In 2010, Gerry and Rachel Mee purchased the then 511-acre farm – moving in with their two sons, Henry and Oliver. They developed the outbuildings into holiday cottages four years later.
Gerry and Rachel had been farming with Gerry’s family in Nassington, near Peterborough, but wanted to buy and manage their own farm. Rachel is originally from a farming family in Cheshire, whilst Gerry was brought up on a vegetable and arable farm in Essex.
In 2010 they started with just one John Deere tractor and no farming equipment at all. It was a busy time to get all the crops drilled that autumn, so machinery was soon purchased and the land worked in order to have a harvest the following year.
Charity Farm is an arable farm, growing wheat, barley, oats and oilseed rape. Its fields surround the village and have various soil types from sand and peat to heavy clay. Gerry, Rachel and two very keen sons all work on the farm, with a local dairy farmer coming to help during the busy harvest and autumn period.
The environment is incredibly important to everyone at the farm, with various schemes in place to enhance and conserve the nature and woodland around us. A few current environmental projects include: grass margins left along all watercourses; lapwing breeding and feeding zones; a woodland scheme with new tree plantings; barn owl boxes with successful breeding. No tillage farming is now practised to further enhance the soil structure on the farm.
Green energy has also been an investment on the farm. Solar panels are in place to generate electricity for the farm, cottages and farmhouse on sunny days. We’re looking into the possibility of electricity storage for the future. A wood-chip biomass boiler – using wood-chip from local, sustainable sources – provides the heating and hot water to the cottages and house. The Spa also utilises green energy.
The holiday cottages were opened in 2014 after 18 months of renovating redundant farm buildings. Rachel enjoys marketing and meeting people, so it seemed a perfect business to start. The cottages are thriving and the addition of The Spa at Burlton in 2017 enhanced the guest experience even further.
The Stable
The Stable is a dog-friendly, spacious self-contained ground floor cottage, with an enclosed south-facing lawned garden with patio and outdoor seating area. The cottage is spacious for two people and an infant and because it is one level on the ground floor it is accessibility-friendly too. It is a popular choice for couples that want to use the Spa, enjoy walking in the beautiful Shropshire countryside or visiting one of the nearby National Trust properties. There is also ample space for couples with a baby as a cot can be provided in the cottage. It has an open-plan kitchen, dining and lounge area with an oak dining table capable of seating eight people. The lounge can comfortably seat five people and has patio doors to the garden. The large windows allow plenty of light to stream in. NEW for 2020, are new curtains and a blind in the living area for a fresh crisp warming look. The excellent quality king-size double bed can also be made as a twin-bedded room, with luxury cotton bed linen and hypo-allergenic bedding. Blackout curtains ensure a restful night’s sleep. It has an en-suite bathroom with bath, shower over, sink, toilet and heated towel rail. The Stable is fully-equipped with everything you need to enjoy your home from home.
The Granary
The Granary is a one bedroom cottage with en-suite facilities. It is secluded and full of character, with original beam features. Guests love its privacy and the wonderful light that beams through the open space. There are strictly no dogs allowed in The Granary, so it’s perfect for people with pet allergies. Is has an open-plan kitchen, dining and lounge area with a dining table that seats two people. The lounge area comfortably seats four people, with a new three seater recliner sofa and upright chair. The large period windows allow plenty of light to stream into the kitchen. NEW for 2020 is a 49 Inch Sony Bravia Smart 4K TV a true luxury whilst relaxing on the reclining sofa. (Sorry the new sofa and TV are not yet on the photos). Our excellent quality super-king double bed can also be made as a twin-bedded room, with luxury cotton bed linen and hypo-allergenic bedding. The en-suite bathroom has a bath, shower over, sink, toilet and heated towel rail. There is limited space in the bedroom for a cot. The Granary has an enclosed patio seating area outside. There is underfloor heating throughout the cottage. Nb. Due to the steps leading up to the cottage, The Granary is not suitable for people with limited mobility. The Granary is fully equipped with everything you need to enjoy your holiday, home from home.
The Courtyard
The Courtyard is a perfect family ground floor cottage, with two bedrooms and an outside enclosed patio area with outdoor seating. The cottage can sleep up to four people and an infant and is accessibility-friendly. Dogs are very welcome at The Courtyard. The open-plan dining and lounge area has an oak dining table that seats eight people. The lounge can comfortably seat five people and has a door leading to the patio area. Large windows allow plenty of light to stream in. There are blinds in the lounge area. There are two bedrooms both with super-king double beds that can be made up as two twin-bedded rooms if preferred. Both bedrooms have blackout curtains to ensure a restful night’s sleep. The family bathroom has a bath with shower over, sink, toilet and heated towel rail. The Courtyard is fully-equipped with everything you need to enjoy your stay.
The Burlton Collection
The Burlton Collection – sleeping eight people, two infants and up to four dogs – is perfect for family holidays, group and special occasions. The self-catering cottages collectively accommodate a family of four and another two couples (quite often grandparents). This is perfect for sharing a wonderful family holiday or special occasion, whilst still having the privacy and solitude of your own holiday cottage. Alternatively, the bedrooms can all be arranged as twin-bedded accommodation. That’s eight single beds – perfect for a friends get-together or a corporate getaway. There is a dining table in The Courtyard that can comfortably seat eight people, allowing you all to eat meals together. Dinner party catering by Pemberton’s Catering can be arranged either as a fully-catered party in the comfort of your cottage, or the food can be dropped off. Please let us know your requirements in advance so that a special evening can be arranged. The Spa facility is available for all guests staying at the cottages. Why not book a massage or beauty treatment with Siam Harmony for a truly relaxing Spa break. We do allow well-behaved hen parties, but please bear in mind that the only nightlife in Burlton is the pub or listening to the Barn Owls whilst stargazing! Bookings of just two cottages can also be arranged under one booking. Please do not hesitate to call Rachel to discuss any special requirements you may have, to make your break a special one.
