A half-mile avenue meanders through parkland to Roderick and Helena Perceval’s classical mansion overlooking the ivy-clad ruins of a Knights Templar castle on a lake. There have been Percevals here since 1665, though the present house dates from 1825 and was remodelled in 1862. From the main foyer, a ‘wide-sweeping staircase’ leads to bedrooms sporting antiques and paintings. Twins Room has two of everything, including matching half-tester beds, a ‘large, modern bathroom with excellent water pressure in the shower’. Porch has parkland views, a half-tester bed, a 14-foot wardrobe. The drawing room has ‘lots of easy chairs, family photos, books and guides’. In the dining room, where a portrait of Roderick’s great-great-great-grandfather hangs above the fireplace, guests sit down at a mahogany table to a dinner cooked by new chef Dave Mullan. His locally sourced dishes might include asparagus velouté, smoked salmon tartare, braised Temple House lamb. Breakfast brings a full Irish with sausages, bacon, ‘excellent black and white pudding’, setting outdoor types up for a day’s coarse fishing on the lake.