Boho-chic gem with huge views on a south-facing hillside above the River Wye, near Offa's Dyke (sleeps 6 + 2 kids)
Space & setting.
At the end of a lane between Hay-on-Wye and Offas’s Dyke, this beautiful 3-bed hideaway is perfect for friends, families and anyone who loves a bit of rural immersion. Up until 2014, the tiny cottage had been owned by the same family for almost a century, before its current owners added a glass-fronted extension to take advantage of the killer view onto the Black Mountains and Hay Bluff. On a clear day you can see as far as Pen y Fan and in winter, when the mist rolls in, the garden is visited by woodpeckers, rabbits and wild deer.
Boho interiors reflect the travels and interests of the owners. In the kitchen, the tiles are reclaimed and Spanish, the work surfaces repurposed lab tops, the crockery vintage and the pans top quality (he’s a chef). In the sitting room decor includes vintage lamps, a batik-blind made by the creative owner, and armchairs covered with local sheepskin and Gujarati blankets. Ancient beams and exposed stonework celebrate the history of the cottage, while the bedrooms in the modern extension have hand-built beds and fabrics by Molly Mahon, Liberty and Linwood (2 kingsize, 1 with 4 single beds or a double and 2 bunks). Come for great walks from the house, world-class hiking on Offa’s Dyke, wild swimming in the River Wye and mooching around Hay’s wonderful independents.
Getting here: best to drive
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Sustainability.
Wood for the woodburners is sourced from their land; high-spec insulation in the extention; full recycling; untamed land and wild meadow in the adjacent field.
Surrounds.
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Black Mountains -
Bredwardine Bridge over the Wye -
Kington -
Queenswood Country Park -
Offa's Dyke Escape
- There are glorious local walks from the house, through Whitney Woods to a lovely local pub, along the Herefordshire Trail or into Brilley Green Dingle’s wooded reserve. Maps and suggested walking routes await.
- More serious hikes a short drive away include Offa’s Dyke and up onto Hergest Ridge or along the epic ridges of The Black Mountains. Hay Bluff or the Cat’s Black are our favourites.
- You’re spoilt with amazing local food and drink here – from nearby Artistraw Cider and Black Mountain Gin to pubs like The Bull’s Head at Craswall, serving meat from its regenerative farm.
- Hay-on-Wye is 3 miles away, with fabulous independent shops and cafes like relative newbie The Flaming Lady of Hay and the much-loved Booth’s Bookshop. If you’re here on Thursday, don’t miss the market; Alex Gooch’s bread and pastries are the absolute best. If you can, book the house for the annual Literary Festival in late May.
- Kington is a cute under-the-radar alternative to Hay, with a Friday market, great local makers scene and an independent deli.
- Younger kids will love the mud kitchen and treehouse in the garden, plus the brilliant nearby farm park and owl centre.
Older kids can canoe down the River Wye and hire bikes in Hay for an epic mountain biking scene. Afterwards, feed them some of the best pizza in the west at Origin in Hay or Daphne’s in Presteigne.
Specifics.
- Cottage and contemporary extension
- 3 bedrooms: 2 x kingsize + 1 x 4 single beds (or a double and 2 bunks on request)
- Note, this is not a party house & young groups are not permitted
- 3 bathrooms: one with shower/bath, 2 shower rooms
- Brilliantly equipped kitchen warmed by a woodburner: basic supplies
- Living room warmed by a woodburner
- Electric radiators throughout
- No TV but WiFi
- Books, board games, torch, candles and outdoor cooking kit
- Toy chest and kids’ books
- Garden with treehouse, playground, rope swing and mud kitchen
- Dog friendly – max 2 dogs who live together
- Parking for 2/3 cars
- Drive to shops, foodie pubs and restaurants (3 miles to Hay); walk to a lovely pub (1.2 miles)
- Booking conditions: 2/3-night min stay
- Remember to pack: wellies, slippers / thick socks for cold floors (no underfloor heating), binoculars
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30% deposit, with the balance due 8 weeks prior to stay.
Cancellations: 8+ weeks prior to stay: deposit refunded, minus a £30 processing fee.
6-8 weeks prior to stay: deposit retained, 70% balance refunded, minus a £30 processing fee.
4-6 weeks prior to stay: 50% of the total booking fee retained, 50% refunded, minus a £30 processing fee.
No refunds if booking cancelled within 4 weeks of stay.
See our full booking Ts & Cs here.
FAQs.
It depends. If they are small and live together then generally yes. No more than that though.
The house is at the bottom of a private lane with space for 2 cars. You can fit 3 at a push (but one will then have to reverse up a steep lane to get out).
Yes but it’s pretty ‘rural’ so not always the fastest. If you want to watch some films, best to download them before you leave home.
No dishwasher but gloves and local Splash eco washing up liquid (all household cleaning materials have to be eco as we have a septic tank). Yes there’s a washing machine, but no dryer. Drying frame in the airing cupboard.
There is an infant travel cot (up to 2 yrs) and a toy chest plus games, jigsaw puzzles etc. No high chair sorry, as there’s not the space to store one, and be aware clip-on baby seats don’t work with the dining table. Outside you’ll find natural adventures galore and a rope swing in the field.
For drinks and dinner we’d suggest Chapters in Hay on Wye. For a Sunday roast, The Open Arms community pub in Kington or The Blue Boar in Hay.
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