an additional charge, will be at the Owner's discretion.
12. Special requests
If you have any special requests (for example dietary requirements, allergy, cots or room location), please let us know at the time of booking. We will pass on all such requests to the Owner, but unfortunately, we can't guarantee that they will be met and we will have no liability to you if they are not.
13. Maximum Numbers
Please note that except by prior arrangement confirmed in writing, only the number of persons specified on a booking confirmation may occupy a property. Most owners reserve the right to refuse admittance or revoke a Booking if this condition is not observed and you are unlikely to receive any refund.
13.1 The Owner reserves the right to sue the guest for any loss, damage or injury caused to the Owner, the Property or to other guests and/or their property. As Agent, we will have no liability to you in these circumstances.
13.2 The Owner only supplies the Property for domestic and private use. You agree not to use the Property for any commercial, business or re-sale purpose, and the Owner has no liability to you for any loss of profit, loss of business, business interruption, or loss of business opportunity. If you do wish to use the Property for a commercial purpose, you must contact Canopy & Stars prior to confirming your booking.
14. Group Bookings
Not all Owners accept Bookings for a single sex group (for example, a stag or hen party). Guests wanting to make such a Booking should check with us beforehand to enable us to check whether the Owner is prepared to accept the Booking. We will then advise you accordingly. In event that an Owner does not accept this type of Booking then it is with regret, that the Booking may be cancelled, and cancellation fees may apply. It is the Guest’s responsibility to enquire with Canopy & Stars and/or check on our website beforehand to make sure that this type of Booking is permitted.
15. Pricing
15.1 Canopy & Stars reserve the right to amend advertised prices at any time on behalf of the Owner. We also reserve the right to correct errors in both advertised and confirmed prices. Special note: changes and errors sometimes occur.
15.2 Rates are set per place in the currency specified by the Owner. Where this has been converted into the currency of your preference, until the payment stage this will be an estimation only, based on a recent exchange rate. The original rate will be displayed before you confirm your payment and you will be given the option of paying in your own currency at our guaranteed rate, or paying in your own currency and leaving the conversion and any associated fees to your card provider.
16. Information & Accuracy
The information and prices shown on this website are varied from time to time and may change between the time you first view a property and make a Booking. You should check that all the details are as you expect prior to making a Booking. It is always possible that, despite our best efforts, some of the properties (including the features and extras available) may be incorrectly described and/or priced. If we discover this is the case after you have made a Booking, we reserve the right to contact you with details of the correct information and/or pricing and will give you the option to:
(1) proceed with the Booking based on the correct information and/or pricing, which may require the payment of an additional amount by you
OR
(2) subject to availability, change your booking dates to dates when the pricing can be honoured and so no additional charge to you. In the event that a lower price can be offered for alternative dates then the difference would be refunded
OR
(3) cancel the Booking. If we do not receive your instructions within 5 days of contacting you, we reserve the right to cancel your Booking without liability to you.
17. VAT
Many of the Owners of properties in the Canopy & Stars portfolio are not registered for VAT in which case no tax is payable. Where VAT is payable, the tax is included in the advertised holiday rental price. If the rate of VAT changes between the date of the Booking and the date of the stay, Canopy & Stars may adjust the rate of VAT that you pay, unless you have already paid for the Booking in full before the change in the rate of VAT takes effect.
18. Visa, passport and health requirements
Unless you tell us otherwise, we assume that all members of your party are British citizens who hold or will hold full British passports valid for the entire duration of the international Booking. Information on visa, passport and health requirements, where given and applicable, is so given on this basis. Requirements may change and you are therefore strongly recommended to check the up to date position with the Owner of the Booking, Passport Office, appropriate embassy or consulate or your doctor as applicable in good time before the commencement of your holiday. Prior to international travel it is your responsibility to check whether it is safe to travel by visiting the FCO website www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.
19. Governing Law and Jurisdiction
These terms and conditions have been drafted in accordance with and are governed by English law and the courts of England and Wales have exclusive jurisdiction in relation to any and all disputes arising out of these Agency Terms & Conditions.
20. Discrepancies
In case of a discrepancy between these Agency Terms & Conditions and any other Canopy & Stars literature, these Agency Terms & Conditions shall prevail.
21. Validity clause
In the event that a court finds that a condition in these Agency Terms & Conditions is illegal or void, the illegal or void provision will be severed from the remainder of the Agency Terms & Conditions, which will continue to be valid and have full force and effect.
22. Events beyond an Owner or Agency’s control
If an Owner or Canopy & Stars is prevented or delayed from complying with any of their respective obligations under these Agency Terms & Conditions or a contract for a Booking due to events or circumstances beyond their reasonable control, the inability or delay in performing those obligations will not be treated as a breach of these Agency Terms & Conditions or a contract for a Booking. Examples of such events or circumstances include fire, flood and other acts of God, strikes, trade disputes, lock outs, restrictions of imports or exports, riot, accident, disruption to energy supplies, civil commotion, acts of terrorism or war, pandemic (including Covid-19), any national/local/regional government restrictions.
Thank you for wading through all the very boring, but very important stuff above.
Now the outdoors is calling, so go and get wild in nature!
What a wonderful idyllic place. So peaceful and the van has everything you need. It was just what we needed to relax and chill. Used the rowing boat and went cold water swimming in the lakes.
13/09/2024