River Cottage is tucked away at the foot of the Black Hill, one valley from the Welsh border in rural Herefordshire, and is a perfect base from which to explore the Black Mountains, Brecon Beacons and Wye Valley. The cottage is surrounded by peaceful farmland and ancient hedgerows in an area blessed with stunning scenery and spectacular walks from the front door. Wake up to birdsong and the gentle flow of the River Monnow for a real sense of tranquility and enjoy the quality and comfort of this perfect holiday home from home. The child-size shepherd's hut is a huge hit with young ones too!
River Cottage started life as a stone barn in the 1800s and has been sympathetically converted into a high quality holiday cottage whilst retaining some of the building's original character. Features such as exposed stone walls and vaulted ceilings are thoughtfully blended with interior fittings and furnishings to provide contemporary comfort and style.
The front door to the cottage opens into a light, airy open plan living, dining and kitchen area with woodburning-effect electric stove and large French windows opening onto the patio. There is a 55 inch Smart TV so you can access your own Netflix etc accounts, and the Wifi is excellent and free! Two armchairs and a sofa (double sofa bed) provide comfortable seating. (Please note that the sofa bed sleeps guests 5 and 6 for an additional nightly fee). We can provide a high chair free of charge if needed. The kitchen is fully equipped with dishwasher, microwave oven, washer drier plus 4 ring ceramic hob with integrated double oven/grill below, plus an integrated under counter fridge with freezer compartment. There is also a toaster, kettle and cafetiere. Just off this area is a hallway where you'll find the family bathroom with full-sized bath and shower over, and 5 steps up lead you to the 2 comfortable, contemporary-style bedrooms. The double bedroom has the bonus of an ensuite shower room and wc, and the twin bedroom can be configured as a Super King on request. Each bedroom can accommodate a travel cot which we will happily provide free of charge.
There is a large lawned area for outdoor games, and private parking for up to 4 cars. (EV charging is available on site at reasonable cost). A separate shingle area provides extra space for relaxing with a second patio with picnic bench and a cute, bespoke children's play shepherd's hut. The main patio is equipped with table and chairs and a brick built barbecue.
A signal for mobile phones is usually available in the Cottage, however a better signal can be obtained by walking a little way beyond the parking space.
You can arrange a grocery delivery to River Cottage if you wish to - in spite of its rural location, Waitrose, Sainsbury's, Asda and Tesco all deliver to the cottage from Hereford. Alternatively, Abergavenny is well served with Waitrose, Aldi and Morrisons supermarkets. Our nearest village, Longtown, is 3 miles along the road and has a fantastic village store.
If you are looking for an action-packed holiday, there is a wealth of activities on offer within a 10 mile radius, from canoeing or kayaking on the River Wye and pony trekking to mountain biking and paintballing. Alternatively, you can just step out of the front door and walk in the hills - you'll find books and maps in the property. Take the opportunity to do some stargazing - River Cottage is in one of the least light-polluted areas in the UK. Hay on Wye, with its quaint book shops and eateries, is well worth a visit and lies only 8 miles away. For breathtaking views, take a circular drive from Cwm Mill to Capel Y Finn and Llanthony Priory and back to Cwm Mill via Longtown. The county city, Hereford, is well worth exploring, and a drive through the Golden Valley on your way to Ross on Wye or Symonds Yat offers some beautiful scenery. If you're looking for wild swimming opportunities, the Warren in Hay and the old bridge in Bredwardine are worth a visit.
The River Monnow borders the garden (the garden is fenced off). A tiny rivulet borders the far end of the lawned area which dries up between May and September. Please supervise children while they are outside the cottage.
Electric Vehicle charging using the cottage's electricity supply is strictly prohibited for safety reasons and because it will invalidate our Insurance. A Type 2 fast EV charger is available on site and guests can use it at a reasonable cost.