February awakenings

While it has been bitterly cold in the Shropshire Hills over the last few weeks the frosty mornings and startlingly blue skies have made the walking a complete joy.

Should you be planning an early Spring break we have good availability at Bank House for B&B but perhaps have a look at our self catering property just over the Welsh border in the beautiful town on Montgomery. The Old Post Office sits on the corner of the Georgian market square and has proved a big hit with guests since it first opened in May 2021. There is a special offer running until the end of March 2023 - so if you are quick you could get a short break with a saving of £200.

The Old Post Office sleeps up to eight (two super king rooms and two twin rooms) and has two bathrooms and a fabulous open plan kitchen, sitting and dining area. (view of the kitchen island above). For more images of this unique and historical property take a look at our listing on Sawdays here.

It's a quiet weekend at Bank House which has provided a chance to get on with some (gentle) gardening jobs. The great joy of being in the garden in February are the small splashes of colour and the new growth peeking out of the ground - all saying spring is just around the corner. Some of my favourites just now are the snowdrops (of course) plus hellebores, cyclamen, winter jasmine and the bright splashes of yellow aconites.

Looking ahead to May don't forget to check out the walks available at the Bishop's Castle Walking Festival which runs from runs from Thursday 11th to Sunday 14th May 2023. There is a choice of four or five different walks with a range of grades from easy to strenuous so there should be something suitable for everyone. The shortest walk is 3.5 miles and the longest is 15 miles.

We have rooms available for B&B throughout the festival - you can check availability here. Or why not bring your walking group and take over Bank House. I'll be sure to send you out with some cake in your rucksack.

Looking forward to May - and fingers crossed for sunshine

The prospect of welcoming guests back to Bank House in May has really put a spring in my step. While of course there are downsides to running a B&B (mountains of laundry/ early mornings etc.) I’ve really missed having people to stay, the conversations and the baking – I can’t wait to get back to it all.

In common with others I’ve spent quite a lot of lockdown perfecting my sourdough baking. The plan (possibly ambitious) will be to provide perfect toast every morning. Whatever the outcome there will be no lack of Bank House marmalade –that was all sorted in January and I now have a stockpile worthy of Paddington.

But it’s not been all work, work, work and we’ve found time for a bit of local exploration. A recent adventure involved a short drive to Church Stretton to walk Caer Caradoc and the Lawley – a classic Shropshire route. It was a fabulous day with great views across the plain to Shrewsbury and to the Wrekin. Next week I’ll be venturing into Wales to visit the Dingle Nursery near Welshpool for some serious plant shopping – one of my favourite things.

I hope you like the new website and my new blog. I’m looking forward to providing a regular update on things coming up at Bank House and in Bishop’s Castle. If you would like to keep in touch please sign up for my newsletter here.