Charlotte´s Folly
Weston-under-Lizard, Shropshire, UK
A Brothers Grimm hideaway that seems to sprout from the garden like a limewashed berry, Charlotte’s Folly is a luxury self-catering cottage nestled in 200 acres of Shropshire woodlands. Telling a sweet tale of craftmanship and nostalgia, this terracotta trinket is storybook architecture at its finest, a time-travelling family retreat that could have been lifted from folklore.
Introduction
Once upon a time in a land not far away, a life-sized gingerbread house built for lodging Earls welcomed those in a fairy-tale state of mind. With its vintage needlepoint aesthetic and higgle piggle of patterns, this is a luxury self-catering home with romantic bones and a cartoonish pastiche. Somehow, brass and botany mix seamlessly with gingham and theatrical chimneys. With all the hallmarks of a sweet shop from an old-world village, this Victorian abode is a fantastical place for families to have a British retreat as the grown-ups dine next to floral installations and children nod off in the candlelight. Better still, it's a dog-friendly cottage, meaning two four-legged friends can join in the fun.
Inside
Turn the key beneath the porch canopy and step into all the eccentricity of a real-life fable that's become a luxury getaway for six. Jellybean hues and antique curios lie in wait, as clawfoot tubs, velveteen headboards, and pea green beams assemble for your jollity. While some rise with the birds to whip up leaning stacks of chocolate chip pancakes in the pinstripe kitchen, others have long naps in Antoinette alcoves and gable rooms where sloping walls appear to creep with ivy. Later, all the family will loaf by the open fire on bouclé sofas, with diamond muntin windows flung open to catch first glimpse down the garden path should Little Red Riding Hood turn up for tea.
Outside
Appearing from the woods as if by magic, this luxury self-catering cottage is any Hollywood art director’s dream. Send the children out to ready the pair of vintage bicycles and play on the rope swing under ancient trees, set against a backdrop of scalloped roof shingles and sugar-cube corner quoins. Then, making the most of the Shropshire countryside, two on wheels and four on foot can go off to explore the White Stitch Woods trail and private lake. And, if yesterday morning's porridge was had indoors, slide on the slippers and take breakfast out to the garden; perching on ice cream parlour chairs, this is the perfect spot for buttered toast and coddled eggs with the dog at your feet.
The Facts
- SleepsUp to 6 guests
From £1,550 per week, £1,195 per short break - Alternative group optionUp to 4 guests
- Bedrooms and bathroomsThere are two double bedrooms with super king-sized beds, one of which has an en-suite with roll-top bath and overhead shower. There is one zip-and-link bedroom that can be made up as a twin or super king-sized room, and an additional family bathroom with a freestanding bath and overhead shower. There is a separate WC on the ground floor.
View bedrooms - FeaturesTwo vintage-style bicycles
- PetsTwo well-behaved dogs are welcome
Each pet is charged at £60 per week or part thereof - Arrivals and departuresArrival Time: 4pmDeparture Time: 10am
- FamilyChildren and babes-in-arms are welcome. One travel cot and one booster seat are available.
- PracticalitiesThere is ample parking for four cars on the private gravel drive. The kitchen has a double range electric oven, designer cutlery and crockery, a Nespresso machine, and a vintage 70/30 fridge freezer. In the utility, there is a stocked pantry with a washing machine, dishwasher, and kettle. Please note that the garden is not completely enclosed, so wandering children and dogs should not be left unattended. There is no helipad at the cottage, but guests may land on the estate if desired.
- Homestay includesWelcome hamper of local treats, marshmallows for the fire, logs and kindling to get you started, Smart TV, Bose speaker, Superfast WiFi internet, iPad, underfloor heating throughout, and two vintage-style bicycles.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.
- Other informationProperty terms and conditionsFrequently asked questions
Prices & Availability
Weston-under-Lizard
Travel past charming manors and cottage-lined lanes to Weston-under-Lizard, an ancient tree-speckled village so old that it appeared in the Domesday Book.
Getting there
- On the Map Located in the rural village of Weston-under-Lizard in south Staffordshire near the border with Shropshire.
- By Car From London, there is a journey time of just under three hours. Take the M1 toward Birmingham/Coventry, then the M6 Toll to Telford/M54 and follow the directions provided to the property.
- By Train You can take a train from London Euston to Stafford in around 1 hour 20 minutes. The property is 20 minutes away from Stafford by car.
- By Air Birmingham Airport is a 45-minute drive away, Manchester Airport is a 70-minute drive from the cottage.
From the owner
“The house has a fascinating history. We recently found the diaries of Lady Charlotte, the daughter of the second Earl of Bradford, who lived at Weston Park in the 1800s. In the diaries, she wrote a lot about riding down the carriageway and spending her days walking, painting, and ice-skating on the private lake.”
Sitting on the Bradford Estates, which has been owned by the family for over 900 years, Charlotte´s Folly was built in 1886 as a stopover from Weston Park, an opulent 17th-century stately home that was created for fishing, shooting, and ice skating in the Victorian era.
As we set upon the task of restoring Charlotte’s Folly, we focused on retaining the magic of the house; what remained was a whimsical fairy-tale cottage, where every room has its own wonders. We are deeply passionate about sustainability, so while we were restoring the home, we were also future-proofing it. All the original features were kept within the house, including the fireplaces, stonework, and original floors.
Each room bursts with its own unique feeling; our favourite has to be the blue room with its wonderful nook. You can close the curtains to the the bed and feel like you are in your own world for an afternoon. We encourage guests to roast marshmallows on the open fire, go for a walk to the private lake, or just have a candlelit dinner in the striped dining room.
Viscount and Viscountess Newport
Owner recommendations
Live like a local, discovering the best hidden gem restaurants, walks and attractions during your holiday in Weston-under-Lizard with an insider’s perspective.
To Eat
The Bear Inn, Hodnet
Pop to The Bear Inn, the owners´ favourite pub in the area, where the food is delicious and an attractive beer garden awaits for those sunny afternoons where only al fresco will do.
To Do
TDS Riding Centre, Tong Norton
Whether you are a beginner or no stranger to the saddle, the stables in Tong Norton have ponies and horses to suit all abilities, with indoor and outdoor arenas and a jumping paddock.
To See
Royal Ballet, Birmingham
The Birmingham Royal Ballet is counted among the world´s top three ballets. Get dressed up and step into another world at one of their exceptional Hippodrome performances.
To Do
Attingham Park, Shrewsbury
Should you want to explore beyond the walks of your own private estate, spend a day wandering Attingham Park, a Regency mansion within 200 acres of spectacular parkland and walled gardens.
Guest Testimonials
Read reviews on TrustPilot and Google
Thank you for a wonderful stay at Charlotte´s Folly. We stayed to celebrate my 30th birthday with my closest friends and family, and were absolutely blown away by how beautiful the house is and how wonderfully it is decorated. It felt very homely and special. The communication from the team was also amazing and it was reassuring to have someone on the end of the phone during our stay when we had queries.
Charlotte´s Folly was simply lovely. Home away from home vibes! All the details, interiors, and beds were high quality and aesthetically beautiful. We loved that there was a dog walk straight out the door. Unique Homestays are always so helpful in finding a property that suits all our needs, it´s great we can email you all the criteria and you´ll happily find us an amazing stay!
We loved our stay at Charlotte´s Folly over Christmas. The cottage itself is so beautifully done and everything was catered for. The walks on offer from the front door were also delightful. The owners were really responsive, helping to make us feel at home right away! Thank you for a magical stay!
This house is absolutely great! Its well styled, and also quiet and cosy. The surroundings are very nice including the walk to the lake. We recommend this house to anyone who appreciates a well styled house in a picturesque area.
What a beautiful charming cottage! The cleanliness was perfect as were all the provisions. The atmosphere was so homely and the beds incredibly comfortable which meant we were all reluctant to get up in the morning! The recommendation of the farm shop was excellent. The garden was beautiful, as was "Charlotte´s walk". I highly recommend staying here.
The loveliest stay at the most beautiful property. Charlotte´s Folly is like something out of a fairytale and it feels so special to have spent some time there. Everything was beautiful but also cosy and comfortable. Just a magical place!
The most amazing stay in this perfect pink cottage. Hosts were fab and extremely helpful, welcome hamper was full of so much goodness. Was a wonderful escape from real life for a weekend. Highly recommend!
Well, the only way of describing this stay, is that it was like something from a fairytale in every way. We adored the style, the colours, the design of the rooms - it was such a pleasure to be in the house we didn´t want to leave. But if you do, then there is also a walk you can do around the estate which leads you through avenues of trees, and around a gorgeous lake. I can´t recommend staying here enough, and we will definitely be coming back. Thank you for it all.
Charlotte´s folly is absolutely gorgeous, on a lovely estate, with pleasant walks. Great decor, very comfortable and exceeded our expectations. Thank you for a great stay.
Press
Below are a selection of features in which Charlotte´s Folly and 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
Homes from House & Garden you can rent for a holiday
House & Garden
September 2023Travel by design
Condé Nast Traveller
September 202325 wild and wonderful UK places to stay
The Times
September 2023Follying up the folly
Country Living
May 2023Reimagine your attic
House Beautiful (USA)
February 2023The rise of fabric wall coverings
Financial Times
January 2023Snow white
Country Homes & Interiors
December 2024The UK´s cosiest boltholes for Christmas
The Times
December 2024
Haute Hibernation > For Kin > UK > Shropshire > Weston-under-Lizard > Charlotte´s Folly
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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.
