Sleeps 2/4, 2 bedrooms.  The Gatehouse Cottage, all on the ground floor has recently been renovated and furnished to turn these old kitchen quarters into a cosy and attractive cottage.  Very conveniently situated close to the centre of Crickhowell but tucked  between  a large Mansion  House and a 15th century gate house.  The property dates back to approximately 1825 with elements of 1480. The cottage has retained many of the original features with the great inglenook fireplace that once would have housed the old kitchen range and now has a very efficient wood burning stove surrounded by comfy sofas and chairs.  There are two rather grand pictures of the Neoclassical period on the walls giving the feel of a grand old country house, with further examples of local artwork, some by the owner who is an artist and has his own architectural practice, and will give local knowledge and advice to enrich your stay.

The kitchen is well fitted and has a gas cooker with hob, a microwave, fridge, freezer. kitchen table and chairs and a terracotta tiled floor. A small utility area houses the washing machine. Again throughout the very spacious sitting room are the original large quarry tiles with rugs; comfy sofa and chairs around the inglenook fireplace, dining table and chairs; digital TV with DVD.

The master bedroom with its romantic theme and oak boards is on the ground floor and has a most attractive double bed, drapes at the windows to ensure utter privacy but great views across the gardens to the mountains beyond. The shower room has a large shower cubicle with shower, hand basin and toilet and lovely travertine marble tiled walls.

There is a second single bedded room just off the sitting room curtained off from the main room. Also there is a good quality folding bed and bedding always available for the fourth person.

Bed linen and towels provided. Electricity, fuel and gas central heating inclusive. Good mobile reception.  Suitable for well-behaved pets who are keep on a lead when in the gardens.  Visitors are asked to smoke outside the cottage.
Adjacent to the kitchen entrance is a private terrace, with open archway to the Gate House facing west often with lovely sunsets over the Usk basin. However, all of the extensive gardens are available for visitors and there is also a sheltered sunny courtyard with garden furniture. Gas BBQ is available as is patio furniture in the various areas.  Ample safe private parking is available bounding the access terrace.

Local produce welcome pack is provided with advice given on local fresh produce available in the High Street or at local farm outlets and farmers markets. These sell Welsh local lamb, pork beef, “dragon sausages”, game and  even locally reared venison, local cheese maker and smokery to enrich your holiday experience.

The Gatehouse Cottage is situated in the grounds of a fine Grade II Regency Country House in the small town of Crickhowell originally built in 1825 on the site of a fortified manor house.  The original medieval gatehouse still survives beside the cottage; this is now a famous landmark in the town and one of the finest scheduled monuments in private ownership in Wales. The Mansion, set in three acres of gardens with fabulous views of the mountains also does Bed and Breakfast if visitors have guests who might like to visit for a few days.

This is a perfect location for visitors who want to be able to enjoy a peaceful holiday with easy access to walks in The Black Mountains, The Sugar Loaf Mountain and Llangattock Escarpment all within easy walking distance with nature reserves, steeped in history with myths and legends abounding.

You will also be able to take advantage of all the excellent amenities in Crickhowell; The Bear Hotel best pub in Britain award 2010, the Nant-y-Ffyn Cider Mill just up the road but seven well rated restaurants are within a very short walking distance.

So abandon the car and the taxi, enjoy the freedom of strolling amongst the local shops, pubs and restaurants, chat to the locals, feel the culture and know that you are in a special place.

Abergavenny 6 miles, Brecon 10 miles, Blaenavon World Heritage Centre 10miles, Hay-on-Wye (the famous book town) 14 miles. Local attractions Castles, Churches River walks, mountain biking, walking and climbing. Caving, hang and para-gliding, canoeing, sailing and water-skiing, boat hire, mountain railway,  pony trekking, paint-balling, river and coarse fishing, clay pigeon shooting, pony trekking, horse riding, even polo. Walking, music, food and book festivals. Art courses, open gardens, museums of Welsh life, military and industrial heritage, art galleries and open studio workshops and many more that your host can advise on