Garden Cottage, Whitton Hall, Shrewsbury

Westbury, Shropshire, England

The BBC filmed Martin Chuzzlewit here, which tells you a lot about the ‘wow' factor of Whitton Hall: an early 18th-century country pile set in glorious, rolling countryside where any self-respecting child would give his or her milk teeth to grow up. The warm brick of Garden Cottage is reflected in the pretty little lake beside the Hall - it's an entirely unpretentious place with a lived-in feel. Come with a couple of chums or a clutch of kids - for a short break or longer - without worrying about someone knocking over a Ming vase or spoiling a priceless piece of Chippendale with their muddy wellies. Nothing fragile or too precious here: a beamy sitting room has solid Edwardian furniture with a cheery open fire and a clubby feel. The lino-floored kitchen is simple; bedrooms a hot-potch of furniture. Stroll through the woods, laze by the lake, borrow a bike from the friendly Hallidays or sit with your dogs and children in the the sunny, walled garden or by the pool. The more energetic can strike out with a map and a sandwich into the glorious hill country all around.