Windfall

Introduction

Once the beating heart of the Olchon Valley's cider-making heritage, this stone barn with its golden slate roof and rustic exterior now offers a different kind of sustenance—that of the soul. The five-year search for the perfect property culminated in this blend of seclusion and connection, where weathered stone and broad windows frame pastoral vistas across bracken-covered hummocks. Set into the hillside beneath sheltering oaks, the barn belongs wholly to its landscape. Like his home in the Scottish Campsie Fells that inspired the owner's vision, the terrain here gathers mists and memories, creating a romantic retreat in the Black Mountains.

Inside

Windfall’s interiors blend rural warmth with collected treasures. Whitewashed living room walls showcase botanical prints and an antique Suzani in a marriage of English garden charm and Silk Road exoticism, while Howard sofas and armchairs bring splashes of pattern in Robert Kime fabrics. In the bespoke Plain English kitchen, pine-green panelling stages a magnificent French enfilade—a flea market find. Through mullioned windows, light falls on a dining table where heirloom chairs gather beneath vintage pendants. The eaves bedroom, adorned with Welsh tapestries and florals, leads to a clawfoot bath nestled beneath ancient beams.

Outside

The barn commands 12 acres, with the Olchon Brook providing a silver boundary that once separated two nations. Now, it serves as nature's soundtrack to outdoor contemplation. The al fresco dining area, tucked beside sun-warmed stones, looks across patchworked fields. In this Dark Sky territory, evenings are measured by the appearance of stars rather than clock hands, and the Hikki bath offers the finest viewing platform as the mountains trade their daytime palette for dusky hues. Just a kilometre away, Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) begin their march toward the horizon, while Hay-on-Wye beckons with its labyrinth of bookshops.

• PricingFrom £1,750 per week, £1,295 per short break
• FeaturesFire pit, Swedish wood-fired tub
• PetsTwo well-behaved dogs are welcome
  Each pet is charged at £60 per week or part thereof
• FamilyBabes-in-arms are welcome
• PracticalitiesA driveway leads through the field offering ample parking and turning space for two or more cars. The kitchen features an Lacanche gas oven, gas hob, dishwasher, fridge-freezer and Nespresso coffee machine. A utility room houses an additional fridge-freezer, washing machine and tumble dryer. The garden is enclosed but adjoins open farmland with grazing cows, and includes a pond; guests with dogs should supervise them when outside
• Private cateringWhether you're looking for a fully catered stay or a one-off meal for a special occasion, discover your bespoke catering options
  
  Explore private dining

Longtown

Set in rural Herefordshire, this village boasts a well-preserved Norman castle and striking views of the Black Mountains. It’s a gateway for hikers exploring Offa´s Dyke Path and the scenic Hatterall Ridge.

View property location Destination guide

Getting there

• On the map This rustic barn conversion is located near the Herefordshire village of Longtown, close to the England-Wales border and overlooking the Black Mountains.
  
  
• By car The property is one hour 15 minutes from Cardiff, two hours from Birmingham and three hours 45 minutes from London.
  
  
• By train The nearest train station is Hereford, a 40-minute drive away.
  
  
• By air Cardiff Airport is 90 minutes away by car, while Bristol Airport is one hour 45 minutes away.