National Trust estate
Shugborough Estate
A grand mansion, walled gardens and monuments set in sweeping National Trust parkland - a full day out, minutes down the lane.
Tixall · Staffordshire
A unique historic octagonal lodge retreat in the Staffordshire countryside
A beautifully restored historic lodge at the entrance to the former Tixall Estate - available for exclusive stays in the heart of the Staffordshire countryside.
Scroll
II
Listed · 1807
IThe Lodge
A bottle in stone,
two hundred years on.
At the entrance to the historic Tixall Estate stands one of Staffordshire’s most curious little buildings - an octagonal gate lodge of dressed stone, crowned by an ogee dome and a slender finial. From a distance the silhouette reads, unmistakably, as a bottle. It has stood here for more than two centuries.
Historic England records the lodge as dating from 1807, though older fragments hint it may be older still - part of its story long since lost to time. It was never a grand house. Generations of shepherds, grooms, dairy workers and farm labourers made their home within these walls - a small, working building with a quiet and deeply human history.
It has watched the Georgian age, the Industrial Revolution and two World Wars pass along the lane. Today, carefully restored, the lodge opens its leaded windows to just two guests at a time - a rare chance to stay inside a small piece of Staffordshire’s history.
Designation
Grade II Listed
Dated
1807
Plan
Octagonal
Sleeps
Two guests
“Some buildings are simply owned.
Others are cared for and passed on.”
In our care since 2020 - the exterior re-pointed and its lead cornice repaired; inside, taken back to the brick and rebuilt with care.
IIRestoration
Bringing Bottle Lodge
back to life.
We found it in a sorry state - a leaking roof, with damp and mould working through the little building. Putting it right took patience and the right hands: breathable lime, traditional methods and skilled local craftspeople. Drag to see the change.
Before
After
IIIGallery
Every angle has
a story.
A closer look around the lodge. Select any image to view it larger.
The sitting room
The bedroom, beneath the dome
The winding stair
The kitchen
View to the garden
Stone basin & brass
The walk-in shower
Dining area
Beneath the beams
Small comforts
Bottle Lodge
The lodge in miniature
IVExplore the Area
A landscape worth
lingering in.
Bottle Lodge sits among some of Staffordshire’s finest estates, waters and walks.
Elizabethan landmark
Tixall Gatehouse
The striking, recently restored Elizabethan gatehouse of the same Tixall Estate - the area’s great surviving showpiece, now a place to stay in its own right.
Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
Cannock Chase
Heath, ancient woodland and miles of trails - with cycling routes and the Go Ape treetop course for more active days.
Waterside walk
Canal & Tixall Wide
Step straight onto the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal towpath and follow it to the broad, swan-filled water of Tixall Wide.
Historic venue
The Orangery, Ingestre
A beautifully restored 1840s orangery within the Ingestre parkland - one of Staffordshire’s quiet hidden gems.
Eat & drink
Village Pubs & Tables
Welcoming inns and canal-side kitchens close by - the Clifford Arms, the Wolseley Arms and more, from a quick pint to a long Sunday lunch.
VAvailability
Check Availability
View live availability and book your stay directly through Airbnb.
Calendar shows live availability. All bookings are completed securely on Airbnb.
VIWhy Guests Love It
Small in size.
Generous in spirit.
Historic & Restored
A Grade II listed lodge of 1807, beautifully conserved.
01Sleeps Two
Intimate by design - perfect for a pair.
02WiFi
Connected, when you want to be.
03Kitchen
Compact and well-equipped.
04Walk-in Shower
Modern comfort within old stone.
05Parking
Private parking on arrival.
06Garden & Countryside
A third of an acre of garden, with open fields beyond.
07Self Check-in
Contactless arrival, any time, via a coded key box.
08VIIGood to Know
Questions,
answered.
Everything worth knowing before you book. Still curious about something? Send us a note - we’re always happy to help.
How many guests can stay?
Bottle Lodge sleeps two. It was restored as an intimate retreat for a couple, so it is not set up for additional guests or children.
Where exactly is Bottle Lodge?
We are in Tixall, near Stafford in Staffordshire (ST18 0XJ), at the gates of the former Tixall Estate. Shugborough Estate, Cannock Chase and the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal are all close by.
What are the check-in and check-out times?
Check-in is from 2pm and check-out is by 11am. Arrival is contactless and self-service via a coded key box, so you can let yourselves in at any time from 2pm.
Is there parking?
Yes - private parking is available right at the lodge on arrival, at no extra cost.
Are pets allowed?
As dog lovers with pets of our own, we completely understand how much they are part of the family. Sadly, though, Bottle Lodge is a small space and its interior simply doesn’t lend itself to four-legged guests, so we’re unable to welcome pets on this occasion.
How do I book?
You can book instantly on Airbnb, or send us an enquiry using the form below and we will reply by email to arrange your stay.
VIIIContact
Plan your stay,
or simply say hello.
Where
Bottle Lodge, Tixall
Stafford, Staffordshire
ST18 0XJ
Stafford, Staffordshire
ST18 0XJ
WhatsApp
@thebottlelodge
Glimpses of the lodge and the seasons around it - follow along on Instagram.