Relaxing things to do

On rainy days there are toddler toys, family board games, challenging jigsaws, chess, fibre optic WIFi, thought provoking magazines and books.

On sunny days relax in the secluded private garden, on the viewing terrace and games lawn nestling among aromatic, colourful flowerbeds, and listen to lambs bleating and the buzzing of bees.

Manor Holding Cottage is well stocked with garden games equipment including, table tennis, croquet, boule, and a giant outdoor chess set.

Track wildlife in the 5 acres (2 ha) of wild flower meadows and ancient orchards; or in the adjacent ancient woodland and sprawling National Nature Reserve. The largest ancient woodland SSSI and National Nature Reserve in the country.

Get close up and personal with big game wildlife at the West Midlands Safari Park, and let your hair down at the funfair afterwards.

Star gaze on clear nights, at the thousands of stars visible in our dark night sky, shielded from the pervading glow of urban street lights.

Stroll the vast network of foot, cycle and bridle paths leading from the cottage door, through the surrounding idyllic, tranquil and infinitely varied forest and agricultural landscape.

Tour the winding rustic byways by car or cycle through archetypal rural landscapes, including the 'South Shropshire Hills Natural Landscape' (formerly Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty).

Catch a steam train to the past along the verdant Severn 'Gorge'; on the Severn Valley Railway from Bewdley, Arley or Kidderminster.

Unwind with a day's fishing at a choice of local fishing ponds and rivers, or a round of golf at one of half a dozen high quality local links.

Contrast historic small towns, hidden in the folds of the beautiful local countryside, including:

• Savour the medieval border town of Ludlow, famous for its outstanding cuisine, the first 'Slow City' in Britain.
• Smell the living museum of Ironbridge World Heritage Site, 'birthplace of the industrial revolution', or visit the famous Black Country Museum.
• Absorb the colour and excitement of annual raft racing and rowing regatta events from the comfort of quayside cafes in the Georgian river port of Bewdley, with its half timbered town houses and elegant dockside promenade.
• Catch the funicular railway between Low Town and High Town's compact medieval shopping streets in the Saxon river fortress town of Bridgnorth.
• Sit back for a leisurely day's cruise down the River Severn from the bustling canal port of Stourport.
• Shop to your heart's content in the historic carpet capital of Kidderminster and the Bull Ring Shopping Centre in Birmingham and see the astonishing giant mechanical bull, 'Ozzy', star of Birmingham's 2022 Commonwealth Games..

For more information about each town please click on the 'Locality' tab above.

Wonder at local historic castles and country houses, including the fabulous Witley Court, Hartlebury Castle county museum, romantic Stokesay Castle, royal Ludlow Castle, and many more.

Stroll around historic or newly manicured gardens and vineyards temporarily or permanently open to the public, scattered through the surrounding countryside.

Excellent local restaurants and hostelries provide for romantic meals or entertainment.