Hollyhocks
Leominster, Herefordshire, UK
Wend through Herefordshire’s patchwork countryside to find Hollyhocks nestled on the banks of the river Arrow. Tucked away in the fairy-tale village of Eardisland, the Tudor timber-frame hints at what's inside. A chalky vintage style, irregular lines and a polished parquet floor dating back to the Roaring 20s combine to create one curious self-catering cottage you'll simply never want to depart. Larger gatherings can book Hollyhocks in conjunction with nearby homestay Atelier Rose, by hiring The Sculptor’s Gardens.
Introduction
Steeped in history, this luxury self-catering cottage in Eardisland was built before the last battle of The War of The Roses in 1461 and is believed to be the last resting place for Henry VI's knights - their red rose paintings are still displayed in the dining room today. The 1920s saw The Twinings Tea family take ownership of the house; they laid the parquet floor in the great hall for their daughter’s wedding. It doesn’t take much to conjure up nostalgic visions of guests dancing the night away in beaded flapper dresses and cream tuxedos.
Inside
Chic, designer household items make country living a breeze at Hollyhocks, a gorgeous three-bedroom cottage. Pour a Nespresso coffee to enjoy with some artisan bread from the community-run local shop and gather around the dining table, overlooked by thick wooden beams. Later on, with little ones cosied-up in the snug, grown-ups will love to spend evenings basking in the warmth of the crackling open fire in the old great hall or plugging some jazz into the Harman-Kardon speakers to enjoy some Great Gatsby-style revelry.
Outside
The raised lawn was designed so that parents can happily supervise children playing from the comfort of the sumptuous interiors. Venture across the road from the cottage to discover your extended garden which occupies an exclusive spot along the river Arrow. Neatly awaiting in the garden shed, a collection of linen deck chairs, cushions and lawn games will be the perfect companions on those balmy English summer days. Whittle away afternoons picnicking on the riverbank or nosy the shelves of Hay-on-Wye’s famous old bookshops.
The Facts
- SleepsUp to 6 guests (ideally 4 adults and 2 children)
From £1,350 per week, £995 per short break - Alternative group optionUp to 2 guests
- Bedrooms and bathroomsOne ground floor double bedroom with king-size bed, one first floor double bedroom with super king-size bed that leads through to the first floor twin bedroom. The family bathroom with cast iron roll-top bath is also on the first floor, in addition to a ground floor shower room.
- PetsTwo well-behaved dogs are welcome
Each pet is charged at £60 per week or part thereof - Arrivals and departuresArrival Day: Friday or MondayArrival Time: 4pmDeparture Time: 10amTimes may vary due to Covid-19 requirements, please refer to your booking.
- FamilyYes, children are very welcome. One cot is available, with ample space on the landing, and one highchair is available on request. Please note that children should be supervised by the river.
- PracticalitiesThere is parking for three cars. The vintage industrial-style kitchen features a range cooker, microwave, dishwasher, washing machine, two fridge-freezers and a Nespresso coffee machine. Please note, due to the nature and character of the property, the quintessential cottage staircase is steep and the original doorframes are low in some areas of the house.
- Homestay includesLuxury welcome hamper, 4K 49" Sony Bravia TV with Blu-ray DVD player and Google Play, Harman Kardon Bluetooth speaker, iPad, WiFi internet, gas barbecue, botanical toiletries, croquet set, linen, towels, logs and kindling to get you started...House book - your property and destination guideDiscover more little luxuries
- Additional extrasA handpicked selection of unique experiences are available at this property.
- Other informationProperty terms and conditionsFrequently asked questionsCheck mobile signalRecommend to a friend
Prices & Availability
Leominster
This pretty medieval market town sits in prime walking territory, on the borders of Shropshire and Herefordshire encompassed by flowing rivers. Come here to hike, fish, shop or just enjoy the surrounds.
Getting there
- On the Map Hollyhocks sits in the pretty village of Eardisland near Leominster and Hay in Herefordshire.
- By Car Hollyhocks is approximately three hours and 45 minutes from London.
- By Train Hereford train station is 15 miles away.
- By Air Cardiff and Bristol airports are both one and a half hour's away by car.
From the owner
“Hollyhocks is set in an idyllic location on the banks of the river Arrow that meanders through Eardisland, one of the most picturesque villages in the UK. We had our own wedding reception in the great hall and it holds a truly magical place in our hearts.”
Our family acquired the cottage in the 1990s and it has gone under extensive renovations and transformations since then. Hollyhocks used to be the home of my grandmother who lived for a long time in India, which is also where her husband was born. We have used family background as inspiration for the interior decoration, along with our own love for vintage furniture.
Looking back, the cottage has an extensive history and was originally built before the last battle of The War of The Roses at Mortimer’s Cross in 1461. It is believed that Hollyhocks is the last resting place for knights that fought for the throne for Henry VI. To this day you can still see their red roses (used as a symbol to show their affiliation with the king) painted in the dining area.
In the 1920s the Twinings Tea Family pulled out some of the original beams and put in a parquet floor to give them the perfect space for the wedding of their daughter and other dances held that year! For us, the original parquet floor still conjures up the ‘Roaring 20s’ whenever we step inside. We hope the house provides you with the inspiration for you to create your own long-lasting, special memories here!
The Hoda Family
Owner recommendations
Live like a local, discovering the best hidden gem restaurants, walks and attractions during your holiday in Leominster with an insider’s perspective.
To Eat
The Oak, Wigmore
The Oak Wigmore is a beautifully restored 16th century coaching inn. They serve fresh innovative seasonal food and a range of local ales. Many of the pub´s dishes are based around foraging and the use of wild, local flavours.
To Do
Hergest Ridge
Get your heart pumping with this stunning hike from Kington, crossing the border into Powys along the Hergest Ridge. The route follows part of Offa´s Dyke Trail, affording beautiful scenery along the way.
To See
Canwood Art Gallery & Sculpture Park
Visit Canwood, Herefordshire´s leading contemporary art gallery and sculpture park. Whether you are a seasoned culture vulture or simply looking to admire the talent, the gallery and park provide a wonderful day out.
To Do
Hay-on-Wye
Famous for its Literary Festival, the town also has the largest concentration of second hand book shops in the UK. If you are a book worm or just fancy a new read this is the place to go.
Guest Testimonials
Astonishing! The owners have created a wonderful house - enviable in its luxurious simplicity. The most generous welcome basket and goodies in the fridge on arrival! A delightful holiday experience, which met every expectation and more!
What a magical pre-Christmas holiday we had here! The house is gorgeous and so comfortable. The village is charming and everyone is so friendly to talk to! Such a lovely place makes it so hard to leave!
We have had an enchanting Christmas in this fabulous home. We had everything we could have possibly asked for and more! Absolutely gorgeous in every way!
What a beautiful house, we had a wonderful week and it has gone far too quickly! The children loved making pancakes in the kitchen! Hay-on-Wye is beautiful, we enjoyed dining out and had some excellent meals locally. Thank you for a lovely stay and all the goodies!
What a wonderful stay in this beautiful home. We loved relaxing next to the roaring fire and making family meals in the very well equipped kitchen. Lots of local pubs and shops we could recommend, including the village shop! We very much enjoyed our first visit to Herefordshire!
Thank you for a wonderful second stay here at Hollyhocks. We have enjoyed this cosy cottage home very much. Everything is beautiful and comfy, as always! Thank you again, so much!
We had a wonderfully relaxing stay in your beautiful home, our second at Hollyhocks! We love the interiors and all that there is to do here; Ludlow Castle, Hay-on-Wye, the local petting farm, the owl centre - all very spoiling and such a treat!
What an indulgent treat staying here has been in this beautiful house, so full of character and history. Hollyhocks is in the prettiest of villages imaginable! We came here looking for rest, relaxation and inspiration, and we certainly found it! The perfect place to escape!
Exceptional! It´s been an absolute pleasure staying at Hollyhocks. The attention to detail is amazing. We´ve explored Herefordshire and completed some amazing walks with the dogs. Ludlow Castle is beautiful, as is the countryside of this stunning county. Sometimes, it´s the simple, old fashioned things like fresh air and sunshine that are hard to beat!
Yet another amazing week in this beautiful home. Yet another time we are sad to leave. Yet another visit that we have already begun planning. We can´t wait to stay again!
We have had a lovely week at Hollyhocks, it has been very restful. A wonderful property and village, which is ideal for walks with dogs and excellent food at the local pubs. We hope to come back!
A very kind host indeed and such a well-equipped home! We had a great stay at Hollyhocks and we loved every minute here!
We´ve all had a fabulous stay here. The house and location are simply superb, and this was a great introduction to a part of the country we´ve never visited before. We would recommend cycling at Cannop in the Forest of Dean, and the Ironbridge museums too!
This has been an absolutely outstanding holiday, and we are definitely going to highly consider coming back again soon! We have had lovely weather to really enjoy the BBQ and gardens. Thank you.
A great week even with the copious amount of rain! Hay-on-Wye and Ludlow are great fun to visit and we had a fantastic trip to Wightwick Manor just North of Wolverhampton; fabulous place if you like the arts & crafts movement. This is such a lucky village to have such a home as lovely as Hollyhocks.
The house, village and countryside make this the most delightful place. We wished we lived here to enjoy it for longer! Thank you for sharing this tranquil abode, Hollyhocks really is lovely!
Hollyhocks is a beautiful house and garden! So much fun was had by all who stayed, and we all really wish we lived here!
I have never walked into a property and thought that I wouldn´t change a thing, but I did just that when I saw Hollyhocks. It is perfect. Well done to the owners, the aesthetics of the house are just sensational. Thank you!
We had a lovely stay at Hollyhocks, the mixture of history and modern conveniences were a terrific combination. Our hosts were wonderful and made us feel very welcome, and there was a warm personal touch throughout which was great. The house is beautifully furnished and equipped and there were many generous supplies. The location of Hollyhocks in the beautiful village of Eardisland is hard to beat!
A perfect break. The house is a joy and there is so much to see - the long walk at Croft Castle is a must! Thank you and we do hope to come back.
What a beautiful house. We have had a wonderful week and it has gone by far too quickly. Hay-on-Wye is beautiful and we discovered great food at Booth Bookshop. Thank you for all the lovely goodies.
We had a lovely stay, such a unique, historic house. Our break here was very relaxing and restorative and just as we´d have hoped.
Eardisland surely must be one of the prettiest English villages. We just loved sitting in deckchairs on the riverside watching the dragonflies in the reeds, friendly chats with the locals and delicious ice creams from the village shop in the old dovecote. The house is so atmospheric sleeping under the Tudor beams and being immersed in so much history and then having the whole of Herefordshire on the doorstep to explore was just exceptional.
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 Hollyhocks 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
You can now stay in this charming Tudor cottage once owned by the Twinings family
Country Living
March 2018Ancient & Modern
Country Living Modern Rustic
February 2018Best Beach Holidays for 2021
The Times
January 202125 Fantastic Family Adventures
The Times
January 2021A New Year’s Eve Escape
The Telegraph
December 2020Holidaying in Winter
Conde Nast Traveller
December 2020Christmas Staycations
The Telegraph
December 2020A Cotswold Christmas
Country Homes & Interiors
December 2020
Luxury Self-Catering Cottages > UK > Herefordshire > Leominster > Hollyhocks
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.
