Hillside Retreat

12/08/2024

30/07/2024

17/07/2024

Thankyou to all of the grown ups who come and do a sleepover in our log cabins and our cottage on the hill. I know I'm only 3 and nearly 4. But mum says that our place is the best in the world. I'm a kid of course, so it is! I even learnt to do a stand up wee on my own, up here in the garden, I even learnt to walk up here. 🤣

I got to watch the final of England playing Spain in a hot tub, mummy put the tv outside on the decking which was 'so cool'. I had a later bedtime. I really hope you all love coming here, as it is special to me and I hope it is for you.

Mummy said to tell you all, she's a Airbnb Superhost again with 471 reviews. (That's alot of couples to keep happy).

We are a small tiny little business and as long as mum pays the mortgage and my child care fees, we are happy and humble.

So thank you for coming to have a stayover with us. 🥳 We shall be doing another competition soon for a free winter rustic weekend! Mum says it's not for the non glampers.. its for the mums.and dad's who can keep fires warm like the olden days before we had gas central heating. Lots of cuddles to you all. Jacob XX

14/06/2024

Quote "The whole world is short staffed. Be kind to those who showed up".🫠

I think we can all relate to this abit, a business owner, an employee, a parent, a partner, a friend and all round a nice human-being to strangers in a world that can be so rushed, selfish, self absorbed and arrogant. 😏

Pic: Us cleaning girls finding some peace under a 🌳 before the heavens opened up 🌦 and before the mad rush of the weekenders checking in! Our legs don't stop from the time the morning check outs are done until the last check ins are done on a Friday evening.

So behind the quiet little cosy retreats on a hill on arrival, I promise you, their was sweat, wet clothes (working on cleaning hot tubs and outdoor areas in the pi***ng rain), calories lost rushing 15 logbags to the shop (who can carry the most in one go) 💪 and mowing an arce of lawn, the handle has broken so we have to push the dam mower on a hill slope! 🥵 A few tiffs along the way as we probably didn't eat our lunch "hangy"and those non existence caffeine "kicks up the ass" as someone forgot to bring milk up. Which puts me personally in a grump, But hey ho, "team work makes the dream work".

🤣🌞🍻 Roll on now the weekend and ⚽️ and father/step father day on Sunday! Rain go away, come again another day if you have to, only for the appreciation from our flowers and shrubs only!

21/05/2024

A lovely couple checked out who took these pictures. Hanging baskets delight on fb who left us a hanging basket as a gift. (I can't seem to tag their page) Then I receive a lovely message from the new guests who have just checked in. Can I just say, I really love my job. I know we won't please everyone coming, but the ones who we do, just makes this so worth it to keep on going!

19/05/2024

A sunny Sunday afternoon and I found my new guest book in the shop has been written in ❤️👍 2 out of 3 isnt bad! I didn't get to meet these couples in person , but I certainly heard good vibes about them Friday evening. I loved reading their comments today, thank you so much. Here's my little country bumpkin Jacob enjoying his hot tub and paddling pool back at his cosy cottage. X

17/05/2024

We are looking to advertise the whole of Hillside Retreat to a group of 6+ guests. Any more, please pack a tent. The cottage being the main house is the booker! Ideal for family getaways, friend reunions, hen/ stag getaways, ladies only wellness retreat. ❤️

17/05/2024

I wonder if my weekend guests notice the sign. OK so no, we don't pick wild mushrooms! I've looked them up and my garden and woods are absolutely full of them! Either way, I hope it gives them all a giggle on their way for their wood and board games! 🤣 ( If anyone has picked these, could you kindly comment, we would be intrigued to find out if they do anything at all) asking for a friend! 🍷

WOOD FOR SALE FROM OUR LOCAL CARADOC LOGS AND CHARCOAL. £5.00 a bag. Large bag of kindling is from Vine & Co hardware store in Church Stretton £6.00.

HOT TUBS: 2 BAGS AND 1 KINDLING. CASH ONLY.

13/05/2024

When your away glamping, its all about the facilities inside your log cabin and outside, your location and the town you want to explore. Church stretton in Shropshire may be small but the town has all of the outdoors exploring you could want on your doorstep. Great for those who love nature and walking, wild horses and friendly sheep. Wild swimming and just a couple of old style real pubs with great food.

For my Cosy Cabin, she has now the wood burning hot tub from the cottage, a fire pit area, dining area, pizza oven, gas bbq, garden bathroom with a cast iron rolltop bath, home made shower as you know, we like to recycle stuff. A bed nook made out of old wardrobes and a belfast sink salvaged from a skip down the road to name a few of the old unwanted stuff that's been put back to life.

I've noticed this cabin has less occupancy then my cottage and my lodge. This little one is only at 50% occupancy. And I'm hoping some couples will fill some dates up for this little cabin. I'm happy to let guests have this for £100 a night if booked directly through us and not airbnb. I would rather stay better value but busy, then expensive but emptier. No hardworking and non greedy hosts wants that! 😄 I like knowing my place is being enjoyed.

Please note; We now have an honestly shop on site to purchase all of your wood needs. Get in touch if you would like to have a night or 2 here. Cosy Cabin is feeling alittle empty. Come and stay in her. 🤣

12/05/2024

Here's our contribution of the Northern lights show. A huge thank you to Nathen & Emily for getting this very rare & stunning picture for us during your stay.

03/05/2024

All set for the May Bank hoilday weekenders! Fingers crossed the weather perks up! I still can't get over my views when I'm up here. 😀🌞😕

Have a fabulous Bank hoilday everyone. 🍹🍸🍷

30/04/2024

One of my first reviews, I thought I would share this with you. Because from her lovely and honest review, I gained some confidence to pursue building upon Hillside retreat as a career. It began as a home with planning to extend to a 3 bed house, then a second home with some extra quirky places to stay. Now she's what she is. Until the next owners who might buy her in the future, I've made something which works for the majority. THANKS for following us. 🙏

""Getting a lot of questions about where I stayed recently! This little piece of paradise is called Hillside Retreat and is a perfect gem for a girls hiking retreat and couples retreat! The views from every accommodation on site is just incredible.
As someone with ADHD and Aspergers and very hyper focused on nature this place really soothes my soul and gave me so much to peacefully engage with. And if you know ANYTHING about Neurodiversity you will know that soothing and inner peace are a huge min by min daily struggle to achieve if they ever get achieved at all!

The lovely owner of this place has literally built this haven from recycled furniture, crafting so much incredible beauty from items used and forgotten and given them new life with a whole new view on the horizon! In a society that’s become so wasteful and throw away, this place reignites that passion to respect the planet and how to truly respect and utilize our space and creativity! If you are someone who needs constant material perfection and gratification from life then personally I would encourage you stay here and start a process to relearn the true important imperfections of life and how they drown out the insignificance of being part of a “show off culture” x
We have one life, you choose how you want to live it, but I can guarantee it will never be fulfilled if all you strive for is power, money and control.
Thank you so much again Hillside Retreat, that one night with some beautiful views, accommodations and people I love so much really set me up with some much needed inner peace reset!

I encourage anyone to contact this lovely new retreat and go have a night in paradise!""

30/04/2024

Long post sorry guys:

Thank you to those guests who posted their pictures for the giveaway weekend. Lauren Holmes and her baby bath picture won the free weekend with us. So congratulations, you have some serious supportive friends! ❤️

I have to admit, our little page got a fair few more followers and likes from this, also we had 4 bookings which was super dooper for me! As I'm busy saving for my 2 week holiday in September, so thank you to those couples.

OK so I kind of feel bad because the baby picture was my favourite and I did post it on its own post. I also read some comments on a different picture from her friends and family and I know that guest and her partner could really do with a break.

People have told me, I'm not the smartest business owner around when I do my giveaways. But for me, some people really do need a break from their life responsibilities. And it's my way of spreading some kindness in a world where we all are probably feeling very overwhelmed with the cost of living now. My mum always told me it's better to give then receive. So on that soppy note, I am now offering a free 1 night stayover to two pictures that were in the competition. They could always combine this with another stay somewhere else or pay for the addional night if they require 2 nights if they are not local.

So here's the 3 pictures who won. Lauren has her 2 nights booked now, see you in August guys🌞! The other 2 winners, let me know your dates this summer.

23/04/2024

"I can't share on the post but this was my favourite pic from your beautiful home on the hill. Our wee dolly enjoying her first ever bath (we only have a shower at home) and what a bath it was 😍"

Sorry I had to create a post just for this baby picture from my guests. What a beautiful shot, and it was Dolly's first bath. Not just my own memories up here, but others too. Thank you for sending. Ps only the likes in the winning picture post counts to win.

22/04/2024

The picture with the most likes will win the ✨️free weekend✨️. Good luck lovely people! 📸 Loving your pictures already. Pictures that are being sent are arriving. This will be updated, so get yours in with a caption. Please get voting everyone.

22/04/2024

✨️Competition time ✨️ A FREE Weekend stay on a Friday to Sunday in either my "cosy but romantic cottage" or my "rustic cosy cabin". You as the winning couple will get to choose your dates. 👌🍾🍾❤️

So...I think it's that time to share some love to our Facebook followers and have abit of fun with this one! The game for this one is... A PICTURE!

Attach in a comment or if you can't, please send me directly a picture of yourself or partner enjoying a stay at one of my places. The pictures I get sent to me will go on my next post. Then it's whoever gets the most likes,laughs, loves or comments on their picture.
I'm hoping you will get your facebook friends and family to vote for your picture and ask them to give our page a 👍 like.

Hillside Retreat followers, please also put your vote in for the winning picture. Somebody who has visited before, may really need this break away. So do put your vote in. I estimate I might receive 5 pictures, or 15 maybe? But either way please do like a winning picture. I'll be intrigued to see what pictures land in my inbox from previous guests! 🤔

So...

It could be a beautiful memory picture, a funny one of your spouse or you, a loved up couple shot, a drunk one.. we got engaged shot. So dig out your best piccy taken during your stayover.

Please know that all pictures I receive in the next 7 days, I'll be adding to the page which will be public.

7 days to send me in your pictures. Then it's voting time. So dig out your winning Hillside Retreat 📸 picture. The quicker you are sending it over, the more likes you might get on my next post. I'll look forward to seeing them. Good Luck. Xx

11/04/2024

If anyone requires a glamping weekend at mine, the next available weekends are as follows; This post will get updated for the weekend stays. If we receive a cancellation, we will post directly on here.

Followers & returning guests £125.00pn👍👍👍

NEXT AVAILABLE WEEKENDS ARE:

Caradoc Cottage 26th-28th July
Cozy Cabin 19th-21st July
Caradoc Lodge. Fully booked now. Dates available on week days.

We do have availability during the weeks. But weekends can get booked up quickly!

(Awaiting sunshine & blue skies for some new pictures to post on here)

Ps A shout out to the lovely Sadie Hopkins, we hope you enjoy your night at the cabin tonight. She is the competition winner of one of our giveaways free stays! ✨️ So keep watch for those guys I'll be posting one very soon. ❤️

31/03/2024

Happy Easter Everyone.. from Jacob and his Mum. 🐣 💓

22/03/2024

We are now fully open, and welcoming back the Glampers, the guests, and the returning Hillside Retreats Friends & Followers.

Prices are £135 a night on each retreat, all 3 very different from each other. All with wood burning hot tubs 🔥 with the super dooper views!
I take into account that all guests have to buy wood for the hot tubs, fire pits & log burners inside. Prices from Caradoc logs are £6 large bag of Kindling. £5 sack of wood. Breakfast hampers & Special occasion hampers can all be pre-ordered.

** On a personal note ** I managed to open on time this year 😀 thanks to the great team work I have had, good mates and an ace plumber. Thanks to TF gardener Kevin who has been amazing to work with. Phil for also cleaning and checking in for the cottage while I have been off poorly and recovering. Thank you, he makes a great host 👏. Cleaning skills are a little questionable but guests were understanding. Asking any man to clean is quite unusual for me! But he did it and got great reviews from winter cotttage guests. 👍

Bestie Emma Mair is also now to take over the running of the site alongside me. She has given up her old job for a change of career. She is in the middle of doing an instragram account for us called *HillsideRetreat86*If you can start following us that would be awesome. Because it's only followers who gets the discounts, the 1 nighters and the freebies in little competitions I throw out sometimes. ( To celebrate the opening 2024, I'll be posting a free 2 nighter on my next Facebook post).

As for little old me, 🤪I'm feeling amazing mentally now, although my body is physically feeling tired and achy from working hard this last week (even painting under make shift gazebos in the pouring rain) , after my recovery from abdominal surgery. I'm all good, I have a child free weekend to give me time to sleep, eat and rest! Us parents know how appreciative those nights & weekends are.😫 I'm just glad to be here, still making this dream work.

Don't panic on arrival if you see a *For sale sign* at my check in area. I love my beautiful spot on the hill, my countryside cottage and 2 offgrid log cabins. But I'm off to find further investments and a home with abit of land to create a couple of treehouse retreats. So as long as that might take for a new owner to buy, I'll be still enjoying my place with my beautiful boy who loves glamping on the hills ❤️

Thank you to everyone who gives pur page a like, comments who follows. We are a small business, but sometimes small is often better.

Have a fabulous weekend everyone, and spring has offically arrived! ☀️If your not on your glamping adventure anytime soon than of course get in touch with me and come stay! 😀Cheers

Ps All 6 happy people checked in this evening so I shall now enjoy a glass of prosecco to celebrate. Job well done! 👍

Katherine xx

21/03/2024

After calling about so many local removal companies, the only one BRAVE enough to tackle this important job for me and my future guests was Shrewsbury Removals Service. They agreed to help! They made it look very easy, I think they moved the two hot tubs in less then an hour! I still paid them for 3 hours as a tip because I'm just thankful to the team that neither of the 2 hot tubs got damaged. 😅 Plus I felt bad for the 2 chaps who had to walk up the track behind the trailer.

21/03/2024

This is how you get a hot tub up here!

15/03/2024

Feeling like we are getting abit more professional this year! Give the post a like if you think it looks good. 😉

06/03/2024

The perfect view for a treehouse! 🥰🏡

(I wish, sadly this poor tree has been dead for over a year so she has to go for firewood).

04/03/2024

Long post sorry!🥰 A Huge thank you to Phil for hosting and cleaning my cottage, while I have been off work. He held the Fort, and even tho I had closed down my 2 other places, my cottage remained busy every weekend since new year. Phil has told me off as I returned to work abit earlier. I said I wanted to have a couple of nights back there. What he didn't know was I was busy redecorating inside. Sadly after this, I did my stomach muscles in and so returned to some more bedrest. 😪 But I'm 4 weeks tomorrow and I'm going back to work. I will not be lifting furniture or moving hot tubs.

So I have the 2 log cabins to get ready for 22nd March. A new bigger hot tub being moved at the cottage, along with new planters and fences. The cottage hot tub will be moved to the cosy cabin. As Kevin the builder is busy today building extra sized decking for it.

I'll be dotting around with a paint brush and praying for temperatures over 10 degrees and over, so I can repaint the fences and all decking on site. 🤣 Praying it won't even rain 🙏 Ectra praying i can get it done before opening this month.

Outside is looking so shabby! It's a case of planting, painting colours, spring clean, more lighting and lots of gardening. Oh and JJ the plumber back out to make sure the plumbing is all OK.

As for me, when I'm not working, I'll be hitting the hills and the gym because I tell you, bed rest for 4 weeks has killed my waist and hip size! 🤣

On a postive note, I feel so much better now and my test results came this morning from hospital, they tested my woman bits they took out, and I am now finally all clear from the nasty word of C.

Anyway......

I am looking forward to welcoming back guests this year, the ones who will be returning (always a good sign) and the newbies. I always love coming up and hearing people laughing on site, their bbqs going, hot tubs fire going. 🔥 Just knowing that when I can't enjoy my romantic hideout on the hill, other couples are!

Also quick note 📝 when my place is available the 1 nights between my bookings, I'll be posting these on here for sale only for followers! I wont be selling these on airbnb. So they are perfect for local couples who just need a quick night away together ❤️ or a night away from the kiddos.

Thanks for all the messages and your supportive comments on this page with the C situation.

ROLL ON SPRING! If you have booked to stay up here, I literally will be so looking forward to hosting you. 🙌

Kat xx

07/02/2024

I just wanted to post a emotional post this evening. Appologies its not about business. But I'm out in recovery after my Hysterectomy. I can't tell you how amazing the nurses on ward 14 was at Telford hospital. No more cancer changing cells and I realise how lucky I have been to have it sorted in time. I'm on the road to recovery now and I can't wait for spring, when I'm back fully on my feet again. This health scare has really bought home to me about what really truly matters in life.

On a business note, we have received 61 bookings last month alone ready for this year, which gets me excited, gets me work focused again, which I so need after what ive gone through. I feel like i have to find my old self again after what feels like 6 months of poorlyness. A huge thank you to those who follow us and have booked already. Bring on spring and summer now! ☀️ I can't wait to be back up on the hill kicking ass again. 🤣

26/01/2024

Thought I would post an update for Kats cosy cabin retreat. The cabin which did have a Billy bath with log burner. I did what Kat does and kept an eye on ebay for any bargains that her guests would enjoy. I found her this 2 year old hot tub. So I'm pleased to say this will be added for March opening! To give the cabin couples more space to unwind in, So now all 3 retreats have wood burning hot tubs. The Billy bath if anyone wants it is up for sale if anyone would like to make an offer. Just pm me. Cheers Phil.

12/12/2023

I've finished the last retreat today, I'll post my other two videos of the other two retreats this week. Please pick your favourite one you would stay in as I'll be doing my usual little festive Christmas Eve free giveaway, ready for the reopen in Spring.

👀Revamp of this lodge in January. The bathroom will be knocked through from the bedroom so no more going outside. 😩 And the rest a surprise.

10/12/2023

I hate personal business posts unless I'm having a moan. This week I've had some crappy news and I didn't want to share it on here . The only reason is because it may have a knock on effect for abit on Hillside. I am set to close for maintaince after our last few bookings for the new year's. I am also looking forward to getting my rest and my head around my personal journey with my health issue!

Don't panic, winter time off is also time to repaint, redesign and buy new things which is always my hobby of interest. I feel its important for me to keep hillside a place for guests to retreat too, to enjoy and reconnect with nature and enjoy our hills! Also for selling to the right person next year so I can find a home with land. My son wants a little farm for his animals. OK back to the reason of post...

I've been hit with my own personal storm that will take me on my next journey of a health recovery. I've had all sorts of emotions fear, anxiety, anger, and embarrassment. The past few day spent with these feelings, I've now put my big girl pants on and acknowledged my illness. Cervical cancer. I hate the C word! I was at high risk for the last year and now my test results are back. My cells have now changed to early stages of cancer. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, i was offered an operation months ago, more as a precaution! But due to running hillside and looking after my son, i put it off! Thinking it might just go away or there will be a better time next year to have it done.

Big mistake but I'm living with the C word for now but hopefully after having my hysterectomy and it hasn't migrated anywhere else, I'll be in the clear again. 😅 So I say goodbye to my cervix and womb. Thank you for giving me my son but now you can go. Hahaha.

I may now be in hospital over Christmas/new year which really sucks! I'm going away from home for 7/10 days and a 6 week recovery at home. But as soon as I'm back healthy again... I'll be kicking arse again at work and basically life again.

I also wanted to say a personal thank you to a beautiful couple I checked out while I was crying (Just been told while driving up to check out), she is younger than me and is going through something similar. Her and her husband kind supportive words from two strangers, I will never forget that morning.

So I shall leave this post to say, hillside is still here. Just be abit gentle if your coming to stay, if I'm not around doing it, appolgies as sometimes it's my feminine touches really do help guests first impressions. Sorry for the long ramble but hopefully not too negative post. 🙏

Please ladies keep up with your smear tests!

Love to all my favourite and fabulous couples out there who have stayed at my places. Some of you know who you are and those who show support for hillside retreat. Ill be looking forward to building and painting again after my recovery. 🥰

Sorry for the very long post. ### Katherine.

07/11/2023

Christmas at Hillside Retreat: Bookings from December 1st-22nd All 3 will be open, The lodge and Cabin will only close if the weather takes a bad turn anything past -4. If anyone books will be offered a full refund asap. ALL of the retreats will be lovingly decorated for Christmas.🎄🎅 From Christmas dvds, to Christmas board games to add to the many little touches.

Nightly prices. 💷💳
Cosy Cabin £95.00
The Shepards Rest Cottage £125.00
Caradoc Lodge £110.00

🥳 1 nights are available: During Mon-Thu only. (I appreciate its hard to find one night stays unless it's a hotel, it's also hard to find childcare for 2 nights. Trust me I'm with you on that one. I've added this due to so many messages for this.

Please remember to either bring your own wood, or you can buy our wood on site. We source these from Caradoc logs. £5 a bag. A wheel barrow stocked up for £15.00 this includes kindling and 2 boxes of firelighters. LOGS and a skill of how to maintain a fire is vital to make your stay comfortable. You are full on glamping in the lodge & Cabin. The cottage is easier as it has oil heating. But as its a 16th century stone building, the fire in the living room will also be needed to make it super cosy in there! 👌

❄️⛄️The Shepards cottage🛷 will be the only one available from January- March. The winter bookings at the cottage will have check ins with a hot toddy during the 4x4 ride up the hill. Two sledges will be outside your door, recommend to use for fun days on the hills and also for getting down to your car abit quicker, should you go out to explore and also to trek back up with a food shop. 😀 You get the whole place to yourself. So take use of skinny dipping in your hot tub, with no neighbours.

50% Needed to secure your booking.

OK roll on December now... 🤣

Closed from 22nd. Open again 2nd January.

03/11/2023

FIREWORKS WEEKEND! Very last minute cancellation for our Cosy Cabin for tonight & tomorrow. She's all cleaned and ready for this evening check in. IF ANYONE would like a 2 night stay this weekend, watch the local fireworks from your cabin, or trec up Caradoc for an awesome view! Could do a 1 night tomorrow if this 2 nighter doesn't go. 07880747079 please call directly or text. £100 a night