Tyn Yr Wtra

Built in 1630, Tyn Yr Wtra – which translated means ‘the house up the narrow lane' – started life as a major farmhouse – and has been transformed into a beautiful holiday home. And in keeping with its history, the characterful four-bedroom property, which is classically black and white timber-framed outside, inside boasts original exposed oak beams and doors as well as a stunning inglenook fireplace. The large rustic kitchen offers incredible views of seemingly never-ending lush countryside, and there’s a large lounge area perfect for post-walk naps. Also downstairs are a conservatory and a bedroom – both of which used to make up the old farmhouse dairy. And there are three large bedrooms upstairs – with picturesque vistas from the windows – as well as one en suite and a separate bathroom. For green-fingered guests, the beautiful surrounding gardens and orchard are filled with colourful flowers and trees bearing fruits such as apples and pears, and there are also strawberries, mulberries and blackcurrants.

While bird watches might be able to see osprey, tawny owls, bats, redstarts, red-legged partridges, kites, swallows, woodpeckers, tree creepers, and lots of pheasants. Owners Ben Carpenter and Sarah Whitley, have made the cottage, which is accessible only by a winding private country lane, as eco-friendly as possible in a bid to allow guests to go live ‘off-grid’. In addition to solar hot water panels, the couple have added solar panels on the barn roof, replaced all oil burners with wood-burners, installed a central heating system that can run from the wood-burners, and fitted filters so the water from the on-site spring can be swigged and bathed in. Although there is wifi available so you don’t have to go completely ‘off-grid’ from the rest of the world.