Do you ever feel trapped in crowds, surrounded by noise, movement, and calamity? Have you taken a luxury resort holiday to ‘get away from it all’ and found yourself hiding in your room from kids dive-bombing in the pool and the noisy attention of over friendly waiters? Escape to Wales and find your dream isolated cottage…
From time to time we all feel the need to hide ourselves away from humanity, away from civilisation whether to be alone or to spend quality time with a partner, family or friends. Wales offers some of the most isolated landscapes in the UK ranging from barely penetrable forest to moorland and wild, unkempt coastline. As for secluded places to stay, here are two fantastic hidden gems to consider. Whilst quite different in appearance and style, both are tucked away in some of the most remote locations left in the British Isles. Read our guide for more facts and information.
The luxury bolt hole
The warning that the track up to Red Kite Barn is ‘1.5 miles long and partially unpaved’, combined with the advice that ‘mobile reception is limited’ immediately signals a true hideaway house. You will not be disappointed. Described by its Grand Designs featured owners as a ‘luxury bolt hole’ Red Kite Barn is a magnificent old barn sitting in 80 acres of private land which has been transformed into a luxury open plan retreat with no expenses spared. Truly connected to the landscape and its farming heritage, the barn has been insulated with the clothing of your only neighbours, sheep’s wool of course! The upper Wye Valley in mid Wales is known for its tranquility and lush green landscape and 80 acres of it is reserved just for you to spend some quality time away from everything.
The rustic retreat
It’ll come as no surprise that the second cottage we mention is located in the wild and beautiful Snowdonia National Park. Hilltop is aptly named as it perches on the crest of a hill and enjoys panoramic views in every direction. A tired collection of old farm buildings have been given a fresh breath of life as a holiday cottage but retain their rustic charm. In contrast to the opulence of Red Kite Barn, Hilltop is about simplicity, scaling back on technology and complication and focusing on just being and enjoying. The water supply comes from a mountain stream so you may have to wait a little while between baths but you’ll enjoy deliciously fresh drinking water. There is no central heating but that’s the perfect excuse for a roaring fire which will soon have the entire cottage snug and warm. There are no internet facilities so you won’t be bothered by the outside world at all. A stay at Hilltop is the perfect way to recharge your batteries.
Well kept secrets
These are only a couple of examples of hidden, isolated places to stay in Wales. If we told you where they all are they wouldn’t stay remote for very long would they? You’ll just have to find them for yourselves!
