The Rowan Pod, Cynefin Retreats

1

Hay on Wye, Herefordshire, Wales

Boutique pod with hot tub, in a wildly beautiful setting near Hay on Wye (sleeps 2 + child)

1 Bedroom

1 Bathroom

Alfresco tub

Child friendly

Dog friendly

Eco conscious

Parking

Walk to a pub

Walk to a shop

WiFi

Woodburner

Space & setting.

With floor-to-ceiling glass windows, nature fills the frame at this luxe pod in the Wye Valley. The gently curved walls blend harmoniously into the landscape — a 7-acre haven of Corsican pine trees and willow meadows — and the peaks of the Brecon Beacons are just beyond the horizon. Inside, open-plan living flows from a romantic bedroom through to a sofa area and kitchen, where underfloor heating means you can pad about in your socks, listening to music on the Bose speaker.

Epic walks lead straight out into the Wye Valley, or stroll to the River Wye for wild swims and kayaking. Return from adventure and soak tired muscles in your hot tub, then sit around the firepit to watch stars shoot across the dark skies above; this is an official Dark Skies area. And if you open those enormous windows before you go to bed, you can listen to owls hoot as you fall asleep and wake to the dawn chorus.

Getting here: drive or train to Hereford or Leominster then taxi (30 mins)

“We wanted to create an immersive nature holiday, where guests could guests slow down and find time to rest their bodies and relax their minds. Our inspiration was the wonder and joy of British landscapes – the mountains, hills, meadows, rivers and streams – enjoyable year-round, whatever the weather.” Owner, Lorna

My Kip favourites

She loves
“Sitting out on the terrace for breakfast, or even earlier with a cup of tea, watching the sun rise.”

We love
The way the gentle curves of the architecture mimic the undulations of the landscape all around. So clever, and somehow calming, too.

You may not love
Other pods on-site but you are naturally screened for privacy.

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Plus gifts on arrival when you book with Kip.

  • "Incredible. The view when you wake up in the morning is stunning as the sun beams through the glass sliding doors and windows and makes you feel completely switched off from the rest of the world. The only company we had were the nearby sheep!"

Sustainability.

The pod was crafted from sustainably sourced wood. It is extremely energy efficient, close to Passive Haus standards with fantastic insulation and passive climate control ventilation. The hot tub is heated from waste energy, electricity is from a green supplier, and extensive planting has been carried out in the meadows and woodland to create habitats for wildlife.

Surrounds.

  • There’s an excellent farm shop just up the road. Rustle together local ingredients for a picnic to eat in the secret willow garden on the far end of the woodland.
  • A public footpath borders the property and winds up into the hills – head to Hay Bluff for stunning panoramic views. It also connects onto the Wye Valley Walk and Offa’s Dyke.
  • Wild swim in the River Wye or rent canoes and float your way downstream.
  • Famed for its annual literary festival, Hay-on-Wye is a picturesque market town 3 miles away. Wander the cobbled streets and discover some 20 book shops, plus an independent cinema and excellent eateries.
  • Can’t be bothered to cook? Off The Grid, a mile away, serves up great seasonal food in a yurt or a hut depending on weather.
  • You’re on the edge of Brecon Beacons National Park, one of just 13 locations worldwide with a ‘dark sky’ status due to its low light and air pollution. Stargazing, therefore, is magical.

Specifics.

  • Pod on a 7-acre countryside haven
  • Open-plan living area warmed by underfloor heating
  • Bedroom with kingsize bed and Hypnos mattress
  • One child under 10 welcome
  • Travel cot/high chair to borrow
  • Ensuite bathroom with rain shower
  • Fully equipped kitchen with basic ingredients; dining table
  • Food hampers available from a local deli
  • Sofa area with woodburner
  • Books, board games, Bose sound system and WiFi
  • Terrace with sunloungers, firepit with BBQ, outdoor dining furniture and hot tub
  • Walk to a pub and farm shop, drive to restaurants (Hay on Wye is 3 miles away)
  • Dog friendly (1 per pod, extra cost)
  • Booking conditions: a 2-night minimum stay
  • Remember to pack: swimmers, walking boots or wellies

Book your stay.

Surprise gift on arrival when you book with Kip!

A 30% deposit, then balance taken 8 weeks prior to stay.
Cancellations made before balance taken can be refunded in full.
After this date the booking is non refundable in the event of cancellation. Resells / date changes at owner’s discretion.

FAQs.

The postcode is HR3 5HU. We are a 3 mile drive from Hay-on-Wye.

It’s easiest to drive here but you can do it without a car. The nearest train station is Hereford. You could get a taxi here from there (30 mins), and once here you can walk to a pub or into Hay (3 miles)

Yes. Drive past the farm and lodges, and parking is on your left. Your accommodation is a short walk away along lit paths.  Wheelbarrows are available to help transport your luggage.

Not yet but electric cars can be charged on a 13 amp outside socket. There is a charge for this and it must be booked ahead. The nearest EV charger is in the main car park in Hay on Wye, approximately a 10-minute drive away.

It’s approximately 3 miles. About a 45-minute off-road walk, or 5–10 minutes in the car.

The woodland adjoins a public footpath which leads up into the hills and links into the Wye Valley Walk leading all the way to Hay-on-Wye. It’s a beautiful 1 ½ – 2 hour walk into Hay, with a range of vistas to hills, woodland and stream. In the other direction, the public footpath leads from our woodland to the river Wye itself. 

There are 4 pods, and 3 lodges on site, all carefully screened for privacy and peace. 

The fully equipped kitchen includes a dishwasher, large fridge-freezer, hob and oven, lots of pots, pans, crockery, cutlery and glassware. 

Yes, 1 dog is allowed in the pod. There are bowls and blankets, and there’s a warm outside tap for washing off muddy dogs. 

No – much better to watch nature through the large glass windows! 

Yes, there is good WiFi, strong enough to stream movies or if you need to, to work.

All bedding is natural feather. If you require synthetic bedding, please ask the owner for this prior to arrival as it is available.

Yes, the pod can fit a child under 10 on an extra bed. Children love the freedom of the grounds and playing in the woodland, in the play nook under the stairs, on the swing and in the willow tunnel.

You can grill food over your firepit. 

Yes, they provide a complimentary bundle of kindling and wood for use in the woodburner/firepit. Additional bundles are available at a small charge.

Check in is any time after 4.30pm via a key safe. There is no problem in arriving late at night. Check out is by 10.30am. An early check in from 2.30pm and/or late check out by noon may be available, for a small charge. Please enquire once you have booked.

Members of our housekeeping and maintenance team are often on site during the day. The owner, Lorna, lives nearby and can be contacted at any time in an emergency.

You will be sent lots of information once you have booked and there is more when you arrive. There is lots to do from exploring Hay on Wye, walking, the river, pubs, restaurants and cafes, horse riding, kayaking, star gazing, cycling and much more.

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