Tŷ Mawr Collection

When you collect something, it’s because you care for its value or special meaning. The Tŷ Mawr Collection is just that, a suite of five fabulous properties in the grounds of a manorial estate dating back to medieval times.

Their names – The Coach, The Dairy, The Laundry, The Bothy and The Cottage – reflect their original roles. But before we go any further please don’t expect your typical barn conversions. Think top-end, no-expense-spared, fastidiously detailed hotel accommodation in a romantic, rural setting beneath the highest peaks in the Brecon Beacons National Park and you’re halfway there. Only halfway, because these properties are lavish and generous in the space they give you compared even to a hotel suite, and come with kitchens packed with all the latest must-have appliances. The list goes on… and on: flagstone floors with underfloor heating, wood-burning stoves (and unlimited logs), drop-dead gorgeous bathrooms with bathrobes and deluxe toiletries by Anne Semonin, super-comfy super-king-sized beds, fabulous kitchens, state-of-the-art entertainments systems and private patios and gardens complete with the best garden furniture.

But Tŷ Mawr’s commanding achievement is the way in which it has orchestrated these features. Each property is an interior design masterclass, combining Laura Ashley flair with cosmopolitan cool. They are fun, funky and fashionable. Old beams and thick stone walls provide a context for vivid colours, mood lighting, striking fabrics and artefacts and well-chosen art. To give you a taster, here’s a snapshot of each.

The Coach (the former Coach House) has a ‘real sense of decadence’, with mood lighting along with natural light flooding in from the large French window, oak floors adorned by rugs and deer skins, and a modern free-standing wood-burning stove as a centrepiece.

The Dairy is a charming, cosy cottage with exposed beams, soft-toned walls and touches of warm crimson and green – and you’ll love the large, luxurious bathroom with its double-ended bath complete with headrests (they think of everything at Tŷ Mawr).

According to Elle magazine, The Laundry ‘is pretty much the perfect rural bolthole’. We think you’ll agree when you step inside this centuries-old building, brought bang up to date with the latest style cues (think cool greys, creamy whites and soft yellows).

It’s hard to believe that The Bothy was once a humble gardener’s cottage. As with the other properties, colour-co-ordination is something of an obsession, carried right through to the toaster and kettle in the kitchen, a wow-factor space complete with stunning granite worktops. The Cottage has a gorgeous open-plan living space with a huge, plump sofa encircling a wood-burning stove – with its muted tones and Tŷ Mawr’s hallmark attention-to-detail, it’s a relaxing place in which to put your feet up after a walk in the country.

Talking of what’s outside, Tŷ Mawr’s other strength is its location in the heart of the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park. On the doorstep there’s everything from gentle canal walks to mountain hikes, cycling to mountain biking, medieval castles to characterful country towns like Brecon and Hay (and festivals galore). And foodies are spoilt for choice – the Abergavenny/Brecon area is the epicentre of good food in Wales. (PS. Tŷ Mawr is pet-friendly too.)

Special features

• Country life served up in chic, contemporary setting
• Flawless accommodation that’s spacious and super-comfy
• Possibly the best location for exploring the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park’s Great Outdoors
• Treatment Studio on site for you to indulge in some pampering