Alastair Sawday's Special Escapes: Self-catering in the UK

Becher's Cottage

Becher's Cottage, The Farr Farm, Newcastle, Monmouth, Monmouthshire, Wales

The lane opens out to neat fields, thick hedgerows and old oak trees, and the views stretch to the Black Mountains. These 100 acres of farmland are home to cattle, sheep and the Huckles' thoroughbred racehorses - the neat 150 year old cottage, with its spanking new roof and recent makeover, takes its name from their most successful horse, who won at Aintree over "Becher's Brook". The hall, with its dog basket for welcome pooches, leads through to the open-plan living area of rafters, cream walls, wooden floors and cosy rugs. It's an attractive, simple and thoroughly comfortable spot with books, TV, DVD player and views. There's also an oval extending table, four pine chairs and a smart new kitchen area with cream cupboards, white crockery, good pans and all the cooking tools – plus the usual mod cons. To get you started, there's a welcome hamper of wine, cake, bread, jam, and other goodies left out by Edwina. Upstairs are a double and a twin room tucked sweetly under the eaves, and two modern, cream-tiled bathrooms, one with a bath, one with a shower. The small private garden has wooden patio furniture for the summer. You're in Border country and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty; the Wye Valley, Monmouth and Abergavenny are close, Cheltenham races an hour away.

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Details

Becher's Cottage

Contact: Edwina Huckle

• Tel: 01600 750677
• Sleeps: 4 (6 with sofabed).
• Rooms: 1 double with bath/shower ; 1 twin with shower room; sofabed.
• Price: £400 – £595. Discount for 2 people using one bedroom, return visits
• Closed: Never.

Checklist

• Dishwasher
• Electricity included
• Washing machine
• Microwave oven
• Central heating
• Mobile reception
• Television
• BBQ
• Beach within 3 miles
• Cooked meals available
• Restaurant nearby
• Short breaks possible
• Extra bed/cot available
• Shop within 3 miles

Points of interest

• Ryder Cup Newport 2010 - Celtic Manor Resort only 35 mins drive away - email for special terms and make the most of your trip to the competition
• Play golf at the beautiful and challenging Rolls of Monmouth or many other nearby courses
• Cardiff - the City, The Bay, the Millenium Stadium (45 minutes drive). Hereford - the Cathedral, the Mappa Mundi, the racecourse, the cider museum (30 minutes). Many other charming market towns, castles and other historic sites to visit.
• Serious walking along the Three Castles Walk from the cottage doorstep or further afield on Offa's Dyke Path or in the Brecon Beacons National Park. Or take more leisurely strolls around the farm and surrounding lanes...
• Fishing on nearby lakes (10 minutes drive), and horseriding available within easy reach.
• Enjoy fine food in Monmouthshire - lots of good pubs and fabulous restaurants to visit. The Abergavenny Food Festival weekend (18th/19th September 2010) grows in popularity every year. Wonderful local produce to buy at regular farmers' markets too.

This information is provided by owners and is not endorsed by ASP. If you have questions about it, please contact the owners.