Welcome to Ty Gwyn Farm
The ultimate get away
The Straw Cottage is truly far from the madding crowd, a 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. Come for a special break for just the two of you, stars, champagne and total peace. Or if you are bringing the family, see your children experience a different kind of enjoyment in discovering the pleasures of messing about in the stream, building a den, doing the treasure hunt, exploring the 3 acres that surrounds the cottage and just making their own entertainment.
Staying in The Straw Cottage is a memorable experience, away from the modern world, no modern gadgets, no electrics, nature at the door, views, dark skies, stars, sitting around the barbeque, de- stressing and relaxing. However we think that you will appreciate the comfort of The Straw Cottage – sleep in a lovely comfy bed, have a shower, be warm and cosy if the weather is not ideal.
The cottage sits on the edge of Ben’s Wood, a small wood that has been coppiced so it is light and airy with dappled sun and bluebells in the spring time. In front of the cottage the ground gently slopes down to the field and the stream, with views to the far hills. In the wood are several bird boxes, home to a variety of birds including woodpeckers, tree creepers and blue tits.
The cottage has two double bedrooms, one with twin beds, the other with a double bed. There is a shower and a flushing W.C. in the bathroom.
A large sitting room with wood burner leads out onto the veranda. There is a kitchen area with sink with hot and cold water, gas oven and hob and gas cool box.
Heating comes from the wood burner, hot water and cooking is by gas. Lighting is by candles and lanterns. A torch is also supplied.
There is a barbeque on the veranda and slightly further away is a place to have a bonfire, roasted marshmallows on a stick or cooked spuds in the cinders? Tables, chairs and parasol are close to the cottage and a hammock swings in the shady woodland, perfect for a doze or a read.
The Straw Cottage is great for children of all ages, there are endless things for them to enjoy – messing about in the stream, pond dipping, building a den, identifying the flowers and birds, exploring the woods and fields and making their own fun. They can have a go at the treasure hunt or try the wildlife quiz. Fireguard for woodburner, booster high chair and travel cot provided.
The ultimate get away
We started to build the Straw Cottage in the summer and autumn of 2012. We could not have chosen a worse time, we had continual rain and then a frosty winter but eventually the cottage was finished in the spring of 2013. This is the story of the build, the construction and the finished cottage. In the video we said “We are hoping it’s going to be a real experience for people to come away and de-stress and just be on their own. The children can have a whale of a time doing all the things we did as children, building a den, fishing in the stream or just thoroughly enjoying themselves with no restrictions” Judging by the comments we get from guests young and old, that vision has come true.
We offer the following:
Moss’s Hamper. A bottle of wine (red, white or rose), 3 Welsh cheeses (approx 175grams each) and a packet of Welsh oat cakes £30.
Ben’s Hamper. A starter pack containing, tea-bags, coffee and sugar (a generous amount – enough for 4 people night and morning), a pint of milk, a packet of Welsh butter, a container of cereal, a loaf of Welsh bread and a pot of Welsh marmalade. £25.00
The ultimate get away
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.
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.
We have loved our stay here! We have loved going on walks, wandering the fields, visiting Elan Valley and having camp fires! Thank you so much for super cosy stay here! having no electricity was fun too! Thank you! We loved visiting Hay -on-Wye and its bookshops – we recommend it!
Thank you Margot for a lovely week in Straw Cottage! We really enjoyed our few days of ‘digital detox’ resting in the cottage, going for a farm walk daily, playing games by the candlelight, doing puzzles and crosswords and watching the sheep go by. We spent most of the week nearby but enjoyed our day out at Hay looking in all the bookshops. We’ve left a little illustrated memento of our visit – in homage to the beautiful view from the cottage – thanks again.
Our 4th visit to the Straw Cottage!! We love it here so much. The weather has been fantastic. We enjoy watching and listening to the wild life. We had visits from The Bats, Mr. Hare, the woodpeckers! Poppy loves playing in the stream finding lots of treasure. We will miss our relaxing mornings! The Fforest Inn is still doing an amazing carvery on Sunday. Poppy (10years) says Thank you for the lovely stay. I enjoyed it sooo much! The roast was delicious at the Fforest Inn. I helped unblock the stream. It was amazing. xxx
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)
We had a magical stay at Straw Cottage. Thank you! Everything was perfect. We can’t wait to return.
A fantastic holiday, thank you so much! Our third visit to the Straw Cottage but our first as a family of five. We were treated to amazing weather – warm and bright all week. We’ve had so much fun splashing/exploring the stream and playing in the woods. We’ve really enjoyed walking in the fields and doing the treasure hunt. Out and about the highlights were peddle boating on the lake, watching the Red Kites at Gigrin Farm and walking from the Elan Valley Visitor Centre. A magical memory filled week – recharged and refreshed. I am sure we will be back.
We have had the most amazing and relaxing holiday! The children have loved playing outside and the grown ups loved no phones!!
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.
I loved the treasure hunt! Definitely recommend. I really liked exploring Wales and we even saw a tiny field mouse near the hammock. The local Indian was divine and Devil’s bridge was beautiful. The little details of the cottage really makes it a great place to be and it was so weird not having lights! Thank you Straw Cottage
Although we arrived in the dark, we managed to settle in quickly, getting the fire going and the gas hob on. It was a first holiday as a relatively new family of 4. Roo being 8 months and we couldn’t have asked for a better location and more glorious weather! We needed this break from normality more than we realised! Thank you. What a beautiful setting for the cottage.
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
We had a lovely second time at the Straw Cottage. My favourite part was no electricity. Zain’s was lighting the fire and candles. This was a lovely place to stay. The chaffinch kept tapping at the window.!
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
Had a great 3 night stay and thank you for having us. Jude has eaten all the ripe blackberries within a mile radius of the cottage! To be close to wildlife, nature and the trickling brook is a real treat that we will miss when we’re home. Thank you Anthony and Margot
These amazing rolling hills here are incredible and the house is very cozy and snug and the stream is lovely. I’m 10 and completed the treasure hunt yesterday with my brother and we enjoyed it so much. This place is great.
Thank you for a wonderful stay. We enjoyed the treasure hunt and loved exploring the area!
We have had an awesome time here at Straw Cottage. We’ve visited Elan Valley which was beautiful and driven over the mountain road – stunning. We’ve enjoyed the treasure hunt, seeing bats and catching pond skaters in the stream.
Frosty mornings, brilliant sunshine and thousands of stars. A beautiful place. Many thanks
Beautiful cottage in a stunning setting. So peaceful and quiet. Lovely to see/hear the sheep, the birds and a hare! Thank you!
Absolutely beautiful!! We’ve had an amazing few days. It’s so peaceful here. We love the stream, the birds, the baby squirrels and the owls. It’s great to have a break from phones/screens.
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.
We’ve had a relaxed & enjoyable holiday in the beautiful Straw Cottage. The walks straight from the farm have been fun and challenging. Thank you Margot & Anthony for creating a wonderful, woodland retreat.
What a fantastic setting, being able to totally switch off from the outside world has been such a tonic, listening to the birds, watching the lambs playing and even watched a hare enjoying the sunshine. A wander around the Lake and a day out at Elan Valley are both worth doing. Thank you.
We’ve had a restful and restorative 4 days. We have enjoyed unplugging and switching off – especially the boys! We enjoyed the treasure hunt – fun for all ages and lots of walks around the farm/playing in the stream. Reading books and many games of Ludo, surprisingly competitive) & chinese chequers. Cottage excellent and well equipped. Thank you for having us.
The perfect weekend away! This has been such a wonderful few days escape, just what we needed. The kids have loved spending ages playing in the stream and exploring the surrounding woodland. The treasure hunt was great, thank you so much for taking the time to do this! We have so enjoyed being ‘cut off’ from the outside world, in our own little bubble, with no screens. Elan Valley was also a fun trip out. Thank you so much, such lovely family memories made.
Thank you so much – I have loved every minute spent in this lovely cottage in a beautiful location – I can definitely see a return in my future! So quiet and peaceful – exactly what we wanted! A beautiful cosy couple of days watching the stream.
What a fabulous cottage. We spent 3 magical days as a family of four – our first as a family of four! We enjoyed the cosy fire, stargazing and spending some quality time together. We will remember this holiday very fondly. Many thanks.
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.
