Your Peaceful Escape Awaits
A calm and considered stay in the heart of rural England...
About Our Cottage..
The Dairy, Eckington is a beautifully converted dairy which sleeps two people. It's set within magical gardens, in a quiet village and surrounded by lovely countryside.
You’re surrounded by an acre of informal, NGS registered, garden, created by James and his partner Mike. It is laid out as a series of ‘rooms’ with spaces for sitting and having a picnic or just a drink – you’re encouraged to stay as long as you like. Wildlife is plentiful and includes bats, hedgehogs, frogs, toads and many birds and butterflies – the whole garden is organic, including the veg patch. You’ll find shade under mature trees, a summer house for a glass of wine and a couple of ponds for gazing at dragonflies and newts.
The Dairy, Eckington is the perfect place to relax and explore the beautiful Worcestershire and Gloucestershire countryside. It is within easy reach of several National Trust properties, including the stunning gardens of Hidcote and Snowshill. Stratford upon Avon and Cheltenham are our nearest major towns and both within easy reach.
The Dairy is attached to Willow Pond, a traditional 16th Century black and white cottage.
From The Guestbook...
"This is a hidden gem of a place. The cottage is extremely well-appointed - a holiday let like no other. James and Mike are wonderful hosts - so generous with their time. Nothing was too much trouble. We were truly sad to leave. Until next time. Thank you."
J&D Milton Keynes
Gallery
Rates & Offerings
Guests receive our generous welcome hamper and free access to the gardens
Sleeps 2 people
either superkingsize or two twins.
From £130 per night (for a 7 night stay)
Minimum 3 night stay
We do not vary our prices throughout the year
Welcome to Our Gardens at The Dairy and
Willow Pond
Our plot is about an acre. We garden organically and so share the space with a lot of wildlife: from bats to hedgehogs, frogs, toads and newts, dragon flies, and many species of birds and butterflies. The garden itself is very informal and now consists of several ‘rooms’. There are two large main lawns, a summer house, a greenhouse, a small wildlife pond, a terrace, a large historic barn, mature trees and many areas of planting and plenty of spaces to sit, to eat, to drink, to picnic.
We have to admit that when we saw Willow Pond in 2015 we fell in love with the garden. Or more accurately perhaps, the potential of the garden. Mike and I are both passionate gardeners and so wouldn't be deterred by well-meaning friends and relatives who said that the garden at Willow Pond required too much work and would forever be a full-time job. We would be crazy to buy the place. They were correct of course, but we would not be deterred. Like the cottage, the garden was a bit of a wreck. It was over-run with brambles, bindweed and ivy and needed generally a good overhaul and refresh.
However, we thought that the whole place had an atmosphere of a place once much loved and enjoyed. So we bought the place and wasted no time clearing a lot of overgrown shrubs and trees from the garden, mending fences, replacing gates and, of course, re-planting. The gardeners amongst you will know that gardens take a good while to become established and will appreciate that the gardens at Willow Pond are very much a 'work-in-progress,' but we hope that won't deter you and we really look forward to sharing them with you.
Explore the Area
Just minutes from our door, enjoy walks, historic gardens, village pubs and countryside views.
Willow Pond, Eckington is a great base from which to discover some wonderful unspoilt English countryside. It is the perfect place to ramble with some wonderful walks right on the doorstep or further afield.
We recommend that you have a car as there are lots of places of interest to visit including stunning National Trust properties, local towns and villages as well as a good smattering of pubs and restaurants. Here are a few suggestions...
Bredon Hill
Distance: 5 min drive /1 hr walk
(approx.)
Scenic countryside & wildflower walks with great views and tower at the summit.
Tiddesley Wood Nature Reserve
Distance: 10 min drive (approx.)
Ancient woodland full of seasonal wildflowers, birds and butterflies, ideal for peaceful short walks.
Broadway, The Cotswolds
Distance: 25 min drive (approx.)
Famous Cotswold village with tearooms, galleries and access to Broadway Tower walks.
Cheltenham Spa
Distance: 30–35 min drive (approx.)
Elegant regency spa town with boutique shopping, theatre, fine dining & famous festivals.
Perfect for a cultured day out or special evening in town.
05 Min.
from The Dairy
Pershore Abbey & Abbey Park
Distance: 6 min drive (approx.)
Impressive 1,300-year-old abbey with riverside gardens and nearby cafés and arts centre.
Croome Park (National Trust)
Distance: 7 min drive (approx.)
Landscaped parkland, woodland walks and a historic house designed by Capability Brown.
The River Avon
Distance: 5–10 min walk (approx.)
Peaceful riverside walks from the village, with picnic spots and views of boats and birdlife.
Rambling & Cycling Local Routes
Distance: From your doorstep
Well-marked footpaths for walkers, and a popular network of road and off-road cycling routes.
Free maps available to borrow for bespoke local exploration.
10 Min.
To ancient woodland walks
The Cotswolds
Distance: 20 min drive (approx.)
Quintessential English villages with cosy pubs, antique shops and stunning Cotswold Way walks.
Upton upon Severn
Distance: 15 min drive (approx.)
Charming riverside town known for jazz festivals, pubs on the water and a pretty historic bridge.
The Malvern Hills
Distance: 30 min drive (approx.)
Dramatic hill range with panoramic views, long-distance trails and hidden woodland valleys.
Village Pubs (The Bell & The Anchor)
Distance: 5 min walk (approx.)
Two traditional village pubs within Eckington—close, cosy, locally atmospheric.
Ideal for local ales, hearty meals, and village ambiance.
30 Min.
from central station