Shropshire Star

Pink Cottage to open at Weston Park

A treasured Weston Park cottage has been restored to create a unique holiday home – fit for a relaxing short break.

Published
The Pink Cottage at Weston Park has been restored

The Staffordshire country estate will open its latest holiday property Pink Cottage from May 2018, following the extensive refurbishment.

It is nestled in the heart of the Capability Brown created Temple Wood and was for many years the much-loved retreat of 18th century socialite Lady Bridgeman.

The cottage, which has been part of the estate since the 17th century, has been lovingly restored to create a unique and cosy space.

The interior of Pink Cottage

It takes its place alongside a number Weston’s other historic follies that have been converted into holiday properties – all celebrating unique stories – whist blending the graceful modernity that is expected from a holiday property of distinction.

Interior designer Susie Stocks was commissioned to create a design scheme that touched upon the fascinating story of the cottage and its importance to the Weston estate.

The result is an interior that brings the outside in, combined with every high-end comfort to guarantee a truly luxurious break.

By the 18th century it had had life breathed into it by Lady Bridgeman, a vivacious socialite who resided at Weston with her family and whose recently discovered diaries reveal that she spent much of her free time at the cottage, using it both as a retreat for reading, letter writing and quiet contemplation and as a more intimate surrounding in which to entertain close friends.

In the 1920s and 30s it once again came into the favour of the lady of the house, when it was restored by the fifth Earl’s wife, Margaret Bruce with the help of her three daughters.

Her daughter Lady Diana even sketched some of her design ideas for renowned interior designers Sibyl Colefax and John Fowler. It’s this spirit of escape merged with bonhomie that the 21st century renovation has endeavoured to capture and all are invited to enjoy.

The estate is home to six bespoke spaces for guests to stay; Temple of Diana (six guests); The Knoll Tower (2 guests); Pink Cottage, (2 guests), The Gardener’s Bothy (2 guests); The Potting Shed (2 guests); and the main house, Weston Park (up to 54 guests in 28 rooms).

A holiday at the Pink Cottage costs from £408 for a three night stay.