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The Courtyard

(Ref. 983813)

Gladestry, Mid Wales & Cardigan Bay Show on map

4.1

Sykes rating

  • 2 Guests

  • 1 Bedroom

  • 2 Bathrooms

  • Pets No

Features

  • Off road parking
  • Garden / Patio
  • Washing machine
  • Broadband / WiFi

Reviews & Ratings

Accuracy of the listing
Cleanliness
Comfort
Facilities and Maintenance
  • All reviews
  • helpful (10)
  • hosts (8)
  • property (8)
  • area (8)
  • friendly (7)
  • cottage (7)

20 Customer Reviews

  • "A wonderful stay in a beautiful village."

    Will be happy to return.

    Reviewed by Andrew5.0Sep 2024

  • "Wonderful area to visit and owner of property very knowledgeable and friendly."

    However, the property is in desperate need of a deep clean. There are cobwebs, spiders and dust everywhere. The bed needs attention. The en- suite shower is not fit for purpose. Access to the accommodation is down the side of the owner’s property and is extremely narrow. However, the owner did offer us access through his house to assist with our luggage. Less abled individuals would definitely struggle.

    Thank you for taking the time to give feedback. Pleased that you enjoyed visiting the area. Regarding the issues raised I suggested that I carry the luggage through our extension, but they said they would go around the side. The property was cleaned before they arrived. However, spiders do appear within hours. I have a spider spay handy in the cottage. The en-suite as been satisfactory and used without comment for the many years that the property has been let. As regards the double bed most people say it is too comfortable and that they like it very much. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Stuart2.5Jun 2024

  • "Owner was very nice but we had issues with facilities."

    The house was freezing cold on our arrival and the heating in rooms is somehow separate from central heating and difficult to work out. Instead of a relaxing start to our holidays we spent first two days trying to warm up the house with a portable heater and keeping the doors downstairs wide open. The bedroom heating was not working at all and the kitchen seems to have no central heating installed. Dining area is in the corridor and it is very cold and dark for meals and playing games. Thankfully we spent most of our holidays outside the house but after being on walks all day it would have been nice to come back to a warm cottage. The cold added unnecessary stress and the heating should have been set and checked well before our arrival. Kitchen is huge and it would have been helpful to have labels on where things are as there are many random things in dusty cupboards without much order. We felt it was a missed opportunity as the lounge is set up really nicely for reading by the fire and the vintage decor is great but it would make more sense to have a dining table there to not shiver during breakfast and dinner. I hope the feedback will help others choose their stay according to their needs better.

    The cottage has independent electrical heaters, installed about 4 years ago. I was told that the bedroom was not working when they were leaving. Apparently, it is working well, but someone had set the temperature to 13 degrees and therefore it did not give off any heat! They also moved the portable radiator in the kitchen to the bedroom . I All rooms have heaters and they were in use. I guess they did understand the controls when they first came. The instructions were available by the heaters. Much people just use the on - off switch. Apparently, they set the heaters to come on at different times. The dinning area is the warmest part of the cottage because it has underfloor heating. It was on when they left. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Michael3.1Oct 2023

  • "Cottage was great location and host was lovely."

    My only comment would be that it needs a good clean. Whilst main areas such as sides in kitchen, fridge, floors, sink/toilet etc where clean. Cupboards with pots in not commonly use where full of spiders webs as where corners of rooms etc. This might be because we went at end if season? But for cost I would recommend.

    Reviewed by Kay3.4Sep 2023

  • "Nice and tidy, plenty of space."

    quiet location. Host friendly and knowledgeable. Personal preference for improvement- bigger bed and new mattress, very creaky and mattress dips so you roll into each other. A sofa, there are 2 chairs but no where to cuddle up or Curl up into after a long day out

    Thank you for your feedback, we have now had have had a new mattress installed this week by Dreams so we hope guests will enjoy this change going forward, we have also had a electric recliner installed in the sitting room. This means we now have two reclining chairs, kind regards. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Claire3.8Sep 2023

  • "Very friendly and helpful hosts we would have liked to stay longer."

    Reviewed by John5.0Aug 2023

  • "VERY well equipped property in peaceful surroundings."

    The weather could have been kinder! but many interesting places to visit.the range of books to dip into was excellent and great to take some home as a souvenir. Our host looked us after us well and was very informative.

    Reviewed by John5.0Jul 2023

  • "The Courtyard is in a beautiful location."

    It is comfortable and spacious. Michael, the owner, could not have been more welcoming and helpful.

    Reviewed by Patricia4.4May 2023

  • "Our hosts were both welcoming and helpful on arrival and throughout our stay."

    We found the property spacious and it had good kitchen facilities for cooking evening meals. Our only criticism was that it was inadequately cleaned/dusted. Apart from that, we enjoyed our stay in what is a very scenic and peaceful part of the Welsh borders. Gladestry is an excellent base for keen walkers.

    Reviewed by Kathryn2.5Sep 2022

  • "The property was quirky and a lot bigger than I expected!"

    My hosts, Betty and Michael were a charming, friendly couple. Michael even gifted me some books from his extensive collection. The weather was mostly kind to me and Wales was putting on its best show. I particularly enjoyed my day at Zip World in Blaenau and the experience of a zipwire ride. I will definitely go back to Wales at some point, because the country has so much to offer.

    Reviewed by Julia4.7Sep 2022

  • "We had a wonderful stay, the owner was very helpful and gave us lots of useful information about the area."

    We would definitely stay there again and look forward to our next visit.

    Reviewed by Carol5.0Aug 2022

  • "I spoke to the owner whilst I was at the property about the bed being extremely uncomfortable, far too soft, and creaky."

    He is aware that because of this I was in severe pain throughout and ended up sleeping on the recliner chair in the lounge. The access to the property is bad...there is a very narrow path between the owners building and the surrounding wall so you have to squeeze through the gap to get to the property in the picture. The steps are very steep inside and out. There are cobwebs and dust everywhere, and I had to clean the en-suite before I would use it. If this had been my first Sykes property I would not use the company again, thankfully I have never had a problem before. On a plus...the owner was friendly and helpful with luggage and information about the area.

    We are sorry that this client was not satisfied. All other clients have said that the bed is the most comfortable they have slept in. One said he could stay in the bed! As regards access we have an access statement, and one can use the rear entrance to completely avoid any steps. Apparently she had not read the access statement on the website. She had quiet a chronic medical condition and I offered to carry her luggage. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Helen1.6May 2022

  • "Michael was very friendly and helpful, pub down the road served great food, and a wonderful area for exploring and walking."

    Reviewed by Kate4.7Apr 2022

  • "We had a wonderful time at the Courtyard!"

    Our hosts, Michael and Betty are lovely, interesting and very helpful people. We had a delightful and very comfortable week in this exceptionally beautiful area, with lovely days out walking; enjoying the history of the area and the amazing, ancient churches and medieval villages which were a delight to visit. We thoroughly recommend this property and this lovely area.

    Reviewed by Patricia4.7Sep 2021

  • "A lovely cottage in a very rural setting."

    Mike and Betty were excellent hosts and it was great to be surrounded by Mike's books for a week. A nice pub in the village and only a 10 minute drive to Kington where you can get any groceries you need. Plenty of local walking and lots of places to visit both sides of the border. Red Kite feeding site a short drive into Wales. Hay on Wye with all its bookshops a half hour drive away and a similar drive to the Historic town of Ludlow. A beautiful part of the country.

    Reviewed by Michael5.0Oct 2020

  • "Michael and Betty are very friendly hosts."

    The cottage was lovely just as described. Michael has left laminated instructions in the property, and there are some information leaflets on places to visit. The kitchen was spacious and the cooker was easy to use. Would definitely book the cottage again if holidaying in Wales. The Royal Oak pub is definitely a place to visit.

    Reviewed by Jessica5.0Aug 2020

  • "This converted barn, which is very comfortable & spacious, is in a perfect location for exploring the local area, particularly for hikers."

    There are walks straight from the door and several more only a few minutes drive away. The owners were very welcoming and helpful with information on where to go & what to see (still limited as Lockdown measures were in the early days of being eased). The owners had also provided a useful range of cleaning materials as well as hand sanitiser immediately inside the front door; all very useful for Covid-19 hygiene requirements. The covered area in the courtyard was a bonus as, on hot or damp days & evenings could still enjoy sitting outside.

    Reviewed by Carol3.8Jul 2020

  • "We loved our "home from home" holiday cottage in Gladestry."

    Beautiful village, beautiful surroundings and lovely hill walking (such as part of Offa's Dyke Path over Hergest Ridge to Kington). In the village there are no shops, only one pub which served nice meals using local produce. We met a few of the villagers and were invited for coffee a few times. Our hosts, Michael & Betty, were fantastic. Very helpful and informative. Michael mapped us out some walks, and even took us out on a short walk between showers. The Courtyard Barns is a lovely place to stay. Very roomy and comfortable. We would be delighted to return one day (soon). A car is a necessity there, as there are no buses - nearest buses are in Kington.

    Reviewed by Evelyn4.7Sep 2019

  • "The couple renting out this cottage are new to this and while being very nice and helpfull will need to up there game to compete with other properties near by We felt the ensuite bathroom was to small and very difficult to use."

    The cottage it's self is very dark inside mainly due to the decor. The cottage was comfortable and the courtyard was a nice area to sit and enjoy the sunshine. Wishing them all the best for future bookings.

    Reviewed by Malcolm3.4Aug 2018

  • "As the hosts were novices it was early days for them, it was impossible to avoid contact with them due to the fact you had to access the cottage through their property."

    Reviewed by Peter3.4Jul 2018

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Summary

  • One bedroom: 1 x double with en-suite shower, basin and WC
  • Shower room with shower, basin and WC
  • Kitchen
  • Dining room
  • Sitting room with electric fire
  • Electric heating, electric fire
  • Electric oven and hob, microwave, fridge/freezer, washing machine, TV, WiFi, selection of books
  • Fuel and power inc. in rent
  • Bed linen and towels inc. in rent
  • Lockable storage
  • Enclosed courtyard with furniture
  • Sorry, no pets and no smoking
  • Pub 1 mile, shop 5 miles
  • Note: No children allowed at property.

The property

The Courtyard is a delightfully converted barn resting among the wondrous countryside of the Welsh Marches, within the village of Gladestry in Powys.

Its warming interior, beautiful garden and superb countryside location make it a desirable stay for couples seeking that long-awaited cottage holiday.

Upon entering this cosy holiday home, discover its lovely dining table which leads into the spacious yet snug sitting room, this warming layout offers comfortable seating, an enticing electric fire and an impressive library of fascinating books to sit and read at your leisure.

Adjacent to this is the splendid, well-appointed kitchen, lined with fresh wooden units and providing you with a thoughtful welcome pack to sit in front of the TV and enjoy of a night-time.

Admire the fine artwork before taking the stairs to the first floor, here you will find a stunning shower room which sits close to the tranquil double bedroom, enhanced by attractive exposed beams and a convenient en-suite to complete the interior in fine style.

To the back of The Courtyard you will find a glorious enclosed garden, a truly serene spot to deservedly unwind when you're not out trekking the fabulous surrounding countryside.

Gladestry is a welcoming holiday base encompassed by breath-taking countryside to walk or cycle through.There is local pub The Swan 1 mile away in Huntington, and the beautifully scenic The Harp Inn at Old Radnor, just over 2 miles from Gladestry.

This location is fantastic for lovers of the outdoors, as well as the Welsh Marches valleys and the Offa's Dyke Path, you can also easily reach the magnificent Shropshire Hills AONB which also plays host to the capturing market town of Hay-on-Wye with its quaint amenities and castle.

Other popular spots include Leominster, Kington and Llandrindod Wells.

The Courtyard is the base for publisher and bookseller Scorpion Press.You will find on display a selection of signed leather bound first editions, author material and empheria by many famous authors that have published including Dick Francis, Colin Dexter (author of Inspector Morse) Ruth Rendell, Ian Rankin and Bernard Cornwall.

In the lounge are to be found shelves of collectible 1st editions which are offered for sale.Perfect for outdoor enthusiasts, book lovers and couples seeking a rural retreat.

View on map

About the location

GLADESTRY

Kington 6 miles; Hay-on-Wye 10 miles;

Gladestry is a pretty rural village nestled in undulating valleys of the Welsh Marches on the Offa's Dyke Path. Surrounded by popular thriving villages, close to the quaint little market town and centre for walkers, Kington. There are a variety of tourist attractions close by including the Kingswood Small Breed Farm Park and Owl Centre, the pretty blooms at the Hergest Croft Gardens, the Mortimer Trail and not to mention the renowned Offa's Dyke Path. Bradnor Hill, which boasts England’s highest golf course, is close and also within easy reach and well worth a visit is the delightful town of Hay-on-Wye with its numerous book shops, craft and antique shops, canoeing and kayaking, along with hosting the famous Hay Festival during the Spring Bank Holiday. The ancient city of Hereford, with its impressive Norman cathedral and famous Mappa Mundi, a 13th century cartographer's interpretation of the world, offers a great day out. A delightful holiday location to suit all ages and tastes.

Note: This is an adult only property.

This property offers the following short breaks:

  • Winter
  • Off-season
  • Last minute