One of the benefits of downsizing to a Cognatum property is that you do not have to lose out on space to accommodate occasional visits by friends and family, thanks to a range of comfortable guest suites, serviced by the estate managers. At just £27.50 for a single night stay and £20 for all subsequent nights, a rate that includes a continental-style breakfast, the guest suites offer a modestly priced alternative to asking your visitors to stay in a local B&B. There is also the obvious convenience of enjoying hosting guests, who can stay just a short stroll away.

Available on more than half of Cognatum estates, the guest accommodation provides an income that covers their running costs and contributes to their future maintenance and improvement. Many of these guest suites have recently been refurbished, as part of the wider commitment to keeping estates attractive and contemporary, and others are planned to follow this year.