How it all began
Our journey truly began last year when we decided to open up the front of our home to provide accommodation and walking holidays. The idea for the walking holidays was born out of our own walking holiday in Portugal where my husband and I enjoyed the freedom of being able to use modern technology staying in beautiful places and being able to follow mapped routes by a navigation app using GPX files. Living in such an extraordinary location as here with so many wonderful walking trails at our front door, we felt we wanted to facilitate others to be able to come to enjoy all the area has to offer.
We quickly realised that our location, directly on the Mortimer Trail and right beside the picturesque Mortimer Forest, gives guests a unique opportunity to step out of the door and straight into nature. And with the beautiful market town of Ludlow within walking distance, guests have the perfect combination of wild landscapes, local heritage, and outstanding food culture right on their doorstep.
A farm-to-fork ethos
The Lodge itself sits on our working farm, which my husband and I run together. This connection to the land is central to everything we do. It means we can offer something truly special to our guests: food that is as local and sustainable as it gets. Our menus are shaped entirely by the seasons, with much of the produce coming directly from our own farm and large vegetable garden.
When guests dine with us, they enjoy wholesome, home-cooked dishes that celebrate simple, honest ingredients. It’s food with integrity—roast beef from our own herd, raspberry ice cream made with fruit from the garden’s fruit cage, vegetables dug fresh that very day. We take great pride in ensuring our food is unfussy yet delicious, reflecting the natural rhythm of the seasons.
Enhancing the walking experience
Our passion for walking and connection to nature is another defining feature of The Lodge experience. We were fortunate enough to collaborate with a mapping professor from Worcester College, who was in the early stages of establishing his own mapping business. His expertise has been invaluable together, we created a series of beautifully designed walking sheets tailored specifically to our guests, each route showcasing the very best of the local countryside.
To make these experiences even more accessible, each route also comes with a GPX file that guests can download to their phones. I personally took great joy in researching and writing the accompanying “walkers’ notes” for each route, adding insights about local landmarks, wildlife, and points of interest along the way. This combination of expertly mapped trails and personalised notes has helped us to offer guests something beyond just a place to stay—it’s an invitation to truly immerse themselves in the landscape.
Sustainability at the heart of every decision
From day one, sustainability has been a guiding principle in every aspect of the business. I have done a postgraduate certificate in Environmental Management with Open University and so wanted to make sustainability central to the business. We have made biodiversity a priority by dedicating parts of our farm specifically to habitat creation and ecological management. This means areas of the farm are managed not just for production, but for the benefit of pollinators, birds, and other wildlife.
When it comes to running The Lodge itself, every decision we make is filtered through a sustainability lens. Whether it’s choosing suppliers, sourcing energy, or selecting bath products, we have committed to making choices that minimise environmental impact. We favour local, independent suppliers wherever possible, reduce packaging, and opt for products that are ethically produced and environmentally friendly.
Well-being at the heart of every stay
Whilst walking is central to every visit, we are also like to offer guests other well-being opportunities such as yoga. Guests can also immerse themselves in a truly unique piece of history: the 18th-century cold bath, fed completely by a woodland spring and believed to be the only fully intact example of its kind from the Picturesque movement. Once a fashionable ritual of health and reflection, it offers guests today a striking, elemental connection to the past—and an invigorating end to the day.
Overcoming the challenges of heritage and access
Of course, no journey is without its challenges. The Lodge is a Grade II* listed building, which means there are strict criteria we must meet when it comes to modifications. This has made certain sustainability and accessibility improvements more complex, but we are extremely grateful for the advice and support we have received from Green Tourism, who provided invaluable guidance on making our property as accessible and environmentally responsible as possible within the limitations of its historic status. It’s a delicate balance, preserving the heritage and character of the building while making practical and sustainable upgrades—but one we are proud to have embraced.
Recognition for our efforts
Our commitment to sustainability is central to the business we have created. We are therefore incredibly proud and delighted to have received the prestigious GOLD award from Green Tourism.
The South Shropshire and North Herefordshire countryside is a hidden gem, and we are thrilled to be able to share it with like-minded guests who value sustainability, great food, and the joy of slow travel. Whether you come for the walking, the food, or simply the peace and beauty of the surroundings, we promise your stay will have a positive impact—not just for you, but for the place we are proud to call home.
