Guests say
The Birches is a spacious, characterful farmhouse in a tranquil rural setting, ideal for relaxation, walking, and family gatherings. Guests praise its peaceful location, period features, and well-equipped kitchen. The property offers ample space, beautiful views, and thoughtful touches such as an EV charger. While some mention cleanliness and maintenance issues, most found the house comfortable and enjoyed the unique atmosphere. The remote location is a highlight for many, with easy access to Hay-on-Wye and excellent opportunities for stargazing and wildlife spotting.
Several guests found the property clean and comfortable, but a notable number reported issues such as cobwebs, dust, mould, and the need for a deep clean. Some kitchen items and furniture were found dirty or in need of attention. Overall, cleanliness is mixed, with more positive than negative feedback but room for improvement.
The location is widely praised for its peace, seclusion, and beautiful countryside views. Guests appreciate the proximity to Hay-on-Wye and walking opportunities, though some note the remoteness and narrow lanes. The setting is a major highlight for most visitors.
Guests generally found the house spacious and cosy, with comfortable lounges and good heating in main areas. However, several reviews mention uncomfortable double beds and some cold bedrooms. Most guests still enjoyed a restful stay, especially in the communal spaces.
The property is well-equipped, with a good kitchen, EV charger, games room, and ample space for families and groups. Some guests noted maintenance issues, such as tired furniture, unclear appliance instructions, and occasional problems with heating or hot water, but overall facilities are appreciated.
A few guests mention thoughtful touches such as welcome packs with bread, milk, butter, and snacks, but these are not guaranteed for all stays. The provision of basics like soap and washing up liquid is appreciated. Communication from the owner is mixed, with some guests praising responsiveness and others noting delays.
About this property
Hay-on-Wye 3.5 miles. A traditional detached farmhouse, on the edge of the Black Mountains, surrounded by miles and miles of unspoilt countryside. Located close to the border with Wales and three and a half miles from pretty Hay-on-Wye, this thoughtfully furnished cottage provides spacious accommodation, making it the perfect base for a family get-together or for those who simply enjoy the outdoor lifestyle. This Hay-on-Wye cottage has four lovely bedrooms with charming views, a well-equipped kitchen with a breakfast bar, perfect for grabbing a quick bite before a busy day and next door to the kitchen, a dining room where everyone can gather over dinner to discuss the day’s activities.
The sitting room in this Hay-on-Wye cottage combines contemporary furnishings with character features, including exposed beams and open stone walls and flagged flooring made cosy by luxurious underfloor heating. There is also an original alcove, which now houses a warming woodburner, perfect for chilly nights, whilst in the study area, guests will find plenty of information to help their stay run smoothly and inspire holiday adventures. Outside this Hay-on-Wye cottage is an enclosed lawned garden, complete with furniture, a barbecue for alfresco feasts and a sandpit to keep the little ones happy! The cottage is on a non-working farm with occasional livestock handling on the yard.
The ancient market town of Hay-on-Wye, known fondly as The Town of Books, is just a short drive away and has a unique selection of tea rooms, shops, pubs and restaurants to suite all tastes and of course, plenty of quaint little bookshops, all set in beautiful surroundings. The area offers numerous walks and cycle routes, all within easy reach, including the Offa's Dyke Path running close by, as well as many outdoor activities. A delightful Hay-on-Wye cottage for a memorable holiday discovering Shropshire’s scenic beauty.
Hay-on-Wye, the 'town of books', renowned for its world-famous Hay Festival of Literature, lies on the Welsh/English border, and is a popular destination for book lovers or holidaymakers wishing to enjoy the leisure activities and beautiful scenery of the Wye valley. Hay-on-Wye is surrounded by beautiful countryside, which provides excellent walking, cycling, bird watching, fishing and canoeing together with a variety of tourist attractions. A supremely appealing all year round holiday destination.
Accommodation
Four bedrooms: 1 x king-size double, 1 x double, 2 x twin.
Bathroom with bath, shower over, basin and WC.
Ground floor shower room with shower, basin and WC.
Kitchen with breakfast bar.
Utility.
Dining room.
Sitting room with woodburner.
Oil central heating with underfloor heating in hall, study and sitting room, plus woodburner.
Electric oven, separate grill and hob, fridge, fridge/freezer, washing machine, dishwasher, TV with Freeview, DVD, CD/radio, iPod dock, WiFi, selection of books, games and DVDs.
Fuel, power and fuel for woodburner included in rent.
Bed linen and towels included in rent.
Travel cot and highchair.
Ample off road parking.
Lockable bike storage.
Enclosed front lawned garden with furniture, BBQ and sandpit.
Sorry, no pets and no smoking.
Shops and pubs 3.5 miles.
Note: Access to this property is via a narrow lane with regular passing points.
External Games Room with Table Tennis Table.
This property offers an electric car charging point
This property has a minimum stay of 3 nights and accepts weekly bookings only during school holidays
Reviews (37)
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Chris
Some areas are a little tired and it could be a little cleaner inside. Plenty of car parking space and room for at least 5 bikes in the utility room. The lounge with the log burner was a great room to chill out, in the evenings. The communication with the owner could be improved, long delays in responding, particularly with the key collection details. Great property and location would definitely use again if with a group of cyclists in the area.
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Adam
We had a query about the electric car charger, and Andrew was immediately on hand to solve it. The car charger itself was a huge bonus for us! The house was immaculate and super-comfortable, and it had everything we needed. We appreciated the stock of wood for those chilly evenings, although the house was always at the perfect temperature. There were 7 of us, and there was plenty of reliable hot water. Location-wise, the house is perfectly positioned yards from the Black Mountains, and in the middle of nowhere. The peace and quiet was just beautiful. The local lanes aren't properly maintained by the council, and are in a terrible state - but perhaps that's why this area's so unspoilt! There's a great local pub (the Bull) which is a 5 minute drive away, and access to Hay is pretty easy. We honestly couldn't fault the place, and we'll probably book again in the future.
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Janet
Spacious but cosy. Ideal for walkers with good facilities for boots and drying clothes if necessary. Enjoyed tea on the lawn with the swallows darting overhead. The road to the property is narrow with some blind corners. Very good value for money.