Luxe cabins for in a nature-filled setting, 3 miles from Hay-on-Wye; ideal for friends and families (each sleeps 4)
Space & setting.
A cycle ride away from Hay-on-Wye lies a wildly beautiful retreat of willow meadows and Corsican pines, surrounded by endless countryside and the gently ebbing River Wye. Black caps and chaffinches flit between trees; swifts swoop and dive in the peaceful evening light. It’s British nature at its best. This gorgeous trio of spacious, double-storey eco cabins blends into the landscape perfectly, local timber panelling, solid wood floors and walls of glass blurring the lines between indoor and out. Though close to one another, they’ve been cleverly staggered and angled for privacy and young trees provide natural barriers, so you’re never overlooked, and kids can run free without overspill.
Identical in design, each has wide decking with the comfiest sunloungers and temperature-ready hot tubs, plus a firepit area where you can BBQ and stargaze (this is a Dark Skies area). Inside, an open-plan lower floor is a light blend of high-quality furnishings and a brilliant kitchen, whilst up a handcrafted staircase, 2 bedrooms bookend your shared bathroom and colourful Melin Tregwynt blankets cradle the comfiest, hugest beds. But it was the delightful small touches that really stole our hearts – meadow flowers filling glass vases, interesting cookbooks, quirky playnooks and a swing under the chestnut tree. Our time here rolled past in the easiest of fashions: morning hot tubs, bike rides to a pebbled beach for river swims, ice creams, canoe trips, and pub dinners. An all-round incredible stay.
Getting here: you’ll need to drive
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Sustainability.
An impressive approach. Each lodge is built from local timber and is extremely energy efficient, close to Passive Haus standard, with an innovative passive climate control system to manage ventilation year round. Solar panels and an air-source heat pump create warm water and heating, and electricity is from a green supplier. They have extensively replanted to enrich the original landscape of mature Corsican pines and coppiced hazel to create a wildlife habitat for mammals, bats, birds, and insects. Indigenous snowdrops, primroses, and bluebells have also been planted to bring additional colour and energy to the woodland walks in late winter and spring. Full recycling is in place, shower products are eco friendly, and charging points have been commissioned for electric cars. Hot tubs are heated using the waste energy from the filter motor in a system based on one motor only rather than the conventional 2 motor tubs.
Surrounds.
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Wye Valley by Krisztina Papp @ Pixabay -
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- Walk into Hay-on-Wye along a beautiful country footpath, which skirts the Wye Valley (approx 2 hours); or cycle along quiet roads (3 miles).
- For longer hikes, the path connects to the world-famous Offa’s Dyke path.
- We loved our dinner at Toll Bridge Kitchen, a 10-minute walk away on the riverside. Upmarket pub grub.
- Explore Hay’s quaint winding streets, atmospheric castle and plethora of independents – galleries, bookshops, delis and homeware boutiques. Make a pit stop at Shepherd’s for their famous sheep’s milk ice cream (the blackcurrant and vanilla is divine) or book for fine dining at Chapter’s.
- Head to The Warren for a wild swim, a locals’ favourite spot, with a wide pebbled beach
- Hire canoes and float down the Wye from Hay to Whitney (a 10-minute walk away from the cabins)
- Take a walk up Hay Bluff, plus a picnic to eat at the top with those stunning panoramic views.
- Day trip to Hereford, with its stunning cathedral and 13thC Mappa Mundi – the largest medieval map of the world in existence.
- You’re on the edge of Brecon Beacons National Park, one of just 13 locations worldwide with a ‘dark sky’ status due to its low light and air pollution. Stargazing, therefore, is magical.
Specifics.
- 3 detached double-height lodges, staggered along a meadow amidst 7 acres of woodland and meadow. Each has:
- Master bedroom with super-kingsize bed and second bedroom with super-king or twin
- Blackout blinds
- Extra fold-up bed for a child on request (extra cost)
- Travel cot and highchair on request; babes in arms free of charge
- Bathroom with walk-in shower and separate soaking tub; Welsh Lavender toiletries
- Open-plan downstairs
- Brilliantly equipped kitchen, with basic supplies and welcome treats
- Deli boxes on request
- Dining table and sofa area
- Marshall sound system, binoculars and coffee-table books; WiFi; board games
- Understairs den with wooden toys
- Downstairs WC
- Boot room with washing machine / dryer
- Outdoor deck with alfresco furniture and hot tub
- Firepit with BBQ grill
- Dog friendly (two per lodge, extra cost)
- On-site caretakers
- Walk to a pub (10 mins); cycle/drive to Hay’s shops, pubs and restaurants
- Booking conditions: 2-night minimum stay, with arrivals permitted any day of the week
- Remember to pack: wellies / walking boots, swimmers for the hot tub, beach towels for river swims, bikes if you can
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30% deposit, with the balance due 8 weeks prior to stay.
Cancellations permitted 8+ weeks prior to stay, with deposit refunded minus a £30 processing fee.
No refunds if booking cancelled within 8 weeks of stay.
FAQs.
The pods and lodges have been designed with privacy in mind, being angled away from each other, with the windows to the front where no one will walk past. Natural screening and hedging border your outside space and terrace.
No. The nearest train station is Hereford. There are several buses from there to Hay on Wye, where you’d then need to get a taxi to our site. Or you can take a taxi directly from the station to our site. Once with us, there are plenty of taxis in Hay (numbers are in our pre-departure and welcome info packs) or walks over the hills.
Our woodland adjoins a public footpath which leads up into the hills and links into the Wye Valley Walk leading all the way to Hay-on-Wye. It’s a beautiful 1 ½ – 2 hour walk into Hay, with a range of vistas to hills, woodland and stream. In the other direction, the public footpath leads from our woodland to the river Wye itself.
It’s approximately three miles. About a 45 minute off-road walk, or 5 – 10 minutes in the car.
Cynefin Retreats is situated in a meadow, with our woodland to the far end. We have four luxe-pods and three luxe-lodges in a private location away from the road.
We do not offer televisions but rather invite you to enjoy nature through the large glass windows offering a panoramic view from the living space.
Check in is any time after 4.30pm via a key safe. There is no problem in arriving late at night. Check out is by 10.30am.
Depending on other guests and our housekeeping arrangements an early check in from 2.30pm and/or late check out by noon may be available, for which there is a small charge. Please enquire once you have booked.
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