English Country House on the Welsh Borders.

Built in 1890, our house is located in one of the most beautiful corners of rural England. On the side of a 1,300ft hill, we live on a protected common surrounded by wandering sheep and, higher up the hill, semi wild white horses. The house itself is comfortable and well appointed, and enjoys a two acre garden, including a vegetable plot and a small orchard. It`s a comfortable family home with lovely walks from the door. Centrally heated, spacious and full of books and music, including a baby grand piano. We have a brand new kitchen/diner with top of the range appliances which we love. Plus a handy utility room for when you come in from muddy walks. The main bathroom with shower was only installed in 2020. Our home featured in an article in the Financial Times a couple of years ago in an article they did about home exchanges - we got a great write up!

About the location

This is the most unspoilt area of rural England. It is a paradise for walkers, with walks from the door or nearby in the Black Mountains. Herefordshire is a county of orchards, black and white ancient houses, farming but also, here in the south, we have the wild, high valleys of the Black Mountains and further away, The Brecon Beacons. Half an hour away is the Wye Valley with its beautiful river which is excellent for canoeing expeditions. We are quite remote, as England goes, living on the side of a most wonderful hill where there are a dozen or so scattered houses, farms and cottages. It is a very quiet spot and the lane outside our house only leads to one farm about half a mile away. It is very rural in the sense that sheep and horses wander about outside so it can be muddy. It is wild countryside rather than a mannered landscape. It is stunningly beautiful and a real secret location. Our neighbours are very kind and the nearest village has quite a lot going on in it for its size (300 people). We are half an hour from Hereford which is a beautiful cathedral city on the River Wye. The cathedral houses the unique medieval treasure which is the Mappa Mundi. The nearest market towns are Abergavenny, home of the world famous Food Festival in September ( 40 minutes away) and Monmouth (20 minutes). There are three small shops 10 minutes away by car. If you want to visit cities we are equidistant from Cardiff, the Welsh capital and Bristol. Both take about an hour and fifteen minutes to reach. Just a short drive away you can can go river swimming by the ancient castle ruins of Skenfrith. Garway, Skenfrith, Grosmont and Kentchurch all have traditional pubs which serve food. The ancient churches of Herefordshire are also some of the best preserved in the U.K. We moved here from London 16 years ago and we love it and hope you will. Not for dyed in the wool townies though and children who aren't outdoorsy may be bored. Remarkably we do have fibre high speed broadband! P.S. Some French visitors who'd also visited the Cotswolds said Herefordshire was much better - and we think it is!!! By the way, you absolutely need a car. On foreign exchanges we're willing to car swap.

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