With space for everyone, luxury surrounds and gourmet catering, the ideal family break turned out to be close to home.

When Claire Irvin,Author for the Sunday Times was in search of a treat for the family of luxurious surrounding she did not think that Shropshire would have the answer. Despite it’s ideal location with countryside villages, Shropshire has never been the place to go in terms of luxury hotels and houses.

Until now, Ellerton Hall was the perfect solution, with ample space for the entire family there were luxury rooms for friends too.

From the friendly welcome to the picture perfect woodland setting, the 470 acres of Ellerton Hall blew Claire and her family away.

The History of the house

John Gough’s, owner of the hall, grandfather was a tenet farmer in the 1930s. Nearly an entire century later Gough purchased the house he had admired for so many years.

The renovation took two years to complete, with help from Shropshire-based designer Katie Briggs, John and his wife, Lucy, were able to pay homage to the houses period character whilst also adding a touch of fresh contemporary. The house itself comprises of six en-suite bedrooms, a morning room with wood-burning stove, large family kitchen, a drawing room and dining room with a 26ft-long table. Many of the original furnishing have been kept and up-cycled, including carper and silk curtains.

A first-floor conservatory offers views across the gardens, while in the plush cinema room, there is a gigantic sofa matched by a huge screen. With a hot tub in the garden, tennis courts and haywire games there is something to do for everyone.

Plans for phase two of the renovation are now under way, which will be renovating the second building to add four more double rooms. The new wing will have a separate entrance as well as access from the main house so it can be rented separately.

To read more about Claire’s retreat, view the full version available on the Sunday Times.