The Grey Goose
Herefordshire, United Kingdom
Midland Farm
- Shepherd's hut for 2 from £75 per night (read our low price promise)
- One double bed (4ft 6" x 8ft)
Overview
As you roll out of the double bed and swing back the top half of the stable door, you get a distinct farmhouse feel from The Grey Goose. Inside is all warmth and wood, outside the fields stretch away from your door and you’re likely to be greeted by the free range hens and maybe some curious sheep. Ask Sarah and Charlie for a tour of the incredible gardens, which featured on the cover of the Royal Horticultural Society magazine. You'll also have your own private wood-fired hot tub to relax in, should you be feeling less adventurous.
Wilder scenery awaits on the hiking trails of the Black Mountains, kayak adventures down the river Wye or pony treks (not on the Shetlands) through the hills around Hay-on-Wye. Make a stop on the way home at one of Hay or Ludlow’s many great eateries, your hosts’ favourite pub, The Griffin, or have Sarah get a home-cooked meal ready for you to enjoy in the comfort of your own wheeled farmhouse. With the woodburner lit, end the day listening for the owls and the sounds of the countryside settling down for the night.
Essentials
The important stuff
- Check in: From 3pm
- Check out: 10 am
- There is plenty of wildlife so expect to hear the sheep, chickens and horses during your stay. All are “guest friendly” or will simply run off! There is also a picket fence to keep the sheep at arm's length!
- Extra firewood is available to purchase from the owners at £5 per bag
- Limited mobile phone signal. No WiFi
- Bring torches and wellies
- The hot tub is included in the cost of all stays. It uses kiln-dried wood and takes only 90 minutes to heat up
- Sleeping arrangements
- One double bed (4ft 6" x 8ft)
Extra space available
Space for 1 baby no charge. travel cot not provide. Please bring your own equipment
Space for 2 adults from £20 per adult per night in their own tent. Please provide your own bedding
Cooking
- Hob and combination microwave
- Small fridge with freezer
- Belfast sink with hot running water
- Kettle and toaster
- Crockery, cutlery and kitchen utensils provided
- Fire bowl with tripod for outdoor cooking
Washing
- En suite bathroom with shower and flushing toilet
Heating, lighting & bedding
- Woodburner
- Electric radiator and towel rail
- Electric wall lights and fairy lights
- Egyptian cotton bed linen and fluffy towels provided
- Plug sockets
Getting there
Midland Farm, Pig Street, Norton Wood, Norton Canon, HR4 7BP
By car
Take the A480 out of Hereford heading west. This will take you past the SAS headquarters (on your left) at Credenhill. After about 6 miles you will pass through Yazor. 2 miles past Yazor you will see a turning on your right to Weobley, go straight past that turning. About 500m further on take the turning on the left sign posted to Norton Canon and the church.
This is a single track road. Carry on for about 3 miles and you will see a white house on the left hand side of the road called New House Farm. There is a gated track that runs down the side of the house that leads to Midland Farm. If you key the postcode ( HR4 7BP) into the satnav it usually comes up with Pig Street, which is fine, just look out for New House Farm (see above).
From the West:
Get onto the A4112 heading east towards Leominster. As you go through Kinnersley you will see the church on your right. Just before the church take the single lane track sign posted to Norton Wood and Hurstley,.
Go down there for approx. 3 miles and you will see a white house on the right hand side of the road called New House Farm. Immediately past the house is a gated track on your right leading to Midland Farm.
Parking is located 10m from The Greedy Gander and 20m from The Grey Goose.
By public transport
The nearest bus and train station are both Hereford, a 30 minute drive away.
Food & Drink
At Midland Farm
Tea, coffee and basic condiments provided. Cakes or flapjacks on arrival.
Guests are welcome to collect eggs from the chicken coop, upon request and when the girls are laying.
There is a simple brick BBQ next to the wild pond.
Local shops
The nearest shops are in Oakchurch or Weobley – both about a 15 minute drive.
Places to eat
The Stagg Inn at Titley was the first pub in England to gain a Michelin star. Its only 15 mins drive from Midland Farm, and is a great evening destination for a treat.
The Griffin - Just the other side of Hay is The Griffin at Felin Fach. Cath Urquhart, Travel Editor, The Times said "You know there's something special about the place the minute you crest the hill." It’s a great pub posh grub mix, we love it.
The Tram - situated in Eardisley. Top value and a friendly welcome for families.
The Mill Race - Further afield a good destination is Simmonds Yat and a delicious lunch awaits at The Mill Race at Walford. Gastro Pub Of the Year in 2009.
The Talbot at Knightwick, where Nigel Slater began his career.
The gastro market town of Ludlow is only a stone’s throw away and is a must with its lovely shops and restaurants.
Hay on Wye is also well worth a visit and has much to offer in the way of places to eat, really good Indian there on the corner.
Activities
At Midland Farm
Children can give corn to the chickens (one or two will peck from your hand). Guests are welcome to collect eggs in the morning if the chickens are laying.
Places to visit
Hay-on-Wye is well worth a visit with its many book shops, market and of course it plays host to the Hay Festival every year. The Courtyard at Hereford is a great arts centre for plays, cinema and exhibitions. Check the website to see what’s on. The gastro market town of Ludlow is only slightly further away, and is a must with its lovely shops and restaurants. They say Ludlow has more Michelin stars than any other town in the UK. Weobley village (the nearest outpost of civilisation with a shop and post office!) is on the Black & White trail.
If you want to venture slightly further afield (approx. 40 mins by car) are the Malvern Hills, and of course the delightful town of Malvern itself.
Visit one of the many National Trust properties nearby including, Brockhampton, Wier, Berrington Hall, Croft Castle and Cwmmau Farmhouse.
Outdoor & Active
Herefordshire has plenty to offer anyone keen on some fresh air. There are more miles of public footpath in Herefordshire than roads. You can see the ridge of Crib-y-Garth (locally known as the Cat's Back) at the foot of the black mountains from the top of Calver Hill at the back of Midland Farm, so probably no better place to start exploring the terrain. It's gentle going as you follow it north/north-west, joining Offa's Dyke path near Hay Bluff. After taking in the truly magnificent views, it's then downhill all the way, following a "green lane" path which just happens to pass a charming country pub called The Bull at Craswall - well worth a stopover - before making your way back to the car.
The Brecon Beacons are easily accessible too. Maps are available to plan a hearty day our up Pen y Fan (the highest peak).
Explore the River Wye, a wonderful day out for lovers of wildlife and home to many species of birds and mammals including otters.
Offa’s Dyke - beautiful 177-mile National Trail.
Kayaking & Canoeing - one of the great attractions for many visitors to the area, there are several companies that hire kayaks or canoes and also offer lessons and trip out for the inexperienced family.
Pony Trekking - A wonderful way of exploring this lovely countryside. There are many trekking centres in and around this area that cater for riders of all levels of ability. The owners recommend the Brwyngwyn Riding Centre.
Meet your hosts
Meet Sarah & Charlie
Sarah and Charlie were living in France 5 years ago and Sarah made a flying visit back to the UK to look at some likely properties for their return. The first house she saw was Midland Farm and she bought it on the spot. The location is the thing that persuaded Sarah to take the plunge. Tucked away with uninterrupted view towards the Wye, Hay Bluff and the Cats Back (see things to do for explanation), Midland Farm provides a romantic setting.
The garden at Midland Farm has been featured on the front cover in the Royal Horticultural Society magazine ‘The Garden’. It is open under the NGS scheme twice a year, and is pictured on the front cover of this year’s NGS’s directory. Sarah and Charlie have an abundance of very happy hens who produce the most wonderful eggs that are often available for breakfast. Guests can collect eggs from the chicken coop, upon request and when the girls are laying! At certain times of year, plants from the garden may be available for purchase.
Wildlife & the environment
Sarah and Charlie have plenty of their own wildlife, optimistically called pets, so guests should expect to meet and hear them all. To date the roll call consists of Daisy the Jack Russell, Flyn the Border Terrier, Sophie the cat who was brought back from France, six chickens (number tends to vary!) and very often sheep in the field next to the yurt. There is a pond, which is at its best in summer and plays host to lots of wildlife like dragonflies, frogs, newts, moorhens and the odd heron. There is a rookery in a nearby wood, and they provide quite a magical display at dusk. You can often hear owls hooting round you at night, we have swans and geese flying overhead in the evening, plus any number of small birds. Letton Lakes nearby is an RSPB sanctuary with some rare species. Animal interaction may be arranged upon request.
Our guests say...
Fantastic place to leave the 9-5 behind and unwind. The hot tub is super and the hut is really comfortable.
17/05/2019George
It was fantastic. From the moment we arrived we were greeted by Charlie who was warm and welcoming and showed us around The Grey Goose. The setting is incredible the rolling black mountains, the farm animals on site and the owners glorious garden! The hot tub was lovely (We've had a wood fried hot tub before but this was a real treat as it had jets and lights which the last one didn't!) Instructions for the hot tub were spot on. Pictures of the Shepard's hut don't do it justice, it's cute, quaint, extremely warm and cosy, and SO well equipped. We would 100% go back.
27/04/2019Connie
Beautiful location, very romantic get away!
30/03/2019Gabriella
Lovely couple of days hiding away in the hut, taking full advantage of the hot tub
11/03/2019Susan
Extremely lucky with weather as 3 hottest February days since records began.Location is very quiet and peaceful,only the sounds of nature. Good base to explore local area and plenty of walks. We went to Croft Castle and found amazing 1,000 yr old oak tree. Also spent day in Hay-on-Wye exploring the shops and enjoying walk by river.Recommend Oscars Brasserie as place to eat,especially home cooked specials. As this was out of season,another recommendation if planning to eat out at a local pub is to phone ahead to check (a) it is open & (b) they're serving food. Thoroughly enjoyed visits from Henry the cat and using the hot tub.
24/02/2019Michael
Love this place? Tell everyone!
Booking Terms
Canopy & Stars low price promise
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. Sawday’s Canopy & Stars is part of the Alastair Sawday’s Group of Companies. We accept no liability in relation to any contract you enter into or for any services or arrangements you purchase (“Booking(s)”) or for the acts or omissions of any supplier(s) or other person(s) or party(ies) connected with any Booking. For all Bookings, your contract will be with the supplier of the Booking in question, and in most cases this will be the owner of the property you’ll be staying at (“Owner(s)”). When making your Booking we will arrange for you to enter into a contract with the Owner of the Booking. Your Booking with us is subject to these Agency Terms & Conditions and any 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 with us 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;
- you consent to our use of your information in accordance with our Privacy Policy;
and
- 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. A Booking is confirmed on receipt of a 25% non-refundable deposit for all Bookings with check in dates of more than 10 weeks away. For all Bookings that have a check in date of less than 10 weeks before check in, payment for the Booking will be required in full and the entire Booking will be non-refundable. The Canopy & Stars telephone booking line is open Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm. 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). 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 non-refundable deposit as required by the Owner of the Booking in question (or full payment if booking within 10 weeks of the date of your check-in).
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 will normally be sent out within 24 hours in the case of email and seven working days in the case of post, and will contain the details of your Booking and of payments made and due. If you have not received your booking confirmation 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 Where a deposit has been paid, full balance payment will be due 10 weeks in advance of your check in date and a reminder will be sent to you two weeks prior to this 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 reponsibility 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 balance payment does not successfully go through as there is a problem with your card, such as it expiring, then we will contact you to try and take alternative payment. If we have been unable to take payment after two weeks of the balance due date, then with regret, we will notify the Owner who may cancel your Booking.
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 Alastair Sawday’s Publishing Co. Ltd who provide merchants services facilities to Sawday’s Canopy & Stars Ltd.
2. Cancellation and Amendment by You
2.1 Any cancellation or amendment request must be sent to us by email (bookings@canopyandstars.co.uk) and will be considered and responded to within one working day of receipt. You are also advised to confirm all changes to our Customer Services Department by calling 0117 204 7830. 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 Amendments and cancellations can only be accepted in accordance with the booking conditions of the Owner of your Arrangements. The Owner may charge the cancellation or amendment charges shown in their booking conditions (which may be as much as 100% of the cost of the Arrangements and will normally increase closer to the date of departure). The Owner may charge cancellation or amendment charges in accordance with its own booking conditions, however for the sake of convenience only, we have outlined the Owner’s charges at clause 2.3 and 2.4 below. Please note that these are the Owner’s own cancellation and amendments charges, not Canopy & Stars’, and therefore the Owner may vary their charges as they wish, without notice to us. The correct charges will be notified to you at the time of your cancellation or amendments.
2.3 Owner’s General Cancellation Charges:
2.3.1 Cancellation by you at any time will result in your deposit being forfeited, as all deposits are non-refundable.
2.3.2 All monies paid for a holiday (deposit and balance) are non-refundable within 10 weeks before check in date.
2.3.3 Cancellation of any holiday after it has been paid in full and at a date 10 weeks or more in advance of your check in date, will result in forfeiture of your deposit (or an amount equivalent where one was not paid as the holiday was paid in full) and the balance being returned to you.
2.3.4 Cancellation insurance is available but will be a third party arrangement and not involve Canopy & Stars or the Owner in any way.
2.4 Owner’s General Amendment Charges:
2.4.1 Alterations to your Booking can only be made more than 10 weeks prior to the check in date, after which time alterations will be treated as cancellation. All alterations are subject to availability and may incur a £30 adminstration fee.
2.4.2 Differences in the total amount payable resulting from alterations will be refunded to you in the case of a decrease in price and paid by you in the case of increases in price.
Special note: Generally Owners will charge the above cancellation and amendment charges, however we must stress that these are a guide only and charges may differ from those shown here depending on the Owner. The exact charges will be notified to you by the Owner at the time of cancellation and/or can be found in the Owner’s own booking conditions which are available from the Owner on request.
3. 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 Arrangements or to cancel them. We will also liaise between you and the Owner in relation to any alternative Booking offered by the Owner but we will have no further liability to you.
4. Complaints
Because the contract for your Booking is between you and the Owner, any queries or concerns should be addressed to them. In the event that you have any complaint about your stay, please notify the Owner as soon as possible. If you don’t follow this procedure there will be less opportunity for the Owner to investigate and resolve your complaint and so make your stay as enjoyable as possible. Delays may also mean that amount of compensation you may be entitled to may be reduced. Whether or not your complaint is dealt with satisfactorily, please also contact us as we appreciate all feedback. It’s important to us and the Owner to know that you’ve enjoyed your stay or if anything could have been improved.
5. Pricing
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.
6. 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 ad 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.
7. 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.
8. Pets
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. A nightly charge may be made by the Owner for each pet and additional terms may apply.
9. 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.
10. 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 Arrangements you chose to purchase. 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.
11. Insurance
You are strongly recommended to take out personal travel insurance for all members of your party. It is your responsibility to ensure that the insurance you purchase is adequate and appropriate for your particular needs. Please read your policy details and take them with you on holiday.
12. Special requests
If you have any special requests (for example dietary requirements, 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. 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.
14. 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.
15. Your Responsibilities
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. 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 will also require damage deposits. 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. Any refund for so doing will be at the entire discretion of the Owner. In addition, 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.
16. 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.
17. Discrepancies
In case of a discrepancy between these Agency Terms & Conditions and any other Canopy & Stars literature, these Agency Terms & Conditions shall prevail.
18. 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.
Fantastic place to leave the 9-5 behind and unwind. The hot tub is super and the hut is really comfortable.
17/05/2019