Otter Cottage (nr Hay-on-Wye)

This isolated retreat is in an exceptionally beautiful part of rural England that grazes the Welsh borders and yet is a stones throw from cultural, Hay on Wye. Traditional Otter Cottage is nestled on our secluded organic farm. Relax in your garden, enjoy views of the sparkling stream, snuggle up by a crackling log fire, wander to the pub for dinner or ramble the majestic Black Mountains! From the window you might see Kites, Fox, Kingfisher, deer and Otters. The space We feel it is important to note, that unlike many other cottages, Otter Cottage is private. There are no other holiday cottages on the property and you won't be overlooked by anyone - us or neighbors. Our private driveway runs past the cottage, there are no major roads nearby or sound pollution from roads. Originally a farm workers cottage, Otter Cottage is very 'English Country cottage'. It has been sensitively furnished and restored, we fill it with original art painted by the owner and her family. We try our best to make it as cozy as possible to ensure our guests have a memorable trip, we love our cottage and use it for our own family and friends too, so we hope it feels as personal and welcoming to your family as it is for ours. It's old-fashioned and charming, an eclectic getaway with higgledy piggldly stairs, antique furniture and open fires. We have two bedrooms with double beds and the third bedroom has a small double - the perfect child's room or a comfy nook for an adult. The kitchen has an open fire/wood burner as does the sitting room. We provide one basket of logs for each fire. The cottage is also central heated so even without log fires it’s toasty warm. Otter Cottage is very well equipped and is great for BBQ's, romance, and children's games. Enjoy views of endless fields, your private garden, starry night skies unburdened by light pollution and the sparkling stream. We are passionate about conservation, our farm is part of a Natural England environmental scheme that protects wildlife. We focus on regenerating our meadows and hedgerows enabling the growth of rare flowers and securing habitats. In the last twenty years the farm has been pesticide-free and thus painstakingly managed; we now can boast a return of wildlife, if you are lucky you may see, Herons, Kingfishers, swallows, hares, birds of prey, deer, rabbits, otters, butterflies/insects, weasels, badgers and once a Grass snake was spotted! You're welcome to have a picnic in one of the organic fields - please enquire first. Otter Cottage comes equipped with a garden table, chairs, BBQ, small fire bowl and a lock-up shed for bicycles. Enjoy the best of both worlds, unspoiled countryside, and the cultural bustle of the famous Hay- on-Wye. Hay-on-Wye is a beautiful Norman market town, known for its bookshops and it's only a ten-minute drive from Otter Cottage. Don't forget to sample the yummy local food that Hay Market provides (Thursday morning). During the Summer months, you can rent a canoe and spend the day swimming/canoeing on the spectacular River Wye. There are so many local activities to get your teeth into riding, rock climbing, visiting farms, rambling, touring the castles, hiking the waterfalls in the Brecon Beacons and of course exploring the nearby Black Mountains... the list is endless and we can recommend the best places so please ask. Many guests enjoy the mile walk to the pub in Dorstone for a meal. As stated, the cottage is self catering. Please bring enough groceries for the night you arrive! Guest access There is a small drive way with room for three cars. If you wish to bring more cars let us know and we can provide additional parking. Other things to note There is no phone reception at the cottage but we do have broadband. We have a bath not a shower. If you want to wash your hair we have a hand held shower hose attachment for the bath but please don't expect a standing shower. We accept up to two WELL BEHAVED/ HOUSE-TRAINED dogs - no puppies. Please do not let your dogs upstairs or on the furniture. Also please be aware that due to its remote country location, Otter cottage is fed directly from an ancient spring that runs from our hill. No chlorine or nasties in the water but because of this the water can sometimes be slow to fill the tank if there are many people bathing, so please be patient with it! We provide one basket of logs for each fire. Additional logs can be purchased in Hay. There is a doctor's surgery in Peterchurch which is less than ten minutes away and there is a vet in Hay.