Brockencote Lodge

There's nothing better than finding the perfect countryside self-catering escape, surrounded by picturesque scenery. It's trickier to find somewhere with high-end cuisine and other facilities on hand, but that's exactly what you get when you stay at Brockencote Lodge, which is part of one of the most renowned country house estates in Worcestershire. Staying here, you get all the benefits of a self-catering break, combined with the considerable amenities of the Brockencote Hall Hotel, including 70 acres of bucolic grounds.

The two-storey lodge was formerly the estate's gatehouse. Today, it provides full self-catering facilities with three bedrooms, an open-plan kitchen and a living area, plus a terrace with lovely views of the grounds and gardens. Each spacious double bedroom has an en-suite, and one even boasts its own dressing room. The lodge is also dog-friendly and accessible, with level access to the ground level, and a ground-floor bedroom with an en-suite 'step-in' shower room. There's a fully-equipped kitchen, complete with a dishwasher, hob, double oven and microwave, good WiFi throughout, a digital TV, plus room and laundry service provided. It's worth noting that if you don't want to take the whole lodge, you can book rooms individually – choose from feature and suite categories.

Situated just outside Kidderminster, deep in the green and rolling Worcestershire countryside, the hotel itself is a Victorian manor house that was transformed in the 1980s. Lodge guests can enjoy the same facilities as those staying in regular rooms, including its award-winning three AA Rosette Chaddesley Restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus an ever-popular afternoon tea and Sunday lunch. Le Colonial bar offers ‘relaxed dining’, with a menu featuring sandwiches, light bites and gourmet burgers. They can even deliver a breakfast hamper to your lodge.

The hotel's grounds are there for you to explore, offering various activities from boating on the lake to tennis or croquet. You're also within easy reach of the beautiful countryside – the Malvern Hills, Shropshire and the Welsh Borders are a short drive away, and there are numerous historic villages and walking and cycling trails to explore right on the doorstep.