Welcome to Cwm Mill's two charming holiday cottages, tucked away by the River Monnow on the edge of the Black Mountains close to the Welsh Border.


River Cottage (4-6 guests) and The Old Bake House (2-4 guests) nestle in a valley by the River Monnow at the foot of the Black Hill, the most eastern of the Black Mountains. The spectacular Black Mountains and Brecon Beacons offer excellent walking with the Black Hill and the Cat's Back ridge both accessible straight from the front door. There are also gentler walks along signed footpaths across adjacent fields bordered by ancient hedgerows. It is a tranquil, secluded spot surrounded by peaceful farmland and an abundance of wildlife.

Cwm Mill Holiday Cottages offer :

  • Direct Access to famous Black Mountains walks and views
  • A rural retreat where you can get away from it all.
  • The chance to observe wildlife in peaceful surroundings..
  • Star-gazing at night in a designated Dark Skies area
  • Characterful cottages reminiscent of times past, yet providing a full range of modern lifestyle aids (such as high speed internet and Smart TVs).

The area provides a great base not only for exploring the Brecon Beacons and Black Mountains, but also the Wye Valley and Golden Valley.  The nearby towns of Hay on Wye, Abergavenny and Hereford are lovely places to visit, as are Brecon and Builth Wells.

Each property has its own gardens and designated parking area. There are picnic benches and BBQ facilities for al fresco dining, and a bird feeding station in the garden of each cottage. Previous reviews and visitor book logs testify to the abundance and variety of birds which visit us to feed, including lesser spotted woodpeckers, kingfishers and various species of finches. 

Due to their history, each property has its own unique character, including exposed original oak beams, flagstone floors or low ceilings in some rooms.  Below is a brief summary of the main features of each property but please use the "Cottage Information" tab at the top of the page to fully explore what each property has to offer.

River Cottage (sleeps 4 -6 ): This charming cottage has a double ensuite bedroom and a twin bedroom.  The open plan living, kitchen and dining space features a vaulted ceiling, wood burning stove and French windows to the patio area.  Wooden floors and a feature exposed stone wall add to the character of the cottage.  Well-equipped and cosy, our guests tell us that they feel at home from the moment they arrive.  There is also a double sofabed in the living area for up to 2 further guests.

The Old Bake House (Sleeps 2-4):  Despite having only the one bedroom, this is a remarkably spacious cottage for 2 people.  For short stays, there is also an option to sleep up to 2 further guests on a Sofa Bed in the living area  (please note however that this cottage is not suitable for children).  The main living area is full of original features; exposed oak beams, vaulted ceiling and flagstone floors.  We have furnished it with a comfortable sofa with chaise longue, soft rugs, coffee tables and dresser.  It feels like a romantic retreat for two, especially when the woodburning stove is lit! However, the jewel in the Bake House's crown is the sun room which overlooks the beautiful south-facing gardens bordering the River Monnow. 

Our Broadband is provided via fibre optic cable straight from the exchange to the main house. A Local Area Network links all the Cottages and multiple Wi-Fi access points have been installed to ensure good "wired" and "wireless" coverage. The TVs in each Cottage have satellite tuners, DVD players and a NOW TV Service offering access to your SKY and Netflix accounts as well as streamed "catch up" TV. 

A short car journey brings you to two popular Pub/ Restaurants within 3 miles of Cwm Mill Cottages; The Bridge Inn in Michaelchurch Escley and The Crown in Longtown. The renowned Bull's Head at Craswall, a 17th century drovers inn, is a pleasant 2.5 mile walk along the lane and serves excellent food and dxrink.  You will need to book a tablein advance. Longtown also offers a fantastic general store which sells just about everything. 

Apart from the fantastic walking opportunities, the area offers a vast range of recreational activities from cycle cross to quad bikes, Llama or Pony trekking and gliding to canoeing. Many of these are available within a 15 to 20 minute drive from Cwm Mill.  Nearby Hay On Wye (8 miles) is well worth a visit if you love quirky shops, antique stores, cosy cafes and restaurants and, of course, book shops!  

Please explore the rest of the site and don't hesitate to get in touch with any queries.

With best wishes,

Your Hosts,

Gethin and Glynis