Monmouthshire self catering holiday cottage accommodation at Brynderi

BRYNDERI is quietly but conveniently set in glorious countryside between Usk (2.5 miles), Raglan (2 miles), the Wye Valley and the Brecon Beacons. Several tourist attractions are close to hand as are the business centres of Cardiff and Bristol.

The Wales Tourist Board first assessed Brynderi in 2003 and awarded the highest categories for Self-Catering Accommodation. Walkers Welcome and Cyclists Welcome Awards are also held.

A beautifully furnished single storey, self-catering apartment is in a self-contained wing of the house. This can also be let on a B&B basis. A double en-suite bedroom in the main house is also available for letting.

The self catering accommodation comprises: large lounge with French doors to a private patio and garden area with table and chairs; video and DVD player; double bedroom with fine linen, made up for guests’ arrival; very well-equipped kitchen with hob, oven, microwave, fridge, freezer, washing machine, small dishwasher; bathroom with extra long bath and hand held shower, towels, bathrobes and toiletries. Drying facilities are also available.

Complimentary fresh semi-skimmed milk, still spring water, organic orange juice, ice-cubes, a selection of teas, coffee and a welcome tray are provided for the beginning of your stay.

The owners, Ann and Alwyne Benson, are keen gardeners. Brynderi’s two-acre garden (National Garden Scheme garden) is described as ‘outstanding’ by the Wales Tourist Board and guests have access to all of its different areas.

Ann and Alwyne are happy to talk with guests about the garden and exchange gardening ‘know-how’.

There are lovely views of the garden and surrounding countryside from the apartment’s rooms.

An access statement is available. Guests may be collected from rail / bus stations and airports by arrangement.

A country pub serving good food is within a ten minute walk of Brynderi.

We came to Gwehelog in 1997 and spent the first four years re-building and extending the house.

There was no garden – the previous owner’s priority was to provide as much pasture as possible for their horses.

So we had a blank canvas when it came to creating a garden from the sloping field that extended up to the house walls.

We are on clay and rock; the garden walls by the patio are made from the rock we have dug up (visitors could have a look behind the stable at what we have left over!). Gardening friends say that we do not garden here but conduct archaeological digs.

The first thing we did was to form some level areas from the sloping field and then we had it all put down to grass. As time, energy and money have allowed, we have created garden areas from this ‘green page’. Alwyne has made all the patios, walls, pergolas, fountains and the raised beds.

Yes, we do it all ourselves, including the day-to-day maintenance. Ann’s first planting was to put hundreds of daffodil and bluebell bulbs under two huge oak trees on the rear lawns. Spring is gloriously yellow then blue.

Four level areas now connect with steps and grassy banks to provide formal and informal gardens with different colour themes. The house is connected to a formal garden containing a fountain, pool and yew hedges by a large paved patio. A small knot garden is bordered by a white wisteria-clad pergola and lavender hedging and leads to a large circular lawn. This circular lawn has mixed borders with a purple, white, blue and pink colour palette, and is planted to provide interest throughout the year. This area can be enjoyed from a vine-clad arbour. The highest area of the garden is devoted to specimen trees including liquidambars, acers and birches, under-planted with bulbs. The lowest level area of the garden has a greenhouse, raised vegetable beds and fruit trees, some of which are fan-trained to form a walk-way.

The garden is very 'young'. We still have plans to develop it further and gain our inspiration from enjoying other people's gardens.

Tel 01291 672976

Monmouthshire self catering holiday cottages

The internet guide to all forms of self catering holiday accommodation throughout the UK
including cottages, apartments, farm properties and flats

Monmouthshire self catering holiday cottages

Monmouthshire self catering holiday cottages

The internet guide to all forms of self catering holiday accommodation throughout the UK including cottages, apartments, farm properties and flats

Monmouthshire self catering holiday cottages

The internet guide to all forms of self catering holiday accommodation throughout the UK
including cottages, apartments, farm properties and flats