Submitted by: Clive Wilson

With the current downturn in the UK economy many people still have the desire to escape to the tranquil delights of the countryside. However, with the recent dramatic rise in household expenses, most people are cutting back. Instead of opting for the country house hotel they are, at last, discovering the joys and sometimes quirkiness of the much more affordable, individually run, rural bed and breakfast. In particular, a new breed of Bed and Breakfast is starting to make an impact on the market – Self-contained Bed and Breakfast accommodation aimed specifically at the more discriminating customer. Forget the image of sharing someone s dowdy house and creeping across a stranger s landing in the middle of the night. This new self-contained Bed and Breakfast offers boutique style, stand-alone accommodation with it s own entrance and often it s own garden, but without the hassle of self-catering,

A good example of this new B & B is that of one recently opened at Lower Frankton near Oswestry/Ellesmere Shropshire. The couple, she with a background in catering and he an artist/sculptor, have converted their old shippon (cow barn) into two self-contained bed and breakfast rooms with en-suite facilities, each with their own entrance and outside seating area. Unlike most peoples vision of bed and breakfasts, there are no floral prints and chintz. These rooms are sleek, modern and easily compete with the hotels on quality. There are all the usual little touches such as luxurious beds, in-room selection of teas, coffee, complimentary mineral water, central heating on demand, complimentary toiletries, but also offers that bit extra with the LCD TV having a built-in DVD/CD player and free WiFi access. The walls are covered with original modern artworks provided by some of the best contemporary artists in the region with the displays constantly changing..

Most rural self-contained bed and breakfast accommodation is mainly comprised of converted farm buildings consequently they tend to be set within sizeable grounds or gardens. This self-contained bed and breakfast is no different. It is set in 3 acres of tranquil gardens and new woodland, which is more grounds than you will find surrounding many country hotels. The gardens are stunning, full of nooks and crannies with many hidden areas and secret paths. Within this beautiful setting are the owner s sculptures. The garden is his gallery and as pieces are sold, they are replaced by something new. You can even buy the pictures off the walls. Artworks in the bedrooms and breakfast room are all available for sale so if you like a picture in your room, you can take it home with you

Another feature of this type of B & B is the breakfast. Unlike a hotel, breakfast is cooked fresh and to order, not 2 hours before you come down to eat. At Lower Frankton, breakfast is served in the Breakfast Room which is accessed from the garden. Only the best fresh, local produce is used. A lot of attention is paid to sourcing only the very finest food. Eggs are free-range and come from a neighbour’s chickens,. breakfast sausages are hand-made by a small local butcher as is black pudding. The dry-cured bacon is sourced from rare breed pigs within 3 miles of Lower Frankton and when in season, mushrooms are fresh picked from the fields. Even the honey is Shropshire honey and jams and preserves are all homemade.

Affordable alternative to a country house hotel? This new type of Self-Contained Bed and Breakfast offers the room quality of a hotel, a far superior breakfast than a hotel, but at around half the price, in these times of belt-tightening, this has to be the preferred option.

About the Author: Clive Wilson was an entrepreneur. He is now retired and a full time artist/sculptor and recently, with his wife, converted their old Shippon (ancient brick cow barn) into beautiful self-contained bed and breakfast accommodation.

yewtreebandb.co.uk

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