Guests say
The Nutshell is a charming lodge offering stunning views, a peaceful atmosphere, and a warm welcome from friendly hosts. Nestled on a working farm, it provides a unique experience with walks on the doorstep and proximity to the quaint town of Monmouth. Ideal for pet owners and those seeking a rural retreat.
Most guests found The Nutshell clean and tidy, though one review mentioned a dirty floor when wiped and a lack of cleaning tools. This suggests good but not impeccable standards of cleanliness.
The location is highly praised for its beautiful surroundings, peacefulness, and proximity to walking trails like Offa's Dyke Path. The nearby town of Monmouth adds to the appeal, making the location almost ideal.
Comfort levels are generally good, with a cosy atmosphere mentioned. However, some guests noted issues such as a soft bed and limited space in the bedroom, indicating room for improvement in comfort.
Facilities are adequate with a well-equipped kitchen, though some guests struggled with appliance controls and underpowered hobs. The absence of a dishwasher and a complicated microwave/cooker were noted drawbacks.
There is no mention of gifts or special touches that would indicate thoughtfulness from the hosts, aside from their friendliness and helpfulness. Therefore, this category cannot be scored.
About this property
Resting within 120 acres of the owner's land, on a working organic farm just outside of the hamlet of Penrhos near Monmouth, and boasting far-reaching views of the Black Mountains, Sugar Loaf Mountain and the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) is The Nutshell, a cosy couple's retreat for a rural and romantic escape to South Wales. Step inside this charming property to discover an open-plan living space, complete with quarry tile flooring and a compact but well-equipped kitchen. Cook delicious meals for two including the organic beef and lamb that can be purchased from the farm, to be enjoyed together at the dining table. The seating area has two inviting armchairs, each with its own footstool, to relax in whilst enjoying a film on the TV and turning on the cosy electric fire to fill the space with warmth. Discover the handy ground floor bathroom, which offers a walk-in shower for a refreshing soak, before climbing the wooden staircase to the mezzanine-style double bedroom, which does have a restricted ceiling height, so do take care. Enjoying a peaceful morning coffee in the front garden, complete with a small lawned area and side patio with table and chairs for al fresco dining in the warmer months. Find Offa's Dyke Path just yards from the front door; One of Britain's National Trails, the route boasts incredible walking and cycling trails through unspoilt landscapes. Make your way into Monmouth to discover a selection of shops and eateries, as well as attractions like The Nelson Museum & Local History Centre and the Grade I listed Monmouth Castle. Be sure to explore the Wye Valley, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with canoeing, climbing and walking opportunities, and stop off to enjoy a romantic picnic with a picturesque view. With five castles all within a small radius of the property, take an enchanting woodland walk through the Forest of Dean and discover the ruins of the remarkable 11th century Goodrich Castle and visit the 15th century fortress of Raglan Castle. Immerse yourself in history at Blaenavon World Heritage site, whilst further afield the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park (Brecon Beacon National Park) is ideal for keen hikers, with some of the finest routes in the area, including Craig-Gwaun-Taf and Fan Fawr Summit. Providing a farm based natural retreat, The Nutshell is an idyllic base to return to after a fascinating day exploring the South Wales countryside. Note: This property can be booked with Ref. 1052397 and 1052395, together sleeping eight guests.
The market town of Monmouth rests on the border between Wales and England, at the confluence of the rivers Wye, Monnow and Trothy. It's a great base for walking, close to Offa's Dyke, as well as shopping, with a vibrant weekly market, and boating opportunities along the river. Monmouth is the birthplace of Henry V and offers the opportunity to see historic buildings, the preserved medieval 13th century bridge over the River Monnow and the famous Nelson Garden. .
Accommodation
Mezzanine-style double bedroom.
Ground-floor shower room with basin and WC.
Open-plan living space with kitchen, dining and seating area with electric fire
LPG gas heating with electric fire.
Combi microwave/oven, electric two-ring induction hob, fridge.
TV and WiFi.
Fuel and power included in rent.
Bed linen and towels included in rent.
Ample off-road parking.
Lawn area to the front of the property, plus side patio with table and chairs.
Well-behaved pets welcome.
Sorry, no smoking.
Shop 4.3 miles, pub 2.9 miles.
Note: This property is located on an organic working farm.
Note: Pease keep dogs under close control when on farm land.
Note: The head height in the bedroom is restricted, please take care.
Note: This property only accepts a minimum of 3 night stay
Note: There is a Good Housekeeping Bond of £100.
Please note: This property only accepts bookings of 3 or more nights.
Note: This property cannot accept bookings which start on bank holidays
Reviews (11)
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John
A reasonably priced, comfortable bolt-hole away from everything. If you want the lap of luxury, this isn't it. If you suffer from arachnophobia, lol elsewhere, this is after all a converted farm building. Saying that, we thoroughly enjoyed our stay and felt well rested when we left. The owners are lovely people who had the perfect balance of chatting and leaving us alone. If the opportunity arose, I would definitely return.
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Andrew
We brought an airbed with us because our elderly dog would have struggled with the steps leading to the bedroom. So I slept on that with her. The property was very clean and tidy, microwave worked well but didn't use the hobs. Two comfy chairs and good selection of books. The only quibble was no TV, but there was Netflix and Catch-up. All in all a very cosy venue that I would recommend in a heartbeat.
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Murray
The Nutshell is compact, quiet and comfortable. Cooking facilities are not great! The owner had no idea how to operate the Microwave/cooker combi and merely referred me to the guide in the Info pack, which was incredibly complicated!...so much so I never used it. The 2 hob rings were underpowered taking 20+ minutes to reaching boiling point, far too slow. Everything else was absolutely fine though some beer glasses would be helpful! The views from the farm are fabulous.