The Old Vicarage is at the heart of the pretty village of Lydbury North in the South West Shropshire Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is a friendly village with a small community shop, run by volunteers, for your essentials and more. There is also an excellent local pub. We can offer leisurely village strolls, including privileged access to the Walcot estate with its beautiful lakes and trees. The Willows is a large apartment and can sleep two people in absolute comfort. It has double glazing and full central heating. There is a spacious double bedroom with ensuite shower room with a powerful shower and plenty of hot running water. This bedroom can also be made up with two very comfortable twin beds. We are more than happy for you to bring a child/children along with your travel cot, and/or 'put me up'. The shower room can only be accessed from the main bedroom but there is a separate bathroom housing a toilet and basin in the entrance hall which can easily be accessed from the rest of the property. The kitchen is fully equipped with oven, induction hob, microwave, fridge/freezer, sink, toaster and kettle. There is also a dishwasher and a combined washer/drier. A welcome tray awaits you here! The spacious and comfortable sitting room has a Freeview flat screen television and free WiFi. There is also a dining area with plenty of room for six round the solid wooden table. There is a very comfortable and spacious sun room for you to enjoy, perfect for relaxing in of an evening. Outside is a small patio with pleasant views to the front garden and the village beyond. There is a large garden behind the main house which guests are welcome to use. There is ample room for BBQs and picnics. There is spacious car parking outside and if needed, bicycles can be housed in the garage. The Willows is absolute luxury for two but also very comfortable for a small family group.

A little about your hosts Duncan and Rita....Duncan's first career was in the Royal Navy where he specialised as a submarine navigator. It was here that he met Rita, as her father was commander of the submarine base at HMS Dolphin in Gosport. They then had 9 years in the Diplomatic Service working in London, Kenya and the Yemen Arab Republic. It was there that Duncan learned Arabic and became interested in language teaching which had been Rita’s specialisation since university. They moved to Lydbury North in 1985 and have been running a small residential language centre since then. Mostly they have been training business and professional students in English as an international language. With the changes in the world market for English language training and their wish for a change of professional emphasis, they are now able to start letting out their very comfortable and well-equipped accommodation to people eager to enjoy everything that this beautiful and historic part of the country has to offer. They live in the main house on the site and are always available to help and assist if required.

Our location is perfect for enjoying the great outdoors – whether you love walking, hiking, mountain biking, birdwatching, photography or soaking up the atmosphere at our local festivals. GETTING AROUND Private transport is essential for getting around the area. We can arrange transport, at cost, from Craven Arms station. There is no bus service in the village of Lydbury North but there is a limited bus service in Bishop's castle, 5 kms away, which connects with train, bus and coach services in Shrewsbury. In the lovely town of Bishop's Castle you will find a garage, two small supermarkets, a chemist and a wide selection of independent shops! It is also home to the ‘Three Tun’s Brewery’, the UK’s oldest licensed brewery, dating back to 1642! There are several more small, friendly, attractive country towns in the area as well as many National Trust and English Heritage properties. For hikers we are very well placed to entice you to put on your boots and visit Offa’s Dyke, the hill fort at Bury Ditches, Carding Mill Valley and the Long Mynd A few local towns for you to visit are: Ludlow, famous for its beautiful buildings and vibrant food scene is only 25 minutes away. Church Stretton, also known as 'Little Switzerland' thanks to its dramatic landscapes and scenic walking trails, is just 20 minutes' drive away. Clun, visit the 11th century Castle ruins, a great place to picnic, just 15 minutes away. Knighton is just short of half an hour away, it is set in the Welsh Marches and is home to the Offa’s Dyke Centre.