news Archives - Secret Bolthole

A new place to gather

We have been listening. We know we are fully booked for 2026, and this has caused a lot of frustration. So, we have been hunting out some lovely properties to add to our collection.

It's taken some time to land on just the right homes to add to Secret Bolthole. We created and own Elsie's and Anchor Cottage, so finding like-minded owners and properties that would excite our audience has been a bit of s mission.

It got me thinking about what we are all about and what makes a Secret Bolthole home. We hear so many of you craving that connection to nature, with stunning views, and homes with soul.

We don't want to just create spaces to stay, we want to build homes that you experience. So our holiday homes have to feel welcoming and extra special.

Homes, like people are unique in their own way. So any new additions to our collection have to match up. They will never be carbon copies of our own cottages, but will have their own personalities. As with all our homes, they will have their imperfections, and will change over time, because a home is never finished but reflects us as we grow with it, and we invite you to join our journey in these homes.

So let me start by introducing you to our first, The farmhouse.

photo's of the farmhouse, bedrooms interiors and setting

Introducing - The Farmhouse

Up until now, our cottages are perfect for couples and a family or small group of friends. Yet our history running a glamping site, showed us how blooming magical it was watching groups gather and connect for hen parties, family reunions special occasions and to retreat. So it got us thinking, we needed a big bolthole.

So where better than a big old secluded farmhouse. The Farmhouse snuggled in a wooded valley next to a lake fed by natural springs and tucked away in north Worcestershire, this home is the perfect middle point for meet ups.

What to expect

The Farmhouse is begging to be filled with laughter, chatter and warmth, and for that it needs people. Open the door to a big open plan farmhouse kitchen, with a big old table to gather round, sofas to loaf on and a window seat to watch wistfully over the lake whilst wood crackles in the fire. I think you get the picture.

The beamed snug is the perfect spot to hunker down - read a book, listen to some sultry tunes with a glass of something, enjoy a quiet game of cards or watch an old movie whilst the dog snores in the corner.

This house is built for all, a pool room for game play and kids adventures, a huge boot room for dogs and clobber. Five bedrooms and four bathrooms enough to sleep the whole clan.

We think you'll love this real country life vibe. Get lost in attics and basements. Pack your wellies and bathers, because not only are there miles of walks to explore, but there's a hot tub to soak in, a secure garden for the doggies and children with plenty of space to breathe.

Night time gather around the firepit or dine outdoors whilst wildlife and dark skies invite you to slow down and connect with the most special people in your life.

We can't wait to throw open the doors, but we currently throwing ourselves into creating the most wonderfully warm welcoming space, so bear with us.

If you haven't already - join the waitlist below to be the first to find out when we have opened up the bookings calendar.

All the facts:

The Farmhouse is in Worcestershire, right in the heart of the countryside
It is secluded with a long drive and plenty of garden space.
It sleeps 10 people + cot in 5 bedrooms
It has 3 ensuite bathrooms and a shower room
There is a games room with a pool table for kids of all ages
There is an electric hot tub to use during your stay
A Real fire
Plenty of parking
A big outdoor dining area with a firepit
It accepts dogs and there is a secure garden and boot room for them
It is secluded and offers walks from the door step
Experiences like private chef or meal on arrival plus activities like yoga / massage / guided walks / foraging / making and creating / painting / cooking lessons and shooting tuition can all be arranged.

New arrivals on their way

The farmhouse is just the first. We have a number of special properties in the coming months and we can't wait to share them.

Meanwhile here's the link to The Farmhouse waitlist, drop your details and we'll let you know when it's ready to book.

Join The Waitlist

Autumn restyle

October has been all about an autumn restyle at Anchor cottage. For some time I;ve wanted to warm up the living space, plus there's been some redecoration needed on peeling walls in the bedrooms.

I love a restyle, but i didn't want to change everything. The furniture, blinds & some of the soft furnishings were staying. I went about finding a warmer colour to introduce, just in little pops on chairs and table legs, wall decor. A new rug and a few soft furnishings and the living space was starting to feel super cosy.

I chose a farrow and Ball colour - Red Earth which offered a pinky, terracotta apricot tone and complimented my existing colour palette of pale blues and greys. Adding this colour as an accent which pops rather than drowns the space, allowed me to keep most of the room unchanged. A new rug which picked out the terracotta, a wooden framed mirror, a few new cushions and throws and hey presto the room feels like the perfect autumn retreat. We hope you'll love it.

Want to know my colours? I've dropped them below

Farrow and Ball - Red Earth & Strong White

Rug - Kukoonrugs

Mirror - Perch & Parrow

Cushions - Bolthole interiors / Grahame and Green /

Endless Maintenance, and more availability

This month has been all about maintenance. If it could go wrong it has. I've had to replace a kitchen tap, washing machine and boiler! The upside is I enjoyed some lovely sunsets and wave action in Porthleven so not all bad.

We redecorated all the bedrooms, with plenty of prepping of walls, specialist paints and carpentry repairs on doors and windows. There is no doubt that the sea deals a heavy blow on coastal homes.

On the plus side, our growing social media following has led to a number of fellow owners approach us for advice and request to join our collection. It has been hugely flattering and I've loved seeing others lovely homes and providing some feedback on how they can improve their bookings and spaces. This, I'm hoping will lead to further availability on Secret Bolthole, which I know is extremely limited for 2026 now.

If you are an owner, looking for some advice on your holiday let, I'd love to hear from you. Just email or message me.

News from home

As you may know our glamping site is located at our home in Worcestershire, close to Elsie's cottage.

We are in the process of a revamp, so we've taken our safari tents down and are waiting on planning to be granted, so we can kick start the building project - which I like to describe as a contemporary spa cottage.

I've been busy selling furniture giving away linen and finding new owners for our tents. It is all very exciting, but a long way to go in planning and building to make it happen. We can't wait to keep you updated on progress.

On the personal front, my daughter has made the move to Cornwall to be with her boyfriend, and is settling down to village life and her new job. Now I have an apartment in Cheltenham to clean out and sell. It never stops.

Meanwhile, my son proposed to his lovely girlfriend, (my social media manager), on a little trip to the Lakes. He's just embarking on building his own glamping site, whilst growing his business as a shooting coach.

It really is a joy watching your kids turn into adults, make their own life decisions and their way in the world.

I hope your October has gone well lovely people. A big thank you to everyone who follow us, has booked or stayed with us, we love hearing from you and always look forward to hearing from you or hosting you one day.

news

New arrival - The Farmhouse