'Incredibly special': Shropshire holiday home named among UK's best

A converted farm cottage in Shropshire has been named one of the country’s best holiday lets.

Local holiday homeowner, Sara Jones, is celebrating after her property in Shropshire was named one of the UK's best holiday lets for the second time.

Sara scooped gold for The Olde Cow House, a converted farm cottage in the rural hamlet of Plaish, near Church Stretton, which was crowned Best for Young Families at the 2026 Sykes Gem Awards. The property previously took home gold for Best for Families in 2024.

Set on a fourth-generation family sheep and arable farm, The Olde Cow House first welcomed holidaymakers in 2002 as part of a farm diversification project.

Accommodating up to 11 guests, the cottage is designed for family gatherings, with visitors able to enjoy an indoor infinity pool, tennis court, go-karts, games rooms and an outdoor play area. Younger guests can also meet the farm's resident animals, including pigs, chickens, goats and ponies.

Sara, a mother of six children, manages The Olde Cow House alongside two other holiday homes on the farm, all converted from former agricultural buildings and retaining original features alongside modern amenities.

The Sykes Gem Awards, which first launched in 2017 to celebrate some of the UK's most unique, memorable and highly rated holiday lets, saw winners crowned from Sykes' portfolio of more than 25,000 properties across the UK and Ireland.

They were judged by a panel of industry experts from Sykes Holiday Cottages, plus Julie Delahaye, Travel Editor at Reach PLC.

Properties were rated on guest feedback and scores, property quality, occupancy performance and amenities. The judging panel were impressed by the style and facilities on offer at The Olde Cow House, along with guest feedback.

The Olde Cow House owner, Sara Jones, said: “After 25 years of welcoming guests to The Olde Cow House, it is incredibly special to receive another Sykes Gem Award.

“I have worked hard to make Olde Cow House a place where families can enjoy quality relaxed time together with all the animals and onsite leisure activities to make lasting memories.

“To be recognized in this way is very rewarding and we are grateful to the guests who all leave such lovely reviews - and always so touched by the children who are so sad they have to leave that they sometimes shed a tear!”