Hay-on-Wye Party House: The Great Hay Barn, Clyro

Sympathetically and naturally restored, the Great Hay Barn at Cwmhir Court by the Welsh border by England was once part of a monastic grange and is less than two miles from the lovely town of Hay-on-Wye.

With wonderful views of the Black Mountains and an imaginative blend of the traditional and the contemporary, the spacious barn makes a great place to stay for families and friends and, with four other properties placed on the surrounding grounds also available to rent, it could be an impressive focal point for an especially significant party too.

The house

With six bedrooms, four bathrooms, light-filled main hall, chilled mezzanine gallery and original oak beams, the Great Hay Barn is generously sized and offers a tangible sense of history throughout.

Comfortable and welcoming without being too fussy, the medieval, one-time fortified outstation for Abbey Cwmhir in central Wales dates from around the 12th century and took five years to restore (it was completed in 2012).

You enter into the glass-fronted hall, where there’s a pool table, comfy sofas with Welsh blankets, rugs on the polished wood floor (with underfloor heating) and a wood burner; a small flight of stairs leads down to the dining room which can easily seat up to 24 people.

Another small flight leads to the well-equipped kitchen, with its Rangemaster double oven and grill and American-style fridge. Here you can sit at a small breakfast bar or use the long wooden table; the kitchen leads on to garden – great for barbecues – where there is also a small pond.

There’s also access to the impressive enclosed courtyard. At the entrance to the barn, under a wooden awning, you’ll find table tennis too. The four other properties on the site are the Medieval Barn (sleeping 10), Grooms Barn (for four people) and two stylishly converted silos for couples. Another double silo and two more barns are due to be competed in 2018. 

The location

Set within the Cwmhir Court estate in the village of Clyro, the barn lies just outside Hay-on-Wye, famed for its book festival in late May and its 26 bookshops. The glorious Wye Valley setting, straddling Herefordshire and Powys, feels rural and unspoilt and the area is made for exploring.

If not exploring the town itself, guests can go hiking, canoeing or pony trekking. Also recommended: wandering down the Wye river or up striking Hay Bluff in the Brecon Beacons National Park, and dining at the excellent Felin Fach Griffin pub in the Brecon Beacons. 

What to expect

Homely, comfortable and spacious without being fussy and precious, guests will settle in to The Great Hay Barn quickly. The blend of antiques and contemporary furniture works well, as does having the majority of the bedrooms away from the main entertaining area.

The kitchen has everything one would need to feed a family or a large group, with plentiful pots and pans, crockery, glasses and cafetieres. It’s peaceful although might seem lessso if all the properties are taken - as they're within eye shot you may spot or hear your neighbours. Dogs are allowed with prior notice.

Standout feature

The design and layout of the barn itself, which feels fresh and inviting despite the structure's ancient origins. All work has been done by skilled craftsmen using oak, stone and locally sourced materials. The views are exceptional too, and I liked the original slit windows and the skylight over the lobby.

Not so keen

It might sound a minor quibble but it was an annoyance that the pool cues had no tips, preventing us from making proper use of the table. The remote control for the DVD was missing and we had expected to have some more products in the bathrooms aside from hand wash.  

The rooms

There are six bedrooms, one of which is ensuite (the property has four bathrooms in total). The terrific, large master bedroom, with a four-poster, is found by the main living area. Its adjacent bathroom features a rainforest shower cubicle alongside a tub.

Accommodation otherwise comprises four double bedrooms and one twin bedroom, all set away from the main living space; each is supremely comfortable and uncluttered, with crisp linen sheets. One lovely small bedroom is found in the eaves.

The bathrooms are spacious with either separate showers or a combined bathroom and showers. Two bedrooms and one bathroom are accessible without steps.

What it’s good for

The property is ideal for families or large groups of friends (bearing in mind all the beds are doubles apart from one twin room). There are lots of games and books in the mezzanine snug.

It would be great to visit at any time of the year – in summer there's plenty of space for relaxed barbecues outdoors; in winter you can snuggle up in from of a roaring fire.

Wedding ready?

Weddings aren't something the owners of the Great Hay Barn focus on but it’s certainly a possibility; the lawn could accommodate a marquee; the medieval barn can seat 80 and catering can be organised.

Getting there

The property is 1.5 miles outside Hay-on-Wye in the village of Clyro. Hereford, and its train station, are about 20 miles away.  

Cost and how to book

Via Sugar and Loaf (01873 776238), the Great Hay Barn at Cwmhir Court costs from ￡2,092 per three-night weekend. Weekly rates are also available. 

British Party Houses