Hornbeam at Cynefin Retreats

Clifford , Herefordshire

4 Humans

1 Dog

Children welcome

Babies welcome

Check rates and dates

Why we love it

It’s easy to see yourself shucking stress in this luxurious lodge, finding pleasure in the little details, and style by the bucketful

Dogs will love

The myriad of walks criss-crossing the countryside, straight from the front door
Getting a spruce in the dog wash station at the utility building
Sniffing out all the seven acres on site has to offer

Humans will love

Saying cheers in the electric hot tub
Wild swimming in the river nearby
Remembering what it’s like to toast marshmallows on a fire pit

The place

Some things are small and perfectly formed, and others are large. And perfectly formed. Hornbeam, the latest beauty to grace the stunning Cynefin Retreats estate is in keeping with her sister lodges. The lodge is built from local timber, using sustainable approaches to ventilation, warm water and heating. Not only is its kitchen the envy of most houses, but the open plan downstairs is also somehow minimalistic-ly packed with features. There's a Marshall sound system, for dance sessions post dinner, but also a large log burner is pinned to the wall, for the cooler months, or sundown on summer evenings. Stargaze in Dark Sky status night skies from the comfort of the hot tub, or snuggle into the standalone bath upstairs. Spend the morning doing downward dogs with… your dog, or simply lounge until noon, taking strolls with them among the seven acres of Corsican pine laden grounds they have there. There’s plenty to do, near and far.

Sleeping

1 x Super King master room with vaulted ceilings
1 x Super King room that can also be arranged as a twin room

Washing

Family bathroom with large shower and free standing bath
Downstairs WC
All toiletries provided are eco friendly
Washer-dryer in your utility

Living and relaxing

Open plan living area with wood burner
Marshall sound system
Selection of games and books for all ages
For the kids, there is a secret den under the stairs, with beautiful wooden toys
Wifi
Outdoor Lafuma deck chairs
Private hot tub, heated using waste energy, with Fouta towels provided
Outdoor decking, terrace and grassy spaces perfect for unwinding
Fire pit area with seating
Outdoor swing attached to a Chestnut tree

Cooking and dining

Kitchen including oven, hob, large fridge freezer and cafetière
Cooking basics supplied - welcome hamper with coffee, local speciality tea, hot chocolate, marshmallows, fruit juice, chocolate, milk, salt, pepper and olive oil
Indoor dining table and chairs for four
Outdoor Scandinavian dining table and chairs for four, made from recycled plastics

For the dog

Metal hook with secure long lead provided
A communal warm water hose is available on the building by the car park*, while a cold water hose is located on the other side of the privacy screen near your hot tub.
Boot room with lead clip
Blankets
Treats
Bowls
Towels

Booking information

Check in 1630
Check out 1030
£30 per dog per stay
Earlier check in or later check out may be possible, on request
A second small dog can be accommodated, on request
Special offer: 3 nights for the price of 2 from 5 May 2025 to 3 July 2025. Offer applied at checkout.

Optional extras

High chairs and travel cots can be provided on request
Lots of extras can be arranged for your stay including birthday banner and balloons, bottles of Prosecco or sparkling wine, bouquet of flowers
Additional kindling for the wood burner
Please use the provided stairgate at all times to keep dogs downstairs
New environments can be stressful for dogs so please do not leave them unattended inside, especially in warm weather. If you need dog-sitting, we recommend Christine at ‘Happy Hound Holidays’ (07990-792-937)
Ideally, we ask that dogs are kept off the the sofa/armchairs. If your dog is accustomed to sofa snuggles, please first cover the sofa with the blanket(s) provided

You should know

Your four-legged friend is welcome on the sofa, but please bring their favourite blanket for them to sit on
Dogs aren’t allowed upstairs at Cynefin, not everyone likes their pillows that fluffy…please bring their bed with you for them to sleep downstairs
The garden isn't fully enclosed, so the owners kindly request your dog is supervised outside
If your dog takes a call of nature, use the shovel provided to alley-oop it under the hedge
The dog washing station means you should wash and dry any muddy dogs before bringing them into the lodge
There is farm land surrounding the site, so if you're exploring further afield, you'll need to use your lead

Hay-on-Wye is bustling with culture and life for such a small town, and it’ll become apparent the more you explore its ancient winding streets. There are 24 bookshops, meaning there’s a bookshop per 100 inhabitants, one of the highest ratios in the world – so an ideal candidate for avid readers. Many of the bookshops allow dogs, so just pop in and check first
Say hi to the lovely people at The Old Electric Shop, a small café and vintage shop next to the river. With vegetarian, vegan and gluten free items on the menu, who don’t they cater to? Make it your final destination after a riverside loop
Book a table at Tomatitos Tapas Bar and while away some hours eating tapa made from locally sourced ingredients, whether that’s artisan bread, seasonal veg, or choosing from the imported wines list. Sit out in their garden, and learn the difference between cosas de picar, pinchos and cazuelas – the fun way
Speak to the staff at Want to Canoe? The tour company that operates out of Hay-on-Wye leading expeditions down the river to get in a little exercise, spot the masses of wildlife that populate the river, and get the fresh river air in you. They welcome well behaved dogs
If you’re feeling like a dip, take a wander down to the Warren, a small rocky beach on the banks of the River Wye, and enjoy a little swim – just remember to avoid the aforementioned canoes… There’s also space on the grassy bank for a picnic, or those less keen for a bracing plunge
On the very most north-easterly tip of the Brecon Beacons, Hay-on-Wye is a convenient place to rush into Wales’ second largest national Park, and take on the many activities it offers. From biking to hiking, wild swimming and paddleboarding, horse riding, climbing, the list of things to do there is massive.

Location

Clifford , Herefordshire ///sizing.coaching.firelight HR3 5HU

Check Availability

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Arrival / Departure day

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