What’s The Garden Rooms like?
This one-bedroom apartment is a stone’s thrown from the A1, near Grantham, making it an ideal place to break long journeys to the north or south. The Garden Rooms, which are completely self-contained, are in a semi-rural location and feel very private. Host Joanna lives in the main house next-door.
How dog-friendly is The Garden Rooms?
Really good. There is plenty of space for dogs at The Garden Rooms and, as the name suggests, lots of outdoor areas for them to explore. The gardens are very established and secure – as long as the owners’ main gate is closed. Several areas are signposted as private, however, so we chose to take Ernie and Stan out on extendable leads. Dogs can also be exercised in the neighbouring field where you park your car. Guests are asked to make a £10 recommended donation per pet into the charity box, which goes to Medecins Sans Frontieres.
Tell me more about The Garden Rooms
The spacious apartment was created when the owners had to fill in their indoor swimming pool and has four floor-to-ceiling patio doors that make the most of the lovely garden views. You enter into the light and airy lounge, which has wipe-clean laminate flooring, a leather sofa, pullout sofa bed and large flatscreen TV. It leads in to the stylish kitchen and dining area which has the same Mediterranean-style floor tiles as the bathroom. Here, you’ll find an impressively large shower cubicle and complimentary toiletries.
Just like the rest of the apartment, the homely bedroom is much bigger than it looks in the pictures. It is also the only room to be carpeted. The comfy king-size bed faces the garden and there is plenty of storage, as well as an ultra-quiet Woozoo fan.
The Garden Rooms lead out on to a large patio area, next to a trickling waterfall. If the weather is good, guests are welcome to use the BBQ provided – and if you’re feeling sporty, there is even a tennis court where you can enjoy a game or two. Racquets and balls are available upon request.
What’s the food like at The Garden Rooms?
The modern kitchen is simple yet has everything you need – aside from an oven. Several basics are provided, such as tea, coffee, milk and biscuits. Guests will also find a good selection of condiments and cooking essentials, as well as things like tin foil and freezer bags.
If you don’t fancy cooking though, the nearest pub is The Recruiting Sergeant – roughly a 10-minute walk from The Garden Rooms. It serves excellent home-cooked food and dogs are welcome in the bar area. A list of other pet-friendly local pubs can be found in the welcome pack. Several takeaways also deliver to The Garden Rooms, including the Grantham Tandoori, which serves excellent Nepalese food.
Are there resident dogs at The Garden Rooms?
Yes, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Bruno. If you’re lucky, you might get to meet him but he has his own private garden and often keeps himself to himself. You might hear him playing ball though!
Where are the best dog walks near The Garden Rooms?
As well as the gardens, guests have access to a field – which is where you also park your car. When we visited, it had been left to grow wild in the middle but there was a nicely cut pathway around the edge, pictured above, that was perfect for the boys’ morning and late night ablutions. A public footpath also runs right past the main gate for The Garden Rooms and takes you through the surrounding farmland.
If you’re keen to explore further afield, you’ll find a range of leaflets and maps in the kitchen. These detail a number of walks in and around the Vale of Belvoir – between Grantham and Nottingham – that suit all ages and abilities.
While you’re in the area, be sure to visit Belton House, too. While dogs are not allowed inside the historic National Trust property itself, they are welcome to visit the 1,300 acres of gardens. Pets must be kept on-lead in the parkland because of grazing animals, but can be let off in the woods behind Bellmount Tower. Dogs are also allowed inside the gift shop, second-hand bookshop and Stables Cafe. For more information about visiting Belton House with your dog, click here.
What Ernie and Stan loved about The Garden Rooms
Having some outdoor space to roam in, keeping a watchful eye on the garden, the great walks on the doorstep
What I loved about The Garden Rooms
The fantastic amount of space, the semi-rural location, the lovely shower
How to book The Garden Rooms
Overnight stays start from £59, plus cleaning and service fees. For more information or to book, visit The Garden Rooms listing on Airbnb.
