Guests say
St. Marks School House is consistently praised for its beautiful location, spaciousness, and mix of old and modern charm. Guests enjoy the peaceful surroundings, stunning views, and secure garden, ideal for dogs. The property serves as a perfect base for exploring nearby towns and natural attractions, with many appreciating the cosy atmosphere and log burner. While some minor maintenance issues are noted, the overall experience is highly regarded.
The property is described as spotlessly clean by a guest, indicating a high standard of cleanliness. However, there is a single mention of the shower screen needing a deep clean, which slightly impacts the score.
The location is highly praised for its peacefulness, stunning views, and proximity to walks and towns. It is considered perfect by several guests, with no negative comments about the location.
Guests find the property roomy and cosy, especially with the log burner. However, there are suggestions for larger sofas and a bigger TV, and a mention of the property being cold initially, which suggests room for improvement in comfort.
The property is well-equipped, with a secure garden and great facilities. Some guests mention it is well-equipped for dogs and has everything needed. Points are deducted for comments on tired decor, the need for new bed linen and towels, and the inconvenient placement of the fridge/freezer.
There are no specific mentions of gifts or special thoughtful touches provided by the hosts in the reviews, so it is not possible to assess this category.
About this property
Rhayader 5.3 miles. Tucked away in the rural setting of Nant-glas, a short drive southeast of Rhayader, lies this charming, one-bedroom holiday cottage, St. Marks School House. Boasting off-road parking, an enclosed garden safe for dogs, and exquisite views of the surrounding Welsh countryside, this delightful, rustic property sleeps two and is a perfect choice for couples seeking a romantic, self-catered stay in the heart of mid-Wales. Step into your new lodgings and be greeted by well-presented, tastefully-decorated interiors, complete with high ceilings and tall windows that serve to both heighten the cottage's warm living spaces, and showcase the stunning vistas that encompass your new dwelling. Set up shop in the fully-fitted kitchen to prepare hearty, home-cooked meals for your partner; savour your meals alfresco in the well-appointed garden whilst your dogs frolic in the summer months or even on the sofa in the sitting room, an idyllic spot to enjoy a film with your loved one as you stay nice and toasty by the woodburning stove. As day rolls into night, indulge in a long, hot soak in the bath before retiring to the plush king-size double bed to rest and recuperate ahead of a new, fun-filled day. If you can tear yourself away from your new peaceful lodgings, take time to explore your local area by popping into nearby Rhayader, where you can stock up on essentials at the Co-op Food, stop for a coffee at The Lost ARC, or settle down for some delicious pub grub at the Lamb and Flag Inn-Bar-Grill if you fancy a break from cooking one night. Further afield, a short drive will bring you to the Valley View Falconry if you'd like a day handling wild birds; the stunning natural landmark of Caban Coch Dam; the serene scenic point of Pen y Garreg Dam, which enjoys superb views of the surrounding waters and woodland; and the tranquil grounds of the Bailey Einon nature reserve. Perfect for making memories, bring your nearest and dearest for a romantic escape to St. Marks School House.
Rhayader is a tiny Welsh market town featuring a variety of cafes, bars, restaurants, shops, services, and antiques from the area. a recreation centre with a sizable pool and a regular livestock market is an added plus. The Red Kite Feeding Station, on the outskirts of the town is a magnificent attraction not to be missed. The magnificent dams and reservoirs of the Elan and Claerwen Valleys are located in Rhayader, which is the first town on the River Wye. The Elan Valley has a number of walking and cycling paths (Rhayader offers bike rentals), as well as a visitor centre with a café and a play area for kids. With its incredible range of nature reserves available for visitors to enjoy, this area is referred to as the Wildlife Centre of Wales. There is also pony trekking available in the vicinity. Visit Builth Wells, the annual site of the Winter Fair, Royal Welsh Agricultural Show, and Spring Festival. Alternatively, a lovely drive will take you to the Welsh shore 34 miles distant.
Accommodation
One king-size double bedroom with en-suite bath, shower over, basin and WC.
Open-plan living space with kitchen, dining area and sitting area with woodburning stove
Gas central heating.
Electric cooker with oven and gas hob, microwave, fridge/freezer, washing machine, dishwasher.
TV and WiFi.
Fuel and power included in rent.
Bed linen and towels included in rent.
Travel cot available on request.
Off-road parking for 2 cars.
Enclosed garden with lawn, patio, furniture and barbecue.
Two well-behaved dogs welcome.
Sorry, no smoking.
Shop 1.5 miles, pub 5.1 miles.
Note: Due to steps throughout the property, may not be suitable for those less mobile
Reviews (16)
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Paul
Nestled just on the edge of Elan Valley, St Marks sits surrounded by hills with views for miles direct from the window. On arrival the property was clean, tidy and felt really homely. The central heating was on and warm but also the log fire was prepared ready for lighting if needed. Essentials like cake, milk, teabags and coffee was on hand in order to make a brew after the long drive down, great little touch I thought. This little house is full of character, from its timber beams to its original slate worktops reclaimed from when the house used to be a school. There is fantastic dog walks right from the doorstep, with a forest less than fifty metres away which felt like you had to yourself due to the lack of people there. Great if you have a reactive dog like I do. The owners was fantastic, with great communication. They even went as far as leaving a guide book with tips and hints about heating, recycling, emergency numbers, where to eat when out etc. Also walks to take, plus if you have a dog then which walks will require your dog to be leashed (or not) in order not to scare livestock. All in all, this place is great for a couple or a single person (with two dogs) like myself wanting to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. Would I recommend - Absolutely! Will I be back - Most definitely!!!
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Kevin
360 degree views, walks on the doorstep, the beautiful Elan Valley only 15 mins away. Cosy nights in by the fire. Great facilities in the cottage make it like home from home. Highly recommended!
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Paul
We were there during a real cold snap and found it took a while to heat up but having mastered the wood burner things improved. The stars were just amazing, as were the glorious sunrises through the large windows. Perfect for dog walks and a good secure garden. On a negative point, It is rather tired in places and could do with some new bed linen and towels. Our main problem was the bathroom. The beams are a lot lower than they appear in the illustrations and for someone with a back problem, the toilet is a real challenge not to hit your head on the beams. Overall we loved the schoolhouse and the area.