Hospitality and Heritage: The Hollies' Journey
A family-run business since 1959, The Hollies began as a roadside vegetable stand, offering homegrown produce with an honesty box. Today, over 60 years later, it remains under the dedicated stewardship of the Cowap family, spanning the second, third, and fourth generations. The Hollies Farm Shop has blossomed into a renowned retail destination, celebrated as one of the finest farm shops in the Northwest of England, UK.
The award-winning Little Budworth Farm Shop now boasts a comprehensive range of offerings, including a Butchery, Delicatessen, Fresh Fish Counter, Gift Barn, Takeaway, Deli Bar and luxurious Forest Lodges. Additionally, a second retail site in Lower Stretton, near Warrington, Cheshire, features a Farm Shop, Butchery, Gift Area, and Café Hollies.
At their original Little Budworth site, this enterprising family ventured into hospitality in the 1980s, expanding their repertoire to include quiz nights, suppers, and barn dances, delighting holidaymakers. After years of planning, they realised their dream of self-catering accommodations in 2009, introducing log cabin-style lodgings at the Little Budworth location.
The Cowap Brothers
Fast-forward to today, and The Hollies Retreats proudly encompasses a diverse portfolio of offerings. This includes six luxury forest lodges in Little Budworth, Cheshire; The wonderful Muckrach Country House you find here, which comes with an additional trio of self-catering lodges on the Muckrach Country House Estate in the Highlands of Scotland; and two luxurious villas located in the enchanting paradise of Barbados. Our newest addition is the beautiful Cathedral House, a period 8 bed self-catering accommodation in the middle of the coastal town of Dornoch.
While the business has expanded and evolved over the years, certain core values have remained unwavering. The family’s unwavering commitment to exceptional quality and customer service, their deep-rooted connection to farming heritage, and their enduring family values all persist to this day, marking a remarkable journey of over six decades in business.
THE MUCKRACH ESTATE
The Muckrach Estate is near the town of Aviemore and provides a welcoming retreat when you want a beautiful place to stay in the Scottish Highlands. We have our large private hire house for up to 22 guests, plus 3 additional smaller luxury self-catering lodges.
Set in acres of pastureland in the Cairgorms National Park and surrounded by some of the best scenery, the site lends itself to a plethora of outdoor activities. From hiking around or skiing down the Cairngorm mountains, swimming at the UK’s highest beach at Loch Morlich, having adventure days at Rothiemurchus, fishing for Salmon in the Spey River, teeing off surrounded by natural beauty, seeing the fairy magic of An Lochan Uaine or the mystery of Loch Ness; you can choose to do it all, or nothing at all…
MUCKRACH COUNTRY HOUSE
Our lovingly restored Victorian Shooting Lodge sleeps up to 22 guests in the utmost of luxury and comfort. The House features eleven uniquely designed en-suite bedrooms, piano bar, luxury kitchen, library, snug, outdoor terrace, and a hot tub for that special time with family, friends or colleagues.
Muckrach Country House offers the utmost in luxury and the perfect balance of space for both entertaining and relaxing.
THE HOLLIES HIGHLAND LODGES
We want you to relax and feel at home in our gorgeous self-catering cottages. Therefore, we design our luxury highland lodges with your comfort in mind. The contemporary, luxury interior design creates an inviting space. Each lodge is self-catering for your convenience, fitted with kitchens with high-end appliances so you can prepare meals at your leisure. If you’re looking for hot tub lodges, we have a couple of charming lodges that have a hot tub in their private gardens.
All our Highland lodges are pet-friendly too, so your dog can enjoy a Highland Break too!
Overall, the Hollies Highland Lodges offer a luxurious place to stay while you explore the Cairgorms National Park or anywhere in Scotland.