Bowbrook Lodges

Devotees to that upstairs-downstairs life will find plenty hereabouts to appeal: the site’s less than 15 minutes’ drive from the fab 17th-century Croome Court (one-time secret wartime airbase) and its Capability Brown garden, and Hanbury Hall, Snowshill Manor and Sudeley Castle are all within about half an hour. Prefer to spend days out and about in the fresh air? Try birdwatching at Tiddesley Wood Nature Reserve 10 minutes away, walks and bikes at Bredon Hill within 20 minutes, or taking a wander with an alpaca (also 20 minutes) – though more active types may prefer some time on the water, learning to windsurf, sail and kayak 20 minutes from base at Croft Farm Water Park. There’s plenty nearby for budding zoologists too: the site’s 40 minutes from West Midlands Safari Park and 45 from the feathered flappers (and other animals) at Birdland. Fancy something a bit closer? The petting zoo, indoor and outdoor play centres and dinosaur walk at All Things Wild are within 25 minutes. Of course, a visit to this part of the country wouldn’t be complete without an explore in the Cotswolds, and the pretty towns and villages of Chipping Camden, Broadway and Evesham are all within half an hour. If cities hold more of a draw than peacefully scenic cobbled streets though, Worcester is 15 minutes from base and Birmingham is within an hour.