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Lower Bache House
THE HOME OF ROSE AND LESLIE WILES
Kimbolton, Nr Leominster, Herefordshire, HR6 0ERTelephone: 01568 750304
Good Housekeeping - Top 20 British Bed and Breakfasts
Les Routiers: Best Bed and Breakfast in Central England
Johansens - Best Value for Money
Herefordshire Nature Trust - Gold Award
Herefordshire Nature Trust - Green Business Award
WELCOME! WHERE WE ARE Just four miles from the historic town of Leominster lies Lower Bache House, nestling in fourteen acres of a tiny, tranquil, unspoiled Herefordshire valley. Rose and Leslie Wiles have lovingly restored this once derelict, substantial, seventeenth century stone farmhouse as closely as possible to its original condition. Whilst retaining its wealth of oak beams and many interesting historical features, at the same time it incorporates all the comforts of modern living.  |
| WHERE YOU STAY The old granary of the house has been converted into an annexe of two delightful bed and breakfast suites, each with its own bath or shower room and private sitting room. Eighteenth and Nineteenth century maps, prints and original watercolours add the finishing touch to these charming rooms, individually furnished with period pine furniture. Low beamed ceilings and half-timbered walls instil an aura of warmth and cosiness. All are handsomely appointed with all the expected facilities of a modern household and additionally, a small library.  Just across the courtyard is a ground level single storey suite, converted from the old stables - ideal for those with limited mobility - which incorporates all the comforts and character of those in the house. |
| WINE AND DINE Our unique dining room was once the stone built cider-making barn and features the original cider mill, once turned by horses to crush the apples ready for pressing. The magnificent flagstone floor and vaulted ceiling complete the atmosphere of comfort and charm. Here we serve meals to our guests. Leading off the dining room is the terrace with its panoramic views of the valley where breakfast and dinner may be served on those days when summer smiles on us.  Dinner at Lower Bache is an event. Our acclaimed cuisine, which incorporates a number of original dishes, is a gourmet's delight and is created as far as possible from home and locally grown organic produce and meat . It is a set meal of two or three courses followed by coffee and home-made petit fours, and is complemented by a fine organic wine list, at sensible prices, carefully selected by us. We are able to meet all dietary requirements and we are delighted to cater for vegetarians and those with other specific needs. Our breakfasts, too, are exceptional. From a light continental breakfast of home-baked bread and croissant, home-made marmalade, jams and honey, to a repast chosen from a truly varied menu which includes smoked haddock from our own smokehouse and locally produced sausages, bacon and our own free range eggs. Try floddies, beid be tom, bacon fraise or jolly boys from the speciality section of the menu. |
| Double room per person per night | £39.50 |
| Single room per night | £49.50 |
| Dinner per person - three courses | £24.50 |
| Supper per person - two courses | £19.50 |
| Coffee and home-made petit fours | £2.00 |
| Decaffinated coffee and petit fours | £2.50 |
| A deposit of £20 per person is required for all bookings. All reservations will be considered provisional until the appropriate deposit is received. Deposits, which are non-returnable, must be received within seven days of the reservation being accepted. Cheques should be made out to R. Wiles. WE REGRET THAT WE ARE UNABLE TO ACCEPT CREDIT OR SWITCH CARDS. We are pleased to accommodate children over 12 years. We regret that we cannot accommodate dogs or cats. We realise the difficulties this may create and can make available details of nearby kennels and catteries if you would like your pets close at hand. We normally expect guests to arrive after 4.00pm and depart by 11.00am. Variations from these times can be discussed to meet special circumstances. |
| DINNER & SUPPER Evening meals, which are by arrangement, are set meals selected from our renowned wide ranging cusine. We are very happy to discuss your special dietary requirements. All our meat is organic/free range. Fruit and vegetables are, wherever possible, home grown or local organic. WE ARE A NON-SMOKING ESTABLISHMENT |
| THINGS TO DO Bache, an old English word meaning 'valley of the rivulet' poetically captures the tranquil setting of our home. The surrounding countryside is ideally situated for walking cycling and riding, and there are also many, many, places of interest well worth visiting. Ancient towns, beautiful Saxon and Norman churches, villages that have scarcely changed since mediaeval times, historic houses and castles are all within a short distance. Visit too, the Ironbridge Gorge Museum for a fascinating exploration of the industrial revolution or ride a steam train on the Severn Valley Railway. At Hay-on-Wye the greatest collection of bookshops and old books in the world awaits you. Hereford Cathedral boasts the Mappa Mundi and a chained library with volumes from as early as the Eighth century. The National Trust properties of Berrington Hall, Croft Castle and Brockhampton Court are all close by.  TWO OF OUR MORE SENIOR GUESTS For those with sporting inclinations, there is golf, riding, racing at Hereford and Ludlow, trotting, river and lake fishing, clay pigeon shooting: Worcester cricket ground is a mere twenty-five miles away. For Rugby enthusiasts, Worcester and Hereford clubs are within easy reach. Our own local team, Luctonians R.F.C. (Midlands 1) provide first class entertainment and a warm welcome to all visitors.
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| GARDENS For those who take a delight in horticulture, Herefordshire has some wonderful gardens for all to enjoy. From the grand development by the Van Kampen family at Hampton Court to traditional cottage gardens, there is a wealth of beauty to experience. Specialists abound, and the national collections of rhododendrons and clematis are within easy reach. Specialists in herbs, ferns and unusual flowers are also close by. The fascinating four acre garden at Stocktonbury is a must. Our own gardens of around three quarters of an acre has been created from sloping sheep pasture and, using an organic system of husbandry, are constantly developing. If it pleases you, sit by the ponds and watch the dragonflies, walk our newly created woodland glade, or rest in the herb garden and inhale the aromas. Gardens are there to be enjoyed and we are happy to share ours with you. This year our newly created terraced kitchen garden will begin to provide fresh organic vegetables for your table.
NATURE AND WILDLIFE For the naturalist, Herefordshire is a county relatively undamaged by modern farming methods, the land being mainly grazed by sheep and cattle. A wealth of hedgerows and woodlands still remain. Consequently there is a richness of flora and fauna with particularly abundant bird life. Within our own fourteen acres, for the last twenty years our leys have been allowed to revert to traditional hay meadows. There has been a steady improvement in the quantity and diversity of wild flowers, and the number of species improves yearly. As an indicator, four species of orchid have re-established themselves. An on-going survey of the lepidoptera has produced to date, 26 species of butterflies and several hundred moths. Two species that have particularly benefited are the Meadow Brown and the Ringlet which can be seen in their thousands in July. Over seventy species of birds have been observed.
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| HEREFORDSHIRE The rolling hills and valleys of this very rural area of the Marches have truly been described as England's last unspoilt county. The majority of our population still derive their living from agriculture and related industries, and this is reflected in the unhurried pace of life and overall atmosphere of peace, so detached from the stress and bustle of urban conurbations. An historic land, that on the border with Wales has known more turbulent times, Herefordshire has a wealth of archaeological remains and architectural splendours that reflect our fascinating past. Rich in rivers and streams whose beauty are crowned by the magnificent Wye, this lovely county, revelling in such an abundance of natures beauty, and mans ancient craftsmanship, is truly 'the land that time forgot'. Why not share it with us? Rosie and Leslie Wiles |
| CUSTOMER ACCOLADES Once again we came under the spell of Lower Bache, and were charmed by its peace and quiet, its relaxing atmosphere, its rich biodiversity, and most of all by its artistic owners whose multiple skills give it uniqueness in our experience - and this time it was for a whole week! Brian and Veronica, Aberdeen Many thanks once again for a lovely weekend - we really enjoyed coming back to sample the peace and quiet of Lower Bache, to say nothing of the excellent food! I really appreciated the Wild Mushroom Soup and pray for a good harvest this year. Karen and Clive, Farnham We are extremely impressed with the fine attention to detail - the room was full of character and wonderfully appointed. And the meal was truly of the highest standard. We certainly felt that we received good value for money. We will be recommending Lower Bache House to our friends and family, for sure! Thanks again. Gina and Matthew, London. Thought you'd like to know that as a result of my enjoyable stay with you I saved my daughter from a culinary disaster when a meringue base came to grief. She took an Eton Mess to the christening party, and the panic was over: but I have to thank you for introducing me to it. Mary, Falmouth. I just wanted to say 'Thank you' for making my birthday weekend so enjoyable. I hope we didn't put you both to too much trouble. I had a lovely time and always enjoy visiting your beautiful home in its wonderful setting. I look forward to visiting you again - and best of luck with the blanket weed! Carol, Southampton. Just a short note to say how much we appreciated our stay with you. The food was outstanding and we couldn't believe how wonderfully tranquil it was. Felt so much better and able to cope with the world again. Hope to see you before too long. Sally and Mike, Nottingham. Many thanks for having us - we really enjoyed ourselves - and your hospitality. The food was excellent. [I loved the kippers!!] Must say a word about that piece of sirloin you got for me. I haven't tasted beef like that since goodness knows when. It has made me wonder why we cannot get beef like that in the North. I return the little book I borrowed and wish you all happiness and success - you deserve it. Barbara and Rex, Manchester. Thank you so much for a lovely weekend, I had a great time. Your home is spectacular and the company was superb! Sarah, Chertsey. We want to thank you for making our weeks holiday so restful and enjoyable. Your cooking is superb and we shall not hesitate to tell everyone! The suite of rooms was delightful and added to our pleasure. Once again many thanks. Arthur and Rosalind, Durham Just a note to let you know how much we enjoyed our stay with you. You made us feel very welcome. We loved your home and the food and wine was divine. I'm sold on organic wine now. We hope to come to stay with you when we are ploughing in the area again. Once again many thanks. Robert and Norma, Truro |
Copyright © 2006, Lower Bache House