Comfortable and rustic 300-year-old 3 bedroom stone barn ‘Shadowlands’ offers unique opportunity to stay right by the River Wye in truly stunning and tranquil surroundings. Located 7 miles from both Monmouth and Ross-on-Wye amidst the wonderful scenery and views of the Wye Valley National Landscape, the Forest of Dean is conveniently close by within easy driving, providing many activities and attractions for things to do and see.
Yet Shadowlands is placed very well away from the hustle-and-bustle of daily life. It is a remarkable retreat in a gorgeous hidden valley, nestled in a spot girded by ancient woodland and riverside sheep pasture. There are no neighbours at all within sight or sound. So if looking for peaceful seclusion and privacy in the lovely countryside of the Wye Valley area then this will possibly be paradise.
Shadowlands is owned by the family-run livestock farm, of cattle and sheep, on whose own land it stands, and is reached by long farm hard-tracks secured with padlocked gates. With a fenced and gated enclosure guests can bring their bikes, canoes, kayaks, paddleboards etc., and dogs too, there is space for all. There is also ample parking.
River access is a given and there is also quality fishing for river-anglers on the private beat of the Wye, both included in the price.
Fishing - please refer to 'Popular amenities' at the beginning of this listing, check the 'See all..' button, and then scroll down right to the bottom for notes about the Fishing.
Details of the barn -
Please note,
Shadowlands bookings are for weekly stays,
which start on a Saturday.
*Cautionary note for all Shadowlands guests * -
The River Wye here has some steep riverbank and areas of deep water. Some fast current is present in places and there is dangerous underwater streamer weed, as well as many hidden snags and obstructions. Vulnerable people and especially children should be monitored for their safety. They should not be near the river and most definitely not close by or in the river left unsupervised.
*Bedrooms x 3 upstairs*
1 large bedroom with double bed and door to en-suite with a double size non-electric shower, a sink and a toilet.
1 small bedroom with 2 single beds.
1 small bedroom with a double bed - this double bed is one-side entry only
as the other side is against a wall.
Small upstairs bathroom with a bath, a non-electric over-bath shower, and a sink and toilet.
Linen and towels are provided.
Accommodation is thought suitable for up to 3 or 5 adult guests, as bedrooms 2 and 3 are small and the one-side entry double bed in bedroom 3. There is an optional airbed pop-up downstairs in the tv lounge area; - important note - guests need to bring their own linen and duvet for use of this pop-up.
*Kitchen*
Large fully fitted light-oak kitchen with just about everything a kitchen needs, even a can-crusher.
Big electric range-cooker with 3 ovens 1 grill and 5 ring induction hob.
American size fridge-freezer, dishwasher, microwave, and additional fridge.
Good sized pedestal 4 place round oak table perfect for breakfasting.
Substantial mobile kitchen island full of pots and pans.
Equipment highlights include a double toaster, DeLonghi bean-to-cup coffee maker, 2x kettles one temperature controlled, Instant Pot pressure/slow cooker, pull-out Panasonic breadmaker, drop-down herb and spice rack, electric Remoska pan for great roast chicken, and a Philips 45W system with DAB/CD/FM/Bluetooth/Internet/Spotify for great sounds.
*Utility*
Cloak nook with door to washing machine and a seperate tumble dryer.
Between kitchen and living area, a door to additional downstairs w/c with a sink and a toilet.
French double doors front and back have Yale electronic keypads and deadlocks.
A unique guest code is provided for the duration of your stay.
Central heating is by radiators served by an external sound and weatherproof Worcester oil-fired boiler. Temperature control is by wall-mounted Bosch touchpad and there are lashings of always-on hot water.
*Living and Dining*
Original beams in open-plan vaulted main space. Dual aspect double-glazed full height windows with French doors looking out to the valley, fields, and woods.
6 place oval dining table going over to a sofa and armchair living and tv area.
Samsung 55inch smart internet tv, with soundbar, satellite speakers and sub-woofer. Panasonic BluRay/DVD player to play your discs.
Clearview wood-burner, for which a great deal of care is required, especially regards children, as it gets blisteringly hot. Farm woodland logs are stacked outside.
Wet weather gear-rack over radiator with wide drip-trays, also handy for boots.
25+mb wi-fi throughout, and a landline phone for emergencies only. Mobile signal is patchy here, so a recomendation is to set ‘Wi-fi calling’ on your smartphone to get great signal in and around the barn.
*Outside*
Black metal patio tables and armed chairs, with sun parasols, abut the barn front and back.
Suitable space for guests' own BBQ, for instant types there's a slab wall topping.
Shadowlands is on a working stock farm so there can be many sheep and lambs roaming the pastures!. Cattle are securely confined by stock fencing to their own pasture away from most of the track to the barn, all of the barn area, and from all of the riverbank.
*Access and parking*
There are two access routes from the road; a 1.5 mile wooded Forestry track, and/or a 0.5 mile cosy and tarmacked single lane then a track. These are hard-grade country farm type made of compacted gravel and stone, so not grassy or rutted. They can be challenging for low-slung vehicles as a tad rough in places with sometimes potholes to go around. To deal with this a slow speed is effective and recommended. Normal and SUV type vehicles are fine, 4x4s will have no concerns.
Metal farmgates with padlocks secure access to the tracks.
Ample parking is right next to the barn through an automatic metal farmgate.
The barn enclosure is fenced and dog-proof unless very small.
Space for bikes canoes and paddleboards etc., as well as some room for small tents camping within the barn enclosure.
Access down to the river is an easy stroll of 120 meters.
Descriptions -
Nature is invariably impressive in this valley, yielding all sorts of wildlife and birding.
There are super photography opportunities, and big landscape-painting panorama. The level riverside sheep pasture is perfect for leisurely strolls along the riverbank and The Wye Valley Walk some sixty metres away provides for cycling and walking, with tens of miles to go in each direction.
Symonds Yat Rock viewpoint is a mile away as the crow flies, and at 500 feet it has an iconic view of the Wye Valley, though the barn is obscured from direct sight. For sure, you can take the stiff hike up through the wooded Forestry trails, while keeping an eye out for the Buzzards, the Peregrines on Coldwell Rocks, the Deer, and the occasional Wild Boar. The view from the top is marvellous and rewarding. With a Forestry England café its a good spot to get coffee and some fine cake and put wind in the hair. Less challenging its a short drive away through Forestry track and country lanes or a wider 2 lane road.
Shadowlands' location appeals to walkers, cyclists, boaters & paddlers, birders & wildlife enthusiasts, as well as river-anglers, and to all who enjoy being immersed in the wonderful countryside of the area. The barn is a singular gem in a sublime and unspoilt part of the Wye Valley.
Film -
For film buffs the barn featured in scenes in the biographical film 'Shadowlands', an impression of the life of academic C S Lewis, author of 'Chronicles of Narnia'. Directed by Richard Attenborough in 1993 with stars Anthony Hopkins and Deborah Winger it won many plaudits. In the film, the barn was as it had been for hundreds of years before. A DVD is in the barn for viewing.
Currently in 2026, the play 'Shadowlands' is in theatre in London starring Richard Bonnevile, the Earl of Grantham in 'Downton Abbey'.
Shadowlands was converted in 2003.
Disclaimer! -
Vrbo's AI declares there is a 'Lobster pot' and a 'Barbecue grill', and a '1+ bathroom'. So no Lobster anything, and no barbeque grill. Guests do enjoy a bedroom en-suite with double size shower, a upstairs bathroom with over-shower, and a downstairs w/c.
.
