Pool Cottage is a quiet and well kept, welcoming stone cottage just on the outskirts of Hay-on-Wye - five minutes walk to the centre of town. Having been built recently it has several environmental features including a solar hot water system. For visitors staying in Pool Cottage you can enjoy a huge variety of excellent cafes, restaurants and pubs, not to mention the charming boutiques, antique shops and of course the many book shops that Hay is so well known for - visitors come to Hay to do their Christmas shopping! Drive out of the cottage and straight up to Hay Bluff, have a walk and a picnic and watch the hang gliders. Drive on through the Gospel Pass to Capel-y-ffin and down the Llantony Valley toward Abergavenny. The Black Mountains are a wild magnificent range of hills with Offa's Dyke Path running through the Welsh Marches. The landscape surrounding Hay could not be more dramatic or diverse, and visitors to Pool Cottage will be spoilt for choice by the range of place to visit with so many outdoor activities, pony trekking, superb walking and some challenging cycling routes closeby.
Self catering accommodationPool Cottage sleeps 4 in 1 double and 1 twin bedroom.
The modern, well equipped kitchen at Pool Cottage provides a gas hob with electric oven, a microwave, fridge/freezer and washing machine. There is seating for four at the circular kitchen table. The sitting/dining room has a dining table and chairs, sofa, comfortable chairs and a TV with Freeview, DVD and CD player. There is also a useful ground floor cloakroom with toilet and handbasin.
Upstairs to:
Bedroom 1: double bedroom
Bedroom 2: twin bedroom, both furnished with ample storage space.
The bathroom has a bath with shower over, a toilet and handbasin.
Useful information
Hay-on-Wye - on your doorstep
Pool Cottage is ideally located within a few minutes walk of the centre of Hay. The 'Town of Books' is fascinating, the shops there will not only provide for all your practical needs but also offer hours of browsing. There are boutique clothes shops, antique dealers, retailer's catering for crafts and interiors amongst many other things. There are some excellent pubs and restaurants and the most wonderful, old-fashioned sweetie shop. The little shops sit along quaint, narrow streets with the stunning and picturesque backdrop of Hay's 12th century, partially ruined castle.
An area rich in history
Hay-on-Wye sits next to the river and the Welsh/English border, so is a great spot for those looking to explore Herefordshire or the Wye Valley walk and Offa's Dyke path. As a result of its position on the border, Hay has a colourful history and has two Norman castles to discover. Battles raged in and around Hay from as early as 1070 when William Fitz Osbern, Earl of Hereford and friend of William the Conqueror fortified the town following his successful defeats of three Welsh Kings. Since that time this area has been an important strategic town in the battle for control of Wales. Many of Hay's bookshops carry information on the history of Hay and a walk to the site of the original castle and a tour of the partially restored second castle will provide further insights.
An outdoor enthusiast's paradise
For those looking for an active holiday this location offers a huge choice of outdoor activities and sports. With some of the best cycle routes in the region you'll be spoilt for choice. The incredible Gospel Pass is on your doorstep allowing direct routes into the Llanthony Valley, Offa's Dyke Path, and the National Cycle Route 42. Pool Cottage is also ideally located near footpaths leading up to Hay Bluff or across the fields to Llanigon. Many of these routes double as excellent horse riding or hill walking tracks and the views from almost any point will take your breath away.
With the River Wye a few minutes walk away water enthusiasts can enjoy canoeing and fishing. Further activities such as hang gliding, shooting, rock climbing, abseiling, gorge-walking, rafting, pot-holing, golf, off-road driving, paint-balling, orienteering and quad-biking can all be arranged locally - this is a real hotspot for outdoor activities.
Set amidst an atmospheric and dramatic landscape
Pool Cottage sits on the side of a quiet road that leads up to the famed Gospel Pass and the village of Llanthony beyond. The 12th century cleric Giraldus Cambrensis commented on the area's "hushed atmosphere" and this is still noticeable today with strange acoustics due to the closeness of the hills on all sides. The uniquely spiritual atmosphere here has drawn artists, monks, writers and mystics to make this area their home for many hundreds of years. The Gospel Pass itself has been a way through the Vale of Erywas since the time of Iron Age Man and taking the route through the mountains yourself you are stuck by how little the area must have changed since those times.
Take the short trip down to Llanthony Priory one of the earliest monasteries founded in Britain. Entry is free but take a little money and treat yourself to a pint or glass of something cool from the bar at the hotel situated on site and sit in the peaceful and atmospheric grounds of this 13th century ruin.
Hay-on-Wye a few minutes walk, Brecon 12 miles.
Learn more about Hay-on-Wye and Brecon here.
Explore Hay and the Wye Valley from the comfort of Pool Cottage by booking online or, alternatively you can book by calling our office on 01874 676446.
If you would like to speak to someone who has visited this property please ask for:
Elizabeth, Caroline, Sophie and Regan
