Dolgenau Hir - The Barn

We echo a previous review in saying it is genuinely the most picturesque cottage we've ever stayed in.

The cottage is exquisite and the views are stunning. We loved the furnishings and gorgeous beams that added so much character. Kitchen had everything we needed and we cooked every day. The view of the sunrise in the morning is breathtaking. The sunrises, coupled with daily sightings of red kites, were added bonuses. The cottage was spotlessly clean and warm and the bed was very comfortable; just how we like it. Ruth, the owner, was so helpful and her pride in the cottage was evident in the way it is presented. Since 2019, we've stayed in approximately 12 Sykes' cottages and this has been the best for its setting, facilities and its utterly charming appearance.

My husband and I fell in love with Ruth's Cottage.

It was exactly like cottages we've seen on BBC's Escaping to The County, so homey and traditional with the lovliest garden. We adored the resident cows that greeted us on the other side of the hedge when we arrived and the shepherd we saw herding his sheep. The Welsh water was delicious, the water pressure and tempeture outstanding, and the kitchen adequately fitted out. We had to search a bit, but we found a hair dryer in the bureau drawer which was wonderful since we couldn't bring ours from the United States. The only things that would make this cottage any better would be include extra towels as I have extremely long, thick hair and could have used a seperate towel, and cleaning up the moldy caulk in the shower.

Genuinely the most picturesque place we have ever stayed.

A quirky, detailed home with private space in the lovely gardens all snuggled into a beautiful valley. Ruth has put such personality and passion into Dolgenau Hir. It is for someone who appreciates uniqueness and beauty. Its very comfortable and we enjoyed every minute. Accessibility could be a challenge for someone with mobility issues and the parking area is a steep slope but the home and view is worth it.

Wir haben uns sehr wohl gefühlt.

Das Cottage ist liebevoll eingerichtet. Die Lage ist super. Der Name „Cottages in Paradise“ ist Programm! Nur zu empfehlen!!

Such a beautiful barn to stay in, super cosy and welcoming.

Ruth is lovely and so kind. Beautiful views to wake up too. Thank you for a lovely stay.

This was our second visit to this lovely cottage in the most beautiful surroundings.

Everything you need is provided in this well equipped home. The wood burner was especially welcome on a couple of cooler nights and the dark skies were spectacular. Plenty of places to visit within an hours drive. Everything was just perfect.

Loved the barn and the location.

Beautiful surroundings for the dog to run around, the owner did state that the garden is not dog friendly as there are small gaps in the hedge row where a dog could get out if they are not obedient, but it was perfect for ours. There were people staying nextdoor and honestly you wouldn't know they were there. The furniture was uncomfortable but it's an old place and part of the charm. There are several cons that need to be pointed out and are easy fixes to make the property better for the next holiday makers. The place is crawling with critters which you would expect being where it is, it is also home to the bravest mouse in Wales by the looks as he loved to come out any time of the day to bother our dog which did provide some entertainment, but most city dwellers wouldn't like that. Cleanliness is a issue a good dust and hoover in the corners would make it a nicer setting the place needs a deep clean a lot of mouse droppings around the place. And a new bed is needed the current one has served it's purpose. And finally the drive is gravel covered on a steep incline, now for us it was fine as we live in the middle of nowhere and used to driving in snow and icy conditions on a hill, however our neighbour really struggled getting on and off the drive as it can be like an ice rink gravel and a steep incline is not a good mix.

What a lovely characterful cottage in an idyllic setting!

We had such a special week relaxing in Ruth’s charming cottage. Difficult these days to find cottages with ‘old world’ charm like this one. Would highly recommend… and thank you Ruth for all your help. We will return!

The location is drop-dead gorgeous.

Our first all sunny day we could not think of anything better than to sit in the garden with a glass of beer, read a newspaper and enjoy the view and the quiet. Amazing.

We really enjoyed staying at this lovely cottage.

The garden was looking so pretty and the interior was just as the photographs. Everything was clean and comfortable, all in all a great few days.

I had a concern that the cottage was not detached but the stay was quiet and peaceful.

Just the sound of sheep and the occasional F35 to break the silence. The weather was windy and wet at times but we were warm and comfortable. Cooking facilities proved to be good and we had copious amounts of hot water for showers or baths. Some days we had the log fire burning wonderfully, others we filled the place with smoke. More down to lack of skill I think. Ruth was very helpful with instructions and left us to get on with our break. The path to the cottage from the car park is a little steep but well maintained so no problem. WiFi was running just below 3Mbs so good enough for work and movies. Plenty of space to move around and the building is very interesting. Pubs just out of walking range but there are villages and towns within an hours drive in most directions. The views of the valley and hills in the morning sun with the daffodils smiling brightly at us did indeed make this a cottage in paradise.

The cottage was lovely and very comfortable and warm.

We used the log burner for extra cosiness but it wasn’t really necessary. Everything we needed was there. We loved the furnishings which really added to the whole atmosphere of the place. The bathroom seemed new and the big bath was amazing. Will definitely return at some stage.

We had a lovely week and the barn was a warm and cosy retreat from everything.

The really old nature of the building gives it some unusual features which we loved. The setting is beautiful. However some of the furniture needs updating to make it truly comfortable. It would help if there was a sign at the head of the driveway to identify the property. Otherwise it’s just guesswork as to whether you’re in the right place or not. Plus if it could be made very clear that the driveway is shared between two cottages and that entry to the barn is by walking directly in front of the attached house. The people renting the house were very unhappy that we had to walk past them and made their feelings known. That left a very unhappy atmosphere which did detract a little from our holiday.

Lovely place in a great location , the decor was great with all the antique furniture and bric-a-brac .

Bathroom was spacious and a lovenly big bath plus separate shower . The only thing that could be improved was the furniture although very nice antique was not very comfortable. But overall a wonderful place in a great location and I would stay there again .

The Barn is a beautiful setting and the ideal place to recharge your batteries.

Ruth is a caring lady who checked in with us to ensure that all was well. I will certainly be returning to this lovely holiday cottage.

Fabulous property ,so secluded and peaceful, ideal for those wanting to get away from it all.

Owner couldn't t be more helpful, thankyou Ruth.

Location, location, location.

Peaceful surroundings, beautiful scenery and the only sounds are from the animals in the fields opposite. We had a fantastic break and the weather mostly warm and sunny.

Thank you Ruth for letting us stay in your lovely cottage our little dog Monty loved it there was everything we needed in the cottage very cosy and warm would recommend this cottage nice garden to sit in

We have had a lovely break at Dolgenau Hir.

The barn was really comfortable and cosy. We loved watching the sheep go backwards and forwards and other wildlife . The weather was typical for May, hot and sunny one minute then quite chilly at night but the barn was warm. We could have lit the wood burner but there was no need. The barn was very well equipped with everything we could possibly need during our stay. The barn is not good for anyone with mobility problems because of the steps down from the road and inside but luckily we are quite mobile. Our dog loved his stay and enjoyed running in the pretty garden and sitting in the sun. It was nice to talk to the very friendly owner who came to make sure we were okay. We would advise anyone staying to stock up with food on the way. Newtown is about seven Miles away and has three or four supermarkets. Also has lovely walks by the River Severn. This is just the place to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and we would not hesitate to return.

This is a beautiful cottage in a wonderfully peaceful location.

Ruth and everyone associated with her cottages made us feel very welcome and answered all our questions. For a quiet and relaxing break in the countryside this cannot be beaten and I'd recommend it to anyone.

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay, the cottage was well equipped and clean.

we met Ruth the owner on arrival and she was a delight to talk too. The cottage was very comfortable and the views were spectacular, we had fun watching the sheep when the farmer arrived to feed them it was chaos. we were unfortunate with the weather but it didn't detract from our stay in this lovely converted barn, we had a very relaxing week. We would highly recommend staying here to anyone who wants a peaceful time. In fact we are likely to return which is something we have never done.

Cottage was lovely and really well equipped.

Views were fab and lovely to sit inside or outside and look at the beautiful green fields. Ruth the owner was so lovely and welcoming. Thank you. We had such a peaceful and relaxing time.

It was as good as it looked in photos

What a lovely place to stay and the owner Ruth was great.

We would recommend this holiday let for people who love the great outdoors.

For peace, quiet and tranquility with lovely countryside, this is the place to be.

The cottage and surroundings were beautiful.

A very peaceful retreat. Ruth, the owner was very welcoming and friendly without being intrusive. Thank you.

We really enjoyed our stay in this beautiful cottage.

Weather wasn't great, but we made the best of our days out. The cottage was really clean, fantastic shower and bath and really comfortable beds. Ruth the owner was so friendly. Thank you for such a lovely restful holiday.

Great communication from the owner , welcoming and a very lovely place to stay

Excellent accommodation with a very friendly & helpful owner.

A great escape to recharge the batteries. Would highly recommend

This is stunning beautiful cottage with amazing views.

We went as couple and stayed for 4 nights. Its 17 century antique cottage with modern facilities. Ruth was a perfect host; she has provided all tourist information outlets in the cottage too. Kitchen and bathroom were well equipped with everything needed. Property was clean, spacious and had everything needed. There was small sitting in backyard. I will definitely go again.

The cottage is a very old converted barn, originally built in the 1640-80s?

It has been beautifully renovated and retains many of it's original features. It is beautifully furnished with carefully selected antiques which gives it a very cosy homely feeling, instead of the frequent 'showroom' design of many others which although lovely, make them less relaxing. The location is remote and peaceful, perfect for those who want to get away from it all. A newly extended and beautifully designed bathroom adds a touch of relaxing glamour. This is the perfect getaway for anyone. I would add one tiny note of caution..... The barn has an up-to-date heating system which works perfectly, instead of the frequently found storage heaters! There is also a wonderful log burner which itself subsidises the heating whilst providing a cosy and romantic element to the ambiance of the cottage. I usually take my breaks during the winter months and am use to staying in cottages in the wilds of North Yorkshire so am no stranger to the cold! This little barn still retains many of the original windows and old doors which realistically means it comes with the associated drafts! This is not a criticism but merely a note of caution; if it is windy, icy or snowing be prepared that the barn can be a little chilly unless you are prepared to keep the log burner stoked throughout the day with plenty of logs. An initial basket of logs are supplied free of charge and the owner has a good supply of logs in the barn itself which are charged at the equivalent of £5 a bag. Be prepared then to take a chequebook or some cash if staying during the winter as if the weather conditions are cold, you will need to pay a little extra to keep yourself warm. I imagine that in the spring or summer this little hidden treasure is the perfect place to stay and you couldn't find a more helpful owner who is close at hand, should you have any problems.