Black Hall Lodges - a recent holiday in the "Michigan Lodge"
A lodge or a log cabin in Shropshire anybody? How about a holiday at
Black Hall Lodges. We love Black Hall Lodges - let's get that right out of the way
now. Our recent short break was the fifth time we've stayed here in the last seven
years; which just shows what we think of the place!
The lodges at Black Hall, in Shropshire
Five times you say? Black Hall Lodges must be good. It is! Black Hall Lodges
has expanded and improved since our first holiday here all those years ago.
After our first holiday, we didn't think things could get any better. It turns out
- and not for the first time - I was wrong.
Black Hall Lodges consists of 12 lodges: 6 Canadian log cabins and 6
Scandinavian lodges. With 6
wigwams also
being added this year. Each of the lodges has its own private hot tub and wood burning stove too. Over
the course of the last few years we've stayed in both the original log cabins and the newer
Scandinavian lodges. With our preference definitely being for the log cabins. So this holiday we chose the
"Michigan Lodge".
The Michigan lodge sleeps 4 people in 2 bedrooms - 1 double bedroom and a twin. And this lodge is huge! With an open plan living area;
2 bathrooms. And let's not forget the wood burning stove and outdoor hot tub. The lodge is splendidly furnished, and, I'm unhappy to report,
has a sofa which is more comfortable than we have at home. As with all the lodges at Black Hall Lodges, the
Michigan features views out across the Teme Valley. Whether sitting on the veranda (which is what I'm doing as I write this) or sitting
in the hot tub, you can drink in that view. And the peace & quiet; the peace is another factor which makes
Black Hall Lodges the place to come.
Sit on the veranda, and take the views from the Michigan Lodge
It's not dull for the children either; although there are only 18 lodges, log cabins and wigwams in total, there is a leisure
centre just for your use. This leisure centre has an indoor swimming pool, a steam room and sauna; a games room with a free to use pool table; darts;
table football; large TV; and soft play area for the under 8s - although our 9 year-old was quite keen on having a play. Because there
are so few lodges making use of the leisure facilities, you are very likely to find you have the swimming pool to yourself.
The swimming pool at Black Hall Lodges. And the playground in the foreground
A playground and indoor ride on tractor area complete the picture for potentially bored children.
What really swings it for us (apart from the fantastic lodges, hot tub, wood burning stove and swimming pool) is the location.
Black Hall Lodges is situated in the Teme Valley, on the Shropshire/Welsh border. A working organic farm,
Black Hall Lodges is surrounded by fields - with the only sound being the sheep and occasional moo from a local cow.
Walk up to Offa's Dyke
Walks can be taken without the need to bundle everyone into a car. One of our "regular" walks is to the top of Offa's Dyke - which
is where England stops and Wales begins. The uphill walk is about 1½ miles long, and is suitable for children; although, in our case,
bribery is needed to keep the children moving in the right direction.
For those who want the views of Offa's Dyke, but don't want the steep walk involved, Andrew Beavan (the husband of the
husband and wife team which run Black Hall Lodges) makes a tractor journey to the top of Offa's Dyke a few times a week -
you can tag along on his specially designed trailer.
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