Temple House

A half-mile drive meanders through sheep-grazed parkland towards this Georgian mansion, on a vast estate including ancient woods and a ruined Knights Templar castle overlooking a lake. Within, discover all the trappings of a ‘lived-in’ ancestral home – portraits, antiques, family memorabilia. There have been Percevals here since 1665; present incumbents Roderick and Helena Perceval welcome guests with ‘a warm handshake’. A ‘sweeping’ staircase leads to bedrooms of a positively stately size; all have a dressing table, large wardrobe, easy chairs, ‘lots of prints of country scenes’. Beds are turned down while guests gather for drinks in the mirrored drawing room. Hobnob with fellow visitors at a large mahogany table while eating off ‘a traditional dinner service with old silver’; no-choice, ‘quality country -house dinners’ (dislikes are discussed at booking) might include home-grown vegetables and ‘generous portions’ of lamb as local as it gets. Breakfast brings ‘delicious’ stewed fruits, ‘excellent’ black and white pudding, home-made marmalade. Set off for a stomp around the estate; on wet days, waterproofs and wellingtons are available to borrow.