Too amazing to put into words! Thanks Margot & Anthony
Matt, Wendy, Alex(12) & Blake (8) August 2024
The ultimate get away
The Straw Cottage is truly far from the madding crowd, an off grid straw bale cottage in an idyllic spot on the farm. Wake up to the sound of birdsong, go to sleep to the sound of Holly Brook, breakfast outside with just the meadow flowers and the hills for company. This is the romance of a bygone era with modern comfort.
The ultimate get away
We’ve had the most wonderful week staying at Straw Cottage. We’ve loved exploring the walks around the farm – doing chunks of the ‘green route’ was ideal for our kids (6yr and 4yrs) having the map to follow was great. The weather has been on our side so we’ve enjoyed having all our meals outside, BBQ and smores on the firepit. Being here has been so lovely and relaxing, we definitely don’t want to leave.
” I really liked making a den and I loved the treasure hunt as well” Casper
Charlie, Will, Casper and Indy August 2024
What a fantastic place to spend Easter. The Easter bunny found us and hid eggs on Sunday. We enjoyed watching animals, seeing squirrels, lots of birds and the sheep with their spring lambs without ever having to leave the Straw Cottage. Cerys loved the box of toys and books, while the grown ups were lucky to have 2 clear nights to stargaze. We visited the Lake, Elan Valley and Erwood Station as well as Shaky Bridge. Thank you for your help re-lighting the boiler (when our common sense failed!) We loved our stay.
Rhiannon, Paul & Cerys (aged 2) March 2024
We were in dire need of a massive switch off from everyday life – and thankfully that’s exactly what we found at the wonderful Straw Cottage! The farm is beautiful and Gigi enjoyed running around! We visited the Elan Valley, Mach loop, Devils Bridge and finally the stunning mountains at Snowdonia. Thank you for allowing us to stay at your beautiful cottage.
Ian & Jo & Gigi the dog March 2024
We’ve had a wonderful stay at Straw Cottage. What a fantastic way to slow down and spend quality family time. We loved going on muddy walks, feeding the swans and geese at the lake (where they do the best ice creams and coffee) playing games, baking, star gazing and cozying up by the fire. Thank you. Rachel, Rob, Isla, Lexi and Benji (the dog)
Rachel, Rob, Isla, Lexi and Benji (the dog) February 2024
Just what the doctor ordered! So wonderful to be away from the hustle and bustle of life!! Straw Cottage made us sit back and just enjoy. Fabulous farm walks, loved Elan Valley and its stunning views. Lucky with the weather too 23degrees in October. who would have thought! Lovely to meet you Margot – thanks for the thoughtful things in the cottage – we will bring our friends next time!
Anne & Andrew October 2023
We loved the stay at the Straw Cottage. since we had no technology we all read a lot more and chatted to each other more instead of parents isolating themselves on their phones! We also went everywhere using a map! We all enjoyed the hammock and river loads and we saw many bats. It was weird because we would all look for light switches!! The treasure hunt was so fun! The nature around was beautiful!!! Our dog loved roaming in the woods and jumping through the bushes and splashing in the river!! We loved our stay. Thank you.
The Ferreira - Cole family August 2023
We love Straw Cottage so much, this was our 3rd stay. We always feel so relaxed and never want to leave. Despite the weather we still enjoyed our days, playing in the stream walks, Elan Valley and visiting the towns. Muffin (our dog) loves being able to roam free and curl up on our laps whilst we sit outside on the veranda. Thank you for having such a beautiful place, we will be back.
Michelle, Kevin, Poppy & Muffin August 2023
What a beautiful cottage. Sadly we weren’t blessed with good weather but when we did get out the rain eased. Would love to come back and explore the farm more. Benny loved mooching around in the wood behind the cottage and dozing in front of the fire in the evening. We spent one evening watching a bat flitting about in front of the veranda. Heard a tawny owl a few times but no fox or hare for us. The cottage is fantastically well stocked and so comfy a real home away. We spent most evenings just gazing at the fire and looking across to the hill. Check out the stars! We will return.
Tash, Deb & Berry the dog. September 2023
Lovely, lovely time at Straw Cottage. Lovely walks for our dog ‘Churchy’. Lots of places to visit. Not enough time to do them all. All the locals were extremely friendly. Super little lake down hill from the Golf Course. Fantastic views wherever you looked. Hosts were very helpful. Will definitely be back.
Michelle and Glyn and Churchy Sept 2023
I really enjoyed staying in this sweet little house. The Straw insulation was effective and keep us warm. It suggests lots of things to explore. Me and mum (me is Thomas) enjoyed exploring the woods on the trail. I didn’t want to leave! Bye bye Straw House
Thomas, Tim, Grace and Rebecca. August 2023
We had such a wonderful time staying in the Straw Cottage. We will all feel completely refreshed. An owl came to greet us on the first morning, right outside the bathroom window, which was pretty special. We rode the pedalos on the lake, drove to the Elan Valley which was beautiful, had a day at the Show Caves and Dinosaur Park, all absolutely amazing. The landscape is so stunning here, the driving around is such a pleasure. Also had so much fun exploring the woods and fields nearby and the kids loved the treasure hunt! We wish we’d stayed an extra few days, feel sad to be leaving so soon.
Mike, Helen, Olive and Bernard. August 2023
What an excellent find! Such a beautiful and idyllic place to finish our holiday. Being completely immersed in nature (off the grid) has been so good for the kids, playing in the river to BBQs on the veranda to evenings of candlelit UNO, every day has been special. A little “UK summer weather” also didn’t get in the way, visiting Elan Valley, Brecon, Rhayader, Devils Bridge and an excellent 10Km walk from our doorstep. Thanks for having us and hope the next visitors enjoy it as much as we did.
Rob, Mel, Maia & Winston July 2023
Thank you for such a great few days in nature, the sound of the birds and stream were delightful. It was great to explore the countryside. The cottage itself was so lovely, perfect to snuggle up to read and watch the fire whilst feeling totally “off grid”. We wished we could have stayed longer
Tom, Francesca and Juno the dog July 2023
We have had the best stay – nice to switch off and really enjoy nature. We ate every single meal outside (even in the rain) and our Margot loved watching all the “sheepies” and the red kites. We had everything we needed – thank you so much.
Rachel, Rhys and Margot (2 and half) July 2023
Special grandparent time whilst Mummy & Daddy at Glastonbury!! Absolutely fabulous long weekend, magical. We never left the cottage! Sad to leave, but will be back. Thank you so so much Anthony & Margot. The treasure hunt was ace. It is the best place ever – Harry & Charlie
Lin & Richard, Lily the cocker spaniel, Harry & Charlie aged 8 & 5. June 2023
What a lovely peaceful weekend for our 1st anniversary. Loved walking in the area, lounging on the grass and quiet nights in front of the fire. Snow loved exploring the grounds and we all enjoyed this little gem cottage! Thank you and hopefully be back some day.
Cameron, Micah and Snow (dog). May 2023
Thank you for a wonderfully peaceful week-end. Lovely place to come back to after a day of exploring. Great walks around Elan Valley & Gilfach Nature Reserve. We really enjoyed switching off, bbq’ing in February (!!) and having some drinks and playing games in front of a roaring fire. Thank you!
Brandon & Charlotte February 2023
Magical, peaceful , luxurious weekend – we completely fell in love with the cottage and no one wanted to go home. Mostly just stayed put exploring the fields and the woods, playing games in front of the fire, feeling snug and quiet and happy. Thank you for sharing your little wonderland! I hope we’ll be back soon.
Elena, Kyle & Zee March 2023.
Margot, what magic you have created here and how special to share that with others. We’ve had the most amazing weekend at The Straw Cottage. The grounds are like something from a fairy tale and we loved the sights on the walk into town. The Elan Valley was out of this world beautiful and we have loved every minute of our quality time together away from the outside world. Evenings by candlelight, red wine, monopoly and a roaring fire was every bit as romantic as we could have wished for. Can’t wait to come and stay again.
The Doolans February 2023
Thank you for a wonderful stay at an amazing property. It has been fantastic to get away from work, technology and general hustle and bustle. The surrounding fields have made for some wonderful walks and the quiet and isolation made this trip magical. Thank you Margot for all your help (picking us up and getting us some food). These sorts of trips are often impossible, or very difficult, without a car and you made it so much easier.
Kira & Zac July 2022
We’ve had a wonderful week here at Straw Cottage! Weather was a treat until the last evening but even then it was very relaxing and refreshing to listen to & watch the rain on the porch with a glass of wine. Our boys first holiday together was a memorable one & Joseph loved his daily trips up and down in the ‘ellow wheelbarrow’. We did the treasure hunt, threw lots of stones in the stream and had daily visits to say hello to the ‘eep. Didn’t travel too far as we just enjoyed the local area & made the most of lovely Llandrindod. We will be back when baby Fred can enjoy it more too. Although I think his favourite part was an afternoon nap in the hammock. Lots of love the Chapmans.
Phil, Amy, Joseph & baby Freddie. June 2022
Our first time at the Straw Cottage and we love it. We needed a break from busy London life and this is the perfect remedy. We have had five perfect days of weather and are leaving today in the rain. During our stay we have pond dipped, played simple games, visited Elan Valley and Red Kite feeding centre both about 20 minutes away and beautiful scenery. Most of us don’t get the chance of leaving our phones off and we have enjoyed it and not missed it. It’s enabled us to really switch off and go back to basics, simple games, activities, fire pit and enjoying being a family, oh and flying a kite in the top field just before sunset. Who needs TV & phones. We love Straw Cottage and will be back. Enjoy your stay. Thanks Margot.
Terry, Clare and Sarina June 2022
Upon returning to the Straw Cottage, this time Poppy shouted “We are home!” This place really holds a special place in our hearts. We feel so relaxed. We visited Elan Valley, it’s a must!! We met the fox this time which Poppy has named Flick. Thank you for having such a magical place Margot. We will be back again. xxx
Michelle, Kevin, Poppy & Muffin June 2022
We loved the Straw Cottage so much. It was the perfect holiday. We all enjoyed sitting by candlelight and eating our dinner in the garden. It was just what we needed to relax and take a break. Me and my sister loved the treasure hunt and the ponds in the stream. We found lots of Mayfly nymphs! We also found a dragonfly emerging from its casing by the stream. From Eliza & Matilda
The Jacksons June 2022
Fantastic stay in an amazing part of the world. Beautiful weather for the first two days – explored Elan Valley and enjoyed watching the wildlife – red kites, foxes and sheep(!) from the front porch. The cottage was perfect and exactly what we needed for a few days away from the stresses of everyday life. Thank you Margot – we look to visiting again in the future.
Jacqui, Tom & Jess April 2022
Wow! What a beautiful and magical place to stay. A perfect place to stay to ‘get away & recharge’ from all the craziness of our day to day lives. Our daughter Poppy absolutely loved it here, finding treasure in the stream and an Easter egg hunt on Easter Sunday. Our dog Muffin enjoyed the freedom to roam the area. The cottage is just right, no changes needed. We wished we had booked longer! Thank you, we will be back! The Fforest Inn is great for a Sunday carvery, very friendly staff and your dog can also have a bowl of dinner!
Michelle, Kevin, Poppy & Muffin April 2022
We had a lovely weekend for celebrating my birthday. It was cold at night but we enjoyed learning to get the wood burner going to stay warm. The sunshine in the day made for excellent outdoor time with a toddler and a baby. Thanks Margot and Anthony for being so friendly, letting us charge our car and showing Asher the tractor. We didn’t even see that much of the area because it was great to hang around nearby. Looking forward to another visit!
Josephine, Gibran, Asher and Zain. April 2022
We experienced the Straw Cottage in Storm Eunice but still managed to stay cosy and warm. It was lovely not to have the outside world to interfere with quality family time. We would definitely come back and explore the local area more. 5 star review from the Davies family.
Leigh, Janine, Daniel and Thomas
Radnorshire is one of the old counties, which together with Brecknockshire and Montgomeryshire make up the county of Powys in Mid Wales. Radnorshire is a county of rolling hills with river valleys, farmsteads, quiet country lanes and historic market towns.
The ultimate get away
Radnorshire is a county of rolling hills with river valleys, farmsteads, quiet country lanes and historic market towns.
There are plenty of activities around the area, fishing, riding, golf, bowls, clay pigeon shooting, or even rally driving.
Radnorshire offers superb off the beaten track walking, whether you want a gentle stroll or a day’s hike, there is something to suit everyone.
There is a wide variety of pubs and restaurants in the area, catering for all tastes and pockets.
Embracing many different country pursuits, farming, riding, working our dogs. We enjoy looking after the land we farm so that it is an attractive landscape and full of wildlife. We say we are hidden in the heaven of Radnorshire, and it is a heaven that we want you also to enjoy, so do come and visit us. Whether you want to relax or be active, sit in the garden or walk the hills, the choice is yours. We look forward to welcoming you to Ty Gwyn Farm.
The ultimate get away