Sheila is a trained pharmacist and an enthusiastic gardener with a passion for home baking. Guy is an experienced finance director in the publishing sector and a former breakfast chef at his family-run hotel. Both of them have always wanted to run a bed and breakfast and live in an historic house. Here they give guests the lowdown on what makes them tick: Favourite place to visit in the local area: Sheila: Goodrich Castle. An impressive medieval castle with stunning views, only a few minutes’ drive away Guy: Hellens Manor. A beautiful atmospheric, very old house and gardens Best breakfast you’ve ever had? Sheila: Greek yogurt, mountain thyme honey and local fruits, on a sunny balcony in Greece Guy: Greek tomatoes fried in butter, on toasted Greek bread. A speciality of his brother-in-law Favourite activity in the local area? Sheila: Visiting the many castles, houses and gardens and getting to know this beautiful area Guy: Canoeing on the River Wye from the village, to Symonds Yat

Lower Wythall opened in the summer of 2016 after the present owners, Guy and Sheila, spent over two years sympathetically restoring the seven bedroom Elizabethan property. Features include oak beams, flagstone floors and inglenook fireplaces with modern-wood burners. Herefordshire is cider country and so it’s only fitting that all three guest bedrooms are named after historic cider apple varieties originating in the South and West of England. Each room has its own distinctive character but all three offer the same level of outstanding comfort and luxury you can expect throughout your stay at Lower Wythall.

Lower Wythall sits in a rural setting, with views across the countryside, just a five-minute drive from Ross-on-Wye, with its small independent shops, three supermarkets, quaint streets, historic buildings and other amenities, which the hosts are happy to help you find. Close to the River Wye (for canoeing, kayaking and fishing), Goodrich Castle, Symonds Yat Rock and the Forest of Dean. There are many walks and cycle routes from the house and in the surrounding area. Lower Wythall is well-placed for many events in the area, such as the Hay-on-Wye Festival of Literature and Arts, Cheltenham Festival racing week, the Chepstow racing festival and Welsh Grand National, the Royal Three Counties Show near Malvern, Malvern spring and autumn garden shows, the Monmouth Show, the Ross Beer and Cider Festival, and the Abergavenny Food Festival. Your hosts are happy to give you more information about the area.