The Old Storehouse - About

The Old Store House and its surroundings.

The house is in the Usk valley (MR 256088 OS explorer 12, sometimes marked as a museum), four miles south east of the small market town of Brecon. It is a curious mixture of new and comfortably worn, with low ceilings making it seem rather old fashioned. The house creaks from time to time, but this, and the birdlife, are often the only sounds in the deep peace of a Welsh National Park - except for bank holiday Mondays which are noisy by comparison, with day trippers driving past enjoying the views.

Because it is a 200 year old stone building, apart from bedrooms and bathrooms which are scrupulously cleaned, there will always be a new cobweb somewhere and a dusty ledge. It is not a "boutique" B&B and will not appeal to anyone looking for a fastidious house with plastic work surfaces smelling of pine disinfectant. The large en-suite rooms do not have power showers or spa baths, for ecological reasons. Neither is there television in the house, but all rooms have free wireless internet access.

Wherever possible the food is Fair Trade and free range: the eggs and meat are very local. Vegetarian and vegan meals can be provided with a little notice; packed lunches too. You can have breakfast inside or in the garden and you are welcome to use the kitchen any time after breakfast has finished. There are lots of places to eat locally. The very good White Swan at Llanfrynach is half a mile away, and there are five other pubs within six miles whose food ranges from filling to gastro pub level.

The house has secure bicycle storage and unsophisticated drying facilities.

Across the valley are the foothills of the central section of the Brecon Beacons and paths lead directly from the house. There is also the gentle walk along the canal towpath (all 52 miles of it). There are cold streams and the warmer river Usk to bathe in, or a local swimming pool. If you want sea bathing the Gower peninsular with its spectacular sands is just over 40 miles away.

Brecon has an appealing market and regular horse fairs. Hay-on-Wye, for books, and walks in the eastern section of the Beacons is 16 miles. Go on a Thursday – the tiny market is a delight.