This is a page of suggestions for things you can do, staying at The Lodge, but not actually going anywhere further than Smithmoor Common - i.e. literally "on the doorstep" - no cars, no travelling, you can see it from the front door. No petrol - no parking charges - all relaxation
Lie in (no-one to bother you - except the roosters - they get up earlier than you or we do......)
Breakfast outside (bacons and eggs in the fresh air - lovely! We'll even sell you the eggs)
Barbeque
Birdwatching - Well, you might have to "bird-listen" for the woodpeckers. We don't always see them, but we know they're there. As I write this, the greenwoodpecker is a very busy chap - here, there and everywhere.
Walk out over the Common
Stay up late - evening and night-time are glorious here - watch the stars as they come out.
Dawn Over Smithmoor Common
Watch the sunset from the Common. - the sun sets over the Malvern Hills. It can be spectacular to watch from out there - but take a torch if you want to stay out, we don't have streetlamps here......
Skywatching (no orange glow here - lovely dark sky). Bring your binoculars (or telescope)
Watch the Dawn - in summer you will see the sunrise from the Lodge Terrace
Painting
Walk the dog. This is a holiday just made for dogs. Bring him along. He shouldn't be in kennels when you're having fun.......
Photography - I'm no kind of photographer, but look at the Gallery,. My "point and click" produced those.
Buttercups on Smithmoor Common
Lunch outside (come on - get the beer out....)
Sunbathe
Count the chickens. The girls and boys are supposed to live on their side of the fence - but we have break-outs. you'll see them around :-)
Read that book you've been keeping to one side, or read one of ours - we supply a choice of books for you. Perhaps you might enjoy one of those?
Picnic - One of the Great Pleasures - eating outdoors. Make the most of it. It's hard to use as an advertising line in England, but we do in fact seem to get more than our fair share of good weather here. We hardly have a meal indoors in Summer (and Spring and Autumn). Make the most of it!
Front Gate to the Common
Camp - go on - bring a tent - there's plenty of room and the kids will love it!
Have dinner outside - wine this time I think :-)
Be Romantic - if it's just the two of you, well you ain't gonna get much more private than this.... treat it as a special occasion. Birthday? Anniversary? Valentines? Go on. How often do you get time to yourselves? Let us know that you would like "Something Special" and we can lay on satin bedding, silk petals, romantic lighting, chocolates, oysters and champagne.... tell us what you would like to Celebrate. We'll do our best for you
Trees in Winter
Go blackberrying - if it's the season, Smithmoor Common can be your private supply of blackberries - no-one competing with you except the blackbirds.....
Talk to us - we love having our guests. In Summer we almost always eat outside and you will see us around the garden. Come and say "Hello". Have a coffee ( or a beer..... or a wine.....) with us
In short, just chill out. This is a holiday where you can just relax and do your own thing all day long. If you want to go out you can - but if you don't want to, then there is no need to go anywhere else at all. Fill the fridge, get your feet up and just take it as it comes........
Butterfly on Buddleia