The Old Schoolhouse and Cottage | Stunning UK Hot Tub Break

About The Old Schoolhouse and Cottage

The Old Schoolhouse and Cottage are a wonderful pair of self-catering holiday homes, situated just a short walk from the centre of the historic market town of Bishop's Castle. A large, detached, early 18th century traditional Georgian house and an adjacent detached, stone-built, single-storey barn conversion cottage, which was the old surgery, set in 1.5 acres of grounds, makes up The Old Schoolhouse and Cottage.

The Old Schoolhouse is a wonderfully spacious building set over three floors, and provides traditional, character accommodation, which seamlessly combines with homely facilities, including a bubbling hot tub and two very large TVs, to provide a house of real merit. Three zip/link beds give this Bishop's Castle holiday home flexible, partial-ground-floor accommodation to suit the whole family, while the dining room, seats 17, so everyone can gather together in the evening for a delicious meal, then retire to the sitting room for fun and games, or to watch a film.

The farmhouse kitchen in this wonderful Shropshire holiday home benefits from an Everhot cooking range with four individually-controlled ovens, great for rustling up a tasty snack after a long day out and about. The large walled garden beside The Old Schoolhouse is ideal for relaxing in the hot tub, enjoying a drink after an exciting day, and in season, guests also have access to the vegetable garden.

The adjacent Cottage offers cosy ground floor accommodation for three, and is perfect for a couple, small family or even the grandparents to enjoy some quiet time after all the excitement of a day with the extended family. With its own private garden area, and full kitchen and sitting room facilities, it's a wonderful place to escape to for some 'me time'.

This Bishop's Castle accommodation sits in a wonderful location, with an award-winning, real ale pub and restaurant on the doorstep, and all of Bishop's Castle's amenities a stroll away. This is a wonderful location for walkers, cyclists, and birdwatchers, with Offa's Dyke and the Shropshire Way very close by.

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Need To Know

Oil central heating
Log burner
The Old Schoolhouse: Four-oven electric Range cooker, microwave, 2 x fridges, freezer, washing machine, 2 x dishwashers
2 x TVs with Freeview, DVD, 4 x radio/CD, iPod docks, WiFi, selection of DVDs
The Cottage: Electric oven and hob, microwave, fridge, washing machine
TV with Freeview, DVD, radio/CD, WiFi
Fuel and power included in rent
Bed linen and towels included in rent
4 x travel cots and 4 x highchairs on request
Off-road parking for 10 cars
Bike storage
Large walled lawned garden with patio, 9-seater hot tub, summerhouse and vegetable garden which guests can use when in season to rear of Old Schoolhouse
Private lawned garden with furniture to rear of the Cottage
Shared use of tennis court (with Refs
4140 and 15515)
Sorry, no pets and no smoking (including vapes and e-cigarettes)
Shop 0.3 miles, award-winning real ale pub/restaurant 0.1 mile
Note: Ramped access to property
Note: Local authority prohibits use of the hot tub between the hours of 11pm and 8am
Note: There are 5 steps up to the front door of The Old Schoolhouse, level entrance to rear
Note: Check-in 5pm, check-out 11am

Cottages Near The Old Schoolhouse and Cottage

The Schoolhouse Brewhouse

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The Schoolhouse Brewhouse is a lovely, upper-ground-floor apartment in Bishop's Castle, Shropshire. Off-road parking. Hot tub. Woodburning stove. Ludlow 19.4 miles.

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Leys Retreat

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This stunning property is located in Bishop's Castle, known for its picturesque and quaint setting. The town is home to a variety of traditional pubs and restaurants, offering a taste of local cuisine and a chance to experience the warmth of the community.

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The Boars Head Pub

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A characterful 16th century former pub, in the heart of the small town of Bishopâ€™s Castle, Shropshire. Working pub. Hot tub. Pet-friendly. Newtown 16.6 miles; Shrewsbury 21.7 miles.

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Bishop's Castle Barn

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A stunning, detached, stone cottage with enviable views, a private hot tub, 3-pin electric car charging point. Doorstep walks onto the Shropshire Way and Offa's Dyke. Bishop's Castle 1.5 miles.

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Owlbury Hall Barn

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Stable Cottage

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A lovely first-floor apartment resting in Norbury, Shropshire. Dog-friendly. Open-plan. Smart TV. Near Shropshire Hills AONB. Bishops Castle 3.8 miles; Church Stretton 8.5 miles.

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The Stables Colstey Farm

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This historic and airy retreat, set in the heart of the Shropshire Hills AONB near the Welsh border, offers a wonderful rural base for a couples weekend or small group getaway.

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The Boundary Annex

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Pultheley Cottage

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Pultheley Cottage is a charming, first-floor apartment set in the grounds of the ownerâ€™s home in Hyssington, Shropshire. Spacious grounds. Private decking. Ideal for couples. Montgomery 8.4 miles; Church Stretton 14.4 miles.

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Bicton Lodge

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The Old Schoolhouse and Cottage Reviews

Just returned from an amazing weekend with my 11 lady friends. This superb property has all the amenities and comfort you could wish for. We met the owner who was so friendly and helpful. Close to all the amenities Bishops Castle has to offer. Nearby pubs and walks. For large groups and families it is so well stocked with equipment, we made use of the hot tub which was great.

Philip

A group of 18 friends stayed at the Old Schoolhouse, Bake House and Brew House for a reunion weekend in November, our second time at the property. It is perfect in terms of accommodation, comfort, facilities and location and we would thoroughly recommend it to any large group of friends or families.

Maureen

We had a fantastic time . 4 generations went to celebrate our pearl anniversary. I have only ever rented villas in Florida before so had no experience over here. Adrian was there to greet the first arrivals and we could not have asked for more facilities. Tennis, croquet ball, boules, hot tub, children's toys, books galore and plenty of mugs, plates kettles toasters, and cooking pots. I defy anyone to find any shortage of equipment. We were even invited to help ourselves to the ripe apples. My grandaughter had fogotten to pack the pushchair and Adrian sorted one for us from a friend in the village. The only mark lost was the cleanliness and it is impossible to get a house of this age and size to look anything like the clinical condition of american villasin general but for a welcoming homely place, wonderful scenery and plenty of places to visit and things to do 5 all the way. A big THANK YOU. I hope we played our part in leaving it as we found it. Maureen

We had such a great time at the Old Schoolhouse. It was ideal for a group of friends getting together and very convenient for lots of places to visit. Very well equipped and with a beautiful garden. Very helpful owner.

First Class House, had All and more than we expected. 17 of us had a week celebrating our Golden Wedding and it was ideal, Great for Families and a great Garden and even a tennis court and a Hot Tub. The Owner Dr Penny was very helpful a Lovely man and his son often drops in around the garden. Would Strongly Recommend.

The house was a real home, incredibly well equipped and super for a multi generational stay the cottage was perfect for the younger members of the family. The garden was glorious really well maintained, beautiful flowers and trees and the Owner was most generous in sharing the produce. The hot tub was a real hit with the youngsters. Despite the disappointing weather, the house was always warm and comfortable, with plenty of facilities for washing clothes and drying them. Masses of parking and such easy walking into the small town with well stocked shops. The Castle Hotel was excellent for a celebratory meal.

This was our third visit to the property with our family of 17 ranging from 13 to 98 years. We love it here. The rooms are spacious with plenty of seats. It is extremely well equipped for a large party. The garden is beautiful and there is a large area for outdoor games and the hot tub is well maintained and a bonus . The house is conveniently located to the town.

Judith

The Old School House and Cottage is a great place for a large gathering. It oozes with character.The grounds are beautiful, especially the walled garden and is conveniently situated on the edge of Bishops Castle near the beautiful Shropshire hills.The resources for cooking ,dining, children etc were more than enough for a large group and Dr Penny was friendly, welcoming and helpful.

Very welcoming , and easy going owner. Helped us with anything we needed. the cottage is lovely. well catered for a big group. We throughly enjoyed our stay, and couldnt reccomend this place enough to anyone wanting to book.

Angela

Interesting house in an interesting little village. Superb setting for our family reunion. Great facilities and ample kitchen equipment. All 17 of us could sit round the table, indoors or outdoors. All 10 cars easily fitted into the car park. We had lovely weather and made good use of the intriguing garden, which became the subject of one member of our group's water colour day. Owner very helpful & friendly. A very special week. Thank you.

Anthony

Wonderful property throughout, particularly the gardens at this time of the year spectacular. Owner was very attentive and hospitable. Made us all feel very much at home.

Amazing weekend for our four families. Would highly recommend.

We had a wonderful weekend in the Old Schoolhouse. The gardens were absolutely stunning and the house felt really welcoming. There is everything in the house that you could possibly need. We loved it so much we have just booked again for next year!

Excellent location we all really enjoyed our stay a very quirky building but fantastic

We chose this property as it accommodated 4 families and their children, and the main reason for booking was for the huge hot tub that would be useful for all the adults. The property had everything needed to entertain all adults, teenagers, and children from as young as 6. There was a tennis court, rackets and balls which we all made use of on a sunny spring Saturday large garden, and footballs to use in the garden. It had additional mattresses for the children so they could all camp out where ever they liked. Loads of room in the house itself. I think we even lost a few children in the process from time to time, lol. We were greeted soon after arriva by the son of the owner, Theo the owner was away. He showed us how to use the Aga oven and gave us reassurance to contact him if we needed anything. As the Cottage was literally next door, it gave us an additional kitchenoven to use, so it was easy to prepare food for all of us. Two huge fridges in the main Schoolhouse and the huge dining table came in handy for all to eat and family games and adult games in the evening. We did need to contact Theo throughout our stay and he was on hand to help out as advised. He popped by from time to time to check things over hot tub temp etc. From a customer service perspective, this is exactly what you hope for in an event that you need something resolving. The quaint village was within walking distance and we made use of the Indian takeaway whilst we were there. The village has some amazing artwork on some of the houses, made a lovely walk and had a coop for convenient shopping and a number of pubs. Next time we will book in for the brewery tour. Unfortunately we did encounter an unforeseen problem with the hot tub, which was unable to be resolved during the stay out of anyones control. We were able to use another hot tub on site although it was smaller. I was contacted by the owner, Adrian after our stay and felt that he took our concerns seriously, reassuring me enough to make another booking.

Michael

Great location. ....great welcome...roomy premises...ample facilities....

Fabulous property in a perfect location. Ideal for our family birthday celebration. Everything you could possibly need was provided from a beautiful range cooker to plenty of cutlery and crockery. One of our party said she could bake a three tier wedding came as all the equipment was in the lovely floor to ceiling cupboards. The garden and hot tub were superb and was used daily. We will definitely book this house again in the future.

Adrian and his staff were wonderful hosts , helpful and friendly. Everyone loved the place. The hot tub was particularly enjoyed.

This is our group's second visit to The Old Schoolhouse. We are old university friends and partners, and this place suits us down to the ground. You have to master the Aga but the quantity of cooking utensils, crockery & glassware is up to the task of selfcatering, along with fridge & freezer space and two dishwashers. Love the garden free flowers and produce, games for the lawn, tables for al fresco whatever, relaxing hot tub. Umpteen books. Very comfortable and homely, informal property. Owner Dr Penney on hand to welcome us and check we settled in he enjoys that we enjoy the house. House Notes need updating eg. ref. recycling.

Nicola

We had the most fabulous week in The Old Schoolhouse! After having to postpone twice due to covid, it was well worth the wait. The house and cottage are extremely well equipped, with plenty to keep the kids entertained. Beautifully maintained gardens, with some lovely spots to hide for a peaceful 5 mins, the photos really dont do it justice! Everything was clean and the beds extremely comfortable. There are some lovely local walks, and great local pubs. The Three Tuns has lovely food, and is within staggering distance!

Shuwanna

The Old school house and cottage was fantastic! Its exactly what our group of 17 needed! Clean and Comfortable. The garden was wonderful also, well kept and beautifully designed. We were able to forage some mint and rosemary for our recipes when we couldnt find them in the local shop and enjoyed wondering through the paths taking in the beautiful view and scents. The host was so lovely, friendly and helpful. He even stopped by the last day to check if we had change for the bus to Shrewsbury. I would recommend this place again and again and cant wait to return!

Darren

Lovely place to stay! The house & cottage are characterful, spacious and comfortable. Owner was friendly and very helpful. We very much enjoyed it.

Lovely house with lots of character. Friendly nearby owner on hand for any issues and helpful at all times. Every room clean and tidy. Perfect amount of clean bathrooms for the 16 guests. Two large fridges, a freezer, 2 kettles, 2 toasters and 2 dishwashers were really useful for our large group. Hot tub was great. Views from the house were lovely, house was warm, beds comfy and the water always hot. The town is delightful, pubs very welcoming Castle Hotel has breathtaking views. Was also great to have so much on site parking. We loved it!!

Hannah

We had a really enjoyable stay at the Old Schoolhouse and Cottage for a family celebration. The house is huge with lots of space for a large group and well equipped. The gardens are also huge and beautifully tended. The hot tub and shared tennis courts are great facilities. It's just a short walk down the hill to Bishop's Castle which has shops, pubs and several good takeaways. The owner was very helpful on arrival explaining the range cooker etc. and was on hand without being intrusive. Thank you for a great holiday.

Kathryn

We had an amazing weekend at the Old Schoolhouse and Cottage. The owner Adrian was extremely friendly, helpful and knowledgeable about the area and helped us so much with a medical emergency. He helped us so much. The walled garden is beautifully looked after and it was a joy to enjoy the sunny weather in the spacious grounds. The kitchen is very well equipped and lounge is very spacious. There are beautiful walks in every direction so we didn't use the car at all and the house is very close to all the local shops and pubs. Highly recommended and we'll be back.

7 of us had an excellent three days in the Old Schoolhouse, we had a room each! The accommodation is very spacious, all the rooms are a good size, plenty kitchen equipment and loads of bathrooms. The garden is lovely, we used the hot tub once but didnt have time to play tennis! Adrian was most helpful with advice and info. The quaint old town of Bishops Castle has some great pubs to offer our favourite the Three Tuns just a couple of minutes walk, an odd assortment of shops and food places though opening times seem rather random and the Coop was open long hours. Really picturesque, and great walking options from the town itself or a short drive. Pretty sure we will return to the Old Schoolhouse!

We had a wonderful weekend. The house and cottage were warm, with amazingly well equipped kitchens, comfortable beds and plenty of space to spread out. The hot tub was a real bonus and used by three generations on both days. Dr Penny was most helpful both with queries beforehand and explaining the cooking range when we arrived. We would love to go back for the next family celebration!

Our group of 16 had an absolutely fantastic time staying at the old school house. The home is enormous with plenty of room and great facilities for hosting big groups and was spotlessly clean. The hot tub and tennis courts are the cherry on top. The local pub and COOP is just a 5 minute walk away. The owner couldnt have been anymore helpful and was on hand to help us throughout our stay. We will definitely be coming back!

Ideal for large family holiday very well equipped and maintained. Amount of parking a bonus . Owner helpful and available without being intrusive

I'd say that those who were able to go had a good time! Liz

We had a lovely stay at the old schoolhouse. The house is well equipped with everything you need and more. The sleeping arrangements were great, plenty of scope to accommodate large groups. We were blessed with great weather so made good use of the gardens and hot tub. Owner was extremely helpful and accommodating. We would definitely recommend.

What a wonderfully equipped house big pans and lots of crockery and cutlery, perfect for a big group, and better thought out than many for catering for a big group. The owner is visible, helpful, and very pleasant. Plenty to do at the house but also in the area, both for those not wanting to drive and those wanting to drive out to sights.

Slinder

We were welcomed by Dr Penny who was very warm and hospitable. We were very impressed by the cottage and how spacious it was. We enjoyed our stay and the facilities that were available.

The owner, Dr Penney, who lives next door, is a thoughtful and very helpful landlord. We have stayed in the Old Schoolhouse before 5 years ago, and we knew all its many virtues and those of Bishops Castle and the beautiful surroundings. Though we chose to limit our party because of Covid19, the house and cottage provide very adequate space for 17. And what is more the 'Three Tuns', only a few yards away, is a wonderful pub excellent beer and very good food. Why it has been omitted from the 2021 edition of CAMRA's Good Beer Guide is a mystery and a sacrilege.

Lianne

This house was absolutely ideal for our largish family party 9 adults, 6 children 25 years old and a baby ! !. . .

Lauraine

The Old Schoolhouse and Cottage provides lovely, spacious accommodation for large groups. We were a family gathering with ages ranging from 94 years down to 6 months and we had plenty of room and space for the week. The dining room is quite tight to seat 17 but we managed it. The kitchen is extremely well equipped. The gardens are lovely to walk around and the lawn is big enough for a game of French Cricket. We thoroughly enjoyed the hot tub too. Bishops Castle is a very pleasant town with 2 small supermarkets, an excellent butchers, gifttype shops and plenty of pubs. The Three Tuns pub and brewery is just 2 minutes walk away. The property owner was very friendly and helpful. We will be back.

Lovely setting for our annual family girlie weekend away. Best equipped kitchen ever providing more than needed supplies of crockery as opposed to the normal 1 plate per person. Excellent hot tub. Very comfortable beds. We had a fabulous time. Owner was very welcoming and on hand if we required any assistance

The house and gardens were wonderful. We had gone as a group to celebrate my 50th birthday. We loved the green house and the flowers in the garden. There was a BBQ and quite frankly I had the most amazing jacket potato I have had for years cooked in the ever hot oven. The hot tub was lovely and the fire in the lounge was toasty. I loved that the house was well stocked with books and I wish our stay had been longer. The 3 tuns pub, literally round the corner was brilliant. We were there for the Michaelmus fair which was lovely. We would dearly love to return again.

We had a wonderful weeks holiday with family all 17 of us. The weather was very mixed but It did not matter as we enjoyed all the indoor games .We were able to use the tennis court and the large garden is beautiful.There was a plentiful supply of out door tables and chairs.The hot tub was popular with all ages. The house was clean and comfortable with a large supply of cutlery utensils,saucepans and crockery.In fact everything you would need for preparing and cooking a meal for a family of 17. The house does not have a tumble dryer but we were able to dry clothes easily on the overhead airers. The house is very close to the town but is in a quiet location and we did not need to worry about my noisy family playing their outdoor games.It is in a good location for visiting many stunning beauty spots. We all loved this house and hope to return in 2021.Unfortunately we have already booked our 2020 holiday elsewhere. We forgot to take our first aid kit and were suprised there was not one in the house as someone had a nasty graze after a fall on the tennis court. All in all I could not recommend this house more.

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Attractions Near The Old Schoolhouse and Cottage

While there'll be plenty to keep you entertained an The Old Schoolhouse and Cottage itself, if you plan to get out and about and see some of what Shropshire has to offer, here are some of the nearby attractions you can enjoy during your stay. Please note that some of these activities and days out are paid and it's always a good idea to book in advance to secure your place where applicable.

Found a special day out near your cottage? Please let us know and we'll add it so that other visitors can enjoy it too!

Powis Castle and Gardens - SY21 8RF

about 12 Miles

This National Trust site is one of the finest in Wales. The stunning castle was once a medieval fortress and has been remodelled several times over the last 400 years. The Great Hall is home to some amazing collections of paintings as well as sculptures and tapestries. The gardens are world famous with stunning areas of French and Italian style as well as a gorgeous orangery. Children's activities can be enjoyed during school holidays and on special occasions such as Halloween and Christmas.

Shropshire Wildlife Trust - SY3 5FB

about 18 Miles

This is a fantastic attraction in the Shrewsbury area of Shropshire. Designed to provide children with a fun and educational experience the whole family can learn about wildlife here and the outdoors. There are 38 nature reserves in total and visitors are welcomed and encouraged to enjoy the area by taking part in walks, talks and regular events. Check out their website for the latest events such as Apple Day and Wildlife through the Seasons.

The Edge Adventure Activity Centre - SK17 8PW

about 19 Miles

The Edge Adventure Activity Centre is the place to go if you are looking to have a day out with a difference. Ideal for active families with older kids and teenagers, the centre offers a range of thrilling activities including High Rope Courses, Trekking, Clay Pigeon Shooting, Mountain Boarding and Off Road Karting. You can enjoy just one or try a few of the available activities during a day at the centre. The centre also offers fun packed birthday parties and corporate events.

Wonderland - ME10 4PB

about 25 Miles

This award winning theme park in Shropshire has something for everyone. Children will delight at the amazing array of rides and activities. Described on their own website as a "fairytale adventure" there is a nursery rhyme and fairytale characters theme running throughout the park. One inside the park you can enjoy unlimited free rides and there's an indoor soft play area for the younger ones and for when the weather is not on your side. Another popular aspect of this attraction is the nature trail. Check out their website for the latest events and admission costs. This company also owns Jungleland - another great attraction just 4 miles from Wonderland.

Queenswood Country Park - HR6 0PY

about 25 Miles

Queenswood Country Park has a stunning location offering panoramic views of the countryside. The area is abundant with wildlife and you can see how many species you can spot while enjoying the nature trails. The park also has a large children play area and a licensed café. Seasonal activities can be enjoyed during school holidays and at peak times of the year including Halloween events and crafting sessions as well as ranger led walks.

Hoo Farm Animal Kingdom - TF6 6DJ

about 27 Miles

Locally renowned for the Sheep Steeple chasing and daily goat races this is a really unique family attraction that the kids will love. You can really get hands on with the farm animals with the animal handling sessions and you can have a go at teaching the parrots to talk! The crazy craft cabin will keep even the most creative entertained with pottery and painting amongst other things. When you are in need of a rest head for the The Hungry Shepherd Tea Room where you can enjoy a bite to eat and children can burn even more energy in the indoor play area.