Log Cabins to RentWild moorland, breathtaking waterfalls, forests and rolling pastures make the Brecons Beacons National Park an ideal location for outdoor activities. Take a challenging walk up Pen y Fan, enjoy the exhilaration of mountain biking in the Black Mountains or simply browse the bookshops in Hay-on-Wye.
Situated on a private estate gives this pretty lodge a romantic and secluded feel where you can completely submerse yourself in country life. The picturesque town of Builth Wells (8 miles) nestles in the heart of Powys and lies on the banks of the River Wye. This historic market town is bursting with life and home to the Royal Welsh Show, one of the biggest agricultural shows in the country. If you are seeking adventure, then take a day trip to the magnificent Brecon Beacons National Park (17 miles). Hike up Offa s Dyke for a viewpoint that will take your breath away or try your hand at one of the various water sports available such as kayaking, white water rafting and paddleboarding. This idyllic lakeside retreat is part of a small complex, accessed by a quiet private lane and steep path. Arranged over one floor, the lodge has been designed to offer an intimate and romantic style of accommodation. Entering the property, the open plan layout is bright and fresh where large double doors open out onto a covered wooden balcony with BBQ, providing additional living space to enjoy all year round. The galley style kitchen is equipped with a two ring electric hob, mini oven, microwave, slow cooker, electric steamer, fridge and toaster. Tucked peacefully away in the alcove lies one double bed adjacent to the shower room with shower and WC. The lodge is accessed by a steep path and benefits from a spacious decked balcony area, boasting glorious hillside and valley views. This is the perfect setting to enjoy a glass of bubbly together in your own private hot tub whilst waiting for dinner. A rockery style garden surrounds the lodge that sits in a tranquil meadow setting. There is ample parking for two cars.
Set in the centre of Brecon town, this captivating cottage is near pubs, shops and other amenities half a mile away. The River Honddu and Brecon Cathedral can be seen from the cottage while the River Usk is down the road and a picturesque setting for a riverside stroll. Art galleries and museums adorn the streets, while the Brecon Canal Basin begins just south of town hire a canal boat for a lazy day trip on the water. The real reason many visit beautiful Brecon is to climb the highest peak in South Wales, Pen y Fan (6 miles) offering unbeatable views of this renowned national park. Inside, one exposed stone wall contrasts with soothing tones in the sitting room, creating a relaxed space to unwind after busy days out and about in the Brecon Beacons. Wake up for the day over the morning news in this tranquil lounge space or settle in for a film night. Play a round of pool at the downstairs pool table, the ideal place for friends to enjoy socialising into the evening. The light and bright kitchen is complete with an electric oven and gas hob, a microwave, fridge/freezer, coffee machine and dishwasher. There s a cooking area for putting together a meal or you could take a seat at the table and chairs while you plan your day to day adventures. A downstairs closet with WC completes the ground floor. Upstairs, there is a bathroom with a shower over the bath. When everyone is ready to retire for the night, there s a choice of two contemporary, attractive bedrooms one king size and one super king size both with skylights so on a clear evening you can enjoy the night s sky. The super king size bed can be made into two full size single beds on request. Outside, an enclosed courtyard provides a wonderful setting for a morning breath of fresh air or al fresco lunch. The outdoor table and chairs can be found in the barn, which is lockable so you can safely store away bikes if you re planning any cycling trips through this scenic region. There is also parking available for one car.
The cosy yet bright interior of this bolthole will help whisk you into holiday mode as you return from your adventures in the great outdoors each day or maybe slow down the pace and relax inside this charming cottage and feel at home amongst creature comforts. Open plan living makes the most of the space in this single storey property. The kitchen, lounge and diner together form the hub of the home where you can sprawl on the sofa, cook up a storm and dine together. The lounge area houses a wood burner effect gas fire to keep you warm on chilly evenings as you curl up in front of the TV or with a good book. The light kitchen offers a welcoming space for all hands on deck to get involved with mealtimes before you serve up and raise a toast at the table which comfortably seats four. Both the double and twin bedrooms are treated to en suite shower rooms for ease freshening up in the mornings. Rise and shine in these pleasantly decorated rooms and open the blinds for views across the charming grounds. The attention to detail continues outside, sip a mug of hot coffee on the patio for an al fresco start to the day or fire up the BBQ in the evenings for a summer feast. The cottage sits in the beautifully cared for grounds of the owner s house, so you can bask in the sun on your private lawn and listen to the babbling of the river. Off road parking for three cars adjacent to this property. The local village of Gilwern with its choice of pubs and local stores is 1 mile away from your door and steps onto the banks of the Brecon and Monmouthshire canal, ideal for a gentle wander or even to hire a barge from Gilwern Wharf. The more thrill seeking amongst you can go caving less than 3 miles from home as you explore Ogof Craig a Ffynnon. Bring or hire a bike to experience the renowned Bike Park Wales or explore the local trails from your door. Walkers can explore the Brecon Beacons and Black Mountains or the Sugar Loaf, Skirrid and Blorenge mountains on your doorstep and wander the network of tram roads which link to the Industrial heritage of the area .Visit the Clydach and Blaenafon Ironworks and the Big Pit mining museum to relive the atmosphere of Cordells ' Rape of the Fair Country . Steeped in myth and legend it is written that William Shakespeare was inspired to write a Midsummer Night s Dream following a visit to the Clydach Gorge. The nearby market town of Abergavenny and village of Crickhowell offer independent shops and excellent restaurants as well as opportunities to stroll or fish along the banks of the premier Welsh salmon and wild trout Usk river.
Brecon is located just 5 miles from the property and offers an array of cafes, restaurants, independent shops and a small cinema. Walk along the canal to the famous theatre, art gallery and restaurant spot Theatr Brycheiniog. If you want to explore the canal from a different perspective, then you can take a boat ride or cycle along the many towpaths. The cathedral in Brecon boasts pretty grounds which lead to the Priory Groves an attractive woodland area which borders the River Honddu. Guests staying at this property can take their getaway at their own pace: full and active or slow and relaxing. One of the unique features of this property is the open plan lounge/kitchen/dining area. The traditional beamed ceiling and exposed stonework ensure that this property has kept many of its original features and with a wood burner for the ultimate cosy cottage experience. The kitchen has everything required for a self catering stay, whilst the dining area has plenty of space for a relaxed family meal together. On this floor, you will also find a double bedroom and bathroom. The other room is located at the top of a set of steep ladder style stairs which lead to an open plan loft space with three single beds arranged as a set of twin beds at one end and a single bed at the other end, separated by a curtain for privacy. Outside, you will find a very pretty garden which is enclosed and boasts wonderful views of the surrounding countryside. This lovely outdoor space is the perfect place to enjoy a little al fresco dining; guests can find a set of garden furniture outside with an umbrella to offer shade in the sunshine. This property provides lots of outdoor space and there are wonderful meadows to explore which lead to a stream and pretty woodlands.
There are some wonderful walks to be enjoyed right from the doorstep, including access to the 136 mile Wye Valley Walk. This is a fantastic area for activities including canoeing, cycling, walking and horse riding, with local attractions including Talgarth Mill (5.5 miles), Pwll y Wrach Woods (6.5 miles) and Llangorse Lake (10.5 miles). There are plenty of pubs and restaurants nearby in Glasbury, Llyswen (both 2 miles) and Whitney on Wye (11 miles). The bustling town of Hay on Wye (6 miles) is famous for its annual literary festival and is home to numerous bookshops and great places to eat and drink, as well as a cinema, castle and a thriving arts scene. The historic market town of Brecon (11 miles) is also within easy reach. On entering this beautifully converted property you will find the spacious, light and welcoming lounge/diner. Retaining original features including traditional stonework and exposed beams, this is a lovely space for relaxing in at the end of the day, with comfortable sofas and chairs, TV, DVD and CD, and which offers beautiful views towards the Black Mountains. The large dining area is perfect for sharing a family meal which you can prepare in the stylish kitchen, which has plenty of worktops and storage space, and is equipped with an electric oven, microwave, dishwasher, fridge, freezer and a washing machine/dryer. The first of the property s five bedrooms is also on the ground floor accessed via one step, it s a charming double bedroom with an en suite shower room. The ground floor also features a separate WC. Going upstairs, you will find four further bedrooms, all decorated in warming pastel shades and with sloping ceilings: there are a double room and three twin rooms, all with en suite shower rooms with a WC. Stepping outside, there s a large picnic and BBQ area where you can sit back and take in the glorious rural views. There s a safe children s play area with swings and plenty of space to run about. Ample parking space is available, as well as a lockable shed for bikes. The property can be booked in conjunction with the neighbouring barn conversion, providing spacious accommodation for 16 guests in total the properties are connected by an interconnecting door.
Situated in a beautiful location, surrounded by rolling countryside. Ideal as a base for walking, with the Brecon Beacons and Black Mountains on your doorstep. The lovely little town of Crickhowell, with two butchers, a bakers, Post Office and shops is just five miles. The famous literary town of Hay on Wye is within a short drive with a plethora of independent stores and book shops. Nearby attractions include the Craig y Nos Country Park, The Brecon Mountain Railway, South Wales Borders Museum and The National Show Caves of Wales. For those simply looking to relax and unwind, with a pub just over a mile away, there are very few better spots. On entering this detached property you will enter the spacious kitchen/diner a real heart of the home and great social space, just off the kitchen/diner you will find the handy utility room to your left and to your right a doorway leading to the ground floor shower room. As you step down a couple of steps you will reach the spacious lounge with double aspect windows and warming wood burner. Located next to the lounge is the first of the bedrooms, the twin bedroom. Heading back up the couple of steps will lead you to the staircase to the first floor where you will find the family bathroom and further cosy double bedroom and spacious twin bedroom, both of which have been tastefully decorated. Heading outside you will enjoy your own private patio/garden area with garden furniture with far reaching countryside views.
This delightful cottage is set on the sunny side of Tor y Foel mountain, a beautiful spot within the Brecon Beacons National Park. The Blaen y Glyn waterfalls are just 11 miles away, and the pretty village of Llangynidr (2.5 miles along the lane) has a couple of good pubs. The Monmouth and Brecon Canal passes through the village, raised on its way by five locks. This beautiful area is ideal for boat trips, bike rides, steam train journeys and long country walks the fairy glen walk along the river is truly magical. With Crickhowell just 7 miles away, the cottage is ideally situated for reaching Brecon (12 miles) and attractions including Llangorse Lake (8 miles) and Tretower Castle (5.5 miles). The entrance to the cottage provides a air source heat pump which is ideal for drying wet clothes on the drying rack also useful storage space for boots, bikes. A step down takes you into the cosy open plan lounge/kitchen/diner a lovely space to relax in. At the end of the day you can curl up on the sofa in front of the wood burner, which is set in an impressive stone fireplace, and catch up with a good book or watch a movie on the TV/DVD. There s also a choice of board games and jigsaws but please ask owner. You can share a favourite meal in the dining area by the window. The kitchen area has a small cooker with two ring hob and microwave with grill and convection functions and fridge. The bathroom is also on the ground floor, complete with a shower over the bath and a WC. Going upstairs, the charming, light and spacious bedroom features a double bed, a single bed ideal for a child, a choice of artwork and exposed oak ceiling beams. Stepping outside, you can sit back with a glass of wine in the evening and admire the far reaching views from the pretty patio area. The cottage is set in a delightful secluded mountainside location which shares a courtyard with the owner s organic homestead, so you can enjoy the peace without being totally isolated. You can also take advantage of the home grown organic fruit, herbs and vegetables when in season.
Just 2 miles from the popular town of Crickhowell in the heart of the Brecon Beacons National Park, this property is perfectly located for exploring the best of rural Wales. Take a trip to the nearby town or plan to visit during their ever popular music festival, Green Man (3.5 miles). Set off from the cottage s doorstep to explore the Black Mountain range (12 miles) and the Sugar Loaf Mountain (0.5 miles) or travel a little further afield to summit the impressive Pen y Fan (19.5 miles). Wander just 300 metres down a country road to find a welcoming country pub or set off and visit a Michelin Star inn 8 miles away in Llanddewi Skirrid. This Scandinavian style property is accessed from the garden and through the French doors, and boasts simplistic yet welcoming decor with sloping ceilings, all set out on one level next door to the owner s property. Step inside into the comfortable lounge and make a beeline for the well equipped galley kitchen, where the electric oven, grill and induction hob, microwave, fridge/freezer and dishwasher offer all you need to feed the family. Fire up the coffee machine early on a morning and enjoy a freshly brewed mug outside on the lawn. Head through an archway and into the open plan lounge and dining room, an ideal space for eating and unwinding. Comfy sofas sit beside a TV/DVD for relaxing evenings. Two inviting bedrooms offer a spot to rest up for the day ahead, with comfy beds and an abundance of storage space available for you to use. Completing the property is a contemporary shower room with WC. Exit via French doors in the lounge and soak up the generous outdoor space. A handy decked area with dining set provides the perfect spot to dine alfresco, whilst the surrounding gardens ensure a wonderful area to soak up some sun after a session in the sauna.
The fabulous, characterful Old School House sits quietly on the phenomenal Pontardawe Country Estate which enjoys a remarkable history, unique character and more than one hundred and twenty acres of beautiful rolling Welsh countryside. The Old School House enjoys much character, two bedrooms, beautiful living space and its own outdoor space. It is nestled between the folly and the walled garden with its own delightful lawn, alongside the picturesque River Clydach. In addition to its superb grounds, the Pontardawe Estate boasts a gorgeous manor house, Pontardawe Country House, as well as a number of other holiday cottages that Oliver’s Travels also feature. Guests can book each of these individually or for a special celebration, you may want to consider booking a selection of the cottages as well as the manor house.
The Old School House is tucked away and offers beauty, serenity and tranquility to the lucky guests that happen to book it. With two beautiful bedrooms, the cottage sleeps four guests in luxurious comfort. The Old School House was a former outbuilding on the estate, some of which record a history back to the early 1400’s. The estate lies in the ancient hamlet of Cilybebyll with links to the descendants of Welsh Kings, Arthurian legend, tales of the Mabinogion, the Norman invasion, the Earls of Pembrokeshire, Winston Churchill’s secret army, eighteenth century prisons, Charles II, the tea plantations of Ceylon, coal mining, the Industrial Revolution and much more. A World War II hideout, used by Churchill’s Secret Army was found in the estate’s private bluebell woodland and gained recognition as a Scheduled Ancient Monument of national importance. The Old School House enjoys its own fascinating history. The building was used as the Church Sunday School in the early 20th century. Children received a glass of milk and a slice of cake after every session. Word spread and children came from other parishes to attend. The ground floor was originally a bakery and children from the estate were taught in an upstairs room. The building was also used as a sewing room at one point with the opera singer Madame Adelina Patti having many dresses made in the cottage. The cottage now makes for a tranquil, beautiful, idyllic retreat with its wonderfully rich history and the fabulous estate grounds. Guests wake up to bird song and the babbling stream, what utter bliss!
The Old School House boasts a warm and cosy living room with a fabulous wood burner for chilly evenings, comfy leather sofas and chairs and beautiful views from the windows. The cottage is pet friendly on request so you will often find guest’s furry friends curled up in front of the wood burner. The traditional country kitchen is the heart of this wonderful cottage. It offers a brilliant Rayburn cooker and woodburning stove which keeps the whole cottage warm and cosy. The solid oak kitchen offers every appliance that you could wish for and carries a very warm and welcoming ambience. The Old School House also boasts a very smart conservatory, a beautiful bright and airy spot to enjoy the warmth and natural light flooding through the windows, curled up with your holiday book. The cottage is heated by renewable energy.
Upstairs you will discover two beautifully finished bedrooms, one with a super kingsize bed which can be made up as twins and one with a double bed. The sumptuous beds are beautifully dressed and offer the sleep of kings. They share a gorgeous bathroom with a bath and overhead shower. There is an additional toilet on the ground floor. The cottage is very pretty, inside and out. You will not forget your holiday here, that is for sure!
You can have food delivered from the local supermarket in Pontardawe, so you do not even need to leave this idyllic corner of Wales. Guests enjoy access to the river and farm trail and enjoy woodland walks from the doorstep. It is hard to beat this secluded, peaceful location. If you do leave the estate, then the majestic Brecon Beacons and the stunning Gower Peninsula are on the doorstep.
The Old School House sits in the one hundred and twenty acre Pontardawe Country Estate in the tranquil hamlet of Cilybebyll, close to the village of Pontardawe. The estate is absolutely marvellous with woodlands, rivers, bluebell woods, sprawling fields, bird nesting boxes, beautiful picnic spots, a stately manor house and other holiday cottages. It is the perfect rural retreat between the Gower Peninsula and the Brecon Beacons National Park. Though you may find it hard to leave this wonderful spot, there is much to do and see. The estate courtyard where many of the cottages are located is bounded by the upper reaches of the picturesque River Clydach and on the other side by green parkland pastures grazed by sheep and cows. The high hills of blue pennant sandstone provide the backdrop to an idyllic and tranquil scene. Guests booking The Old School House are free to roam the estate including its award winning bluebell woodland. The estate’s farm walk is a circular walk for guests which meanders from the doorstep of The Old School House towards the summit of Mynydd Marchywel and back. En route, guests follow mountain streams, climb over stiles, explore the bluebell woodlands and traverse lazy green fields. On a clear day, the panoramic vistas include the Swansea Valley, Swansea Bay, the Bristol Channel and the Brecon Beacons National Park.
The cottage is an excellent base for those that want to explore the landscapes by bike. The Afan Forest and Bike Park Wales are easily accessible.
The Old School House is just twenty minutes drive from the beautiful Swansea Bay coastline and the Gower Peninsula with its gorgeous coves and glorious stretches of fine sand. The Victorian seaside village of Mumbles with its promenade, shops and restaurants is worth a visit and for those that love nature and the outdoors, the National Showcaves of Wales and the Vale of Neath’s spectacular waterfalls are nearby. Guests enjoy visits to the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and the Glamorganshire Heritage Coast, both less than half an hour away.
Mumbles was one of Dylan Thomas’ many stamping grounds and is the home of some world class ice cream. Mumbles is steeped in history with its lighthouse being built in 1794. It also boasts a Victorian pier and Oystermouth Castle which sits on the hilltop overlooking the sea. There are lovely boutique shops and galleries including the gorgeous Lovespoon Gallery and the Gower Gallery. No visit to Mumbles would be complete without sampling some ‘fresh off the boat’ seafood, its handmade chocolates and its fantastic ice creams.
This part of northern Carmarthenshire is famed for its cycling routes both on and off road, including the Cwm Rhaeadr, Gap Mountain Bike and Elan Valley Trails to name but a few. The farmhouse is one of a cluster of cottages on a farm 5.5 miles from Llandovery, which are great for a gathering of up to 29 guests, and around which North Country Cheviot sheep graze, kept for breeding and meat production. Outdoor activities from this tranquil base include a walk 3 miles up the valley to Cynnant hill. Walk through the forests with your canine pals, or enjoy bird watching (the owner is a keen ornithologist). Maps are provided for you to explore. Inside, the property is a bright and spacious open plan living/dining area, furnished with comfortable sofas to sink into while you unwind in front of the TV. A long dining table is perfect for catching up with all the family over a meal. A large country style kitchen welcomes you with a large breakfast island, suitable for the whole party to plan the day s adventures over morning coffee. A super convenient ground floor twin bedroom is spacious, with a handy en suite shower room and WC. Upstairs are three more generously sized bedrooms, some with sloping ceilings: a charming twin room has beautiful views out to the nearby grazing fields, and an en suite shower room with WC; two more king size bedrooms each come with an en suite shower room, and one even has a walk in wardrobe for an extra touch of comfort and style. Housed on location is a large shared hot tub, seating up to eight people and perfect for chilling as the sun sets. The farmhouse has a charming separate walled front patio, perfect for sitting out in the mornings, while the gravelled outer yard provides ample off road parking.
