Buckland Cottage, Bwlch

This impressive two-storey cottage, which was once part of Buckland Hall Estate and overlooks the secluded Buckland parklands towards the River Usk, is the perfect peaceful getaway for friends or families looking for a restful holiday. The property boasts breathtaking scenery from the spacious veranda. Talybont-on-Usk (3 miles) is home to pretty rivers, canal walks, a reservoir and plenty of local eateries, shops and local arts and crafts to peruse. Enter this attractive and stylish property via the spacious lobby with period furniture and a boot storage area. Wander to the spacious open-plan kitchen/dining area decorated in a country cottage style with solid wooden features and a contemporary kitchen with a central island. You will find everything you need here to make meal preparation a breeze. There's also a cosy seating area with comfortable sofas and lovely views of the rural surroundings. A separate lounge is perfect for socialising boasting a seven-seater sofa, a Smart TV for movie nights, and a wood burner for chilly evenings. There is a bathroom and a twin bedroom downstairs. Upstairs you’ll find a bathroom and three bedrooms - two super-king-size, one of which has a low doorway through to a nursery room with two cots and a bunk bedroom suitable for children. To the front of the cottage is a veranda with a bench, patio table, and chairs where you can enjoy a drink and take in the breathtaking views. To the side of the property is a quirky woodland garden that features a tree swing, picnic bench, and treehouse. JRR Tolkein fans may be interested to know of Buckland Cottage's links where Tolkien was thought to have stayed in nearby Talybont-on-Usk and Frodo was born in Buckland and returned there at the end of the book. But Tolkien didn’t just use the name, Buckland can clearly be seen on maps of the Shire (with Crickhollow to the east of it) and the map’s topography is very similar to that of the Buckland Estate. When they made the film, the researchers visited the Buckland Estate with great interest and Tolkien's granddaughter has stayed at Buckland Cottage. Head to the activity centre at LLangorse (5 miles), where pony trekking is one of many activities on offer. Delve into the area's rich history at the Big Pit National Coal Museum (17.5 miles) and take an underground tour. Or head into the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park (Brecon Beacons) and enjoy a trip on the Brecon Mountain Railway (14.5 miles).