Hot tubs, gardens and grounds
Beyond the rustic fence, the scenery sweeps away, dotted with ancient oaks, grazing sheep, and lambs in springtime, all the way to the hills beyond. Break out the lawn games. Watch the kids on the swings, the slide, ladder and viewing platform. Get the charcoal barbecue going and the steaks searing.
When darkness drops, light up the terrace with the wall lights and immerse yourselves in the two hot tubs. Grab a cocktail from the bar. Slide out, wrap yourselves in throws and gather round the firepit for marshmallows and merriment. Stare at the skies as the celestial sphere opens up above.
Living spaces
Big family holidays, friends’ reunions, hen dos and special celebrations will never be the same again. Apple Blossom Barn gives you the space to breathe in each other’s company, or the spaces you need to marinate in me-time. Immerse yourself in the rustic luxury of exposed brick, reclaimed beams and underfloor heating.
Pour yourself a cocktail from the bar. Head to the games room for snooker on the three-quarter-size table. Chuck another log on the woodburner and dig out your passwords for Netflix on the 65” smart TV powered by superfast BT broadband. Bury yourself in board games and books in the old dairy snug.
Cooking and dining
The kitchen gleams and the Rangemaster’s ready to team up with the built-in ovens to deliver catering for 28. But if you’d rather set yourself to simmer in the hot tub, call up our pro chefs for a one-off celebratory dinner, barbecue or fully catered break. Grab a cheeky cocktail on the swivel stools by the bar while you wait.
Stock up from Sainsbury’s, the Lychgate Cottage Deli and Tanner’s wines. Eat out in the sunshine on the terrace with the working farm doing its stuff in the distance. Or get your whole party around the three dining tables hewn and handmade from an old barn on site.
Treat yourself to takeaways from Andrew’s Fish Bar, Welshpool Kebab House or Golden Fish Chinese. Get out to three great pubs in Berriew: try Welsh beef burger in brioche at The Talbot, crispy chilli beef at The Horseshoes Inn, or bar meals and light bites at The Nags head.
Start the day with a Full Welsh at the Greenhouse cafe & Kitchen. Go Indian at Spice Fusion Restaurant, Italian at Fabrizio’s, or modern British at five-star The Checkers in Montgomery. Try the Yockleton Arms for a satisfying Sunday roast or The Cornstore for a quirky twist on traditional recipes.
Bedrooms
If you don’t mind the odd bleat of a sheep, you’ll sleep like a ewe living out its days on a petting farm. Apple Blossom Barn sleeps 28 in 14 bedrooms with more room for a baby or three.
Six of the bedrooms offer ground-floor, step-free accommodation with garden access. Pick from 12 bathrooms: one en-suite with bath, nine en-suites with shower, one wet room with shower, one bathroom with shower over bath, and one separate WC.
Bedrooms one and two are kingsize, while bedroom three offers a superking that can be split into singles. Bedroom four is a kingsize and bedrooms five and six are doubles. Bedrooms seven to ten are kingsize and bedroom 11 provides a superking zip-and-link. Bedroom 12 is a kingsize, 13 a double and 14 another king.
Children welcome
Whether they’re baby-boomers or Gen Z, kids have always loved space to run riot and the garden here allows just that. With the low rustic fences offering a vista right across the fields to the Welsh hills beyond, the illusion is of even more space. Say hi to the grazing sheep on this working farm and watch out for lambs in springtime.
Stay out there for the kids’ wooden play area, comprising two swings, slide, ladder, climbing frame and viewing platform. More energy? Feel free to play games on the lawn. Don’t be distracted by the aroma in the clean Welsh air coming from the garden barbecue: good things come to those who wait.
When darkness descends, bigger kids will enjoy a dip in the two fixed, ten-seater hot tubs. Towel off, grab a throw and stare at the constellations in the canopy above. Then stay out way past bedtime listening to the lonely bleat of sheep and the crackle of the firepit flames around your marshmallows.
Inside, the sense of space just keeps on coming in the open-plan kitchen/living/dining area. So everyone can be together, even at mealtimes. Load the three dishwashers and set up a family film on one of two 65” tellies. The other’s in the games room, so you can watch the big match while clearing up the colours on the snooker table.
What people say
Kites, ponies and castles
Enjoy the undulating fairways and beautiful waters of Lakeside Golf Course, wend your way through Welsh history at Powys and Montgomery Castles, and discover follies, bridges and towers at Hawkstone Park Follies. Watch the red kites get fed at Gigrin Farm. Hack ponies with Long Mountain. Or ride Sabrina serenely along the Severn.
