Hansa
Weston-under-Lizard, Shropshire, UK
Soon, you’ll come to a little cottage that appears to be made of bread and roofed with cake, the windows crackling sugar. But when you get near, you'll find a gingerbread house adorned not with icing, but with twisting motifs; could one have happened upon Rosina Leckermaul’s lair? This is Hansa, a folly plucked from the imaginations of the Brothers Grimm. But there are no witches here, only off-grid luxury within 200 acres of Shropshire woodland.
Introduction
Turn onto a forested track, and it’s as though Shropshire has fizzled away; there is little trace of realism here, just you, the birds, and dappled rays shining through the canopy. Keep going, and the lines between reality and this battery-run folly are blurred furthermore; did that fox really just wink? Anything is possible once through the cloaks and cupboard to Narnia, after all. Your destination, a Victorian gothic lodge built to host the Earl of Bradford's luncheons, comes into view through cloud-reaching firs woven with wild rhododendron; your key, a giant, ornate opus that seems to have escaped the deepest realms of Wonderland.
Inside
An ivy-entwined chandelier hangs from the upper beams, casting a gentle glow around Hansa’s original, 1856 panelled walls, where its decades are documented in every ridge and knot; a patina as organic as the weathered smile lines of forest folk. Beneath this gnarled roof is where primal rest can be found, for a rhythm with the sun’s movements is guaranteed; the whole cottage waking as morning filters through vaulted windows. When the snow thuds and banks of the White Sitch crunch with frost, two drawing room chairs by the woodburner invite idling over hot toddies, with infinite conversation the bedrock for storybook romance.
Outside
A little wooden gate leads to a boardwalk and rowing boat, which promises adventures into the 26-acre stocked reservoir, where one can while away a morning over fresh coffee and croissants, carp leaping mere metres away. Behind the cottage, a dense grove transports one to a place where cacophonous birdsong and whispering leaves rule over human modernities; but you wouldn't want to wave goodbye to them entirely, for the woodfired hot tub promises restoration, Scandi-style, after days tracing mycelium through the undergrowth. They say the only real luxuries in this life are time, freedom, and attention; at Hansa, there’s plenty.
The Facts
- SleepsUp to 2 guests
From £1,450 per week, £1,095 per short break - Bedrooms and bathroomsThis is an open-plan cottage in studio style, with the sleeping and living spaces combined. There is a king-size bed and separate bathroom with walk-in rainfall shower and WC.
View bedrooms - FeaturesWoodfired hot tub, two vintage-style bicycles, a row boat
- PetsTwo well-behaved dogs are welcome
Each pet is charged at £60 per week or part thereof - Arrivals and departuresArrival Time: 4pmDeparture Time: 10am
- FamilyBabes-in-arms are very welcome. A cot and highchair are available.
- PracticalitiesThere is ample parking on the gravel drive; the cottage is accessed via a bumpy woodland track and may be unsuitable for low-slung cars. The kitchen has a range gas oven, four-ring hob, fridge with small freezer compartment, Nespresso coffee machine, and milk frother. Hansa runs on batteries, and there is a generator that will switch on to recharge them from time to time. Due to the cottage´s off-grid status, guests are asked not to use their own hairdryer, but the cold-blowing, USB one that is found within Hansa. Laundry can be done by the Estate office during office hours; laundry bags are provided. Access to the lake is not enclosed, so wandering children and dogs should not be left unattended. Swimming is not permitted. There is no helipad at the cottage, but guests may land on the estate if desired. Please note due to the three small windows in the vaulted ceiling the bedroom is not black out; eye masks are provided and the lower curtains are all lined.
- Homestay includesWelcome hamper of local treats, marshmallows for the fire, logs and kindling to get you started, charcoal Kamado BBQ Grill Egg with pizza stone, Smart TV, bluetooth speaker, Superfast WiFi internet, iPad, two vintage-style bicycles, his-and-hers Hunter Wellington boots, and a rowing boat.House book - your property and destination guideDiscover more
- Private cateringSeeking a celebratory dinner or fully catered escape? Our recommended caterers will work with you to create personalised menus for your stay. Details are shared through our house book on confirming your booking.
- RetreatsFrom foraging weekenders to crash courses in cold-water therapy, our bespoke retreats bridge the gap between luxury and back-to-nature philosophies. Create a hand-crafted stay that puts connectivity at the fore.
- Eco-friendlySpring-source water supply, biodiverse garden
- Other informationProperty terms and conditionsFrequently asked questions
Prices & Availability
Weston-under-Lizard
Travel through lanes lined with red brick cottages to Weston-under-Lizard, an ancient tree-speckled Estate village on the Shropshire-Staffordshire border, so old that it appeared in the Domesday Book.
Getting there
- On the Map Located in the rural village of Weston-under-Lizard in south Staffordshire near the border with Shropshire.
- By Car From London, there is a journey time of just under three hours. Take the M1 toward Birmingham/Coventry, then the M6 Toll to Telford/M54 and follow the directions provided to the property.
- By Train You can take a train from London Euston to Stafford in around 1 hour 20 minutes. The property is 30 minutes away from Stafford by car.
- By Air Birmingham Airport is a 50-minute drive away, Manchester Airport is a 75-minute drive from the cottage.
From the owner
“We are so thrilled to welcome you to Hansa, a truly unique home to make your own. The cottage sits within the Bradford Estates, a 12,000-acre estate that can be traced back to the Doomsday Book in 1086, and has since been under the careful stewardship of 36 generations of the Earls of Bradford.”
Hansa is set in a landscape that has been reimagined over many centuries by designers such as John Webb, and Capability Brown. Deliberately created, planted and built to inspire an emotional connection with the environment, every single view is consciously and thoughtfully intended. These rare outlooks represent an experience reserved for very few up until now.
Handcrafted with meticulous detail in 1856, this Romantic-era jewel was built as a fishing and shooting folly for the Earls of Bradford. Since then, the cottage has been lovingly restored to celebrate its fairytale otherwordliness, and showcase the beauty of its setting.
Across the estate, a wealth of Britain's history is almost tangible; the Tong is scarred with cannonballs from the 1642 civil war, and King Charles II sheltered in The Royal Oak of Boscobel House parkland when he fled the Roundheads.
The 19th century also witnessed the creation of the White Sitch, Middle-English for small stream, the picturesque 20-acre reservoir surrounded by 200 acres of woodland that is home to Hansa, and Weston Park, just a half-hour walk away, was the family seat until 38 years ago, but is now held in a charitable trust, and is open to the public.
Viscount and Viscountess Newport
Owner recommendations
Live like a local, discovering the best hidden gem restaurants, walks and attractions during your holiday in Weston-under-Lizard with an insider’s perspective.
To Do
Wander the grounds
The 26 acre estate lake beyond the gate is home to a diverse range of wildlife, and offers ample opportunities for walkers; behind the cottage, a woodland filled with birdsong.
To See
Royal Ballet, Birmingham
The Birmingham Royal Ballet is counted among the world´s top three ballets. Get dressed up and step into another world at one of their exceptional Hippodrome performances.
To Eat
The Bear Inn, Hodnet
Pop to The Bear Inn, the owners´ favourite local pub, where the food is delicious and an attractive beer garden awaits for those sunny afternoons where only al fresco will do.
To Do
Dudmaston Estate, Quatt
A beautiful 17th century National Trust house with an interesting Modern Art collection, set in a wooded parkland, complete with bridges prime for games of Pooh sticks.
Unique extras
From private chefs to luxury at-home spa therapists and adrenalin-fuelled retreats, once you’ve booked your stay we’ll introduce you to our owner-recommended suppliers to create a truly bespoke, memorable escape.
Press
Below are a selection of features in which 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.
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The best underrated trips to take in the UK
Condé Nast Traveller
July 2024The best UK staycation ideas according to Condé Nast editors
Condé Nast Traveller
July 2024The loveliest remote hotels, huts and castles in the UK for a road trip
House & Garden
June 202412 of the best new UK holiday cottages
The Times
June 202420 of the best treehouse stays in the UK
The Times
June 2024The best holiday cottages in the UK
Condé Nast Traveller
May 2024Wealthy Britons are letting their homes — but you won´t find them on Airbnb
The Telegraph
May 2024Plum Sykes´s guide to The Cotswolds
Financial Times
May 2024
Collections > Honeymoons > UK > Shropshire > Weston-under-Lizard > Hansa
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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.
