The name Wolsey recalls Henry VIII's Lord Chancellor, bon viveur Cardinal Wolsey. When he toured the realm in the sixteenth century he expected to receive generous hospitality at any suitable country house along his way. These pleasant homes, often of historic interest, include timber-framed Elizabethan manor houses, Georgian mansions, Victorian country rectories and lovingly-restored cottages.

Wolsey Lodges vary from quite grand country houses to more modest homes. At some you will enjoy antique furniture, fine pictures and portraits, beautiful silver and glass. Others offer more informal hospitality. To some extent this difference is reflected in the price charged. We try to indicate the individual style of each home in the brochure entries, so do read these carefully.

Bedrooms and Bathrooms - Your hostess will usually have two or three bedrooms available for visitors. All rooms have private bathrooms. Most are 'en suite' but in some cases your bathroom may be across a corridor. If you are travelling with friends or relatives and are happy to share a bathroom with them, then your hostess may have an extra bedroom. (It is worth asking if the Wolsey Lodge of your choice is otherwise fully booked.)

Bedrooms are delightful, some definitely luxurious. Some hostesses provide duvets, others traditional sheets and blankets.

Dinner and Drinks - We hope you will dine in at least once during your stay, although of course guests are not required to do so. Often you will eat at a table with your hosts and their other guests. A few Wolsey Lodges have separate tables.

Wolsey Lodge hostesses, and some hosts too, take pride in their cooking and in creating a friendly dinner party atmosphere. Cooking standards are high with an emphasis on the use of fresh local ingredients. The number of courses served varies. As a general rule, the higher the price, the more elaborate is the dinner!

Your hostess will need to know in advance if you want to dine on the night of your arrival, (at least 24 hours), and if you have any particular dislikes or dietary restrictions, but remember that the essence of staying at a Wolsey Lodge is to enjoy personal hospitality and the cooking of the house! Sometimes it is possible to order a light supper, rather than dinner, but this will depend on other guests. Some hostesses do not offer dinner on up to two specific nights of the week. Please see individual entries. Your hostess will not be able to cope with two styles of evening meal.

Some Wolsey Lodges are licensed to serve alcoholic drinks. Look for the signin the entry. Prices will be what you would expect to find in a pub (bar). When a host does not have a licence you may bring your own drinks and he will be pleased to serve your wine at the table. Two Wolsey Lodges, D1 and G11, have a restaurant that is open to the public as well as to staying guests.

Choosing your Wolsey Lodge - Wolsey Lodges are listed in twelve geographical areas. Each Lodge has a reference number. See the search page . The number of rooms available is shown at each member's entry. For example, '1D 2T' means one double-bedded room and two twin-bedded rooms. The symbols after the number of rooms show the facilities of the house and the area. Search now

The British Abroad - Welcome to an Englishman's home in France, Spain or Italy and enjoy Wolsey Lodge hospitality in continental Europe.

Children - Some (but not all) Wolsey Lodges welcome children and a number will be happy for them to swim in the pool and play in the grounds. Hostesses may help, too, with your baby, providing a cot and the use of the kitchen to warm bottles and baby food. However, you will find you are pretty unpopular if you spoon-feed your child at the dinner table and if in any doubt, ask when making your reservation. Check too about children's price reductions.

Dogs - Some Wolsey Lodges accept dogs, but only if you make special arrangements. Check the information panels.

Reservations and Arrival - Write to or telephone your host direct. He may ask for a minimum deposit, (not refundable), of £10 per person or 20% of the value of the booking to confirm the reservation. Always try to book in advance. Many hosts prefer not to accept unannounced guests. Your hostess would prefer to know about your visit in advance and to know at what time to expect you. This is particularly important if you are arriving after 6pm or are delayed on your journey, as meals are usually served at a set time, not on 'demand' as in a restaurant.

Remember too that your hosts may be out during the day and will not normally expect to greet you before 4pm. On arrival it is a good idea to ring the bell as you do at a home, rather than walk in as you would at an hotel.

Reservations from abroad - These may be made directly with the Wolsey Lodge of your choice or through the Secretary - address on the contact page. The Secretary will write, telephone, fax or e-mail back a provisional booking and ask you to confirm the reservation with your deposit of £10 per person or 20% of the value of the booking, whichever is the greater, for each Wolsey Lodge involved. The deposit or total cost may be paid by American Express, Visa, Mastercard, Eurocard or sterling cheque to the Secretary. Quote your card number and expiry date. Deposits are not refundable.

These cards are accepted by the Wolsey Lodge office for deposits or full payments in advance. Individual Wolsey Lodges may not accept your card. Check when booking.

Book a bed ahead - Your host will be happy to make an onward booking to another Wolsey Lodge at no charge, but when possible would prefer this to be in the evening to avoid the breakfast-time rush.

Leaving your room - This is usually expected to be by 11.00 a.m. on the day you depart.

Prices - Prices are per person per night based on shared occupancy and include a generous breakfast. An extra charge is often made for the use of a double room as a single, (shown at 'Single supplement'), but this will never be more than the single person rate plus 50%. Reduced charges may be available for extended stays - please check when booking. Prices are inclusive of VAT where applicable. Wolsey Lodges do not make a service charge. Some Wolsey Lodges accept credit cards - please check when booking.

Cancellations - If you have to cancel please remember that a contract exists between you and the Wolsey Lodge with whom you have made a booking. The Wolsey Lodge will try to re-let your cancelled accommodation but your deposit will not normally be refunded because of the administrative cost of making the booking and the re-letting.

It is Wolsey Lodge policy that, should the accommodation not be re-let, you are liable for 30% of the total charges if you cancel within 28 days of the start of your visit, 60% within 13 days and 80% if you cancel within 48 hours.

Smoking - Some Wolsey Lodges ask you not to smoke in some rooms (e.g. bedrooms or dining room). This is indicated by the symbol ie smoking restrictions. Wolsey Lodges who prefer to welcome non-smokers only indicate this within the descriptive copy; 'a no smoking house' .

About the company - Wolsey Lodges Ltd. is a non-profit making organisation owned by the members of the group. Wolsey Lodges was founded in 1981 by the East Anglia Tourist Board with thirteen homes. Membership rapidly expanded and today there are 199 members throughout Britain and 14 in continental Europe.