Wishbone
Malvern, Malvern Hills, Worcestershire, UK
Tranquillity and romance unfold in the heart of the Malvern Hills at this rough-luxe cottage hidden in a forgotten fruit farm. Wishbone is wrapped in 16 glorious green acres of Outstanding Natural Beauty, settled between an ancient apple orchard and private fishing lake. The epitome of rustic charm, this ivy-clad stone cottage is a dream self-catering hideaway for couples wanting to drop off the radar and into their own paradisiacal land.
Introduction
Hidden within the remains of an ancient fruit farm in rural Worcestershire, Wishbone provides a private retreat brimming with rustic beauty. Only a few miles from the Victorian spa town of Malvern and the Malvern Hills AONB, the location of the cottage boasts a network of scenic walks both near and far. Whether sampling the area's medicinal spring waters, watching the sunrise from a soaring volcanic peak or simply romancing within the rough stone walls of your secret hideaway, this is the perfect self-catering couples' retreat.
Inside
An enchanted cottage wrapped in foliage, inside Wishbone sports a rustic-luxe open-plan interior, with kitchen, dining and livings area all beautifully parcelled into one generously-sized space. Dating back to the 16th century and Grade-II listed, it will be impossible not to fall in love with the cottage's utterly endearing quirks, having been lovingly restored to retain original timbers, stone walls and vaulted truss ceilings. Settle into the fireside sofa after a day exploring and bask in all its glory.
Outside
Blue barn doors open onto a cobbled patio set with a dining table and festoon bulbs. When the weather is kind, take meals al fresco, garnished with sprinklings of mint and chives from the outdoor terracotta pots. Later, wander through the apple trees to find a private area to relax beside the fishing lake or plod on to explore 15 further acres of fields filled with ancient oak trees. Keep watch for the resident kingfisher as you go, who flits between the lake and the pond within the Eden-esque grounds.
The Facts
- SleepsUp to 2 guests
From £1,250 per week, £950 per short break - Bedrooms and bathroomsOne ground floor double bedroom with king-size bed, one en suite shower room.
View bedrooms - FeaturesFishing lake and fire pit
- PetsSorry, no pets
- Arrivals and departuresArrival Day: Friday or MondayArrival Time: 4pmDeparture Time: 10am
- FamilySorry, no children or babies.
- PracticalitiesThere is ample space to park two cars by the stables. Inside, the eclectic open-plan kitchen includes an Everhot Range cooker, fridge, small freezer, slimline dishwasher, microwave, Nespresso coffee machine, kettle, toaster and washing machine.
- Homestay includesLuxury welcome hamper, fruit and herbs from the garden when in season, TV (FreeSat), Netflix, DVD player, iPad, WiFi internet (please note mobile signal can be patchy due to location), fire pit, charcoal barbecue, board games, local produce, linen, towels, logs and kindling to get you started...House book - your property and destination guideDiscover more little luxuries
- Private cateringDiscover your options for private dining and fully catered breaks.
- Additional extrasA handpicked selection of unique experiences are available at this property.
- Other informationProperty terms and conditionsFrequently asked questionsEV charger locationsCheck mobile signalRecommend to a friend
Get in touch
Availability
The Malvern Hills
The ancient rocks and thriving wildlife of the rugged Malvern Hills make them a pull for geologists and walkers seeking natural sites, but families will also enjoy the wildlife parks and stunning gardens that are on offer for day trips.
Getting there
- On the Map Wishbone sits within the Malvern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Worcestershire.
- By Car Just over three hours from London by car.
- By Train The closest train station is Great Malvern (13 minutes by car) with regular trains to London via Worcester Foregate Street (30 minutes by car).
- By Air Birmingham Airport is a one hour drive from Wishbone.
From the owner
“Our cottage is such a quiet peaceful place, with outstanding views toward the Malvern Hills which are ever-changing throughout the day! We think this is the perfect setting to relax and unwind, and we hope you do too.”
Wishbone is around 500 years old; as such it’s Grade-II listed and has an interesting history. In the late 16th century it was owned by the Unett family and sold to the Earl of Beauchamp in 1876. Stephen Ballard II bought the farm in 1919 and changed it from livestock to a fruit farm.
We acquired the farm in 1989 after looking for the perfect retreat from London. The orchard in front of the barn is some of the last remaining evidence from that period; in May the trees bloom full of vibrant pink blossom, which looks truly magical.
Since the 1990s, we have been lovingly and sympathetically restoring Wishbone. You will still see original wattle and daub panels, brick flooring and ancient exposed beams still remaining.
The cottage really reflects our characters with the beautiful vintage items that have been collected over the years. It is such an amazing space to truly relax and unwind, just sitting and taking in the view and watching the wildlife. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do.
Mervyn and Niki
Owner recommendations
Live like a local, discovering the best hidden gem restaurants, walks and attractions during your holiday in The Malvern Hills with an insider’s perspective.
To Do
Hike Baby, Hike
With a network of scenic walks quite literally on the doorstep, The Malvern Hills AONB offers striking walks for all ages and abilities. The Teme Valley has a range of countryside walks while the Severn Valley has riverside trails and great views.
To Eat
Benedicto´s, 5 Church Walk
Serving a mouth-watering menu of delicious Italian food, Benedicto´s is Niki´s favourite! Open Tuesdays to Saturdays for lunch and supper, the chefs serve up great vegetarian options and a good selection of drinks too.
To Do
Hereford Canoe Hire
Hereford Canoe Hire offer canoeing on the quietest stretch of the River Wye. Join them for an array of trips on one of the safest stretches of water, some options stopping along the way for a pub lunch too!
To See
Hampton Court Castle and Gardens
Visit the Hampton Court 15th Century Medieval Castle and its award-winning gardens and parkland. Boasting 1,000 acres, this Grade-I listed castle is a must-see. Be sure to tie in a visit to their lovely tearoom too.
Guest Testimonials
We wanted a break at short notice, and relatively close to London which is the main reason we chose Wishbone. That being said we also loved that you could go on fantastic walks immediately from the front door, could be at lovely local pub within 20 mins, and it´s the most stunning burn. We absolutely loved the cosyness, how thoughtful they´d been with all the kitchen equipment and that stunning wood burner fire.
The setting of Wishbone is magical! The character of the property, the interiors, the facilities; absolutely everything made our short break really amazing! Thank you for sharing your gorgeous home.
The owners have done an excellent job furnishing Wishbone, and we had everything we could have needed so didn’t leave the cottage for two days. We loved all the snuggly blankets, and as animal lovers, it was wonderful to meet the owner´s pets! The bed was incredibly comfy and we especially enjoyed the log fire.
We had a wonderful time at Wishbone, it was even better than I had imagined! It is breathtakingly beautiful and we really didn´t want to leave. Thank you for the accuracy of the website information, we did not find anything lacking in any way! The owners are lovely and the surrounding countryside is beautiful. We are currently looking to book somewhere for the same time next year and hope to use Unique Homestays again as you have been so reliable, accurate and helpful.
We have thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Wishbone! The views are simply stunning, the peace and tranquility were perfect for some relaxation and the barn itself certainly had the wow factor. It is the cosiest place I have ever been and the interior design is superb. Exploring the surrounding area was a lot of fun and the scenery was breathtaking. Highly recommended and we will be back! Ten out of ten!
We have stayed in a lot of properties around the UK and this was our favourite so far, it ticked all the boxes from the stunning location, beautifully furnished accommodation, fantastic welcome pack and really nice genuine owners who respected your privacy but really wanted to look after you and enjoy your stay.
What an idyllic few days - the peace we found here was a real treat. A nine mile walk from south to north along the ridge certainly tested our fitness but gave us unbeatable views. Watching the woodpeckers and squirrels amused us for hours and was a special sight. A perfect escape from the city and we´re already planning another visit. Thank you so much.
Thank you, we have had the most enjoyable time at Wishbone. It has been the perfect place to celebrate our 37th wedding anniversary. Everything has been perfect.
What a lovely place! The view from here is second-to-none. We live in a beautiful bit of Suffolk, but Wishbone Out-Suffolks Suffolk! Thank you for showing us this unique place.
We had the most wonderful babymoon here at Wishbone. It has been the perfect place to just relax. The cottage is oh so pretty and we have appreciated all the thoughtful details. Many thanks for a magical stay.
We don´t want to leave! What a gorgeous place to stay. Wishbone was perfect for the type of honeymoon we wanted, peaceful, beautiful and close to great countryside. We love the old fashioned yet luxurious feel to the place and would love to come back.
All I can say is what an amazing place! Thank you to the owners for our treats. Wishbone has been done up so perfectly. It is just exactly what we needed and wanted for a nice anniversary getaway. The perfect location and atmosphere. We will definitely be back.
Just perfect! The most tranquil and comfortable of cottages. The weekend surprise could not have been better. We know from first hand experience how challenging it can be to run a property but please keep things just as they are! Just perfect!
We came to Wishbone for our honeymoon and we couldn´t have wished for a more blissful week as newlyweds. The peace, the tranquillity, the view! Tending the log burner during a thunderstorm was idyllic, as was barbecuing on the patio during a hot sunny evening. We loved walking the hills and enjoying the spectacular views from the top, but a definite highlight was the refreshment stops at pubs along the way! Thank you for creating a slice of heaven, for the thoughtful welcome basket, and the chilled bubbles! We will be back!
What a perfect place! We so enjoyed sending photos of this gorgeous barn to friends and family to make them envious. We have never slept so well thanks to the peace and natural darkness. We just loved all those goodies you left us, including the beautiful flowers which were an inspired touch! Most of all we loved the coolness and homely feel of the cottage and the stunning view over the valley which we never tired of gazing at. Thank you again for being the perfect hosts, we will be back. That is for sure.
What can I say that hasn´t been said before? There aren´t enough words to describe this enchanting place. It´s a slice of heaven that we hope to replicate again and again. Coupled with the beautiful rolling hills dotted with sheep and cows, songful birds, and tranquillity, what more could we want? Thank you for having us to stay, we will return!
The property was absolutely stunning, we had an incredible time and are recommending it to all of our friends and family. The owners are wonderful and really make you feel welcome. You really do feel like the only people in the world while you´re at the property, what a place to get away and relax!
We had an incredible time thank you. We we´re worried in the run up to the stay that it seemed too good to be true but when we got here it was even better than we had hoped! Lots of delicious things were left for us and the property itself and the location was absolutely stunning. Thank you!
What a wonderful and memorable week in this absolute haven! Many thanks to the owners for creating this idyllic escape, it´s the perfect place to relax, kick back, and restore the spirit. We´ve explored the area and had some fantastic walks up and along the hills, lots of memories to keep us going through winter! We hope to come back again in the summer.
Absolutely fabulous! This is our favourite and best cottage we have ever stayed in, everything the website portrayed and more! The owners were perfect hosts, not sure how we follow such a good stay!
Everything was perfect! We expect a lot from Unique Homestays but Wishbone, and the wonderful owners, exceeded our expectations in every respect. Wishbone has to be one of the most magical spots in the world!
What a fabulous place to spend our first weeks as newlyweds! The barn is absolutely stunning, we love everything about it. The way the original features have been kept and enhanced sympathetically is wonderful. The throws, bedding and the large log supply for the log burner is refreshing for a rental property. The view! Just wow. We enjoyed coffee and breakfast every morning on the patio in the sunshine.
There are so many self-catering cottages in many beautiful parts of this green and pleasant land, but none where the welcome is as warm, the scene as tranquil and the views as breath taking. And none which will give us so many treasured memories.
We have had the most relaxing and refreshing holiday in a place of peace and beauty. The cottage is so homely and comforting, we looked forward to getting back to it each day. And we have already booked ahead for october half term.
We love it here! A real oasis in a busy world. Lovely to see the autumn colour´s and have savoured the peace. Thank you so much for the excellent hospitality. We hope to be back in the spring.
Unique extras
Enhance your stay with a unique experience from one of our preferred suppliers. From professional in-house chefs to luxury at-home spa therapists and wine delivered to the door, see what’s on offer for your bespoke escape.
Press
Below are a selection of features in which Wishbone and Unique Homestays has appeared. If you would like to feature the property in an editorial capacity, please contact the marketing team on +44 (0)1637 882014.
complete an image bank request
10 spectacular UK holiday homes
The Guardian
February 2022Beautiful Cottages to Rent in the UK
Country Living
February 2020Beautiful Cottages to Rent in the UK
Country Living
February 2019A Month in the Country
Country Living
September 2018This 500-Year-Old Cottage is a Magical Holiday Let
House Beautiful
August 2017500-year-old ´Wishbone´ Could be Britain´s Most Magical Holiday Let
Country Living
August 2017Best cabin stays in the UK
The Times
May 2023Staycation in splendid isolation
Country Living
May 2023
All Properties > UK > Worcestershire > Malvern Hills > Wishbone
Related Collections
Disclaimer: These particulars, whilst believed to be accurate, are set as a guideline so should not be relied upon as a statement of fact. The photographs show aspects of the property at the time they were taken and it should not be assumed that the property remains precisely as displayed. If there are points of particular importance that need clarifying before you book, please contact us.
