Situated in a peaceful little hamlet near Hay-on-Wye, the Old School House is a recently restored, really comfortable holiday cottage. This former Victorian village schoolhouse has a sunny enclosed garden, and is just minutes from the river Wye for wild swimming or just playing on the river beach. Ten minutes’ drive will take you to the wonderful, eccentric town of Hay-on-Wye, with its bookshops, boutiques, galleries, cafes, pubs, canoeing centre and theatre – not to mention the famous Hay Literary Festival in June. The cottage sleeps 2 to 4 (plus a child on a spare bed and an infant in a cot) and welcomes up to 2 good dogs. CLICK HERE FOR AVAILABILITY AND TO BOOK ONLINE. Alternatively, click here to email us with your booking requirements.

The interior of the Old Schoolhouse has been thoughtfully decorated: some lovely colours – cream with accents of charcoal, stone, brick red and chalky blue – set off interesting prints and maps, and some good pictures. Pretty furnishings include Hungarian and antique linens, vintage bedspreads, and locally woven blankets. There is plenty of really well-researched local information, games and children’s books, and a wide selection of DVDs. Downstairs, there is a recently installed kitchen with a small eating area, a good-sized sitting-room with a wood burner, a big family bathroom and a small quiet room/play room/spare bedroom with a day bed (suitable for day-time lounging or for sleeping an extra child). Upstairs, the lovely spacious master bedroom has fabulous old beams, a great bed, a comfortable armchair for reading, and a peaceful bucolic view across fields towards the river. The bedroom next door can be a single, a twin or a super-king double – whatever suits your party. Outside, there is a pretty, confined garden with a sunny patio.

This is a beautiful part of the countryside, with wonderful walks of all kinds – from meandering riverside strolls to steep climbs up big hills for breathtaking views and great picnic spots. On the hill behind the cottage, there is a nature reserve for peaceful local walks and for good wild fauna-and-flora-spotting. The Wye Valley Walk and The Herefordshire Trail both go through the village, too. For those who prefer a drive or a cycle, the Black and White Trail is a fascinating tour linking picturesque local villages with their vernacular timber-framed houses. This is ‘Kilvert Country’, the stamping ground of the nineteenth-century curate who became famous for his colourful diary (there is a copy in the cottage) of his experiences in this area, where his position as a man of the church meant that he had access to all walks of life, from gentry to gipsy girls. He was vicar at the local church, whose churchyard is a heart-stopping mass of snowdrops in February.

The nitty gritty:

• Wood burner (logs supplied first basket free of charge)
• Free wifi
• TV with DVD
• CD-player/radio
• Electric hob and oven
• Fridge/Freezer
• Mobile reception
• No dishwasher
• Microwave
• Washing machine (plus airer and washing-line)
• Store cupboard essentials included (coffee, tea, sugar, s&p, olive oil etc)
• Bedding, towels and all basics included (soap, loo paper, cleaning materials etc)
• Elec, heating, hot water included
• Baby-friendly (ask owner for travel cot and high-cum-booster seat for 6 months to 4 years)
• Dog friendly (two well-behaved dogs welcome downstairs, but not on furniture)
• Garden furniture
• Enclosed garden
• Well-equipped kitchen
• Spacious bathroom has bath with shower over
• Lots of books and excellent local information
• A few minutes walk from the River Wye
• Pub in the hamlet, and gastropub a pretty three-mile walk along foot path
• Co-located with the former school room next door, which is a separate dwelling (but feels very private)
• Ten minutes' drive from Hay-on-Wye
• Fantastic farmers' market emporium brimming with local products a short drive away

Things to do around this holiday cottage in Wales

Local produce is varied and of high quality, and can be enjoyed in good local pubs and restaurants, or, for self-catering, an enormous selection can be found at the nearby Oakchurch Country Store (described by locals and the ‘Harrods of Herefordshire’). Bookies will be delighted by the cottage’s proximity to Hay-on-Wye, as will those who treasure independent local shops, boutiques, galleries and antique emporia. Visitors will be strengthened by the best coffee, the most delicious ice-cream, and some good bistros and pubs. For the many other things to do in the area, from visiting interesting historical sites to more energetic exploits such as gliding and paragliding at Hay Bluff, please click onto the Local Information link.

Pricing & Availability

Changeovers are normally Mondays and Fridays (enquire about other days). Weekends are set-priced from Friday 4pm to either Sunday evening or Monday 10.30am; so you can stay 1, 2 or 3 nights for the weekend price. If there are only 2 nights available, this shorter weekend will be priced down accordingly. Move the cursor over a date and prices will appear, and click for a quote. You can book online, or contact us by email and we can do it for you: caroline@blackmountains.biz or telephone 01873 890190.

Location Map

To see all our cottages on one map please click here

From the Visitors Book at Old Schoolhouse

'Lovely cottage, super spot! Recommendations in the cottage info file are very useful and helped us in deciding how best to spend our time here. Walks from the cottage very enjoyable. Oakchurch Farm was our saviour - some fabulous cuts of meat. The picnic table on the patio was super for a suntrap and for eating meals outside. Thank you.' Kate, Malcom and Chloe, Essex.

'A thoroughly relaxing break. Had a wonderful time, just a shame to have to go home tomorrow' Gill, John and Oliver Southam

'It is a lovely cottage! Extremely well equipped and wonderful for our daughter. The drive to and walk around LLanthony was spectacular, and who would have thought that the rope swing would provide such enjoyment to a three year old' Sophie Leo and Tilly, London