Pool Cottage is a smart, warm and attractive render and stone cottage on the outskirts of Hay-on-Wye.
Built quite recently, it incorporates many excellent environmental features including a solar hot water system and provides visitors with a combination of attractive stone exterior and a warm and modern interior. It's excellent location, just a few minutes walk from the centre of Hay means that guests can enjoy a huge variety of wonderful cafes, restaurants and pubs, not to mention the charming shopping facilities in this small town.
The landscape surrounding Hay could not be more dramatic or diverse, and visitors to Pool Cottage will be spoilt for choice by the range of outdoor activities and wonderful walking and cycling routes available locally.
Pool Cottage sits on the side of a quiet road that leads up to the famed Gospel Pass and the village of Llanthony beyond. The 12th century cleric Giraldus Cambrensis commented on the area's "hushed atmosphere" and this is still noticeable today with strange acoustics due to the closeness of the hills on all sides. The uniquely spiritual atmosphere here has drawn artists, monks, writers and mystics to make this area their home for many hundreds of years.
The Gospel Pass itself has been a way through the Vale of Erywas since the time of Iron Age Man and taking the route through the mountains yourself you are stuck by how little the area must have changed since those times.
Take the short trip down to Llanthony Priory one of the earliest monasteries founded in Britain. Entry is free but take a little money and treat yourself to a pint or glass of something cool from the bar at the hotel situated on site and sit in the peaceful and atmospheric grounds of this 13th century ruin.