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Llandefalle, Brecon, Wales
Number of guests
Sleeps up to 18
Property description
Felin Newydd could have been lifted from a period drama. This historic, cream-coloured country house close to Hay-on-Wye, Brecon, the Black Mountains and the Brecon Beacons, can be hired for a one-night party, a weekend, a week or even longer. The house has recently had a complete makeover and, with its 50 acres of wonderfully wild gardens and parkland, now offers close to a country house hotel experience, albeit on a far more intimate level.
This is a self-catering house, and by booking it on an exclusive-use basis you will be left to your own devices in peace and quiet. However, if you have any special celebration or event in mind, the owners can arrange caterers, house staff, a list of local activities and other services, arrange specific events (as team-building and strenuous as you like!) and dozens of other possibilities. So far, it has been popular for dinner parties, anniversaries, shooting parties, weddings and good old-fashioned weekends in the country.
Location
At the foot of the Brecon Beacons and Black Mountains, just west of the A470, 7 miles from Brecon and 1 mile from the little Wyeside village of Llyswen. Hay-on-Wye 15 mins; Builth Wells 20 mins; Hereford 40 mins; Cardiff 1 hr; Bristol 1.5 hrs; London Heathrow 2.5 hrs.
Airport: Cardiff
Station: Abergavenny
Accommodation
Felin Newydd was purchased in the early- to mid-20th century by Sir David Evans Bevan and used as a shooting lodge to entertain friends and business associates. Six decades of entertaining and family life later, the house has been completely restored and redecorated, but remains externally much the same today, with large Georgian windows in a tastefully painted and portioned facade.
Internally an elegant staircase was added and the principal reception rooms and bedrooms were beautifully remodelled in the 1920's. The rooms are stylish, tranquil and professionally decorated in heritage colours. The flooring is of polished wood throughout, and the hallway spectacular as the sun pours down through an ornate atrium ceiling. There are choice items of antique furniture arranged around traditional fireplaces, sumptuous bedrooms and sunny bathrooms with clawfoot baths and contemporary fixtures.
The main living areas comprise the Drawing Room, Morning Room, Dining Room, Library, Billiard Room, Gun Safe, Conservatory and a large country kitchen with an Aga and gas range.
There are nine double bedrooms (four of which can be converted into twins) and seven bathrooms, all of which are located on the first floor (ie no attic rooms).
The immediate grounds around the house have large lawns stretching down to the burbling Triffrwd River where a mill once stood. To the left of the house is a large Edwardian stable block with its own courtyard and entrance, which also gives access to the rear of the house.
Boarded on the south side by the river, and marked by sweeping lawns and majestic historic trees, Felin Newydd's gardens are emerging as a modern version of their original 19thC landscaped splendour. You can wander for hours, passing a lawn of crocuses, a formal pond, a pathway lined with daffodils, rhododendron bushes, stunning magnolias and a small fruit orchard. A traditional, organic vegetable garden is taking shape, and guests will soon be able to stroll through the kitchen garden and into the riverside field beyond.
Facilities
These include a fully-equipped kitchen, a full-size snooker table, a TV/DVD player in the morning room, a washing machine, dryer, freezer, various games, a croquet set and toiletries in the bedrooms.
Wedding parties can have a marquee on the lawn and caterers.
Kennels are available, and there is a dog bed by the back door. No pets are allowed in the house.
A list of good places to eat is provided on the owners’ website (see below).
Area
Hay may be a tiny market town in the Black Mountains of the Welsh Marches, but it has 1,500 people and 41 bookshops!
For ten days a year (May-June), over 50,000 visitors converge on the town from all over the UK, Europe and America to join in the Hay-on-Wye Festival. It's a market of ideas, where stories are exchanged and concerts are frequent, and Felin Newydd makes a great base from which to enjoy it.
Being so close to the Brecon Beacons National Park and the Wye and Usk Valleys, most rural activities are available here. Hunting, shooting fishing, horse riding, paragliding, regular gliding, climbing, gorge walking, white water rafting, clay pigeon shooting, motoring along wonderful mountain roads. Or you could simply sit on Llandefalle Common under the Red Kites and Buzzards, watching the Welsh Mountain Ponies in their natural habitat. It is recommended that the latter, exhausting activity be experienced with the following essential equipment – one large piece of Welsh cheese, a loaf of the local malted granary bread and at least one bottle of fine red!
Prices
2010/2011 prices:
Late availability deals: 3-nights for 2 or 20% off weekly stays for bookings made within 4 weeks of arrival. If you book within 7 days of your arrival date you will be offered a 50% discount.
Full price list:
Weekend stays (Fri-Sun): 2-nights £2,990; 3-nights £3,490.
Bank holidays (Fri – Mon): 3-nights £3,910.
Whole week: 7-nights £5,750; additional nights from £345.
Midweek stays (Mon-Thur): 1-night £1,265; 2-nights £2,070; 3-nights £2,415; 4-nights £2,760.
Christmas/ New Year / Easter (min of 3 nights) 3-nights £4,990; 4-nights £6,490; 5-nights £7,590; 6-nights £8,490; 7-nights £8,890
Contact the property owners
Phone: +44 (0)1874 754216
Fax: +44 (0)1874 099
Please note that you cannot rent this property directly from The Big Domain. If you wish to rent Felin Newydd House, or would like to enquire about availability, please click on the Contact the Property Owner button above, and use the form provided to contact the owner directly.
