The Hop Store
Ledbury, Herefordshire, UK
It started life as a humble grain barn. Today, it’s one of those places that feels almost in the family; as though a grandfather might’ve plumped the pillows for your arrival, or a sister could be out picking apples from the orchard. The Hop Store, in other words, brings about the feeling of home. Find this luxury retreat in Ledbury at the foot of the Malvern Hills, with a hot tub and games room that make it a too-fun-to-leave family stay in Herefordshire.
Introduction
When you hear the whinnying donkeys, Herby and Teddy, you’ll be somewhere close. This luxury retreat can be found on one of the last remaining hop farms in the United Kingdom, right on the border of the Cotswolds, and surrounded by 150 acres of perfectly aligned hop yards. Dawns are for exploring poetic landscapes on foot, and evenings are for reclining in the front courtyard with a glass of the farm's sparkling cider as the last of the day's sun sets beyond the woods. With its magical farm-life feel, there's a reason why The Telegraph called it one of the best family holidays for children of every age.
Inside
Its topsy-turvy layout means that curling up on the sofa or cooking up red wine casseroles by the fire all happen on the first floor, with views across to the Malvern Hills. Meanwhile, the bedrooms are on the ground floor, furnished with ultra-soft linens and dreamy pillows that promise a restful night's sleep. Happening where the comfort of a countryside home meets the gratification of setting down roots in one of Herefordshire’s most poetic spots, the walls of this historic home have seen many a late morning laugh, and enough midnight feasts of cider and hop cheese to match the county's contour lines.
Outside
The garden room began life as a mangelwurzel store; a root vegetable belonging to the beet family, grown for livestock fodder. Now, it's a place to unwind when not stretching legs with Poppy, the resident Labrador and dutiful farm guide. A stay in spring means lambs and bluebells aplenty, while September offers a hive of activity when the hop harvest starts in earnest and pickers gather to collect the season's best for kilning. Young ones will love the year-round swings and ride-on tractor, but there's something to be said for the autumnal harvest, when the juiciest fruits are made into award-winning apple juice.
The Facts
- SleepsUp to 4 guests
From £1,795 per week, £1,350 per short break - Alternative group optionUp to 2 guests
- Bedrooms and bathroomsOne ground floor double bedroom with king-size bed and sink, one ground floor zip-and-link bedroom (which can be set up as a double or a twin), one ground floor family bathroom with roll top bath and shower attachment, one ground floor wet room with walk-in shower.
- HousekeepingAdditional housekeeping is available on prior request at additional cost
- FeaturesHot tub and fire pit, heated garden room, games room with pool table, dartboard and giant jenga
- PetsSorry, no pets
- Arrivals and departuresArrival Time: 4pmDeparture Time: 10am
- FamilyBabes-in-arms and children are very welcome. One travel cot and one highchair are available, and a stair gate can be provided. A maximum of four guests can be accommodated at the property, this includes babes-in-arms under 12 months. Outside there is a garden swing, slide, basketball hoop and children´s ride-on tractor available.
- PracticalitiesThere is parking for up to four cars on the private courtyard driveway to the front of the barn. The fully integrated, well-equipped country kitchen has a gas hob, electric oven and microwave. There is a washing machine and wall mounted clothes airer in the boiler room. If arriving by air, helicopters are welcome to land on the grounds.
- Homestay includesLuxury welcome hamper including beer and cider made with hops from the farm, garden swing, slide, basketball hoop, children´s ride-on tractor, bike shed and storage, Smart TV, DVD player, WiFi internet, Weber charcoal barbecue, linen, towels, logs and kindling to get you started.House book - your property and destination guideDiscover more
- Private cateringSeeking a celebratory dinner or fully catered escape? Our recommended caterers will work with you to create personalised menus for your stay. Details are shared through our house book on confirming your booking.
- RetreatsFrom surf lessons to dawn yoga and adrenalin-fuelled adventures, we work with the most inspirational of experts to ensure a truly tailored stay. On confirmation of booking, these details will be shared within your house book.
- Eco-friendlySolar panel powered with a private water supply
- RestrictionsA maximum of four guests can be accommodated at the property, this includes babes-in-arms under 12 months
- Other informationProperty terms and conditionsFrequently asked questions
Prices & Availability
Ledbury
Named after the River Leadon which flows through Herefordshire, Ledbury is nestled at the foot of the Malvern Hills. Ledbury’s thriving atmosphere and quintessential English market town appeal makes it a welcoming self-catering holiday destination for families and couples wanting to explore the great outdoors.
Getting there
- On the Map This luxury self-catering property is located on the outskirts of Bosbury, a small village four miles from the market town of Ledbury in the rural county of Herefordshire, not far from the Cotswolds.
- By Car Approximately two and a half hours from London, one and a half hours from Bristol and one hour from Birmingham.
- By Train Ledbury train station has regular trains to London (three and a half hour journey time).
- By Air Birmingham Airport is the closest in under one and a half hours. Bristol airport is approximately one and a half to two hours from the property and has regular international and domestic flights. Helicopters are welcome to land on the grounds of The Hop Store.
From the owner
“Escape to the country and discover the delights of rural Herefordshire. People say the pace of life is slower here, even though there is so much to see and do. We feel very privileged to be the custodians of this small family farm and love sharing it with our guests.”
The farm has been in the Andrews family for three generations, the farmhouse dating back to 1604. The Hop Store was part of a set of model farm buildings built around 1900 and very modern for its day.
My husband returned home to take over the running of the farm in 2004, and in 2005 the redundant Hop Store (previously the corn mill) was lovingly restored. You wouldn’t believe the transformation, looking at the before and after pictures!
Additions have been made over the last six years, including the conversion of the garden room, formerly the hop picking accommodation for Mrs Stevens who came to the farm each harvest.
The Andrews family
Owner recommendations
Live like a local, discovering the best hidden gem restaurants, walks and attractions during your holiday in Ledbury with an insider’s perspective.
To See
Eastnor Castle
Nearby Eastnor Castle is a historic house filled with medieval armour and fine art. In the beautiful grounds you will find an arboretum, lake, knight’s maze and adventure playground... not to mention the ice cream parlour.
To Do
The Malvern Hills
The Malvern Hills have been described as a mountain range in miniature and contain some of the oldest rocks in Britain. Enjoy over 3,000 acres of countryside climbing to the highest point at the beautiful Worcestershire Beacon.
To Do
Local Cider Producers
Herefordshire is well known for its cider apple orchards with two local producers in Ledbury itself. Westons Cider is a popular local tipple; head over to learn about their work and pick up some ciders to enjoy in the garden back at home.
To Eat
The Oak Inn, Ledbury
A lovely, traditional country inn with flagstone floors and oak beams, offering a warm welcome. The Oak is a popular free house offering excellent rustic dining in a delightfully relaxed setting.
Guest Testimonials
Read reviews on TrustPilot and Google
The Hop Store truly exceeded our expectations! Also I think it’s important to mention that the pictures on the website are a true reflection of the property! Exactly the same. Also, we were allowed to walk through the hops and endless acres of apple trees. Poppy the owner’s dog was always by our side. I have never slept so well in my life like I did at the cottage. We will definitely go back and thank you Unique Homestays for the unforgettable experience!
This place is amazing. We stayed with two children and they loved the hot tub and the donkeys! The hosts have thought of everything. One of the best breaks we’ve ever had.
We have been fortunate enough to stay at The Hop Store for a week a year over the last 5 years, staying in the summer enjoying barbeques and in the winter enjoying fires. It’s a real home from home with a true feeling of luxury on a working farm. We felt fully emerged in the processes, walking the farm dog Poppy through the hops, spending time with the donkeys, and even apple picking! Our twins have grown up visiting the farm since they were 6, now at 11 they are already planning the next visit.
The Hop Store was so lovely, spacious, and the attention to detail in the property was clear- a lot of thought and energy has gone into making this a really special place to be.
This was a fantastic property. It is obvious that the host went to great lengths to ensure that we would feel special. The beautiful welcome hamper contained many local foods. There were brilliant touches throughout, which honestly made it feel like someone´s home or a fancy hotel, and not just a holiday rental. One of the best that we´ve stayed in. I would highly recommend this and would book it again in a heartbeat. It´s a truly special property and is very much loved and well cared for.
We really loved the property and its location. The owners on site were so friendly and helpful and the property was so cosy and well-equipped. We particularly liked our donkey companions in the field next door.
What an absolutely amazing stay we have had at The Hop Store we could not have asked for anything more. The property is in an idyllic location with nothing but relaxation around. The owners made us feel truly welcome and they were all so friendly and let us roam the property no questions asked. The cleanliness of the property was genuinely immaculate, we could not fault anything it was warm welcoming, and truly beautiful in its decor. We also loved Katie´s artwork and had to purchase her latest print "Amy" her cow from another farm.
It is the owners that make this property something special, we can see changes for the better over the last 4 visits, and they love providing you with a home from home. Hosts with a heart, that´s what makes this place what it is.
We loved playing pool and darts in the games barn and were very pleasantly surprised by the decor in the barn. We loved the summerhouse too and the fact that the house has upside-down living. The beds and sofas are very comfy, it´s beautifully decorated (including Christmas decorations) and we were greeted with a lovely welcome hamper. Thank you.
We loved everything about this place - all the little details made it so comfortable. We spent a week here, and it felt like home in so many ways. The summer house is such a nice place to spend the evening, and the games room is an added bonus. The beds are amazingly comfortable, and the kitchen had loads of items for cooking. The welcome hamper was also very much appreciated!
What a fantastic property. The Hop Store is a luxurious, cosy, and truly idyllic place. I genuinely believe it is perfect in every way, from the high-quality furnishings to the cosy and warm interiors, as well as such thoughtful owners!
This is a wonderful property which offers a great insight into a working hop farm and apple farm. Even though close to the action of the farm, the property is so quiet and private. It is also exceptionally clean and every little thing you could possibly need on holiday has been thought about. The owners of the property are so friendly and helpful yet very respectful of privacy if you want it.
The Hop Store always exceeds our expectations. It was so very good and Lesley the owner was very helpful as always. We have stayed here before and we will certainly return again.
The property owners were wonderfully friendly and helpful without being obtrusive. They are a real asset to the property. The welcome basket was terrific a great selection of delicious local produce.
The standards at The Hop Store is outstanding. It´s a home away from home. The cottage is cosy, well decorated and has lots of wonderful details, including a very generous welcome pack. The owner, Lesley, was really friendly and helpful. Our daughters loved the sheep and the donkeys, Herby and Teddy. We enjoyed every bit of our stay there!
What can I say, the property was stunning both inside and out. The attention to detail was second to none, from the beautiful flowers to the delicious hamper. We all felt very relaxed and comfortable during our stay. There is plenty to do in the area, lovely walks up on the Malvern hills to a bit of retail therapy in Ledbury. All in all a perfect weekend, 10/10. Booking a property through Unique Homestays is just that - unique! Your website is easy to use and full of relevant information, it makes choosing a place to stay a painless and pleasurable experience
We have had a fabulous holiday. We loved the barn and everything Herefordshire has to offer. We can´t wait to return, thank you!
What a beautiful cottage! We have had a really relaxing time here. The cottage and small details were wonderful, we could not fault it at all. Lesley was very helpful. We also loved the donkeys. Thank you for a lovely time. Beautiful place!
What a beautiful cottage. We loved every bit of our stay. Our daughter loved the idea of being near a farm and we loved seeing all the animals. Our son cannot stop humming ´Old MacDonald has a farm´!
What a fabulous stay we had in this beautiful cottage. I loved all the thoughtful touches, the flowers, biscuits and hamper! Our daughter thought the donkeys were wonderful and went on several trips to see them.
Thank you once again for the lovely welcome hamper, delicious shortbread and other goodies! We have had a great week, the weather was marvellous. The farm looked lovely at this time of the year.
We would both like to commend the owners of The Hop Store - they have a beautiful property and are extremely welcoming and approachable. We had a lovely stay and would definitely recommend their home.
Wonderful property, wonderful hosts. We loved staying at The Hop Store!
There was nothing more that we could have wished for and we felt right at home in The Hop Store. Thank you for the warm welcome with eggs, milk, self made cookies, flowers etc. It could not have been better, with very nice interiors, a comfortable bed and extremely quiet, The Hop Store has definitely been made with love. It was a great area to be in and the money we paid was worth every penny.
We´ve enjoyed another perfect holiday here with two weeks of bliss. We had great scones and clotted cream to greet us and are treated as friends of the family now!
The Hop Store is a wonderful place to stay in a good cycling area, we can recommend The Three Choirs Vineyard tour. Thanks Lesley and Mark, we will hopefully return.
Unique extras
From private chefs to luxury at-home spa therapists and adrenalin-fuelled retreats, once you’ve booked your stay our house book will introduce you to our owner-recommended suppliers to create a truly bespoke, memorable escape.
Press
Below are a selection of features in which Unique Homestays has appeared. If you would like to feature the property in an editorial capacity, please contact the marketing team on +44 (0)1637 882014.
complete an image bank request
The UK´s most relaxing riverside stays
The Times
October 2024At one with nature
25 Beautiful Homes
September 2024Healing waters
Condé Nast Traveller
September 202425 of the UK´s best lakeside stays
The Times
September 2024Highland fling
25 Beautiful Homes
September 202429 of the best beach retreats in the UK
The Times
September 2024The best last-minute breaks for summer
The Telegraph
August 2024The best Cornwall beaches to visit this summer
Condé Nast Traveller
August 2024
Luxury accommodation near Cheltenham Festival > UK > Herefordshire > Ledbury > The Hop Store
Related Collections
Disclaimer: These particulars, whilst believed to be accurate, are set as a guideline so should not be relied upon as a statement of fact. The photographs show aspects of the property at the time they were taken and it should not be assumed that the property remains precisely as displayed. If there are points of particular importance that need clarifying before you book, please contact us.
