The Bench Mark offers comfortable, eco-friendly bed and breakfast accommodation in a beautiful part of the West Midlands – ideal for walking (right on the Offa’s Dyke path), cycling, driving or just mooching about. The house is comfortable and centrally heated throughout; there is no TV, which makes for a peaceful and relaxed atmosphere, but there is free wi-fi if you absolutely have to keep abreast with the world. The Bench Mark is very much a home, rather than just a guest house, so expect a certain amount of ‘creative clutter’ and a good supply of books – and a resident cat for good measure…

The house is on many different levels with a narrow staircase and so is not suitable for people with mobility problems. Visitors to the house should be 16 or over and cat-tolerant.

Your host, Adam Watson, is a one-time bookbinder, an amateur musician, avid reader, enjoys cooking and has an interest in classic cars and green issues. He is also a creative sort of guy who dips in and out of weaving, spinning, tapestry, shirt-making and other creative ‘stuff’.