Everyone should have a Red Kite Barn experience!

A magical 5 day break in the Welsh hills. 

Allow me to set the scene:

Driving through the Welsh countryside in the pouring rain (not London rain, WALES rain!), pitch dark at 9pm with a squealing kitten and growling tummies we eventually arrived at the start of the "2 mile long" drive to Red Kite Barn.

We followed the directions to the letter: Go through the first gate (close it) drive down the forest track (1 mile), go through the second gate (close it), drive on to the National Trust parkland (bearing in mind that this is all in total total darkness on a single forest track!), then the gate should be on the right after about a mile..... nothing.

We thought we must have gone wrong, but questioned how as we'd followed the directions to the T! By this point, Tilly was virtually having a 'kitten nervous breakdown' at the fact she could not get out of her basket, I jumped out of the car to see if I could see anything ahead of us and my "Darling" (HA!) boyfriend tried not to run for the hills! It turned out that we were half way up a bridle dirt track, our hire car caked and sinking in the mud and the wheels starting to spin!

Walking to the top of the hill in to what could only be described as a full on bog (lucky we didn't take the hire car up there), we managed to reverse back down until we saw some light in the distance and a gate. Surely this could not be the barn? There's no sign, no mention of a postbox on the gate, nothing!....Anyway, anxious and way passed both our boiling points I climbed, yet again out of the car and opened the gate (and shut it) we drove down the incredibly long and bumpy track up to the barn.

We were here.

Elation in our eyes, but still squealing unhappy kitten in our ears, we entered our new home for the week, our sanctuary.

From this moment we were in total luxury, silence and bliss. The interior of the barn was high end / high tech - something we aren't particularly used to but took to straight away. The large projection screen, the huge rocking sofa, a stylish pool table, numerous sheepskin rugs, board games and books galore and wood burning stove added to the whole romanticism of the place. A vast amount of space for just the 2 of us (3 including Tilly!).

We booked our week through Sheepskin Life, a bespoke collection of unique cottage hideaways for romantic breaks or group gatherings. Their selection of rare and remarkable properties are quirky and inspiring and your every need is catered for with utmost professionalism from the moment you enquire. We even received a delicious welcome pack on arrival at RKB containing a host of yummy gourmet treats.  

The weather, as one has to expect in Wales was rainy- constant rain but this didn't matter at all as RKB offered so much to do inside: watch films, have luxurious mood lit stand alone baths, playing numerous board games- and, for those who love to blog / be online, there was FREE wifi. We tried to steer clear of this as for us this holiday was about leaving London and everything that went with it behind. It was literally us and the elements. 

RKB is literally in the middle middle of nowhere, just outside Builth Wells and a stones throw away from the beautiful market town of Brecon, we couldn't have felt further away from our fast paced lives back in London. There is the risk in places like this that you feel isolated and slightly scared, but this place is so secure, comfortable and aesthetically impressive that you can't help but feel like your in somebody's home rather than a holiday let.

As you probably know by now from my previous blogs, Wales is my home land, the place I always seem to end up back in. It's beauty never fails to impress me even when it's raining, showing, hailing... you get the gist! With ever changing weather patterns, light and colour, the hills were so dramatic to watch at RKB and photograph. I only wish I had had my DSLR when I had been here as the photographs would have been incredible.

The one day we did manage to go on a long walk along the forest tracks, skipping down muddy hills and crossing over man-made bridges we came across this hanging tent. There was nobody around for miles so it seemed slightly surreal and maybe a tiny bit eery! Throwing our nerves and images of The Ax Man living here aside, we climbed up the ladder (obviously) and had a peak in to it. There was nothing in it other than a wood burner- hanging in the trees! It was such an incredible tent structure, hanging camouflaged amongst the trees.

Anyway, on coming back to London we had a good look on the website and found out that this "Tree Tent" had recently been on George Clarke's "Small Spaces" - which we had watched a few of, and loved!

Such an amazing idea, the idea of sleeping in the trees's such a magical thought and something I would have only imagined in the Far East and Sub Tropics. However on a summers night I imagine this tree tent would be incredible and so tranquil- with just the babbling brook for a neighbour. I imagine it's going to be filling up very quickly for the summer but for something really different and special in the most remote and breathtaking area I urge that you book up!

Remember your Hunters / Du Barry's no matter what time of year you go!

With the rain and howling gales outside, there was nothing better than curling up on the sofas with a sleepy kitten, glass of Prosecco and a gripping film on the projector screen. . . although I do not recommend trying to watch anything too scary!

Regardless of Tilly's expression, she did love being outside! 

Every one of the three double bedrooms had a different feature: king sized beds, cow skin rugs and beautiful exposed brick work. One of of favourite features was the mood lighting, the feature fire places fire and the tribal African interior features.

Tilly loved staying here and exploring her new surroundings, tumbling down the stairs, skidding along the flooring and staring out of the window (but always making sure she was at a safe distance) observing the sheep and Red Kites circling over head. 

Red Kite Barn is a wonderful experience and would be incredible to share with family and friends as there are 3 large bedrooms and a huge entertaining space. 

Emi x