A unique adults-only B&B in a peaceful corner of Herefordshire that you won't want to leave
After running their own business in Cheshire for 30 years, Simon and Lynn Woodward relocated to Herefordshire a couple of years ago, drawn to the village of Brilley by the peace and beauty of the countryside and in particular Montpelier Cottage and its four acres of grounds. They had always dreamed of restoring a property as a dream B&B and so were also intrigued by The Cob in the grounds, a structure built with ancient methods which they have renovated as a beautiful and very comfortable country B&B like no other.
Standing on its own amid four acres of gardens and wild meadows, The Cob is basically a house of straw – built from straw and lime render, with exposed beams of Douglas fir to hold it up and a 'living' roof to keep you nice and cosy. Its two rooms make a perfect couples' hideaway – consisting of a comfy sitting room with a wood-burning stove and a bedroom with a king-sized bed and views over the garden, orchard and meadows beyond – plus a nicely designed contemporary en-suite bathroom with a walk-in shower and loo, toiletries and plenty of fluffy towels. There's a kettle, coffee machine and a fridge with fresh milk, and the Cob's large windows and skylight allow light to stream in through during the day and are perfect for star-gazing at night – a popular pastime in this peculiarly dark and rural corner of England.
The Cob's idyllic verandah offers more star-gazing opportunities, not to mention the chance to see red kites and buzzards up above or maybe a deer running through to Brilley Wood behind. You can join them, strolling the serene grounds and enjoying the bird song and sounds of nature, maybe discovering the vegetable patch or orchard, and in general marvelling at the work that Simon and Lynn have done (and continue to do) to bring this amazing spot back to life.
When not working on their property, Simon and Lynn offer a beautiful (cooked) breakfast at a time to suit you - in the sitting room or on the verandah – and can advise on all manner of things to do in the locality, of which there are many! The Cob is just a mile from the river Wye, the market town of Hay-on-Wye is only five miles away, and the countryside around is unspoilt and scenic, with any number of walks possible in the vicinity and on the nearby Offa's Dyke long-distance footpath (which follows the old border between England and Wales). There's also a great pub within walking distance – The Rhydspence Inn – and lots of opportunities for canoeing on the river or cycling in the hills. You won't want to leave – we guarantee it!
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