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  • Mainstone House - Herefordshire - 966192 - photo 1
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Mainstone House

(Ref. 966192)

Trumpet near Ledbury, Herefordshire Show on map

4.8

Sykes rating

  • 12 Guests

  • 6 Bedrooms

  • 4 Bathrooms

  • Pets Yes

Features

  • Hot tub
  • Off road parking
  • Ground floor accommodation
  • Ground floor bedroom
  • Open fire
  • Garden / Patio
  • Cot available
  • Highchair available
  • Washing machine
  • Dishwasher
  • Broadband / WiFi

Reviews & Ratings

Accuracy of the listing
Cleanliness
Comfort
Facilities and Maintenance
  • All reviews
  • hot (17)
  • hot tub (16)
  • tub (16)
  • house (16)
  • stay (15)
  • well (15)

27 Customer Reviews

  • "We had a lovely stay and the house was great, very clean, well equipped with great water pressure."

    Couldn’t fault the house at all. The only thing that was an issue was it being on the crossroads it was difficult to walk straight out of the door with our dogs and go for a walk as there weren’t any paths to go on to get to quieter roads but it was a great position for discovering the area

    Reviewed by Rebecca11.7Feb 2024

  • "Very happy with Mainstone House - there were no surprises as the information, photos and additional documentation were all completely accurate."

    Ledbury was also a must visit town.

    Reviewed by John13.3Dec 2023

  • "We had an excellent family stay at Mainstone House."

    Everything we needed was there. Unfortunately the pub over the road shut down the week before we arrived but there is an excellent tea shop directly across from the house. The main road traffic noise and the daily attendance of the hot tub maintenance individuals were the only two small slightly problematic issues. The landlord was lovely and did inform us when the hot tub was being maintained so we did our best to ensure the two dogs we had with us were out of the way to avoid barking! The main road noise is just something to be aware of, it didn’t affect our stay. All in all it was a lovely experience, it was clean, had ample facilities, the beds were extremely comfy and the garden and outlook was fantastic. I’d thoroughly recommend it as a base for a large party to explore the area.

    Reviewed by Ewen11.7Sep 2023

  • "We were contacted at 3pm on Friday (we were due to arrive at 5pm) by the property owner to let us know that the Aga was not working."

    We were a party of 13 (8 adults and 5 children) and we had booked this property to gather as a family to celebrate my Sister's 40th Birthday. I had planned a menu for the weekend which included cooking Filet of Beef En Croute and Dauphinoise potatoes on the Friday and Roast Chicken on the Sunday. I had planned the menu, bought all the food, prepped the beef and potatoes, and also had a Tesco food shop being delivered that Friday night. I had read reviews of the property that said previous guests had been able to cook a Christmas Dinner so I had every confidence that I would be able to cook the planned menu. When speaking to the owner, he asked me if we would be able to manage with just the hob which I said we wouldn't, and that they would purchase a portable oven for our use. I asked whether this would be big enough to cook a meal for 13 people and the response was that the portable oven is the same size as the aga. It was the same size as ONE of the Aga ovens, but the Aga has TWO ovens. On our way to the property, feeling very anxious about the cooking facilities, I phoned Sykes and explained the problem. The person I spoke to said they would speak to the owner and call me back. They never called me back. On arrival I could see that we had 1 small portable oven, and also a microwave oven which works as a convection oven. The first meal that I attempted to cook was chicken and chips for the children. It soon became very clear that the small portable oven was not able to cook 2 things at once - it was not an adequate substitute for an Aga, and certainly not adequate to cook a meal for 13 people. Having already prepped an expensive meal for the Friday night (Filet of Beef and Dauphinoise potatoes) I did my best to try and cook it with the inadequate cooking equipment that had been provided, but suffice to say, it was very stressful, very time consuming and the food was not cooked in the way that it should be due to not having a proper oven or Aga to cook in. We had arranged to go out for a meal on the Saturday which was a welcome relief, but I had bought 2 chickens to roast on the Sunday. There was a Slow Cooker in one of the kitchen drawers which I thought would be a good option given that I did not have an oven that worked properly. The slow cooker initially heated up, but after an hour had cooled down and it was apparent that this was broken too so I ended up having to poach the chicken on the hob. As a family, we had put a lot of time and effort into planning this special weekend, and indeed had planned an extensive menu to ensure that 13 people would be well fed and enjoy some nice food. Unfortunately, a broken Aga and a feeble portable oven as a replacement meant that cooking was stressful and far more time consuming than it should have been, everything took twice as long to cook and even then, the food wasn't cooked in the same way as it does in a normal oven. Mostly it was overcooked because the oven temperature was so low, you had to cook everything for much longer. In addition to this, the hot tub was not hot, it was warm at best - hot tub maintenance kindly turned this up for us on Sunday morning but it had already affected our enjoyment of the hot tub. Also, the downstairs floors were not clean - I ended up hoovering and mopping myself as they were so filthy. Please can you let me know what compensation will be provided as the property is advertised as having a working Aga, which it didn't have, and the replacement was not fit for purpose.

    We appreciate your disappointment re the Aga but to be absolutely clear the Aga was NOT out of action but not at a temperature we would have expected which was discovered at the last minute. We alerted you to this immediately although we understand from some of the guests that, as you have limited experience of cooking on an Aga, you might not have been aware - it would have just taken longer to cook your meals . As a specialist piece of euqipment it is not possible to get an engineer out at short notice and even if we had the oven would have had had to be turned of and it would then have taken over 12 hours to reach temperature agai. It was on this basis we supplied an additonal electric oven which was the same size as the Aga oven and also came with an additonal two hobs - to add to the 4 electric hobs on the Aga which were obviously unaffected. We take exception that you say that this was a "feeble" alternative and it was probably a better option given the dishes you were creating. It was also brand new but was not left in a very good condition by your party. There was also an additonal oven option in the microwave but we thought that this would be apparent. You had our 'phone number so we cannot understand why you did not ask for the hot tub temperature to be raised. As we explained to one of your party it is not recommended for the temperature to be highher than 38 degrees for children and we undertand that you had a number of children in your party who enjoyed the hot tub given the number of toys left in it on checking the chemicals. The hot tub temperature was raised immediately when a request was made to 40 degrees. It would have taken a very short time to reach this temperature. If you had asked sooner this could have been achieved earlier. With regards to the cleaning issues - the floors - we absolutely refute this and it is rather sad that you should feel it necessary to invent something so defamatory. We take immense time and trouble to ensure cleanliness at all times and the house is checked several times. We would coment on the state that the property was left in after your stay however and we had to pay for additonal cleaning to address this. it is also incorrect that no-one got back to you. We explained the situation directly to members of your party who had arrived early when we dropped off the oven. They reassured us that you would be fine and, as previously mentioned, you had our 'phone number and yet we heard nothing all weekend Property Owner

    Reviewed by Victoria5.0Aug 2023

  • "Great place to stay, incredibly well equipped for children with toys, books and garden play area."

    Great little Pub across the road as well.

    Reviewed by Sebastian13.3Jun 2023

  • "A most unusual and quirky, historical house."

    It was like stepping back into history. Fantastic. The quality of kitchen equipment, crockery and cutlery was of such high quality. There was ample seating for our party of 11 aged 5 -77years. Plenty of TV’s and dining space, a massive garden and hot tub. There were lots of games and some sports equipment, garden chairs and tables and BBQ We visited the Trumpet Inn and the coffee/gift shop opposite. We would recommend both. Anyone with mobility problems would need to be very careful because of all the stairs, steps and sloping floors. What hidden gems we found Hereford and Ledbury to be. Mainstone House was the perfect place to be to celebrate my 70th birthday with my family. We would love to stay here again

    Reviewed by Christine12.5May 2023

  • "Just such a beautiful and interesting place."

    Everything one would need. Books, piano, games, play stuff for children. Hot tub, garden. Two sitting rooms, big dining room just amazing. The cooker was a bit of a challenge and the upstairs ancient wobbly floors made you feel unstable if you have balance problems. Definitely not a place if you have any mobility issues. I did have problems tuning in the Tv as I am not used to having to do this. Those are minor things. A wonderful place and a terrific stay. Would highly recommend.

    Reviewed by Bryony12.5Apr 2023

  • "Super house for our 3 generational family of 10 adults and 3 small children to spend a week together over Christmas!"

    It was clean, warm and spacious with grandparents always able to find a quiet and comfortable corner to get away from the bustle. The numerous toys cleverly hidden in a storage unit and the play kitchen in particular were a great hit with our little ones and the hot tub was great for winding down. The kitchen was very well equipped and we had everything we needed to prepare meals every day. Yes, we even cooked christmas dinner too which required a bit of juggling but we were prepared for the relatively small ovens in the aga and brought 2 small turkeys instead of 1 big one! Thanks to Tracey and Martyn for their prompt communications in ensuring we had all the baby equipment we needed.

    Reviewed by Denise13.3Dec 2022

  • "Everything was just perfect for our extended family's pre-Christmas celebrations."

    The beds were particularly comfortable with crisp linen and warm duvets.

    Reviewed by Teresa13.3Dec 2022

  • "We had a most enjoyable holiday."

    Flowers in vases, celebration chocs. and biscuits were a lovely welcome. Many thanks. Lucille & family

    Reviewed by Lucille13.3Oct 2022

  • "Excellent stay in this fascinating old house- loads for room for a big party."

    Hot tub was lovely and relaxing, kitchen well equipped and lovely to have so many toys for our grandson. A great weekend!

    Reviewed by Helen13.3Sep 2022

  • "The beautiful old house is filled with everything needed for enjoyable stay, which we all had."

    The house was cleaned to perfection and filled with every kitchen utensil needed as well as an abundance of crockery and cutlery. The hot tub (towels provided) was maintained daily without intrusion. Our party of 12, with ages ranging from 80 years to 8 months, was well catered for, lots of space for everyone.

    Reviewed by Yvonne13.3Aug 2022

  • "Mainstone House is the most fabulous place to stay."

    We spent a week there in late July/early August for a special family celebration - 13 adults and children and one baby - and it was amazing. The house has so much character, everything was spotless, masses of room and masses of games and activities both inside and out. With a library and piano room, a huge lounge and play room, it fitted all our needs perfectly. The garden is enclosed and safe for the children while having lots of character. We loved it all and wouldn't hesitate to return. The Trumpet pub across the road was handy with friendly staff, huge beer garden and lovely food, and Ledbury town just seven minutes drive is a beautiful little town with masses of character.

    Reviewed by Margaret13.3Jul 2022

  • "It was an excellent venue for a family celebration, the only downside was the noise from the traffic, which we did know about beforehand, but due to the hot weather we had to have the windows open."

    It would be perfect for a Winter stay! The pub over the road and The Nest (farm shop, deli, coffee shop and nursery) were excellent and so was the visit to Ledbury.

    Reviewed by Marilyn13.3Jul 2022

  • "A fabulous house for a three generation family weekend ( plus two small dogs!"

    ). Spacious, comfortable, special and also homely. Well equipped from bedrooms to cooking and entertainment. Enclosed garden with outdoor furniture, plus the lovely hot tub. We manage to Sue most of the facilities, including the table tennis table for a family tournament. And as a musical family, we enjoyed the beautiful piano too. Only slight downside was traffic noise in the garden, but soon managed to ignore it and relax regardless. A wonderful property.

    Reviewed by Wendy13.3Jul 2022

  • "Very good. Lots of rooms and well equipped."

    Door bell needs mending and a decent broom for the kitchen. Nine of the party came out in insect bites, seven children and one adult. Possibly the sofas in the tv sitting room. However, the stay was very successful and comfortable. The garden and hot tub were very much used and appreciated.

    So glad that you had a good time but that some of you had some insect bites - we will investigate this of course, but just to let you know that a couple of days before you visited I too had some bites when I got home but I had not been into the house. At this time of the year particularly we do have insects in the garden that sting/bite. The door bell was unplugged - we don't tend to use the old one because it can't be heard all round the property. Hope your dog had a good time too. All good wishes. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Sheila13.3May 2022

  • "Our wider family of 10, including 4 children, had a great time at Mainstone house for a week over Easter."

    The house has a WOW! factor at its history, size, number of rooms and facilities. The kitchen is good for cooking for a crowd [though the AGA style range takes a bit of getting used to, take a food thermoeter!], the hottub is a must as is table-tennis and garden furniture. We spent the week canoing on the Wye, visiting castles, walking, running - and trying to work out how the house has grown since Tudor times! Thanks a for a wonderful stay!

    So glad that you enjoyed your stay at Mainstone - it certainly has lived a long life and holds many stories over hundreds of years. The property also has a priest hole which we might share with visitors in the future. Thank you so much for the feedback re the AGA - we will aim to provide some useful tips as well as an oven thermometer for future guests. Kind regards Martyn and Tracey Property Owner

    Reviewed by S13.3Apr 2022

  • "The property was reasonably priced & able to house a large party comfortably."

    We loved having the piano & the kitchen was well stocked. Communication with the owners was very good & they were very kind in looking for lost/left jewellery. The only negative was that it really is close to the cross roads & so on one side of the house sleep could be disturbed by lorry noise.

    Reviewed by Rosie13.3Apr 2022

  • "Very well equipped property with an amazing hot tub!"

    Great place for large family to get together.

    Reviewed by Moly13.3Feb 2022

  • "The house is beautiful, and so well equipped."

    It’s bigger than it looks in the photos, and all rooms are comfy and spacious. It was spotlessly clean, same applies to the garden and hot tub. Would highly recommend and definitely will be rebooking! Thank you

    Reviewed by Avril13.3Feb 2022

  • "We had a wonderful family weekend in this beautifully appointed and restored house."

    There was everything you could need , whatever the age of the visitors . We particularly appreciated the piano and music as we had several musicians in the party and our "chef" and team were very happy in the spacious well equipped kitchen. It would be good to go back to Mainstone House in the summer to take advantage of all that was in the garden ,although the hot tub was put to good use ! Thank you Martyn and Tracey

    Reviewed by Gill13.3Feb 2022

  • "The property felt a lot bigger than what the photos show which was a lovely surprise."

    Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the hot tub, it was a fantastic surprise 60th birthday get together for my Mum. Tracey and Martyn were great, their communication was fantastic. We came across a leak in the kitchen one morning and Tracey and Martyn got this sorted very quickly and were very accomodating. Would definitely reccomend this property as somewhere to stay. We all thoroughly enjoyed our visit.

    Reviewed by Jason13.3Jan 2022

  • "We had a wonderful stay at Mainstone House."

    Very comfortable ,spacious accommodation,full of character. Plenty of toys and games for the children and a great library of books. The hot tub was very popular with all. The good-quality piano was well appreciated too,especially for singing carols around it! The welcoming lit-up Christmas tree was a lovely touch,as were the vases of fresh flowers and the box of chocolates. Family members are very keen to return there.

    Reviewed by Teresa13.3Dec 2021

  • "Great character holiday cottage."

    Big enough for all of us and nice and warm throughout when we needed the heating. All facilities were fine including the hot tub. Lovely, thanks

    Reviewed by John6.7Oct 2021

  • "We had a wonderful stay at the property, had a couple of hiccups but Martyn had these sorted within a day and kindly sorted a meal for us too, Road a little noisy for some of our party but manageable, great facilities for the children and lots of little extras were included."

    We would defo recommend this property, thank you for a fabulous stay.

    Reviewed by Barbara5.0Oct 2021

  • "The house was extremely well equipped, especially regarding toys and games for the children."

    I defy anyone to not find a book from the many bookshelves, to interest them. The hot tub was fabulous and serviced daily. (Arranged so as not to inconvenience us.) Martyn and Tracey were very helpful with a list of things to do and the vases of fresh flowers were a lovely touch. The Trumpet Inn, across the road served an excellent Sunday roast, catering well for the children too.

    Reviewed by Janet13.3Oct 2021

  • "Lovely house, very well equipped, great facilities."

    Perfect for a large family get-together. Great location too, perfect for exploring the beautiful surrounding countryside (lovely walks in the Malvern hills) and nearby Forest of Dean. Pub and tea rooms opposite also very handy. Owner helpful throughout. Highly recommend and would definitely stay again.

    Reviewed by Jane6.7Aug 2021

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Summary

  • Over two floors
  • Six bedrooms with TVs: 1 x king-size with en-suite shower, basin, heated towel rail and WC, 1 x king-size with cot, 1 x ground-floor king-size, 1 x double with en-suite shower, basin, heated towel rail and WC, 2 x double, 1 x 2 cabin bunk beds (suitable for children) adjoining the double room, suitable as a family room
  • Bathroom with bath, shower over, basin, heated towel rail and WC
  • Ground-floor shower room with walk-in shower, basin, radiator and WC
  • Kitchen/diner
  • Dining room
  • 2 x Sitting rooms with 2 x enclosed log burners
  • Note: No stag/hen or similar The property is suitable for 12 adults and 2 children or infants. This property does not permit the charging of electric cars or any large consumption/external appliances.
  • Oil central heating and 2 x enclosed log burners
  • Aga-type oil-fired cooker with 4 ovens and two hotplates with adjoining electric hob, microwave, fridge/freezer, fridge, washing machine, tumble dryer, dishwasher
  • 8 x TVs, projector, WiFi, table tennis, selection of games and books
  • Fuel and power inc. in rent
  • Bed linen and towels inc. in rent
  • Travel cot, highchair and stairgate
  • Off road parking for 6 cars
  • Enclosed garden with lawn, patio, hot tub ( hot tub is maintained throughout the stay and the water changed between guests) and furniture
  • Two well-behaved dogs welcome
  • Sorry, no smoking
  • Shop 4+ miles,
  • 0.7 miles there is ‘The Nest’, a coffee shop and delicatessen, 0.9 mls is The Verzon hotel and restaurant for superior drinking and dining.
  • Note: Property is on a main road associated noise may be heard
  • Note: No stag/hen or similar.Please note: The property can accommodate 12 adults
  • One double room has an adjoining room with 2 cabin beds this is a family room
  • In certain situations a double sofa bed could be made available by prior agreement
  • 2 Cot beds are also available for infants and toddlers
  • Note: Please be aware due to the changeover of the hot tub, it may not be up to temperature upon your arrival
  • Note: This property does not permit the charging of electric cars or any large consumption/external appliances
  • Note: There are 2 pubs a few minutes away which come highly recommended for food, these are The Walwyn Arms and The New Inn which is notable for its views of the Herefordshire countryside
  • A variety of good restaurants and pubs can also be found in Ledbury town and include stylish and highly recommended Italian & Indian restaurants, The Olive Tree and Sitari
  • If you wish to inquire about any dates that are blocked out on the calendar, please contact us.

The property

Hereford 11 miles.

Situated in rural Herefordshire, this Grade ll listed building of great character and charm has original features such as oak beams and offers period-style accommodation.

Mainstone House is a typical Herefordshire traditional black and white house in the hamlet of Trumpet, surrounded by idyllic countryside and ideal for hosting a group celebration.

An inviting, spacious reception room welcomes you with its warm carpet, plush seating and wide-ranging library for those who love to lose themselves in a good book.

In the adjoining main sitting room there are relaxing sofas, a heart-warming wood burning stove, a cinema-style projector for family film nights and a generous selection of games and toys including a football table.

Only a few steps down and you are in a characterful, period dining room, the ideal space for hosting dinner parties to your taste.

The spacious kitchen-diner with its lofty ceiling and wooden beams, amply equipped with all essentials and a dining table for informal eating encourages you to rustle up anything from a hasty snack to a lavish celebratory meal.

Leading from the kitchen on the ground floor there is a bedroom with double bed suitable for guests with limited mobility and access off the dining room to ground floor shower, wash basin and toilet.

An enclosed staircase leads up to a bedroom with king-size bed and en-suite shower, wash basin and toilet.

From the kitchen is also access to the enclosed garden where a few short paces take you to the covered hot tub area and nearby outdoor seating and dining table.

For young children there is a choice of outdoor play equipment.

Returning through the dining room to the main staircase you have access to the remaining four upstairs bedrooms, two with generous king-size double beds (one with shower, wash basin and toilet en-suite), a third with double bed and the fourth a family suite with double bed and two cabin bunk beds suitable for children.

Two bedrooms have child safety gates.

All these four bedrooms have easy access to the bathroom with bath, overhead shower, wash basin and toilet.

Just 100 yards across the road is The Trumpet Inn for refreshing beer, local cider and meals if your cook needs a night off.

A comprehensive list of recommended restaurants within 12 miles is also provided at the property, several in Ledbury just over 4 miles distant.

The ancient market town of Ledbury offers a relaxing time out, strolling leisurely among the historic black and white timbered buildings with the 17th century Town Hall as the centrepiece.

There is a wide range of attractive shops.

For those in search of outdoor pursuits this is an excellent centre from which within easy reach are the Malvern Hills (with views of the Black Mountains on the Welsh border), Eastnor Castle, the Three Choirs Way, the Elgar Route, the Three Choirs Vineyard and Restaurant, and Hereford with its splendid cathedral housing the famous Mappa Mundi museum and Chained Library.

Further afield are the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons), the lovely Wye Valley and the Forest of Dean with cycle paths.

Recommended is also the luxury Spa in Malvern.

In short, Mainstone House offers a wonderful break for a large group.

Note: No stag/hen or similar
The property is suitable for 12 adults and 2 children or infants.
This property does not permit the charging of electric cars or any large consumption/external appliances.

Note: This property has a Good Housekeeping bond of £750.

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About the location

LEDBURY

Hereford 15 miles.

The ancient market town of Ledbury (4 miles), dating back to 960 AD, nestles under the Malvern Hills east of Hereford, surrounded by unspoilt English countryside. Ledbury lies on the River Leadon and is famous for its numerous timbered buildings, including Ledbury Park, believed to be one the finest Black and White buildings in England, the 17th century Market House in the town centre and The Painted Room, home to 16th century frescoes. Many music, art and food and drink festivals can be enjoyed in the town and the surrounding area. From time to time music, art, poetry, food and drink festivals are held in the town. Nearby is Eastnor Castle, a fine example of a 19th century, mock-medieval castle, and numerous festivals are held in Eastnor Park. Close by is the historic city of Hereford with its 11th century cathedral, world famous Mappa Mundi and Chained Library. Malvern offers guests many lovely walks along the hills, a luxurious spa and for the car enthusiasts the Morgan Motor Company. Guests can also enjoy the local vineyards, travel along the Elgar Route, visit the Black and White villages and enjoy the many outdoor activities available in the Forest of Dean and beautiful Wye Valley. A great holiday destination at any time of year.

Note: No stag/hen or similar
The property is suitable for 12 adults and 2 children or infants.
This property does not permit the charging of electric cars or any large consumption/external appliances.

This property offers the following short breaks:

  • Off-season
  • Christmas