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Drovers Retreat

Llandrindod Wells, Powys
Self-catering
+44 (0)7377 865123
Visit owner's website

From
£116 - £179
per night

From
£816 - £940
per week

Restored stone barn on the edge of Radnor Forest, with walking trails, glorious countryside views and lots of wildlife

3 beds

2 bedrooms

Sleeps 4

Children welcome

Pets welcome

Babies welcome

The Experience

A Grade II-listed barn that’s won the Green Tourism Silver Award. It sits on the edge of a steep wooded gully dropping down to a stream on the edge of a forest; you’ll feel miles away from civilisation but Bob and Carolyn live in the farmhouse nearby if you need anything.

All the basics are here along with a homemade cake, milk, apple juice and an ‘honesty freezer’ so you can cook from scratch or simply heat up a home-cooked meal. There are plenty of good books, maps and games to mull over in front of the wood-burner, and a games barn has a pool table, table football and darts.

Views are of farm buildings and some magnificent old trees, and a small gravelled area has seating and a barbecue. Plenty of walks along forest tracks and footpaths leave from the door; the nearest restaurant, the Lion Hotel at Llanbister, is a 20-minute drive.

We think you'll love

Being surrounded by nature and tranquillity
Bringing your dog and going for walks in the forest
The games barn on a wet day

You should know

You are fairly remote although roads here are easy to drive
It is surprisingly dark at night – you’re in a Dark Sky area
Some mobile networks not available

Essentials

EV charger
Self check-in
Swimming pool
Hot tub
Garden
Open fire / woodburner
Breakfast included
Breakfast available
Meals available
Vegetarian meals
Oven
Parking on premises
Free parking nearby
Accessible by public transport
WiFi
Television
Central heating
Limited mobility
Wheelchair access
Mobile reception
Hob
Barbecue
Paid parking nearby
Air conditioning
Relaxation areas
Washing machine
Tennis court
Microwave oven
No smoking
Credit cards
Working farm
Owner has pets
Electricity included
Dishwasher
Pets welcome

Family friendly

Baby monitor
Books and toys
Children welcome
Babies welcome
Stair gates
High chair
Fire guard
Cot available

Nearby

Pub/bar within 3 miles
Restaurant within 3 miles
Shop within 3 miles

Activities

Bikes available
Food courses
Kayaking
Other courses
Sailing
Surfing
Wild swimming

Nightly price: from £116
Weekly price: from £816
Surcharges: Extra bed/sofabed available at no charge.

1 House for 4: From £1163 beds2 bedrooms

Information

Booking information

Check in: 4pm-9pm
Check out: By 10.30am
Other details: Minimum stay: 3 nights. 3 nights on weekdays. 3 nights at weekends. 3 nights in high season.
Closed: Never.
No smoking: Smoking not permitted anywhere in the property.
Meals: Pubs 5-10 miles.

Reviews

What is left to be said that others before us have mentioned so eloquently. ''Perfect, Peaceful Place''. All humans and dog have enjoyed immensely. Drovers Retreat has a heart beat and warms your very soul.

Pam, Andy, Rowan & Aidan Jul 2021

We’ve had a fabulously relaxing stay here at Drover’s Retreat. The accommodation is spot-on……We’ve stayed in lots of holiday cottages and there’s only a select few we would return to - this is one of them. Thank you!

Emma and Danny, Derbyshire Sep 2019

We are townies, have full busy lives where peace and quiet have to be intentionally sought.... So here we have been able to step away, enjoy nature and let it restore a sense of peace. To start the day calmly, breathing in the sounds and smells of nature has been lovely.....Thank you Drover’s Retreat and Bob and Carolyn for creating the space where it is possible .......

Steve and Elaine, London Sep 2019

If you love trees, nature and walking in unspoilt countryside with barely another soul in sight, this is your place. A fabulous eco conversion has made a truly homely place to retreat from the hurly-burly of modern life. If lured away there are delightful market towns in every direction, plus castles, gardens and local attractions. Delightful owners are deeply knowledgeable about the area. Special.

David, Sa Mar 2019

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Location

The neighbourhood

A gate at one end of the barn leads off to trails that soon emerge onto high upland, with Radnor Forest above and the imposing outline of a local landmark, Black Mixen, a peat bog plateau at 2,130 feet. Glorious views stretch out over largely unspoilt countryside, and you can walk for hours and never see another soul. There’s no traffic noise, just the calls of red kites and buzzards wheeling overhead. There are plenty of deer and foxes, badgers, polecats, pine martens and rabbits.

Local points of interest from Carolyn Kennard

Endless walks right from the door in and around the Radnor Forest. Miles of footpaths, bridleways and ancient green lanes abound where red kites and buzzards soar and sky larks sing. A real wild space to explore with dark skies and star-spangled nights.
Don't miss the stunning Elan Valley Dams with Visitor Centre and café - open all year, just a short drive away, from here the impressive 73-mile Victorian aqueduct stretches to Birmingham! Then trace its route in our woodland, 300 feet beneath your feet.
Rain? We'll suggest days out. Visit the Judge's Lodging, Presteigne then indulge yourself with a hot chocolate (Carolyn's favourite!) & lunch at the Workhouse Gallery. Or stay and set up a table football tournament in the barn or just relax with a book.
Nearby Hay-On-Wye is a must for book-lovers but music and festivals are all around us, whether it’s May Bank Holiday and The Green Man Festival in Clun, The Presteigne Music Festival in August or a Medieval Xmas Fayre in Ludlow in late November.
From our flower-filled station take the little train to meander across the dramatic Knucklas viaduct to Knighton, the 'Town on the Dyke'. Stand with your feet in two countries, listen to the babble of the livestock market then buy organic goodies for tea.
Bring your bike and ride the Radnor Ring https://cycle.travel/route/radnor_ring/guide Explore the St Michael churches which guard our sleeping dragon in the Radnor Forest. Canny children will spot his back and maybe hear his roar!

Introducing

Carolyn Kennard

Bob and Carolyn are gentle, kind, and passionate about nature, people and food. As newly-weds in the late 1970s, they yearned for adventure and worked in Swaziland and Malawi for years, then back in the UK, they ran a pioneering organic food business from the farm. Bob's book 'Much Ado about Mutton' is a bestseller. They are currently researching local history but love to walk, write and sing.

Drovers Retreat

Children welcome

Pets welcome

Babies welcome

Your dates are available!

Direct with the owner

Enquire through Sawday's

The Experience

We think you'll love

You should know

Essentials

Pricing

Information

Reviews

The neighbourhood

Carolyn Kennard

Drovers Retreat

Children welcome

Pets welcome

Babies welcome

Check availability

Your dates are available!

How to book

Direct with the owner

Enquire through Sawday's

The Experience

We think you'll love

You should know

Essentials

Pricing

Information

Reviews

The neighbourhood

Carolyn Kennard

Taking you to Drovers Retreat