The Writers Retreat

My husband and I stumbled across this beautiful little slice of England in late 2021 whilst house hunting near Hay on Wye. We fell instantly in love with the ancient charm and the ever changing beauty of the place. We were fortunate enough to have our offer accepted and looked forward greatly to moving in and adding our mark to the place. If only a mark was all that was required…as we began to address some of the obvious issues, more and more began to reveal themselves, until we realised that a total renovation was required in order to save it from potential collapse!

From the roof to the internal walls and floors, the heating the plumbing and the electrics, everything was renovated. We endeavoured to retain as much of the original character and charm of the place as possible and ensured we used traditional building materials and techniques throughout.

Half way through the renovation, we were blessed with the birth of our daughter. As the work continued we quickly realised that the cottage was too small to raise a family in but we couldn’t bear to let it go, so we carried on until our vision had been realised.

With the work finished in early 2025 and with one exhausted husband, we have spent the last year repeatedly escaping out to the cottage. It’s a place to appreciate the quiet, a place to rejuvenate and a place to enjoy each others company. We have watched the wonderful garden change with the seasons and listened to the little brook ebb and flow, we have explored the beautiful walking routes and the quaint little villages in the near surround. And now we think its right that we should share it with you!

It truly is a quintessential rural retreat, tucked away in a little corner of England.

An old stone house with a steep, weathered roof undergoing repair, supported by scaffolding, surrounded by lush green plants and garden flowers, under a partly cloudy blue sky.
Attic under renovation showing exposed brick walls, wooden beams, and new roof framing with skylights. There is construction debris and tools on the floor.
Interior of a building under renovation with exposed brick walls and a wooden framework for a floor or ceiling under construction.
Construction site with a large wooden beam on sawhorses, window in the background, and construction tools around.
Interior of a room under renovation with a concrete floor being poured, exposed brick walls, a window with green trees outside, and construction tools and piping visible.
A room under renovation with exposed brick walls, a sloped ceiling with wooden beams, a small window letting in natural light, and construction tools and debris on the floor.
Interior of an attic under renovation with exposed wooden beams and brick walls, construction tools, and materials scattered around.
A rural stone house with a tiled roof and a chimney, surrounded by trees and bushes, at sunset. A dirt road runs in front of the house.