Christian Holiday Cottage, Shropshire – Charming Retreat, 4 Cottages

Christian Holiday Cottage, Shropshire — In the Heart of Corvedale

This Christian holiday cottage, Shropshire, complex takes its four names from the real villages and hamlets scattered around it in Corvedale: Pinstones, Corfton, Diddlebury and Munslow all lie within a few minutes of Goosefoot Barn. Diddlebury’s own parish church, already mentioned above for its Sunday services, is one of only four churches in the whole of Shropshire with substantial surviving Anglo-Saxon fabric. St Peter’s dates from around 1010, and its north wall is built in an unusual double technique — dressed square stone facing the outside, herringbone masonry lining the inside — that has puzzled architectural historians for years. The “times vary” mentioned above simply reflects a small rural parish’s rota: Holy Communion on some Sundays, Evening Prayer or a Family Service on others, all still held in a building that has been welcoming worshippers for well over a thousand years.

A few miles further on, the market town of Much Wenlock — mentioned above among South Shropshire’s characterful towns — grew up around one of the most significant Christian sites in the whole of the West Midlands. Wenlock Priory was founded around AD 680 by Merewalh, sub-king of the Magonsæte, for his daughter Milburga, who became its abbess and, after her death in 715, one of Shropshire’s own saints; medieval writers credited her with the miracle of banishing a flock of geese that had been destroying the abbey’s corn, and she’s traditionally pictured in art surrounded by them — a charming, if surely coincidental, echo of the geese that presumably once gave Goosefoot Barn its name. Refounded as one of England’s first Cluniac priories in the 1080s after St Milburga’s relics were rediscovered in 1101, the priory became a major medieval pilgrimage site, and its ruins, along with St Milburga’s holy well in the town, are still open to visit today.

Craven Arms itself, already mentioned above for its supermarket and takeaways, sits beside one of the finest survivals of medieval England: Stokesay Castle, a fortified manor house built in the 1280s by Laurence of Ludlow, then one of the richest wool merchants in the country. It’s usually reckoned the best-preserved fortified manor house of its age in England, complete with its own small parish church, the Church of St John the Baptist, standing right beside the timber-framed gatehouse — one more example, alongside Diddlebury and Wenlock, of how much history sits within a few minutes of Goosefoot Barn.

Between the Saxon stonework at Diddlebury and the priory ruins at Much Wenlock, this stretch of the Shropshire Hills — officially designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty — carries a longer Christian history than its quiet lanes and sheep fields might suggest. Goosefoot Barn itself sits at the end of a mile-long track in the middle of it all, four separate cottages built for exactly the kind of unhurried, self-catering rest its own name promises. Guests based here have Ludlow Castle, Bishops Castle, Clun and Church Stretton all within easy reach too, alongside the wilder high ground of the Long Mynd and Stiperstones — a genuinely deep well of history and landscape to draw on for however long a stay lasts.

Rest Given Retreats is perfect for:

Families or groups needing several cottages together, from Munslow’s cottage for two to Pinstones’ cottage for four or more
Guests with limited mobility, thanks to Munslow Cottage’s step-free access and adapted shower
Anyone interested in Shropshire’s Christian heritage, from Diddlebury’s Anglo-Saxon church to the ruins of Wenlock Priory
Walkers and cyclists exploring the Shropshire Hills AONB, Long Mynd and Stiperstones
Christian workers, with discounts available on request
Games enthusiasts, with a full-size snooker table, table tennis and darts in the shared Games Room

Location

Rest Given Retreats, Goosefoot Barn Cottages, Corfton, Craven Arms, Shropshire, SY7 9LB

How to get there:

We are located at the end of a mile-long country lane. There are no public transport options, so need to travel by car or bike. Taxi is possible from Ludlow/Craven Arms.

Nearest Town:

Ludlow – 10 miles, Craven Arms – 6 miles

Local Area

Ludlow is a beautiful old market town. Here you will find the convenience of supermarkets, but the old town centre has a wide variety of charming shops, market, restaurants, cafes and pubs. There is also a modern leisure centre.

Craven Arms has the nearest supermarket, a few take-aways and some convenience shops.

A short drive from the cottages there are some pubs which offer good food.

Churches of several denominations can be found in Ludlow and Craven Arms. The local Diddlebury parish church has services every Sunday (times vary).

For nature lovers, there is an abundance of wildlife and beautiful places to walk/cycle – including walks directly from the cottages. Long Mynd and Stiperstones are well worth the 30–45-minute drive. And the Welsh mountains and coast are easily accessible for a day trip.

South Shropshire also offers many interesting old towns and historical sites. Ludlow Castle is spectacular and various other interesting castles can be explored after a pleasant drive. The nearby towns of Clun, Much Wenlock, Church Stretton, and Bishops Castle all have character and charm of their own.

The historic county town of Shrewsbury is 45-minutes away.

Facilities

Rest Given Retreats at Goosefoot Barn Cottages is situated in a tranquil valley in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). We have four cottages:

Pinstones Cottage (sleeps 4+) is the largest cottage. The timber-beamed lounge is spacious and cosy with its log burner. All on one level, the cottage has a king size bedroom with en suite shower room, a twin bedroom, family bathroom with bath/shower, kitchen-diner and lounge.

Corfton Cottage (sleeps 4). On the ground floor the hall leads into two en suite bedrooms, a double and a twin. The kitchen-diner is upstairs. It leads to a spacious living room, extending to a balcony with great views.

Diddlebury Cottage (sleeps 4) is a traditional cottage. It has a double and a twin bedroom, which are both en suite on the first floor. Downstairs you’ll find a cosy living room and a welcoming kitchen-diner.

Munslow Cottage (sleeps 2) has a double bedroom and open plan kitchen/living room. It is on one level with step free access. Low level kitchen surfaces, easy access shower with shower seat and support frame make it suitable for guests with limited mobility.

All the cottages are centrally heated and include a TV with DVD player. The kitchens are well-equipped with cooker, microwave and dishwashers. Each cottage has its own outside sitting area.

In the magnificent Games Room, you will find a full-size snooker table, table tennis, darts, board games and children’s toys. There is also a library of books, DVDs and local information. WiFi is best used from here too.

The Laundry includes a free-to-use washing machine and tumble dryer.

The BBQ Cabin is available to hire. This amazing facility – quite literally – allows you to enjoy a BBQ at any time of the year whatever the weather!

Additional Photos

Click to enlarge

A small wooden cabin sits among snow-covered bushes, trees, and hills under a clear blue sky. A simple wooden fence surrounds the cabin, and snow blankets the entire landscape.

A wooden and stone house with a balcony stands among snow-covered trees and bushes on a bright, sunny winter’s day.

Purple and yellow primrose flowers in a garden pot with green leaves. In the background, there’s a rustic wall, a wooden door, and another potted plant on a wooden decking. Sunlight creates a warm, inviting atmosphere. — Cottage Entrance

A wooden house with three windows is surrounded by a lush garden filled with colourful flowers and green shrubs under a partly cloudy sky. — Cottage Garden

A lush garden scene with a stone house on the left, tall leafy tree in the centre, blooming daisies in the foreground, and two birds standing on the green grass in the sunlight beneath the tree.

A rural landscape with frosty grass, trees, and houses nestled on a hillside. Fog covers the distant fields and hills under a pale sky, creating a peaceful, early morning scene.

A hanging wicker basket with purple and pink flowers is attached to a wooden wall. In the background, there is a gravel path, green shrubs, and brown houses under a partly cloudy blue sky.

A spacious room with exposed beams, a snooker table, cues, balls, bookshelves, armchair, dresser, and large windows letting in natural light.

A small potted plant with bright pink flowers sits on a weathered wooden table outdoors, with a lush garden and a house in the background under an overcast sky.

A cosy bedroom with a wooden bed, red checked bedding, two folded towels on the bed, two bedside tables with lamps, and a window with checked curtains. A framed flower print hangs above the bed.

Four plant pots with various plants sit on a patio against a stone wall. The central pot is red with green hostas; others contain red and yellow flowers and leafy greens.

A glass vase with pink flowers sits on a wooden kitchen table next to a teapot, cup, and plate with biscuits. The kitchen background includes cupboards and a window.

Cosy living room with stone walls, a wood-burning stove, beige sofas, striped rug, firewood basket, and a red checked curtain; warm lighting creates an inviting atmosphere.

A stone cottage with a sloping roof is surrounded by colourful flowers and green bushes, set against a backdrop of tall trees under a partly cloudy sky.

Costs

Charges vary according to season and which cottage is chosen. Please see our website for latest prices.

Discounts are available for Christian workers. Please ask for details.

Energy Provision: All energy is included except charging for electric cars.

Availability

Available all year round.

Arrival and Departure times:

Standard arrival time is from 3.00 pm with departure before 10.00 am on the last day. However, this may vary on occasions. We will confirm at time of booking.

Booking arrangements:

Full weeks are preferred, but weekends and short breaks are available. 2-night minimum stay. We prefer not to have arrivals on Sundays.

Pets:

One well-behaved dog is permitted by prior arrangement.

Contact the Owner

If you are interested in making a booking, or you would like further information, please get in touch using the following contact details:

Address: Goosefoot Barn Cottages, Corfton, Craven Arms, Shropshire, SY7 9LB

Phone Number: 01584 861326

Email Address: info@goosefootbarn.co.uk

Website: www.goosefootbarn.co.uk

Rest Given Retreats, Goosefoot Barn Cottages, Corfton, Craven Arms, Shropshire