Brook Cottage Clyro, Hereford

Relax to the sound of the babbling brook in the garden of this delightful cottage. Set in the tranquil village of Clyro, it’s an ideal base for a family or small group of friends to enjoy country walks, mountain hikes and visits to world-famous Hay-on-Wye. Reach the cottage via an illuminated path with uneven steps and enter via the garden room, a sunny space in which to relax or enjoy a meal. Alternatively, you can eat in the kitchen/diner, where there’s another table, ready for tasty meals prepared in this light-filled space. When you’re feeling full, head into the welcoming lounge, in which a wood burner set into a large chimney is the focal point, or wander into the adjacent snug and curl up with a book from the shelves. If you need to catch up on work while away, you can set up on the desk in this room. From the lounge (which has a low ceiling), a doorway leads to the cottage-style stairs, taking you up to the three beautifully furnished bedrooms – a double, a twin and a single – which share a family bathroom. For an al fresco meal head out to the patio just beyond the garden room, while if you want to explore further head up the uneven steps into the wildlife-friendly garden, with its meadow grass and choice of places to sit and enjoy the night sky. Clyro is located on the Welsh border, just 1 mile from renowned Hay-on-Wye, where you can spend days exploring the eclectic shops – especially bookshops, of course – and trying out its cafes and restaurants. From here you can join the Wye Valley Trail and the Offa’s Dyke Trail, swim in the river at The Warren or hire a kayak or canoe and get out on the water.