Beautiful 18th century barn on Sugar Loaf mountain

Visit The Old Barn on our 35 acre organic smallholding in the Brecon Beacons National Park, with stunning views, yet only 10 minutes’ drive to Abergavenny. Footpaths lead up Sugar Loaf and into the Black Mountains. We have converted the barn using Welsh slate, oak beams, and lime plaster. Insulation is sheep’s wool and heating is by an air-source heat pump and wood-burner. Inside the barn is a mix of antique and modern. We have also provided custom-made accommodation for bats and swallows! The Old Barn stands on its own at the far end of the yard. It is a traditional Monmouthshire stone built agricultural building, with arrow-slit windows, and triangular owl holes – put there to encourage barn owls into the building and thus keep the rodents at bay. In our conversion, we have retained all these features, while adding modern comforts and conveniences.....and excluding the rodents! Inside the barn is a stylish mix of old and new, with contemporary furniture and lighting alongside traditional oak beams and antiques. The kitchen is superbly equipped, reflecting our love of good food and cooking – a homemade cake and eggs from our free range hens and ducks are part of the package, and home-reared organic lamb and pork is available. In the living room a woodburner gives a cosy feel on chillier days, and there is wifi, a radio, a CD player and CDs, a DVD player with discs, a selection of board games and loads of books. The utility room houses the washing machine and provides plenty of space for keeping all your outdoor gear. Upstairs is reached by a reclaimed cast iron spiral staircase, and folding oak patio doors lead out from the living room to seating areas to the north and south. All three bedrooms are spacious and comfortable. Upstairs the bright, sunny West Bedroom has a kingsize bed, and the cosy East Bedroom has two 3'6" singles. They share a family bathroom. The Bat Room, with ensuite wetroom, is on ground level and has its own entrance off the courtyard. Towels and linen are included, all 100% cotton (cot available on request). Each bedroom also boasts its own Sugar Loaf view. At the front of the barn there is a sunny courtyard, the perfect spot for an al fresco breakfast, looking across the valley to the oak woodlands on the Deri opposite. A barbecue is provided, and an old byre houses table tennis and table football. At the back the patio looks across the fields and up the valley to Sugar Loaf. Long summer evenings can be whiled away watching the light gradually fade from the mountain and the stars prick through the darkness of the night sky. There are three houses on the smallholding: the sixteenth century farmhouse where we live, The Old Barn, and the "new" farmhouse, The White House, also available for holidays. Each property is entirely private, and they do not overlook each other. Please note that we are happy to welcome up to two well-behaved dogs The barn is entirely self-contained and is not overlooked. The whole space is yours! We live on site in the old farmhouse. We are here if you need any help or advice, or if you want to buy some of our beautiful organic lamb, but if you want to enjoy tranquillity and seclusion in your own space that's fine by us! UP TO TWO WELL BEHAVED DOGS WELCOME - PLEASE MENTION WHEN BOOKING Porth-y-Parc means Gateway to the Park. We are at the entrance to a medieval deer park once owned by the monks of St Mary’s Priory. Our Black Welsh Mountain sheep thrive here in their natural habitat - they graze away happily however wild and wacky the weather - even lambing in the snow if needs be!  Spring guests often help with bottle feeding any orphan lambs. As well as the sheep, we keep a few hens and ducks for eggs – always a big hit with our holiday guests. We are dedicated to creating a habitat that is home to a wide diversity of wildlife. Our guests are welcome to wander freely through the fields and woodland. Many visitors come here for walking. We provide OS maps and can suggest local walks and pubs for refreshment along your way! The rivers offer fantastic wild swimming and if you’re lucky enough to have snow, bring your sledge! Abergavenny is a pretty little town on the Usk, overlooked by mountains. It has a food market, quirky independents, excellent cafes and restaurants, a cinema, a small theatre and a Leisure Centre with pool. There are great castles and museums within half an hour's drive, and Hay-on-Wye, famous for its bookshops. Drive there through the Vale of Ewyas and over Gospel Pass - stunning! Or for some city buzz (castle, Principality Stadium, Millennium Centre, Doctor Who) Cardiff is an less than an hour away. Porth-y-Parc is just 10 minutes’ drive from the centre of Abergavenny. Abergavenny is easily reached by road and has a mainline railway station. Driving times: M4 eastbound for the Severn Bridge30 minutes M4 westbound for Cardiff and Swansea30 minutes Bristol1 hour Hereford½ hour Brecon½ hour Hay-on-Wye40 minutes Builth Wells40 minutes Cardiff50 minutes Newport40 minutes Swansea1¼ hours The Gower beaches1½ hours Bath1½ hours Londo (Website hidden by Airbnb) 2¾ hours There is parking behind the barn for two cars. If you have more, please contact us. We are happy to welcome up to two well-behaved dogs - PLEASE TELL US WHEN YOU BOOK IF YOU WILL BE BRINGING PETS.