Blaen-y-Cwm

A very special cottage in a very special spot.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Twmpa/Hay Bluff in your back garden
• stream and waterfall
• wood fired hot tub
• two fire pits
• Weber gas bbq
• Jacques pool table
• table tennis table
• ‘walk-in/walk-out’ with immediate access to foot paths onto the hills (Black Mountains)
• no light or noise pollution and the perfect spot for stargazing (International Dark Sky Reserve since 2013)
• books galore
• 4 miles from Hay-on-Wye

Sleeps: 6 (+2) From: £1,783 per week, £1100 per short break (min 3 nights) for up to 6 guests. Up to 2 extra guests at £25/night. Children under 3 - free.

Pets: well behaved dogs welcome at £20 per dog to cover extra cleaning costs (we ask that dogs do not use the furniture or the carpeted areas of the house).

Photographs by Finn Beales

No better place to rest and absorb the magic of The Black Mountains.

  • Blaen-y-Cwm Isaf or Face of the Valley was once a very humble but always beautiful 17th century farmstead…A small dwelling with a first floor bedroom, living room with wood fired cooking range, pantry and washroom on the ground floor, a bedroom with external access for a labourer also on the 1st floor. The dwelling was attached to a modest barn with hay loft and stalls for oxen. The pigsty was once located betwixt the barn and brook. This was the happy home of Jack Williams. Jack and his lodgers thrived in this hidden valley, endured the hard winters and revelled in the glorious warmth of spring and summer.

  • Today almost the same – less of the hessian and hobnails but complete focus on how to enjoy this truly wondrous spot. Explore the hills on foot, bike or horse then retreat to Blaen-y-Cwm with memories and stories for a soak in the bath or hot tub, paddle in the brook or cwtch up on a sofa in front of the fires. The cottage has been lovingly restored and now offers comfort if not luxury. Those less adventurous and more intent on relaxation are encouraged to have a late breakfast on the terrace and take in the views of Twmpa and as the sun swings over, muster the energy to transit yourself to the other side of the house not forgetting to retrieve your bottle and glass as you go and marvel at the sunset whilst stoking the hot tub fire. Children are free to explore; dam building, fire pits stream side camps, fairy waterfalls are all within a corks range. These are all things we should do more of. Take time out – there is no better place than Blaen-y-Cwm or any other of our very special properties.

FEATURES

3 large double bedrooms

(2 with extra single beds)

OSKIA @ Tregoyd Wild Wash hand soap & shower gel, Tregoyd Wild Hair conditioning shampoo

Travel cot and highchair upon request

Fully equipped kitchen

with electric AGA, gas hob and electric oven

Washing machine

Fibre broadband and tv

Central heating, underfloor heating and 2 wood burners

100% organic cotton linen and towels

Essentials provided

salt, pepper, olive oil, caffeinated tea and ground coffee, milk, sugar, butter, jam and a selection of pastries for the oven

All fires laid and ready to light

additional firewood bags available to buy (£5/bag honesty box)

MORE DETAILS

  • Bedroom 1 is on the top floor and has a king sized bed plus an extra single bed (made up on request). This bedroom has a large en suite bathroom with copper-leafed, cast iron, double-ended bath.

    Bedroom 2 is a super king room with a shared bath/shower room.

    Bedroom 3 is a super king room with an extra single bed (made up on request).

  • Blaen-y-Cwm’s bespoke kitchen offers an ideal space for preparing culinary masterpieces, and is fully equipped with any utensil you’ll need cooking for your group. Let your leg of lamb slowly roast in the Aga, sit by the fire, put your feet up and drink a large glass of red. Sing songs, spin yarns and reflect on how good life is.

    The dining room provides seating for 10, and there’s an outdoor terrace which is perfect for breakfasts and lunches. Should you want a little help in the kitchen, we can help organise a chef for a special celebration or drop off meals for you to heat up. We can even provide you with packed lunches or picnic baskets to be delivered to one of our special spots on the hill by a member of staff.

  • The approach is suitably exciting: a narrow track winds its way into the little cwm from the Mountain Road through fields of ponies and sheep. Low slung sports cars are not recommended but a previous occupant did drive to and fro every day in his Lotus Elise!

    The cottage is detached from any other buildings and has no immediate neighbours. There is a small stream and a very beautiful waterfall directly beside the property.

    Blaen-y-Cwm is situated just off the hill or common and there is, therefore, an enormous amount of walkable, explorable, just-sit-down-on-able hillside.

'This is a magical cottage within gorgeous grounds. We had beautiful weather this time but have previously experienced it in every season, all very special here. The family age group was from 19 months to 76 years, seven of us in total plus dogs. Perfect with lots of space for everyone to be together and quiet corners for those needing calmness. If the mountains, the stream and the wilderness is not enough entertainment the pool and table tennis provide hours of fun. Star gazing from the hot tub is a must.'

– Joanna, June 2023

People say…