Bollingham House, Eardisley (Hereford)

Summary

18th century buildings
Breakfast included
Free car parking
No smoking

Facilities

Free broadband access
Gardens

Drinking and dining

Continental breakfast (included)
English breakfast (included)
Lunch available (at additional cost)
Dinner available (at additional cost)

Nearby recreations

Recommended walks
Pub (a short drive)
Museums (a short drive)
Historic houses
Gardens
Golf course (a short drive)
Tennis courts (a short drive)
Recommended restaurants (a short drive)

Introduction

Bollingham House is a jewel of a Georgian house overlooking the Wye Valley with commanding views of the Black Mountains and the Malvern Hills. It is surrounded by formal gardens and terraced lawns which overlook this magnficient view. A large comfortable country house with spacious bedrooms and private bathrooms. The gracious rooms are elegantly furnished with fine family paintings, silk curtains and polished floors covered in antique rugs. Despite its elegance Bollingham House is still very much a family home.

History to the present day

Bollingham House is known as a 'Gentleman's Residence' and built at the beginning of the 18th century. However its origins go back a further two centuries and most recently a 16th century wall has been discovered in the drawing room.

There has been a property on this site since the Domesday Book of 1066 where a settlement was recorded at 'Buraradesture' - this name altering over the years to Bollingham. Beside the house is an ancient black and white barn built during the 14th century and the historic chapel of St. Silas. There has been a church on this site since the 11th century.

Bollingham House has been continually lived in since the 1700s. The present owners have bought the house up to a high level of modern standards without losing any of its charm and historic appeal.

Dining and drinking

Dining at Bollingham House is an experience. The dining room will be lit by candlelight and warmed by a wood burning stove in winter. Delicious meals are produced by Stephanie on her beloved Aga. Locally grown vegetables and meats are sourced from the nearby town of Kington which also boasts a fishmonger, two butchers and an excellent delicatessen.

Two or three course dinners are offered but must be ordered in advance (Stephanie will be in touch once you have booked your room through this website).

Breakfast is taken in the dining room overlooking the chapel. Breakfast can be of your own choosing - traditional English breakfast or continental.

Grounds and gardens

The gardens of Bollingham House were in a very neglected state when John and Stephanie Grant arrived here in the 1990s. After much clearing and sorting out of endless plants and beds, the garden started to take shape. Now it is a series of 'rooms within rooms' starting with the terraced lawns which drop down to a natural pond and a beautiful sweet chestnut tree. The old derelict walled garden has been transformed. A perfumed rose walk leads you to the three parterres which overlook the Wye valley. The parterres are surrounded by box hedging, rills, weeping rose trees and a 'pool of silence' with a fireman's jet fountain. There is an orchard of apples, plums and pears and a huge asparagus bed - delicious in May.

The remainder of the 4 1/2 acre garden is made up of natural pools, a bog garden with one of the largest gunneras in Herefordshire and a willow plantation. Finally there is a delightfol wild flower meadow with meandering paths round 'lollipop' trees of Hornbeam. All quite a delight.

Other facilities

There is plenty of secure parking at Bollingham House.

Arrival information and how to find us

Address: Bollingham House, Eardisley, Hertfordshire HR5 3LE

Check In: 4.00pm Check Out: 10.00am

Earlier arrivals can be accommodated with prior notice.

Directions: From A438 Hereford to Brecon road, after approx. 11 miles, A438 turns left, you continue along A4111 through the village of Eardisley.. 2 miles up hill on left, behind long line of conifer trees. House name on entrance to driveway.

London Airport: 3hrs Birmingham: 1.5hrs Cardiff: 2hrs.

More photos of Bollingham House, Eardisley

Natural Duck Pond

A Winter Scene

Rose Garden

The View

a bedroom