Happy Union Stables

We’d definitely think about coming back. The cottage is lovely and set in the countryside, with dog walks right outside. The owners made us feel welcome from the first day, and the villagers were friendly too, happy to share what they know about the area.

My late friend John Watson used to drink here. I never got to share a visit with him, but after seeing the place myself, I understand what he loved about it. It’s a little pub tucked away in the middle of nowhere, with great staff and a friendly feel. Couldn’t ask for more.

We had everything we needed in the house, and there are lots of places nearby to walk with the dogs. It’s a beautiful, peaceful spot, and everyone we met was so friendly. Full marks!

The pub is only a few yards away and opens at 8pm. There’s no food, but the locals are lovely. By Friday it was busy and had a really good atmosphere, and everyone was great with the children. It’s a small place, so around 10 people makes it feel full, but that’s part of its charm. On Monday we were the first through the door. The next man in was from Sunderland too, 250 miles away. What are the odds? The owners live at the pub and farm at the bottom of the garden. They were very friendly, and had left us milk, butter, a fruit loaf and a few other bits for our arrival. We stayed during February half term after booking at the last minute, and it turned out to be a great choice. It’s a roomy, warm house. The kitchen and living room have plenty of space, and the kitchen is well supplied, with a dishwasher and washing machine. There’s wifi that works fine, handy for keeping in touch since there’s no mobile signal. It’s a remote hamlet among the hills and mountains, but you can still call people on Whatsapp. The main bedroom has a king size bed and en suite. The children slept in the second bedroom, which has three single beds, and there’s a bathroom for them too. It snowed quite a bit while we were there, and most of the week was windy and chilly, but the house stayed lovely and warm. The hamlet is about four miles from the nearest main road. There’s a twisty mountain pass to Rhayader, six miles away, though one night it was covered in sheet ice. The Elan Valley is right on the doorstep, with its reservoirs and dams, and it’s one of the most beautiful places in Britain. I wanted to revisit the area because I hadn’t been to Mid Wales since the early 90s, when we used to come quite often. The stables used to be a cow shed until 2008, as the picture shows, and they’ve done an excellent job converting it. I’m glad we went and would certainly like to return, perhaps in summer to cycle in the nearby forests. This is one of the nicest places we’ve stayed over the years, certainly worth looking into.