Berry Wood Barn, Monmouthshire

Monmouthshire. Sleeps up to 11

Nestled quietly on the natural border between England and Wales, Berry Wood Barn offers beautifully finished accommodation for eleven very lucky guests. This superb property has been featured in Vogue and Conde Nast Traveller and it is easy to see why. Two beautiful ancient barns have been stylishly connected to create a luxurious holiday home which sits in the most fantastic position with heart-stopping panoramic views. Berry Wood Barn is located deep in the countryside, 2.8 km from Llanvihangel Crucorney and 10 km from the delightful Abergavenny with its castle, shops and restaurants. Blissfully remote, guests enjoy fresh air, incredible hikes and cycle rides from the back door, the most stunning scenery and extremely comfortable accommodation. The barn sits within a spectacular landscape sprinkled with Norman castles and charming villages. The astonishing Offa’s Dyke National Trail sits just up the hill and the ancient Grosmonth, Skenfrith and White castles are all within easy reach. Guests can enjoy the dramatic Black Mountains by horseback or kayak through the Wye Valley. Within thirty minutes, guests can visit Mappa Mundi, Hay on Wye and the beautiful Cathedral cities of Hereford and Brecon. Foodies are in for a treat with the Michelin starred Walnut Tree Inn and The Hardwick Restaurant with its Michelin starred chef Stephen Terry just a few miles away. The entertainment possibilites when staying at Berry Wood Barn are endless.

This five star luxurious home is set within gorgeous three and a half acres of private grounds where you can relax, enjoy the sunshine, watch the sun go down with a glass of your favourite tipple and dine alfresco enjoying the panorama. Children can play happily as the garden comes complete with trampoline, swing ball and sledges for the winter months.

Berry Wood Barn offers fantastic living space, six gorgeous bedrooms and three bathrooms. You will quickly see that this is a much loved home with charming family paintings and photographs scattered around. You will feel extremely welcome and know that this is a happy house with magical memories. With the two barns being connected some of the rooms are on slightly different levels. From the front door, a stone stairway leads to a cosy den with a television, DVD player and Sky sports channels, the perfect spot for children to chill out after a long afternoon walking in the Black Mountains. Just a few steps up from this gorgeous, beautifully furnished space is the drawing room with its shelves full of books, its roaring open fire on chilly days and its numerous armchairs and its comfy sofa. It is a delightful room with cheery upholstery, just like the floral fabrics of the snug. The open plan country kitchen and dining room is just a few steps down from the drawing room together with a fabulous conservatory. The dining area offers a lovely French vintage table and chairs seating the whole group, an impressive oversized mirror and doors which open to the terrace and garden. The kitchen boasts a Lacanche electric range cooker, butler’s sink and other excellent appliances for your self catering stay. It is such a sociable room with guests easily being able to keep the chefs in the group company. Just outside is a beautiful oak table and gorgeous rattan chairs together with a barbecue for alfresco dining. The conservatory is just fabulous. With wallpaper and fabrics inspired by nature, this living space makes you smile and feel like you are in the garden. The sumptuous corner sofa is adorned with brightly coloured scattered cushions, sitting in front of a log burning stove. It is such a lovely bright spot all year round.

The barn offers six bedrooms, all beautifully finished. Two double bedrooms are located on one side of the property with doors opening to the garden. They both offer flexible sleeping arrangements with super king-size beds which can be converted to twins. Guests staying in these two rooms have use of a stunning bathroom with a roll top bath and a shower. On the next level, the master bedroom sits in all its finery with its lavish super king-size bed and ensuite bathroom. Like all of the beds, the master is dressed with crisp cottons and gorgeous soft furnishings. Adjoining the master is a delightful single bedroom ideal for a child. The walls are decorated with cute artwork and memories. A further flight of stairs leads to the final two bedrooms, both enjoying charming sloping ceilings and superbly comfy super king-size beds which can be converted to twins. Here there is another beautiful family bathroom with another roll top bath and separate shower. Every room enjoys a fabulous colour scheme, handmade curtains or blinds, one-of-a-kind handpicked vintage furnishings and beautiful paintings, all in keeping with this stunning rural setting.

Berry Wood Barn is simply gorgeous. This Monmouthshire country retreat may not have the best internet, the mobile signal may be patchy, you may well get a little muddy outside when it is wet, it may not have the most powerful of showers and you do need to drive up a long, bumpy and sometimes muddy track to get to it but this house has a heart and you will definitely want to return.

Berry Wood Barn enjoys an incredible rural position with spectacular views of the Black Mountains and the surrounding rolling hills. It sits on the border between England and Wales, perched high on the Hatterall Ridge in the Brecon Beacons National Park. The barn sits close to Abergavenny and the famous Offa’s Dyke. Guests enjoy walking and mountain bike trails from the barn and can be in the Cathedral cities of Brecon and Hereford within thirty minutes. The Llantony valley where the barn is positioned is just glorious. You can stand at the kitchen window looking towards the valley sweeping away towards Hay on Wye.

In the shadow of Sugar Loaf Mountain, Abergavenny is a wonderful blend of old and new. With fresh mountain air and the beautiful scenery of the Usk valley, it offers an excellent range of shops, restaurants and cafes, a museum, a ruined Norman castle, a colourful market, all with a dramatic backdrop. This south east corner of the Brecon Beacons National Park is a fabulous base for walking, cycling and enjoying the great outdoors. Its annual Abergavenny Food Festival is fantastic. This market town boasts a rich history and heritage. Visitors enjoy exloring the area’s castles, medieval mansions, Roman remains and standing stones. The Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal is on the doorstep and the Blaenavon World Heritage and Big Pit Mine are just up the road. The Abergavenny Museum is set within the grounds of the castle, an ideal spot for a picnic or a walk. The museum building was formerly a hunting lodge built by the Marquess of Abergavenny.

The area is certainly fit for foodies. Visitors enjoy the very best of Welsh cuisine at the superb, Michelin starred Walnut Tree Inn and The Hardwick Restaurant. There are many other fantastic restaurants and gastropubs including The Bell at Skenfrith or The Skirrid Inn. Guests staying at Berry Wood Farm can take a walk down the hill to The Queen’s Head, another delight.

Horse lovers can enjoy treks through the mountains and the Llanthony Valley. There are a number of good pony trekking centres including one at Llanthony Abbey where you can book a half day or full day ride. History fans can tour the castles including Grosmont, Skenfrith and White Castles. Raglan Castle, once home to a young Henry VII is very close to the barn.

Another Welsh treasure is Dan-Yr-Ogof, the award-winning National Showcaves Centre for Wales. Visitors can explore the twisting passageways, the great caverns and underground waterfalls, coming face-to-face with over 250 life-sized dinosaur models. It is a wonderful family day out that can be combined with the Shire Horse Centre and Farm.

Other popular excursions including kayaking and canoeing in the rivers, shooting, hang gliding and bird watching. If you fancy a day by the sea, you can head to the beautiful Swansea Bay coastline and the Gower Peninsula with its gorgeous coves and glorious stretches of fine sand. The Victorian seaside village of Mumbles with its promenade, shops and restaurants is worth a visit. Mumbles was one of Dylan Thomas’ many stamping grounds and is the home of some world class ice cream. Mumbles is steeped in history with its lighthouse being built in 1794. It also boasts a Victorian pier and Oystermouth Castle which sits on the hilltop overlooking the sea. There are lovely boutique shops and galleries including the gorgeous Lovespoon Gallery and the Gower Gallery. No visit to Mumbles would be complete without sampling some ‘fresh off the boat’ seafood, its handmade chocolates and its fantastic ice creams.