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Black Cat Bach

(Ref. 1002911)

Gilwern, South Wales & Pembrokeshire Show on map

4.9

Sykes rating

  • 4 Guests

  • 2 Bedrooms

  • 1 Bathroom

  • Pets No

Features

  • Off road parking
  • Ground floor bedroom
  • Sauna
  • Garden / Patio
  • Washing machine
  • Dishwasher
  • Broadband / WiFi

Reviews & Ratings

Accuracy of the listing
Cleanliness
Comfort
Facilities and Maintenance
  • All reviews
  • lovely (19)
  • cottage (15)
  • location (14)
  • stay (13)
  • views (13)
  • recommend (13)

35 Customer Reviews

  • "Idyllic, tranquil base to explore this beautiful region."

    The well-equipped cottage is delightfully bright and airy, and the private terrace has lovely plants and trees all around with distant views to the hills. Lots of local walks from ridge views to forests, waterfalls and the canal towpath. Intriguing mixture of landscapes incorporating hidden industrial heritage. Easy access to the A465 Heads of the Valleys road to explore farther afield, although we found plenty to enjoy in the local area. The lovely town of Crickhowell is only 4 miles away with plenty of small shops and restaurants.

    Reviewed by LynSep 2023

  • "Had a wonderful week's stay at Black Cat Bach."

    It's in a beautiful, secluded location and the gifts on arrival were much appreciated. It was most definitely a home from home, and was perfectly located for some lovely local walks on the doorstep, as well being a fantastic base for some beautiful locations a drive away. We did Skirrid, the iron works and gorge and the three castles which were more local, then we did Puzzlewood, National Showcaves, Pen y Fan and the Mountain Railway. All were super days out. I would highly recommend a stay at Black Cat Bach.

    Reviewed by ShellyAug 2023

  • "I had a wonderful week at Black Cat Bach."

    So restful! The property itself is perfect, the views were amazing and the surrounding countryside is beautiful. The cottage has everything you might need, and was very comfortable. Great walks from the front door and an easy drive to Abergavenny for a good choice of shops. I travelled on my own and felt safe and secure, I didn't eat out so can't comment on the local restaurants or bars. I would not hesitate to return.

    Reviewed by AngelaJun 2023

  • "Perfect location, loved every minute of our stay."

    Unlikely to be the last time we visit.Beautiful place

    Reviewed by LeeApr 2023

  • "The lodge was a great base to our days out and had everything we needed."

    Having the washer & drier was amazing as meant we didn’t have to come home to laundry which was bliss. The kitchen was well kitted out. The property was lovely and warm for our stay. Milk on arrival was a wonderful touch and much needed as we arrived in the darkness of the evening. The roads to access the property are steep and narrow being up a hill. The views are just incredible from the patio, so it was nice to sit outside with a coffee and just enjoy the surroundings. We had hoped to do more walking from the lodge but the roads were much too steep for all of us to venture out. (2 adults & 2 children) A clothes airer, full length mirror & hairdryer would be my only suggested helpful additions. We recommend the accommodation as being super comfortable, clean, with good facilities. With the owners on hand for anything we needed. Rachel was kind in telling us about places to go & making us feel welcome. We enjoyed our stay. Thankyou for having us.

    Reviewed by KirstyOct 2022

  • "The BCB was in a stunning location surrounded by spectacular scenery and wildlife."

    The accommodation was everything you would wish for cosy, comfortable and very peaceful, our host's Nigel & Rachel were very knowledgeable about the area and very helpful. We had a great week and cannot wait to go back, would highly recommend it !!

    Reviewed by KeithAug 2022

  • "Excellent Property, very well appointed and in a wonderful, peaceful location."

    Lots of places to visit in the area and lovely walks from the property.

    Reviewed by AmandaAug 2022

  • "Fantastic cottage beautiful gardens and views owners great cant fault it"

    Reviewed by SusanJul 2022

  • "Absolutely fabulous cottage with amazing views including Sugar Loaf Mountain."

    Rachel is really helpful with all sorts from getting lost en route to helping us with mobility scooter access to patio. Although the cottage is not advertised as having disabled access I managed once I was on patio level. Very spacious inside it you can only walk aided with crutches like myself. Lots to do and see around and we definitely recommend the “Big Pit Experience” they transfered me from my mobility scooter to their wheelchair and down I went ! Exceptionally Good never been down anywhere like this and they perfected it !! The little bridge up to the cottage is a lot higher than stated I got under it in a Skoda Superb with a HandiHoldall Roof Bag which had all four of our luggage in (we don’t travel light been disabled).

    Reviewed by ZoeJul 2022

  • "Lovely place well equipped and very clean."

    Ideal position for exploring the local countryside and good base for visiting further afield. Surrounding wildlife fascinating to watch. Would be happy to stay again. Hospitable hosts and easy to get in touch with.

    Reviewed by PennyJun 2022

  • "We've had an absolutely lovely time at the cottage."

    It is in a great location to get away from it all and have some peace and quiet. The garden area was nice for our son to play in and it was just a really wonderful stay. Both the interior and exterior have been done up to a great standard and anything you'd need for the stay is available. The hosts were really welcoming and friendly.

    Reviewed by AnnaApr 2022

  • "It's a lovely cottage and location, the only thing that can be a problem for ..."

    It's a lovely cottage and location, the only thing that can be a problem for some people is the small narrow road to the cottage not advisable for people with big cars but great if your confident enough

    Reviewed by MaryOct 2021

  • "Lovely location although the narrow lanes can be challenging at times."

    Welcome gift was much appreciated. Owner was available if we needed anything. Amazing views from patio and so peaceful. Would thoroughly recommend.

    Reviewed by ChristineSep 2021

  • "Extremely friendly, attentive host offering advice on local area and ensuring we had everything we needed."

    Property is beautifully presented, cleaned to a high standard and extremely comfortable. Fortunate to stay during hot weather and made the most of the outside area. Gorgeous setting. A perfect retreat for a relaxing break.

    Reviewed by LindsayJul 2021

  • "I don't think the pictures do it justice, both the cottage itself and especially the outdoors area were bigger and better than we expected."

    Reviewed by DavidJul 2021

  • "Superb location and an excellent host Location idyllic and remote facilities ..."

    Superb location and an excellent host Location idyllic and remote facilities beyond expected and perfect that walking holiday

    Reviewed by KenJul 2021

  • "The property is set in a quiet country road with amazing views."

    The property is very clean and the owners go to great lengths to make sure you have a good stay & leave a nice welcoming pack.ie Milk,wine,crackers,cheese. Make sure you read the instructions on how to find the property as it is well tucked away and most satnavs only take you to the bottom of the lane. Be aware that one way into the property has a very low bridge 5ft 6in. The wildlife is amazing and the occasional visit from the sheep was nice.

    Thank you for your lovely comments. We hope that the bridge didn't cause any inconvenience to you during your stay. We estimate that this is between 10 and 12ft in height and this is the main path to the property so it's used frequently by cars, delivery vans and farm vehicles. We would love to welcome you back to Black Cat Bach in the future and there are two other ways to get to the property if you prefer to avoid this road. Property Owner

    Reviewed by SarahJun 2021

  • "The photos don't do this accommodation justice, everything was wonderful quality, with so many lovely touches which really made it a home from home."

    Rachel was incredibly helpful and the location was wonderful for exploring the beautiful surroundings! We would definitely recommend this and would be very happy to return ourselves.

    Reviewed by GeorgiaMay 2021

  • "Great location - stunning views and great access to many walks/hikes."

    Cottage was well appointed with everything you could need, high quality and a real home away from home.

    Reviewed by AnnApr 2021

  • "Black Cat Bach is a wonderful property!"

    Lovely to be surprised by a grocery pack, including nice wine! Very quiet. Great to sit on the terrace in the sun, drinking coffee and taking in the view of the mountains. Everything you might need, including smart TV.

    Reviewed by KevinSep 2020

  • "We loved our stay at Black Cat Bach- we would highly recommend to families and couples alike."

    The setting was stunning and the views and light in the bungalow were refreshing for the soul! The underfloor heating meant the temperature was just right and we enjoyed the way the host had thought of all the needs and made sure the kitchen was fully stocked- we did quite a bit of cooking rather than eating out too much and we found we had all we needed which can't be said for other places we have stayed (you do need to remember your own cooking oil and spices, etc but there was salt & pepper and tea/coffee- plus a wonderful basket of welcome goodies including fresh produce from the garden!). Rachel was a welcoming host and easy to get in touch with. Loads to do in the area and lots of beautiful walks on the doorstep- you could spend days at a time without using the car if you wanted to. Your thigh muscles will get a good work-out with all the hills and steep roads but it's worth it for the views! We had an owl in the evenings and saw bats several nights too which the boys loved. Would love to return some time as still loads more places we didn't get round to exploring!

    Reviewed by CharisAug 2020

  • "Lovely cottage along a single track road, but within easy reach of Abergavenny."

    Views from the cottage were fabulous. Hosts were excellent making us feel very welcome. Enjoyed our stay would highly recommend.

    Reviewed by JaneJul 2020

  • "Booking.com said there was no parking, But there actually is parking."

    . so Bonus!!! And everythinh was fantastic! If you love to walk, The area is absolutely stunning

    Reviewed by AaronNov 2019

  • "Excellent welcome pack!"

    Friendly and warm welcome. Useful information available for places of interest/places to visit. Good variety of reading material and games. In the countryside yet easy access by road/pathways to local amenities. Canal walks, woodland walks. Superstore 2 miles away. Bus service via village. Wild life - birds/birds of prey/squirrels/rabbits/owls and autumn colour at their very best! This property is highly recommended and worthy of a visit.

    Reviewed by BrendaOct 2019

  • "A super place to stay - beautifully presented and spotlessly clean."

    The hosts were very friendly and helpful. The cottage is in a great location, having the benefits of lovely countryside but close to amenities and tourist attractions. Would highly recommend.

    Reviewed by GailOct 2019

  • "A lovely peaceful and beautiful place to stay."

    Cottage was in an ideal location, not too far from many interesting places to visit. The owners, Rachel and Nigel were very welcoming and couldn't have been more helpful.

    Reviewed by IreneSep 2019

  • "The tv was not working properly, and had to wait 5 days until it was mended."

    More towels would of been good. Otherwise all good and the owners tried their best to help.

    Reviewed by LorraineAug 2019

  • "Beautiful cottage in picturesque location."

    The cottage was immaculate. Lots of thoughtful touches and everything was catered for. WiFi was excellent and Netflix was available for the children. Owners are really friendly and were available for any queries. Would highly recommend

    Reviewed by LucyAug 2019

  • "Lovely house and very friendly host, welcome pack was unexpected and a lovely touch."

    Loved our week there.

    Reviewed by KathleenJul 2019

  • "The owners were so welcoming and went out of their way to help my disabled husband."

    The cottage had everything you could possibly want and was finished to an excellent standard. Our party consisted of three senior citizens and at first thought the property was really meant for more active youngsters. However we thoroughly enjoyed the luxury of the cottage, the beautiful terrace with its plethora of flowers and the magnificent views. Can thoroughly recommend to all age groups.

    Reviewed by KateJul 2019

  • "Arriving at the cottage, immediately we mentioned how picturesque the cottage looked from its garden and the way it's presented."

    Location-wise, it is far enough from a main road to be very quiet during the day and in the evenings (apart from owls and buzzards which were great to listen to and spot) but the supermarkets take no time to get to in the car. We walked a lot... obviously, and always looked forward to coming back to sit on the cottage's terrace with a drink. Nigel and Rachel who own the cottage are a really nice couple, though we didn't see them during the holiday, they welcomed us at the start, giving some local knowledge on places to go and I was glad to see them at the end when we left to say goodbye. Bed was great, Sauna was brilliant, kitchen was lovely and well equipped, the garden was well planted, the wildlife was abundant, the walks were tough but rewarding... Overall it was a fantastic holiday and I have already been recommending it at work and sending links to the cottage.

    Reviewed by DanielJul 2019

  • "A little gem of a cottage tucked away in the hills fresh mountain air is relaxing and soothing sounds of birdsong make everyday great fun ."

    Rachel and Nigel are very helpful and friendly hosts .A lovely welcome pack on arrival .Can ,t really fault this place as attention to detail is first class If i was picky i would suggest cutting back of some of the trees to make most of the views and let more sunlight through to the patio area in the evenings .It was hard to leave this place and will return soon.

    Reviewed by NeilJun 2019

  • "What a lovely place to stay and so quiet lovely view very nice and clean had ..."

    What a lovely place to stay and so quiet lovely view very nice and clean had everything on hand and a lovely surprise with some goodies on arrival was made very welcome by Rachel and Nigel i can highly recommend this holiday chalet if you are looking for some were for peace and tranquility sadly the week went by to quickly

    Reviewed by AmandaJun 2019

  • "It was a lovely place to stay and we had a lovely weekend."

    Really homely but also super modern feel which is rare. Stunning views from all rooms and a lovely outdoors space - perfect terrace for morning coffee outside. The hosts are so lovely and really helpful you always felt if there was a problem they’d help. We would stay there again no doubt. Thank you for our lovely stay!

    Reviewed by JadeJun 2019

  • "Lovely quiet location."

    Excellent amenities. Beautiful outside patio area. Very cozy inside.very welcoming hosts who provided any extras like milk eggs coffee etc. Plus cleaning materials. Would definitely recommend and would return again.

    Reviewed by Raymond AlanJun 2019

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Summary

  • All ground-floor
  • Two bedrooms; 1 x double, 1 x twin
  • Shower room with walk-in shower, basin and WC
  • Open-plan living room with sitting area, dining area and kitchen
  • Infra-red sauna.
  • Washing machine, tumble dryer, oven and microwave, hob, fridge/freezer, dishwasher, TV and WiFi
  • Bed linen and towels inc. in rent
  • Fuel and power inc. in rent
  • Off-road parking
  • Garden area with patio and chiminea
  • Sorry, no smoking or pets allowed
  • Pub and shop within 1.5 miles

The property

You will find Black Cat Bach hidden in the hills of the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park (Brecon Beacons).

The floor to ceiling glass front of the cottage allows stunning views across to the famous Sugar Loaf mountain to the front of the property and Blorenge mountain to the side.

The property has been thoughtfully designed to “bring the outside in” so you feel immersed in the natural landscape whilst enjoying the comforts of a modern well appointed home, with the added luxury of an infra-red sauna.

Whether you are cosey-ing up in the comfortable sitting room or enjoying the view from the spacious patio you will have a sense of space and calm.

You can listen to the birds, the sheep, the buzzards and occasional red kite overhead, and as the sun goes down, the view of the stars can be amazing.

On colder evenings you may like to use the infra-red sauna or turn to the range of entertainment on the 4K Smart TV (Netfilx, Free View etc) and sound system with blue tooth and CD capability.

The kitchen is fully equipped, allowing you to self-cater in style.

If you prefer to eat out there is an abundance of award winning restaurants and pubs in the vicinity.

Whilst it feels like you are in the middle of nowhere, you are in fact only 5 miles from the lovely village of Crickhowell (voted best place to live in Wales) with wonderful cafes and pubs and also only 4 miles from the delightful market town of Abergavenny with a good range of shops and restaurants.

Nearer to hand the smaller villages of Gilwern and Govilon, with a number of cosy village pubs, are only 1.5 miles away, walking distance for an evening stroll.

From the doorstep you can explore for miles, without needing to get in the car.

There are footpaths which lead from the property that can take you to on the hill tops or down into the delightful Clydach Gorge with its waterfall and wildflowers.

The quiet country lanes are excellent for cycling and there is an off-road cycle path (Sustrans route 46) that passes within a few yards of the property.

You can leave the car behind and cycle or walk to Crickhowell on the canal tow path, or to Abergavenny on a disused railway line.

For more adventures there is Canoe hire on the River Wye, as well as Horse Riding, Climbing, Caving and Canal Boat Hire all nearby.

The area is also steeped in history and legend, from Bronze Age Standing Stones to Iron Age Hill Forts, to Castles, to the more recent industrial archaeology of the canals and disused railways that once transported and processed the coal and lime of the area.

The nearby “Big Pit” of Blaenavon allows you to have a first-hand experience of the coal mines of the area and is a world heritage site.

This is a walkers, cyclists, nature lovers, foodies and historians paradise!

Come explore and restore!

Note: This property has a Good Housekeeping bond of £100.

View on map

About the location

GILWERN

Crickhowell 3 miles; Abergavenny 4 miles; Monmouth 20 miles.

Situated amidst the Brecon Beacons National Park, the picturesque village of Gilwern offers visitors many amenities, including traditional pubs, shops and a great fish and chip shop. The National Park covers approximately 520 sq miles, and the whole area around Gilwern is surrounded by stunning countryside, and offers excellent walking, cycling and bird watching, as well as great salmon and trout fishing on the river Usk. The medieval market town of Abergavenny, the "Gateway to Wales", is nestled between the 'seven hills' and has something for everyone, with its many indoor and outdoor markets, magnificent castle and museums. The splendid mountain known as Sugarloaf offers fantastic walks for all abilities, as well as its own vineyard, while just a few miles away, the beautiful town of Crickhowell is a must for all visitors. With its fresh mountain air and beautiful scenery this really is a great place at any time of year.

This property offers the following short breaks:

  • Winter
  • Off-season
  • Christmas