travel
Sustainable Getaways In Wales P
Under The Thatch’s unique, authentic and sustainable holiday lets prove an excellent way to escape the distractions of modern life, discovers Gareth Ludkin.
reserving, renovating and letting a unique range of sustainable properties, Under The Thatch offer holiday lets that range from a Wind In The Willows style gypsy caravan in the Brecon Beacons to a Mongolian yurt in the Black Mountains, an old railway carriage in Aberporth and everything else in between. With 81 properties on their books, UTT have already built an impressive portfolio of original holiday lets since Greg Stephenson set up the company in 2001. All their properties offer guests an authentic oppor- tunity to experience life at a slower pace, away from modern distraction.
Sustainability is at the heart of the company’s ethos. Re-investing profi ts into old, unique and historic buildings, UTT renovates and maintains properties that range from the Edwardian period to the 20th century. Working with communities and private owners, the business helps to preserve the unique heritage of these buildings for members of the public to enjoy.
Set in beautiful and secluded locations around Wales and beyond, each property on the company’s books offers a simpler way of life. And for one short weekend, I along with a few friends was lucky enough to experience the unique quality of two privately owned Under The Thatch properties. Situated a short drive away from Rhayader, Nannerth Farm (www.
nannerth.co.uk) offers a picturesque and peaceful setting away from the hustle and bustle of city life. With a quaint Romany caravan, a unique showman’s wagon and a collection of self-catering cottages available as holiday lets throughout the year, Nan- nerth Farm provide country breaks packed with life and intrigue. The farm also relies on sustainable
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energy technologies to provide its heat and hot water, demonstrating its sustainable credentials. From the inquisitive farm animals to the scenic setting, friendly owners, thriving nature walks and the special chance to see wild badgers at work, Nannerth has much to offer beyond that which any budget holiday would ever be able to accomplish. The farm’s 1940s showman’s wagon sits looking over the River Wye with access to rolling hills and wild walks. Its attractive red exterior is matched by a quaint interior with everything you could need for a break away from it all. Locally built, the history and heritage of the wagon was instantly apparent from the moment we stepped inside. Its homely original interior contains an exceedingly comfy bed, a small living area, a compact kitchen area and a cosy log fi re with an evocative smell of warm winter evenings. A separate shower and toilet facility is also provided in the adjoining barn. During our stay, we were also graced with the oppor- tunity to sample Nannerth Farm’s latest acquisition, Alys – an original Romany caravan which until recently had been lived in as a permanent home. Decorative wooden panels adorn the outside of the caravan while the inside is equally attractive. Its small appearance belies a grand bed which pulls out neatly to become a very comfortable double. A separate modern and nicely decorated kitchen, shower and toilet is provided, containing everything you could conceivably need.
The beauty of both properties lies in the fact that guests are able to experience for themselves the heritage and history of two extremely unique proper- ties in a picturesque and tranquil setting. This is an indicative characteristic of all Under The Thatch
holiday lets which provide unique locations and fantastic properties maintained in their original condition for the enjoyment of guests. Sustainable and authentic, there’s nothing quite like it anywhere else in Wales. Nannerth Farm is a particularly special holiday des- tination due to the abundance of life on its doorstep. Dark star-fi lled nights, nature walks along the River Wye and the opportunity to make friends with the farm animals, are all part of the experience. In tune with nature, and its local wildlife, the farm also offers the rare opportunity to see wild badgers; a purpose built tree-house allowing guests the opportunity to tempt badgers out into the dusk with peanuts. The farm also offers the brilliant opportunity to try your hand at Falconry, courtesy of Hawksdrift Falconry (
www.hawksdrift.co.uk). Over a two-hour session we were able to enjoy a brilliant hands on falconry lesson which included the opportunity to handle, feed and fl y a beautiful barn owl and two South American hawks.
The break, although short, afforded us the chance to escape from our hectic lives and soak up a slower pace of life. Surrounded by friendly farm animals, inquisitive sheep and rolling countryside, it’s hard to understand why people fl ock so keenly for budget fl ights abroad when we have something so distinctive and different at home. Under The Thatch provides the perfect sustainable getaway, unlike anything you will have sampled before. Packed with character, choice and variety, I’ll certainly be returning to try one of the many other Under The Thatch properties.
Info: 08445 005101 / www.underthethatch.
co.uk
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