Benhall Farm Holidays

31/08/2024

It was a late one but well done to all for getting the job done

24/08/2024

15/08/2024

Book online and save 15%

15/08/2024

12/08/2024

A bit like my recent childbirth, and the sporadic nature of my social media posts since 🤪

Happy Monday!

11/08/2024

09/08/2024

Did you miss me?! 🙋🏻‍♀️

I’m BACK this week with my first couple of clients, and not-even-four-weeks-old-baby in tow! 😬

Nervous. Excited. Apprehensive. Praying it all goes well! 🙏🏼

Please go easy on me! I can’t promise the floor will have been hoovered, or that I won’t have to stop and feed at some point, but I will do my utmost to continue to give you the 5* standard Pink Wellies Nails treatment that you are so used to! 💅🏻

Please try and be ON TIME for your appointment - being early isn’t always as helpful as you might think, as I might have carefully tried to time a feed to get me through! 😬

I can’t wait to catch up with you all and for you all to meet my new apprentice! 🥰

03/08/2024

Still some accommodation available for you to stay & enjoy the show

02/08/2024

Calling all home bakers! Are you ready to show off your baking prowess at this year’s Malvern Autumn Show (27-29 September 2024)? 🎂 Join us for the brand-new The Great Malvern Cake Off Competition and be in with a chance of winning some fantastic baking prizes!

Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, there are classes to suit all ages and abilities including ‘Cake or Fake: Harvest Edition’, ‘Homemade Showstopper’ and ‘Garden Themed Decorated Traybake’.

Find out more about classes and enter your bakes now 👉 https://www.malvernautumn.co.uk/news/the-great-malvern-cake-off-competition/

18/07/2024

18/07/2024

The sun is shining Harvest 2024 has started
We look forward to welcoming our holiday guests to Benhall few spaces available so why not book a short break or longer with us so much to see & do around the area of Ross on Wye & the Forest of Dean

12/07/2024

**FOLKLORE FRIDAY**

As you know we love researching our folklore tales but what we have noticed is that one name keeps popping up. That of Jackie Kent or as some others refer to him as Jack O'Kent. Known as the local trickster, he would manage to get himself out of any trouble and always come out on top or so it would seem. He was a man who could barter with and outwit the devil on more occasions than you would have thought possible. His true identity is not known but many point in the direction of Owen Glendower. Others refer to him as the powerful medieval wizard who came from the village of Kentchurch. First stories about him emerge around 1595 but it is thought that he lived a century or so earlier.

When Jack was a boy he was adventurous and curious and happened upon the Devil while out one day exploring. Rumours have it that Jack sold his soul to the Devil and in return he was gifted a demon that would do his bidding until the day he died. At which point the demon would happily carry his soul off to hell. Now don't go thinking that this demon was one of those ghastly things you see in horror movies. No, he was said to be no bigger than a fly and Jack kept him inside a stick which he hid in his coat.

Jack was unsurprisingly an unusual child. Strange in many ways. Ways which could not be ignored and some which could not be explained. When Jack was nine years old the farmer who he worked for asked him to guard some newly sown fields. The farmer was having trouble with the crows pinching his grain and Jack was tasked with keeping them away. But that day Jack had other ideas. It was the day of the Hereford fair and he was desperate to go and have fun with his friends, so left the field unguarded much to the farmer's annoyance. As the day grew into the evening the angry farmer waited for Jack to return from Hereford so that he could confront him over his dereliction of duty and give him a beating. But cool as a cucumber Jack appeared without a care in the world, grinning at the farmer telling him not to fret because all the crows were safely locked up in the barn so his grain would be safe. To the farmer's surprise Jack was right. As he opened the barn door there they all were neatly lined up in rows waiting for sunset when the spell cast by Jack would be broken and they would fly free again.

It was rumoured too that Jack had a spare set of clothes that could do the work of ten men. So when Jack was tasked with threshing or bailing he would order his suit of clothes to do the work while he rested nearby playing his fiddle.

Jack's talents didn't end there. He was said to be able to conjure up the Devil at will. On one occasion Jack got the Devil to plough all of the fields across Kentchurch. As the Devil ploughed Jack followed behind sowing his seeds. With the hard work done he asked the Devil what he would like in payment, the top of the crop or the bottom. Unbeknown to the Devil Jack had sown gravel and not seed. So when the Devil answered the bottom, Jack just grinned. When the Devil left Jack sowed some grain so when it came to harvest time the Devil got the straw and Jack got the grain. Not willing to fall for a trick like that again the following year the same thing happened. But this time the Devil was ready for Jack when he asked the question and picked the top of the crop, but again he was duped. Jack had planted turnips this time, so the Devil was only left with the leaves.

One day Jack asked the Devil to build him a bridge over the River Monnow. The Devil agreed to do it but wanted in return the soul of the first person to cross it when it was built. The Devil worked hard and the bridge was built in a night but before anyone could walk over it Jack threw a loaf of bread onto the bridge and a dog chased after it. So the only soul the Devil took that night was that of a poor unsuspecting hungry pooch.

Jack always seemed to be able to outwit the Devil but could Jack trick the Devil into not taking his soul when he died? Some people say that he did. Before he died Jack left a letter regarding his wishes for his funeral. He detailed how he was to be buried, in a cavity hollowed out of the wall in Kentchurch Church. Stories tell that when the time came for Jack's demon to carry his soul to hell, he found that Jack had been buried neither inside or outside of the church. Unable to take his soul he returned to hell empty handed. A medieval painting of Jack hangs in Kentchurch Church which is said to be mounted on the site of his unusual burial.

We'll never know exactly who Jackie Kent was but his stories have stood the test of time and we've really enjoyed reading about his antics. Keep a look out as there are a few more stories yet to be told about this ardent trickster!

There are more great tales and stories over on our dedicated Herefordshire History and Folklore page, why not take a look:

www.eatsleepliveherefordshire.co.uk/information/history-and-folklore



These stories are curated from many sources where accuracy cannot be guaranteed and retold in our fun ESL style, in the true spirit of Folklore magic.

05/07/2024

So pleased to see this little one back at Benhall why not book & see if you can spot this lovely hedgehog in our garden www.benhallfarm.co.uk
Some dates July & August for self catering or why not treat yourself to Bed & Breakfast

25/06/2024

When you collect the 🌟 RISING TALENT AWARD 🌟 at your local show…wearing Pink Wellies Nails press-ons! 🤩💅🏻

Huge CONGRATULATIONS to this lovely lady who has been a loyal customer for a long time! 🥰

Make your order NOW!

www.pinkwelliesnails.com 💅🏻

14/06/2024

It’s Friday 🥳 which means…

Only 4 weeks left for me! 😬

Get booking now to avoid disappointment!

Drop me a message 💅🏻 to get your nails set for summer!

Have a wonderful weekend! 🌤️

11/05/2024

10/05/2024

06/05/2024

Always pleased when we have such lovely comments

Benhall Farm: Perfect country retreat on well loved dairy farm - See 102 traveller reviews, 28 candid photos, and great deals for Benhall Farm at Tripadvisor.

06/05/2024

Benhall Farm: Perfect country retreat on well loved dairy farm - See 102 traveller reviews, 28 candid photos, and great deals for Benhall Farm at Tripadvisor.

26/04/2024

**FOLKLORE FRIDAY**

This week's tale takes us to a time of turmoil, civil unrest, power struggles and treachery. Where promises and trust were broken in an instant and quick thinking kept your head on your shoulders just a little bit longer.

As you may or not be aware back in the 13th century there was a lot going on. King Henry III and the English parliament were at odds with each other which ultimately led to the Second Barons' War. King Henry's son Prince Edward found himself in the unfortunate spot of being captured and taken into custody by the triumphant Earl Simon de Montford, who was in fact his sister's husband. The Earl had already incarcerated King Henry and wanted Prince Edward as his hostage too.

Prince Edward was only 19 at the time, he was cocky, confident and condescending and nicknamed 'Longshanks' due to his wonderful physique and stature. He was not at all happy with his predicament but didn't dare challenge it as he knew his father the King would pay a heavy price.

During the unrest the city of Hereford was captured and the Earl imprisoned King Henry in Hereford Castle. Before long Prince Edward was brought there too and was placed in the custody of Earl Simon's eldest son Hal, Prince Edwards's cousin. To say it was an awkward situation would be an understatement, the young men knew each other well, had grown up together and were of similar age.

During his time in captivity Prince Edward looked for many ways to escape and hatched the perfect plan to do just that by exploiting his cousin's trusting nature. A year had gone by since his capture and Prince Edward requested that Hal allow him the opportunity to go riding in some open fields. After much consideration Hal agreed, he trusted his cousin and had ensured that they would be accompanied by some loyal Lords who would keep an eye on Edward should he attempt to escape. What could possibly go wrong?

Prince Edward was thrilled to hear that Hal would be taking him to Tillington Common to ride his horse and enjoy a modicum of freedom for an hour or so. For Edward had already hatched a plan to escape north and head to Wigmore Castle, the home of the Mortimer family who were also loyal to his father King Henry. In preparation a trusted aide had already let the Mortimer family know of his plan and they were ready to assist.

So as Prince Edward cantered around Tillington Common his mind was on overdrive, the wheels of his escape were set in motion. His cunning plan was to tire the horses of his cousin Hal and the Lords that had accompanied them on their outing. So in turn he requested to ride their horses, complimenting them on their choice of wonderful steeds. No-one was suspicious of his behaviour, rather they were thrilled with his enthusiasm so they relaxed and dropped their guard. But as Hal summoned the party to return to Hereford, Prince Edward saw his opportunity to escape and made a dash to the northern part of the common on his own horse who he had cunningly rested. Hal and the Lords gave pursuit but were shocked to find that their horses were slow and tired and could not keep pace with Prince Edward's horse. As he made his way north Prince Edward was greeted by the Mortimer standard and their men who then escorted him back to safety at Wigmore Castle.

It turned out that this twist of fate and great loss was to have consequences for Hal and his father the Earl. For the Marcher Barons formed an alliance and gathered their forces in support of Prince Edward and restored power back to King Henry. The Earl died a traitor's death on the battlefield with his adversary Roger Mortimer sending Lady Eleanor de Montford the hand of her husband as proof of his death. It would appear that King Henry had not been impressed by his imprisonment in Hereford and in retaliation went on to charge the citizens of Hereford an annual sum of recompense for the next 14 years.

Things could have turned out so differently if it had not been for the cunning, cocky 'Edward Longshanks' and the trusting nature of his naive cousin Hal.

There are more great tales and stories over on our dedicated Herefordshire History and Folklore page, why not take a look:

www.eatsleepliveherefordshire.co.uk/information/history-and-folklore



These stories are curated from many sources where accuracy cannot be guaranteed and retold in our fun ESL style, in the true spirit of Folklore magic.

Photo: castle-finders.co.uk

09/04/2024

29/03/2024

Looking forward to seeing all our lovely customers this weekend,

* Yes we have mint jelly & sauce
* Yes we have ordered extra parsnips (weather looks awful out)
* Yes we have lots of bakery made Hot Cross buns

We too are dreaming of blue skies, hope the background picture below helps

22/03/2024

Join us for a cracking adventure quest at Goodrich Castle this Easter holiday.

22/03/2024

It’s the first week of the Easter holidays next week 🐰 and in true Pink Wellies Nails fashion, it’s busy! 💅🏻

It’s not too late to book your Pink Wellies Nails 🐣

You know the score - message me quick to grab one of the slots below! 📲

See you next week! 🌸

🐰