A beautifully restored, warm and welcoming 16th century cottage under the black mountains. Built as a cow shed in the 1500's and used from the late 1970s by the Australian artist Sir Sydney Nolan as a studio where he, quite literally, swung from the rafters, spray paint can in each hand, making masterpieces, our cottage is now enjoying a new era. Over the last year we have restored it using original materials, whilst making it comfortable and beautiful. It is spacious whilst being consistently warm and snug. We are nestled under Merlin’s Hill, three miles from the Welsh border, by the Black Mountains. The mountains provide fantastic walking along Offa’s Dyke path north to Hay-On-Wye and beyond, or south to the Wye Valley and Tintern Abbey. This is a 20 acre smallholding where we, Imogen and James, enjoy growing vegetables and flowers, looking after our three mangalitza pigs, and hosting small events and retreats across our beautiful land and buildings. The ground floor of the cottage is a large stone-floored (with rugs) open plan kitchen and living room. The kitchen has a dining table for up to 6 and is equipped with everything a cook might need including a large oven, grill, microwave, induction hobs, large fridge freezer, espresso machine, dishwasher, toaster, and a comprehensive selection of high-quality kitchenware. There is a wood burner on the ground floor and a supply of wood if a fire is something that draws you. You will be warm enough anyway as the cottage is eco-heated with air source heating. The living room is cosy and comfy. Half of it can be curtained off and contains a sofa bed to provide a good-sized extra bedroom if needed. The beautiful green bathroom has a shower as well as a bath, plus a washing machine should you need it. Towels and bathmats are provided. Upstairs are two bedrooms under the oak eves looking out over the farm, fields and in the case of the twin bedroom, the mountains beyond. The wool mattresses are incredibly comfortable and quality cotton sheets, duvets, and pillows are provided. There is space in each room to hang out as well as just sleep. There is desk space in both the double bedroom and the large landing between the bedrooms. A writer’s retreat has been suggested by guests. There is a garden area around the cottage which includes seating, tables and a barbeque for beautiful evenings or morning coffee. You will also have access to the rest of the farm. There is a wood, a seasonal stream running through the land via a large pond, and beautiful views in all directions. The area is an international ‘Dark Sky Zone’ due to the lack of light pollution so perfect for stargazing! We have an old barn currently whose original stone-tiled roof is currently under restoration but which will shortly be available as an additional communal space, and a large covered yard in which you will find a table-tennis table with bats and balls which you can use at your leisure. Please note that there is no wi-fi so the cottage is keeping in line with its heritage as a bit of an escape! However, there is excellent 4G phone signal and should wi-fi be needed in emergencies, it is always possible to access it in the main house or by sitting just outside it. We are situated around 25 mins from the market town of Abergavenny and the cathedral city of Hereford, about 40 mins from both the historic town of Monmouth and the mecca town of book shops that is Hay-on-Wye, a beautiful old town with many lovely independent shops and a recently and stunningly restored castle at its centre as well, of course, as hosting the fabulous Hay Festival. There are five lovely county pubs within four miles and quality village shops in Ewyas Harold and Longtown, with also two butchers, a post office and an excellent fish and chip shop in Ewyas Harold. Both villages are just a couple of miles away. Rowlestone village is our closest. Here you will find not only a beautiful Norman church with stone carvings including its own green man (see also the stunning carvings at the nearby Kilpeck church with its famed Sheela Na Gig) but also Rowlestone Court Farm where 30 flavours of ice cream are made onsite and sold at their very nice, seasonal cafe. There is woodland walking and animals to look at there so a little family adventure is possible! A short walk further down the road is Ty Gwyn Cider where local cider can be bought and also tasted onsite at their barn bar. The Kilpeck Inn, The Black Bear and The Bull’s Head are just some of the many excellent restaurants in the area. As owners of local business Trealy Farm Charcuterie and growers of our own vegetables our products and other local ones are available to buy by arrangement. Breakfast hampers with local eggs, our bacon, and bread from Abergavenny’s superb Angel Bakery can make a great start to the day. Being in the Marches as we are, the walking options are plentiful. We are about a 90-minute walk to Offa’s Dyke. We are a 20 minute drive from the Cats’ Back route up the Black Mountains from where you get fantastic views whilst not needing to be an actual mountaineer to make it up! We are also a good starting point for exploring the Wye Valley, the Forest of Dean and Brecon Beacons. The area is dotted with many castles, large and small, that make a great centrepiece for a day out. For those of you looking for more adrenalised excitement there is a very local place that does paintballing, laserclayz, archery and axe throwing. Also nearby are a new downhill mountain bike track, a pony trekking school and a local off-road rally carting track along with clay pigeon shooting, hovercrafts and more paintballing. A delightful day can also be had canoeing down the river Wye from several nearby locations.