Slightly strange post this, but it’s worth doing because it may strike a ‘brainwave’ moment with somebody.

The other day I went to Poundon House, a lovely country estate just outside Bicester. It’s already established as a popular wedding venue – they do lots of Asian, fusion and civil ceremonies there – but I had heard on the Muddy grapevine that the owners were now looking to rent the house out for accomodation.

So this is how I ended up sitting with super lovely owners Anthony and Vicky in their not remotely grand kitchen on a torrentiously wet day having a giggle over a cup of tea. They are totally lovely, perhaps a tiny bit eccentric in the best sense of the word. It was a lot of fun, though in Muddy Stilettos terms it was a wasted visit, as they were still in the throes of thrashing out what quite to do with their spare nine bedrooms. (I sympathise, I have that trouble myself).

What I did learn is that the accomodation is for adults only. It’s not ’boutique’ by any stretch – most rooms would share a bathroom, rather than have one to themselves. And it’s a proper family home, albeit a whopping big one, with a warm, homely, at times jaded feel to it. Claridges it is not, but then it’s not trying to be.

THE FACT IS… It would be a fantastic (and, I sense, a good value) venue for a party of adults to take over for a special occasion weekend. Or, perhaps even better, it would work as a writing/painting/yoga retreat. All meals would be fully catered in the lovely sash-windowed dining room, and then in your free time you could wander in the grounds, do a spot of Bicester Village shopping, etc .

It might all come to nothing, but if this sparks an idea with you, just get in touch with Anthony at Poundon House at enquiries@poundonhouse.com - and let me know what happens!

 www.poundonhouse.com