The Old Storehouse - About

The Old Storehouse 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.

Because it is a 200 year old stone building 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 surfaces smelling of pine disinfectant and no spiders. The large en-suite rooms do not have power showers or spa baths, nor 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, packed lunches too. You can have breakfast inside or in the garden and you are welcome to use the kitchen at any time after breakfast has finished. There are lots of places to eat locally. The 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.

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 gentle walking along the canal towpath (all 35 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 unending sands is just over 40 miles away.

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.