Oswestry, Shropshire
Escape to Cynynion Uchaf, a lovingly restored 1700s stone farmhouse tucked into the Welsh Borders, where space, quiet and far-reaching valley views set the tone for an easy, unhurried stay. Historic character meets everyday comfort here: sun spilling into the conservatory in the morning, a wood burner glowing in the evening, and birdsong drifting in from the fields. Set within our working farm, the house feels private and welcoming, a place where you can slow down, breathe, and settle in as if it were your own.
Inside, generous rooms unfold at a gentle pace. The main lounge is cosy and relaxed, with deep sofas gathered around the fire and a 50-inch Smart TV for film nights. Across the hallway, a smaller sitting space gives readers and early risers a quiet corner. The conservatory becomes a favourite spot in all seasons, warmed by low winter light or opened to summer breezes, with those big skies always in view.
Four comfortable bedrooms are arranged for easy family living, including an adjoining twin that keeps little ones close without crowding anyone. The master bedroom has a newly renovated en-suite with a comfort-height WC, and there is a family bathroom with a curved bath and mains shower. Soft linens, good mattresses and simple, thoughtful touches make turning in each night feel effortless.
Cooking is straightforward in the open-plan kitchen, fully equipped for proper meals. An induction range with twin ovens, a separate built-in oven and all the useful extras encourage shared suppers that carry on long after plates are cleared. A utility area with washer and dryer keeps boots and kit under control, so days out are easy to plan without bringing the outside into the heart of the house.
Traditional stone, warm timber and quiet colours give the interior an easy charm. Nothing fussy, just a calm, well-cared-for home that lets the countryside take centre stage. Sustainable features support that sense of place, with a biomass system for hot water and central heating, and Solar PV helping to power daily life. Free Wi-Fi keeps you connected when needed, though thick farmhouse walls and big horizons might tempt you to switch off.
Outside, a walled and fenced garden wraps around the house, with herb-scented corners and a small pond where children should be supervised. Meals spill onto the patio whenever the weather allows, the barbecue ready for long evenings as the hills turn gold. From the gate, you step straight onto waymarked tracks and quiet lanes, passing hedgerows alive with birds and the occasional sheep watching you go.
Our immediate setting is peaceful and rural, almost 1,000 feet above sea level, with changing skies that make every day feel a little different. Oswestry is a short drive for shops, cafés and markets, while Offa’s Dyke Path, the Rhydycroesau woodlands and the Oswestry Old Racecourse Common unfold right on the doorstep. You can take a slow loop after breakfast or push on for a full-day hike, always returning to hot showers and the fire.
The wider area is rich with things to do. Llangollen, Shrewsbury, Welshpool and Chester are close enough for easy day trips. You can walk the towpath at the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, wander National Trust houses at Chirk, Erddig, Attingham Park and Powis Castle, or head for Lake Vyrnwy and Snowdonia National Park when the hills call. Families enjoy Park Hall Farm and Cae Glas Park, football fans make a beeline for Wrexham AFC, and Chester’s Roman walls and zoo round off the list. Back home, if you prefer to settle in, we can freshly cook and deliver traditional farmhouse meals to the door, so you can linger in the garden or by the fire without watching the clock.
Cynynion Uchaf is a place to share. You can arrive with friends, bring the grandparents, and two well-behaved dogs are welcome too. Early walks, long lunches, board games, sunsets and quiet nights are all part of the rhythm. When morning comes, throw open the conservatory doors and let the view choose your plans.