Canoeing, wild swimming, walking, running, horse riding and sightseeing all featured for our guests this week counterbalanced by the quiet and tranquillity of Upper Glyn Farm and the simple pleasure of sitting outside with a glass of wine and watching the sun go down after a day of activity.
Claire, Carl, and their three children, Charlotte, Daniel and Eleanor stayed in the Sugar Loaf cottage with their dog and described the “Wow factor” as they walked into the spacious lounge with its large windows and high ceiling.
Their highlights included canoeing down the River Wye at Symonds Yat which is about 30 minutes from the cottages. There are plenty of places to hire what you need.
They were also “Wowed” by their trip to Tintern Abbey; enjoyed a pub lunch at the Boat at Penallt and managed to fit in a couple of local runs and walks.
Staying at the same time were Aaron and Vanessa and son Tristan aged 7 who came over from Boston USA. They made use of the farm’s location to explore the area from book shopping in Hay-on-Wye; Raglan and Caerphilly castles; the impressive Roman ruins at Caerleon; Clearwell caves which is becoming a firm favourite with guests and of course Tintern Abbey where they enjoyed a excellent picnic in the grounds.
Julia and Lee stayed in the Skirrid over the Bank Holiday weekend and explored the ancient county town of Monmouth, home to Henry V, Admiral Nelson and Rolls (of Rolls Royce). Julia, whose husband Lee described her as “a bit of a dolphin”, went wild swimming in the River Wye, just north of Monmouth.
The next day they walked to Tintern following the route we leave mapped out with photographs and directions on a laminated sheet in the cottages. They ended up at the excellent Royal George Hotel which had music and a beer festival on. Result!
We also had two families stay, one in the Blorenge, who had children competing at The David Broome Event centre which is 10 minutes from us. Olympic medallist David Broome CBE was one of Britain’s top showjumpers who was voted BBC sports personality of the year in 1960.
He and his family run the event centre which is set in 90 acres near Caldicot Castle. It welcomes visitors from all over the world who compete in show jumping, dressage, mounted games, and carriage driving events.
We spent a lot of time at Broome’s when our two children were competing, so we appreciate the effort which goes into supporting horse and rider. We’ve had several people stay at the farm who were competing, supporting or working at the centre and have stabled horses ourselves or had wagons parked here.
Those who stay certainly enjoy the chance to come back after a day of competition to the luxury and quiet of their cottage.
Mum Claire and her three children were impressed by the splendour of Tintern Abbey but Buddy, their dog, doesn’t seem so impressed.
Canoeing in the Wye Valley
Album cover of 2019
Come on human let’s go to the pub
Sugar Loaf cottage