Recomendations
Kaya at Blackhill Farm, onsite extras and things to do locally
We have tried to keep it short so you aren’t ambushed with options. If you want to do something that’s not on it, let us know and we can pick our brains. We have sought info on accessibility and include this when available. Check directly with all venues’ details before embarking on your adventures as although we try to keep a keen eye on the local area, things do change.
We have an EV charger on site: 7.4kw output (8hrs for full charge). You can connect, charge and pay (65p) using the Monta Charge app. Type 2 connector - please bring your own charging cable.
Electric bikes for hire.
Extras we can put together for you
Bike Hire. We are super excited to announce we now have a 4 strong fleet of electric bikes for hire. On their highest support mode you can expect 3-4 hours battery but much more if you pick a less hilly route or don’t need as much help. It’s enough to get up to Hay Bluff and back which is fairly spectacular.
Available on a first book first serve basis so please do get in touch if keen to take them out for a spin. All bikes are hired out with locks, helmets and a puncture repair kit. We also provide roadside assistance if needed (more info in booking terms) £45 a day, £80 weekend hire.
ACCESS: the bikes have easy entry frames.
Chocolate fondue. What is not to love about this! A medley of yummy things to dip in tasty chocolate. £12.50 per head.
Gourmet Pizza. Why not hire our Ooni woodfired pizza oven (£35) to crisp up some delicious homemade pizza’s as you soak in the starry skies. Bring your own ingredients or we can provide you with some organic mozzarella, delicious tomato sauce, award winning pizza dough and homegrown fresh herbs when available (additional £15.50 per person). Perfect with a salad or grab a third portion if you are on the hungrier side.
Hot tub heat up. If you are staying in The Nook, we can heat your hot tub up for you for your arrival or on a day of your choice. It takes between 3 and 4 hours to heat up and we include enough wood to keep it going for another 4-5 hours so plenty of time to enjoy a soak and good long star gazing session. £65.
Please note this is subject to our being available and as it’s not an exact science, we aim to have it ready within half hour of your desired time. If you are more than half an hour late we charge an extra £10 per hour to maintain the temperature until you get to us.
Locally Grown flowers. We have so many wonderful celebrations take place on site that we have decided to add locally or home-grown seasonal flowers to our offer. So whether you are celebrating an anniversary/bday, or planning a proposal, get in touch. £22 for a posy and £40 for a large bouquet. All seasonal.
Things we can help organise
Treatments
We have put together a team of local and highly talented therapists who can come and give you a treatment in the privacy of your own space. All the therapists have either given me treatments before or been recommended by trusted others. Booking well ahead advised.
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The best and most useful know how in the local area
‘Local’ shops and produce
Hopes of Longtown is our nearest shop, 10 minutes drive to the South. It is super fancy with all sorts of goodies from fresh veg and dried beans to ice-cream and delicious croissants on a Friday.
ACCESS: one level Post Office and Village shop from carpark to public wheelchair accessible toilet
Little Green Refills in Abergavenny we really recommend. You can measure out your own portions of things like beans, nuts, honey.. so helps to avoid waste and it’s an all round glorious shopping experience with vegan goodies, chocolate, body products all around. They also have an amazing café so if you need to break your trip it’s a great place to stop. https://little-green-refills.myshopify.com/
ACCESS: The shop is accessed via a step and quite full so not a huge amount of space for manoeuvring inside. The café is a long flight of stairs. They are a lovely bunch so get in touch for more info.
Wild by Nature
The land you drive through to get to us is regeneratively farmed, native breed meat and charcuterie. To order go to their website and email them to arrange a pickup from Longtown (10 mins South at their other site. Anytime between 9.30am and 4) www.wildbynaturellp.com/shop
ACCESS: can be arranged, please notify them at time of booking.
Neil Powell Butchers, Eywas Harold
We reckon they have some pretty tasty treats up their sleeve. Need to pick it up at their snazzy new deli in Eywas Harold.
ACCESS: step free.
Food deliveries.
All the major supermarkets deliver to us and we are of course happy to accept your orders and pop them in the fridge if you can book a 1-hour slot that we agree on. Usually between about 11 and 3. Before ordering please make sure we are on-site as we sometimes run remotely.
Places to eat
We are blessed to have some amazing restaurants, off grid eateries and charming towns around us. Here are our top picks. Do double check opening days and times before going as they shift about a bit in different seasons.
Chapel House Farm (10 mins)
An infrequent/irregular but wonderful spot, ideal for a pizza pick up on some Friday’s and occasional feasts organised. They are only 10 minutes to the North. Call Simon or Anita 01981510590 or check their website. https://www.chapelhousefarm.com/tariff
ACCESS: please contact to discuss support needs before booking.
Under the Nut Tree (about half hour drive)
These guys are super friendly, and a bohemian vibe emanates from their little slice of Herefordshire countryside. Delicious food and BYOB on weekends. £50 a head, but worth it for the full experience and chill factor. Booking required. www.underthenuttree.co.uk
ACCESS: please contact to discuss support needs before booking.
The Bull’s Head
Run by the same guys as Wild by Nature, The Bull’s Head is easily our favourite local pub (and regularly makes top pub lists of all sorts.) Though pricy you will not be disappointed. It makes a wonderful round trip if you want to walk there and back, (about 10k). Usual opening times are Wednesday pm to Saturday pm.
https://www.wildbynaturellp.com/the-bulls-head-inn
ACCESS: Restaurant and wheelchair friendly toilet can be accessed step free. They request notification at time of booking.
The Angel hotel, Abergavenny
These guys do an amazing afternoon tea, with massive tea menu and many tiered goodies. Quite old-fashioned feeling with seriously attentive waiting staff. Epic treats and they can cater fantastically to dietary requirements. You won’t feel you are missing out.
www.angelabergavenny.com/afternoon-tea
ACCESS: Full accessibility statement available on their website. Step free with accessible toilets on ground floor.
None of the above are open on Mondays or Tuesdays so for the early week birds:
The Angel hotel, Abergavenny
These guys are open for food daily and do a mean seafood platter. Stylish interiors and great cocktails in the centre of Abergavenny town. They have a great shop across the road with pastries to die for.
www.angelabergavenny.com/afternoon-tea
ACCESS: Full accessibility statement available on their website. Step free with accessible toilets on ground floor.
The Crown at Pantygelli
These guys have always been seriously welcoming with a traditional pub feel. An unusual menu will often offer sushi alongside other more traditional pub meals. In the countryside outside Abergavenny.
https://www.thecrownpantygelli.com/
ACCESS: step free access with wheelchair accessible toilet and seating
FROM TUESDAY
Tomatillos, Hay on Wye.
This is a cool little tapas bar in Hay on Wye. Open daily from 4pm. Don’t think they take bookings and it can get quite busy later in the week. Lots of the usual tasty delights, from calamari to albondigas.
http://www.haytomatitos.co.uk/
ACCESS: No step entrance, wide door and toilets on the same level. Stated: ‘tight for wheelchair access’ so get in touch for more details if needed.
Taxis
If you do want to go out and fancy having a couple of drinks there are two local TAXI options but we highly recommend booking in advance. Call Jill direct: 01981510356/07583527402. Or Nick Maddy on 01981240888.
ACCESS: Nick Maddy has wheelchair accessible taxis.
Activities
Star gazing
We are in a dark sky reserve, so pop outside and angle your eyes upwards for a real treat. For more info on all things stars: https://www.breconbeacons.org/things-to-do/activities/stargazing
Hiking
In our opinion, one of the coolest ridges around is directly above us. It’s called ‘The Cats Back’ and from it you can walk straight onto the rest of the black mountains/Brecon Beacons, Hay Bluff, Offa’s Dyke and beyond!
We have a Strava account and have mapped out a number of walks to make it a bit easier to choose and follow where you are (it’s a bit like following googlemaps). Full details on how to access a free trial account and find us is are in the printed folder. We are called Kaya.Walks
The weather in these parts can change very rapidly so please do prepare for all seasons. We also suggest downloading What3words. A free and amazing app that can pinpoint you within a 3m squared location should you need any help from the emergency services.
Guided walks: If you want a bit more support or a walk tailored around a particular interest, why not commission Sarah Price to take you out. Prices start from £55 for a 1.5hrs or £95 for half a day. 07570946074
https://www.walkhay.co.uk/general-8-2
ACCESS: Sarah welcomes all walkers irrespective of age, intellectual or sensory abilities. Please see full access statement on her website.
Accessible routes: We have put together an additional document with accessible outdoor routes curated by a local hiking expert.
Paragliding
Whilst we have yet to take the skies ourselves, we have heard good things about the team at Crickhowell Paragliding. We gather they can meet you up on Hay Bluff and fly you down tandem style. Sounds too good to miss with the views at foot level stunning, those from the skies must be astounding. www.crickhowellparagliding.com
ACCESS: These guys have some sites they fly from that can be accessed by car and are able to support those with limited mobility on tandem flights. Give them a bell to see what’s possible.'
Gin making
Let’s face it, who hasn’t always wanted to make their own gin. Just down the road attached to The Bridge Inn in Michaelchurch Escley lives Hill Billy Gin. Go and spend the day in their award winning Herefordshire distillery where their master distiller will give you all the training needed to distil your own personal bottle of Gin. Cost £99 for a single ginner or a gintastic duo. www.blackmountainsbotanicals.co.uk/gin-making-experience
ACCESS: The tasting takes place in an old converted cow barn with areas that cannot be accessed by all. The team are super keen to enable participation so give them a bell and they can make a plan around you.
Water sports
Wye Valley Canoes are the go-to for kit hire. They are based at Glasbury (near Hay-on-Wye) and you don’t end up in a big group. Simply choose whole/half day and they send you off down river then pick you up when you call from the other end.
ACCESS: They offer guided trips, have canoes with back supports to assist wheelchair users and can raft up to prevent capsize. In essence they are keen to enable access to the river so get in touch.
Pony/horse riding
The team at the Grange Trekking come highly recommended. They have a huge team of horses so can properly match you to a companion for the day/half day. The scenery is also epic.
www.grangetrekking-wales.co.uk
ACCESS: These guys have a range of RDA (riding for the disabled) horses and can do one on one treks, have support methods for mounting and are generally clued up and keen to get you out and about whatever your access needs might be. Get in touch with them to discuss.
Wild swimming
There is a spot in Hay on Wye called ‘The Warren.’ Super charming in the summer, this little riverside shingle beach has the deepest accessible patch of water around. Grab yourself a treat in town and wander down along the river path.
https://thirdeyetraveller.com/the-warren-hay-on-wye/
Limited wheelchair ACCESS: There is a wheelchair accessible path and then a mown grass path leading down to the river. This is uneven. Access to the shingle beach is down a steep uneven bank.
Castles
Raglan castle is pretty amazing. The info is a bit rubbish but the actual structure is wonderful. Entrance fee. https://cadw.gov.wales/visit/places-to-visit/raglan-castle
ACCESS: Mixed. Clear info on their website.
Hay castle has recently been reopened (2023) following major refurbishments. It’s super well done with amazing views out over the valleys and an onsite café/restaurant. It’s also free! https://www.haycastletrust.org/
ACCESS: Good access to the majority of the castle with a lift, wheelchair friendly toilet and step free entrance. No parking on-site but check out their website for details of closest parking.
Longtown castle Much smaller than the others (much much much!). Just a ruin really but in the neighbouring village and so worth a little stop on your way through if you are a castle fan! https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/longtown-castle/
ACCESS: Access is uneven and there are steep steps up the the keep.
There are so many more adventures to be had in this area so if you have a particular passion that we have not mentioned, do get in touch and we will see what info we can track down. There is also loads of useful stuff information on the official Brecon Beacons website: www.breconbeacons.org