Relaxing weekend at Hampton Lodge
Recently I got to enjoy a fabulous 3 day break at the glorious Hampton Lodge in Shropshire. After a hectic couple of weeks at work, running around South East London doing the nursery run; a long weekend was well and truly deserved. And Hampton Lodge fitted the bill perfectly.
We booked this trip a long time ago after deciding to treat ourselves during the same weekend when our husband’s would be going on their annual golfing trip to North Wales. The trip was very much a family affair with my mother in law, both sister’s in law, and all the children – 5 in total going. When were looking to book the perfect place to stay, our main Google search term was “cottages with hot tub”. As at the time of booking the trip I was on maternity leave, and wanted to be able to create a spa experience in the evening with the girls once all the babies and children were in bed.
So when the weekend came around, I was very excited. The drive to Hampton Lodge is on narrow country lanes, and then down a long gravel drive with fields either side. I did wonder if we were at the right place. However we soon saw our lovely wooden chalet overlooking green fields with sheep and shetland ponies. Our first impressions of Hampton Lodge was that it was stunning, imagine a ski type chalet but in Shropshire. There is a large open plan kitchen diner and living area with cosy furniture, a feature effect log-burner, and huge windows looking out onto the deck overlooking fields. The lodge is set away from all other houses and roads, so it really is the perfect place to escape every day life and to relax.
We were eager to explore the property which contained 4 bedrooms in total. On the ground floor there are 3 bedrooms – 2 doubles (1 with ensuite), and 1 twin room. Then up the stairs from the living area there is a huge double room with an ensuite. I was fortunate enough to have this room, and enjoyed looking down at everyone below in the living room, plus it was the only room with a bath which made it easier with the little one.
On the day that we arrived we had a gorgeous home cooked Lasagne, which is the beauty about self-catering is you can bring ready prepared food from home so all you have to do is put it in the oven. We also enjoyed a new drink – White Port and Tonic, which is delicious, you should try it. It was so good that the bottle of Port never made it home again. After dinner and once the babies and children were in bed, I must have sat in the hot tub for over an hour becoming a prune. The fresh air and busy day must have made us all sleepy as our little one slept in until 8am!
This pattern of drinks, dinner and hot tub continued for the next two nights during our stay at Hampton Lodge. I also tried really hard to encourage my daughter to walk, as we had recently been pulled up by the nursery for her not walking yet. However by the end of the weekend she was happily coasting the furniture and wanting to crawl after her cousins.
As well as being a great place to unwind in the evenings Hampton Lodge has so much space around it for children to play and run around, and play Swingball and Badminton too.
Places to explore
Hampton Lodge makes a perfect base to explore the local area, and there are so many places to visit. During our three night break we visited the following places:
Ellesmere
This is a lovely small town situated next to Ellesmere (a big lake), and is the nearest town to Hampton Lodge. We parked in the Ellesmere Lake main car park and then walked down to the Lake by a restaurant called The Boathouse. On the day that we went visited Ellesmere, the festival Merefest was taking place. This is an ideal family festival with falconry, stalls, kids face painting, fire engine you could climb onto, alpaca, ice cream vans, and mini-shows (that were a bit random). The children enjoyed it, and my little one enjoyed seeing Freddie and Fiorella the Alpaca.
Chirk Castle
This is a beautiful National Trust property, the first National Trust castle that I have been to with my membership, set just over the border in Wales. The castle and grounds are stunning, and we were lucky to enjoy front rows seats at the end of the garden with views over the Welsh landscape. At the time that we were visiting there was a medieval re-enactment taking place and battle. It was actually pretty realistic with babies even dressed up in Medieval outfits.
The Cross Foxes
This is a fantastic pub on the border of England and Wales with a pretty special menu. I choose the pie and it was really tasty. The pub is lovely with views over the River Dee, and stepped seating outside that would be nice to enjoy in the sunshine.
We all had a wonderful stay at Hampton Lodge, I would recommend this to any family or group of friends wanting to have an idyllic weekend or week away from it all. The owners are lovely, and they leave you a beautiful cake for you to enjoy on your arrival. I wrote this review as I felt that Hampton Lodge is a beautiful place that deserves to be shared. Please don’t all rush there, I would love to go back.
Claire x
46 Comments
islandliving365
That looks stunning! I want to go and stay there. The surroundings look really lovely. Sounds like you had a fab weekend 🙂 xx
Michelle
This looks amazing! So peaceful and relaxing, and so nice to have family time together. I love staying self-catering in places like this – it’s a home from home but without the relentless stresses of busy lives #fortheloveofBLOG
Fi - Beauty Baby and Me
I love being able to get away to somewhere that is genuinely peaceful and it looks like this was perfect for that! Self catering is so much easier with the little ones because you can kind of incorporate what they’re used to. So glad you had such a lovely time xx #fortheloveofBLOG
Sarah - Mum & Mor
Shropshire is a great choice, but then I’m biased because that’s my neck of the woods. I do miss my old home at times and can’t wait to visit again. The cottage you stayed in looks beautiful. I want to stay in one with a hot tub! #fortheloveofBLOG
the frenchie mummy
That looks so lovely and with a hot tube! Heaven!!!! I am so jealous right now. #fortheloveofBLOG
thetaleofmummyhood
Looks like a great time was had, I’m a total National Trust geek!
#fortheloveofBLOG
Ali Duke
The lodge looks amazing! I could definitely spend a weekend there!
#fortheloveofBLOG
flying solo
I am sooooo jealous, I am thinking of having a quick mini break before xmas and this looks amazing xx #fortheloveofBLOG
Kelly
This looks so nice!! Cosy indoors and pretty scenery is all I ask of a break away!! #fortheloveofBLOG
Emma me and b make tea
this sounds absolutely fab and it is ideal when you have a lot of kids isn’t it. the white port and tonic combo is new to me – interesting! will have to give that a whirl! #fortheloveofblog
Cherry at The Newby Tribe
This looks utterly beautiful. We keep looking for a nice weekend away and haven’t been really sure where to go because of having the kids, but I think we’ll look further into this one – it look idyllic! #fortheloveofBLOG
Claire
Looks great! Checking it out, would be perfect for us! xx #fortheloveofblog
Angela Watling
This place looks amazing! I really wish I could go there for the weekend. I’ll have to look into it. They’ll probably need to pay you commission after this post 😉 #fortheloveofBLOG
babyledblog
The lodge looks amazing and it sounds like you had a great time! Lovely to have a bit of space from the chaos right? #fortheloveofblog
Lianne harris
Oh wow it looks gorgeous! Glad you got a break and enjoyed yourself xx
#fortheloveofblog
Let your light shine Mummy
Ooo this sounds wonderful. My requirements are always for a hot tub too, you’re right it makes the experience feel that little bit more special. What a lovely place. I’m glad you had a great weekend. Xx #fortheloveofBLOG
Peachy and her Mommy
I love the photos. It looks like a lovely place. I agree with that bit about cooking at home and then just heating it up when you get there. Who wants to cook while on vacation? Better to do it ahead of time. #fortheloveofBLOG
Tracey Abrahams
It sounds like you had a fantastic weekend. I would have definately turned into a prune if I had a hit tub on hand. And the medieval day was a bonus as well, just my sort of thing.
#fortheloveofBLOG
anywaytostayathome
How lovely. It looks like you had an amazing break. The hot tub was an ace idea. #fortheloveofBLOG
Kimberly
Loving the lodge with wood burner – beautiful. White Port and tonic sounds winning too. Thanks for sharing – will check out Hampton Lodge for my next break.
Kx
#fortheloveofblog
Claire @sandbmama2015
Looks like such a fun place and that food looks amazing. #fortheloveofBLOG
five little doves
Wow this looks amazing! I LOVE staying in a lodge, there’s something so magical about it almost, being in a lodge by the water. Sounds like you had a fantastic break away and that pie looks soooooo good! #fortheloveofBLOG
Susie at This Is Me Now
Sounds like you had an amazing time. Love that hot tub was an essential google search term! Ha! #fortheloveofBLOG
Kristin McCarthy
What a quaint space in the universe.
#fortheloveofblog
Sam
Wow this place looks amazing. And a hot tub too. Amazing. I would love to visit here myself. Looks like you had a fantastic time.
#fortheloveofBLOG
Cathryn
Oh this looks glorious! The lodge looks perfect. We stayed in a lovely lodge this summer and it was just lovely!
#FortheloveofBLOG
Emma
Sounds like such a great short holiday. Those views are beautiful and I love the idea of a hot tub! #fortheloveofblog
Jane Taylor
Oh how idyllic! I’m so glad you had such a wonderful break. Stunning lodge, location and nearby National Trust too? Sounds perfect. Thanks for sharing, it seems the owners have thought of everything. #fortheloveofblog
Sarah | Digital Motherhood
Looks a lovely and relaxing place, pleased to hear that you had a good time! #fortheloveofblog
Carol Cameleon
I’m sold! I could really do with something like this. *back in the room!* Thanks for hosting #fortheloveofblog
Grounded Mummy
This looks amazing, such a beautiful lodge, love the log burner. Sounds like you all had a fabulous weekend, so nice to get away from it all. I love Ellesmere, it’s stunning. Lovely review. #fortheloveofblog
Tooting Mama
Looks wonderful, I’m dying to try a white port and tonic. I’m a big fan of self catering. Thanks for sharing.
themotherhub.ie
wow that genuinely looks so beautiful – am imagining myself there right now! lovely – and so important to relax and have quality time together #fortheloveofblog
Abi
This place is now on my hit list! #fortheloveofBLOG
Mindful Mummy Mission
The accommodation looks stunning and such lovely things to do (and eat!). Pleased you had a good time. #fortheloveofBLOG xx
A Mum Track Mind (@amumtrackmind)
This look so lovely – I want to go there and get away from it all too! #fortheloveofBLOG x
Busy Working Mummy
This looks beautiful! I am glad you had a good time! #fortheloveofBLOG
Back With A Bump
Oh wow that looks idyllic for a break away!! #bloggerclubuk
Squirmy Popple
It sounds like you had a lovely break – I need to start specifying that I need a hot tub in all my holiday cottages! #FamilyFun
Karen : TwoTinyHan
You can’t beat a trip away with a hot tub involved! Looks like a beautiful place and that you had a good break away. Thanks for linking up to #familyfun
Tammymum
Oh it sounds like you had a lovely time, it does sound like a great place to stay. We have recently booked a UK break with the search terms being lodge and hot tub too. It’s also important to have places to go, especially when you have little ones to entertain so this sounds idea. Lovely touch leaving a cake too! Thank you for sharing this with us at #FamilyFun, hope to see you again next week xx
Emma (Upside Mum)
The lodge looks great. I do love a hot tub! Sounds like younger a great time and there was lots to do as well. #fortheloveofBLOG
Kelly Robinson
Wow this looks like an incredible place to stay! I agree with you in wanting to find a place with a hot tub. What better way to relax than with a glass of bubble sitting in a nice warm hot tub. The food sounds and looks incredible too. Definitely a place I would look at staying in #FamilyFun
Sunita
Oh wow Claire, what a nice family retreat. I’m sure you all enjoyed the visit and home-away-from-home comforts. It’s so important to have a change of scenery. It’s also fun when you can go away for the weekend in a group – more babysitters! x See you in November, Sunita #fortheloveofBLOG
Becci - The Unnatural Mother
This looks amazing ! Oh i’m so jealous. A hot tub & White port would do me a treat #FortheloveofBlog
Ellen
Oh this looks like the perfect relaxing break! I love things like this and that’s my ideal those of accommodation too – self catered and gorgeous with a hot tub and beautiful surroundings … what more could you ask for?! So glad you enjoyed it #FamilyFun