A holiday cottage to let on a working farm.
Our Pedigree Hereford Bull
Upper House is a farm on a hill, in South West Herefordshire. A mile to the west, the Black Mountains mark the edge of the Brecon Beacon National Park in Wales. To the East the English countryside rolls away towards the distant Malvern Hills. The picture at the top of the page shows the view from the cottage.
Upper House is working family farm with sheep, Hereford cattle, pigs, poultry, farm dogs and children. Lambing is February to April, shearing in June, calving in September; hay is made while the sun shines.
Until a few years ago, the farm was 44 acres: two grants from a Saxon Lord to a freeman. It was the smallest farm in the area to have the vote before general suffrage. The farm has since doubled in size and the buildings reflect its history: ancient stone barns to a modern lambing shed.
In 2008 the farm was sold for the first time in a century to Elizabeth and Simon Reynolds who are continuing to work the land. The farm is in the Higher Stewardship scheme to protect its ancient hedges, woods and wild flower meadows. It has also been awarded Farm Assured status and featured on local and national radio for the work it does with local schools.
Managed in a sympathetic way, the farm is a haven for wildlife. Red kites and buzzards hunt the meadows during the day, whilst owls patrol the hedges at night.
South West Herefordshire is an unspoilt rural area of England, bordered by the Black Mountains and the Wye Valley. Hay on Wye is only 12 miles to the North, famous as the town of books. Abergavenny is 10 miles to the West, a market town with a food festival and covered market. Hereford, 11 miles to the East, is a cathedral city with the Mapa Mundi and chained library.
Walking, riding, cycling, fishing and boating on the river are all available nearby.
Upper House Farm, Lower Maescoed, Herefordshire, HR2 0HP. 01873 860 527