Carriage House, Presteigne

Powys. Sleeps up to 6

Embracing the Wales-England border on the fringes of Presteigne, the Carriage House is a beautifully renovated old coach house in a wonderful position for the annual Hay Festival, in the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park (Brecon Beacons National Park), and is perfect to go walking in the rolling hills and visiting nearby castles. With crooked floors and period features in keeping with the era of the cottage, you can enjoy a well-deserved holiday with your family or friends. Stroll through an old wooden door into a private, walled garden, where you will see an external building housing the hot tub and sauna, ideal for an indulgent soak on return from one of your adventures. Step inside and find the well-appointed kitchen, hosting a preparation island, dining area and integrated appliances assisting you with the home-cooking. Move through to the large lounge and unwind in front of the woodburning stove on a cold winter's night, with a good film on TV. Climb the staircase from here to a large corridor on the first floor, which offers a lovely space to sit and read a book on the sofa, away from the bustling sociable areas downstairs. Choose from three bedrooms to catch your rest, each wonderfully presented in keeping with the theme, and served by the large family bathroom, where you can enjoy long hot soaks in the bath tub or refresh under the shower every morning before exploring the local area. Head out to the peaceful, enclosed garden and relax on the patio with a drink on a balmy afternoon, listening to the sounds of birdsong and taking in your pleasant surroundings.The kids can run around on the lawn and play games as you light a fire to take the chill off a cool summer's evening, once the sun has set for the day. The ancient town of Presteigne, in which the Carriage House is situated, is very pretty, with black and white buildings, cobbled streets and plenty of places to grab a drink or a bite to eat. During your visit, make sure you visit The Judge's Lodging Museum, formerly the county court, taking you back in time through the life of Victorian Judges, their servants and felonious guests. There are abundant walking routes in the area, including the long-distance Mortimer Trail taking you through Shropshire and Herefordshire, the Offa's Dyke Path National Trail enjoying ever-changing landscapes and the leisurely amble to Wigmore Castle. Venture further afield with a day out to the attractive towns of Leominster, Ludlow or Shrewsbury, each with plenty of things to see and do, not forgetting the city of Hereford and the small market town of Hay-on-Wye, often described as the 'town of books'. Choose this charming cottage for your next country break in Powys.