Escape to the countryside
Escape to the countryside
DISCOVER Nature
Bird watching. Woodland walks. Star gazing. River Severn & Malvern Hills
Relax & INDULGE
Read a book. Picnic in the vines. Visit a farmshop. Wine & dinner by the fire.
BE Active
Go for a run. Outdoor yoga. Walk up the Malvern Hills. Drive to Worcester.
DISCOVER Nature
Bird watching. Woodland walks. Star gazing. River Severn & Malvern Hills
Relax & INDULGE
Read a book. Picnic in the vines. Visit a farmshop. Wine & dinner by the fire.
BE Active
Go for a run. Outdoor yoga. Walk up the Malvern Hills. Drive to Worcester.
Recharge or Explore
Things to do
Whether you plan to relax at the vineyard, or go out and discover Worcestershire, there’s plenty for you to do during your stay.
If you don’t want to get back into the car – don’t!
Enjoy exclusive access to our sustainably managed estate which is home to 60+ species of birds, deer, rare fungi and several species of bats. Across a field is Shrawley Woods, a protected ancient woodland, which you can walk through to get to the nearby country pub. Or just 500 metres down the lane, watch kingfishers dive for food at the local riverside pub. Prepare a delicious supper in your kitchen with produce from the local farmshops. Explore the vines and learn about viticulture from the family, or just read a book with a glass of wine. There’s absolutely no need to leave!
Want to go exploring?
Bring your boots and explore all the local woodland & riverside walks. Take a run down quiet country lanes. Try canoeing or paddle boarding down the River Severn, or climb the stunning Malvern Hills for some of the best walks in the country. The beautiful cathedral city of Worcester is just 20 minutes away, or the historic riverside town of Stourport is just 10 minutes away. Visit heritage sites like Witley Court, or go for a ride on the amazing Severn Valley Railway.
Whatever you’re here to do, you won’t go away disappointed.
Worcestershire – Named one of the ‘Best Places to Go in the UK & Ireland’ in 2024 by Condé Nast World Traveller
Design Your Perfect Escape
THE QUIET RETREAT
tHE RURAL EXPLORER
After checking in, pour yourself a glass of Astley’s own sparkling wine. Then go for a gentle stroll around the small estate. You won’t want to cook on the first night, so go for a beautiful walk through Shrawley Woods (25 mins) to get to The New Inn for dinner. When you finally decide to get home, perhaps enjoy a nightcap around the open fire as you gaze at the stars and breathe deep. Then, retire inside, into your comfortable bed, and sleep deeply in the silence of the countryside.
The next day, wake up slowly, and laze about all morning. Read a book. Do some yoga. Browse the vineyard shop and speak to the family about wine. There’s no rush. It’s so peaceful here.
For lunch, head over to Broomfields farm shop for a delicious lunch in their cafe, and a chance to stock up on delicious local food & snacks. Head back to the vineyard – because you’ve done enough driving lately- and join our award winning public vineyard tour. You’ll get a great insight into the vines and wine that have been surrounding you all this time.
This evening, you could stay in and cook with the amazing produce you bought from the farm shop. Open another bottle or two that you’ve learnt about on the tour, and enjoy the tranquility of the countryside. After, light the fire pit, grab another bottle (isn’t it delicious?) and maybe meet your neighbours for a quiet chat under the starry skies.
This is the night that you sleep really well.
On your final day , you’ll want to soak in those last moments of quiet. Take your book down into the woodland for a change of scenery, and perhaps pack a flask of coffee and a cake for a treat. Sadly it’s time to pack your clothes and checkout, but you’re not in a huge rush, and you feel so much better already.
Finally, grab some bottles from the shop to enjoy at home and remind you of your stay, and head back home feeling more like yourself than when you arrived. What a nice getaway!
After checking in, pour yourself a glass of Astley’s own sparkling wine. Then explore the small estate and get your bearings. For dinner, you walk through Shrawley Woods (25 mins) to get to The New Inn. Then stroll back. Before bed, perhaps enjoy another nightcap around the fire as you gaze at the stars and meet your neighbours. Then, retire inside into your comfortable bed, and sleep deeply in the silence of the countryside.
You slept really well so you’re up early with the birds. You take your coffee on a walk around the site and along the bridleway to enjoy the view. You ask the owners where you should go for a run. The countryside is so beautiful!
Now pop over to Broomfields Farm shop and choose the perfect picnic. It’s then a short drive to the glorious ruins of Witley Court for a walk and lunch. Next, it’s back to Astley for the public vineyard tour, You love the vineyard tour, and you learn so much! Time for another drink in the shop as you grill the family again about vineyard life now that everyone else has left.
This evening you drive to Worcester for a change of scenery. You walk along the river, admire the cathedral, stroll down the High Street or the historic Shambles, with a choice of independent cafes, bars and restaurants. Isn’t Worcester a nice city?
It’s just a short drive back to the vineyard and your your quiet comfy bed. You feel great, and surprisingly tired after that long day!
On your final day, you lie in a bit, but only because you know you’re going for a big walk later that morning. You shower, pack your things, grab some bottles from the shop to enjoy at home and remind you of your stay, and check out before driving to the Malvern Hills for a long hike – the views are spectacular! You tell yourselves you should do this more often.
Finally, head back home – tired, but feeling more like yourself than when you arrived. What a great getaway!
About our vineyard tours
During our On Season (April-October), your stay includes places on our vineyard tours. These run on Saturday (3pm-5:30pm) and are shared with other paying guests. If you would not like to attend, or are unable to attend, you will instead receive wine in recompense.
During the Off Season (November-March), you and your fellow Shepherd Hut guests will enjoy a private tour & tasting. These will also run on Saturday (3pm) unless agreed by all guests.