Our location
Where are you located?
We are located 3 miles from the Welsh border town of Hay-on-Wye. Our post code is HR3 5HU.
Cynefin is situated next to a working farm. Occasionally there may be noise during the working day and the odd rural smell! It’s all part of life in the countryside and nature.
Do you offer parking?
There are parking areas for both the pods and lodges. For the pods, the parking is at the furthest end of the path, after the farm and the lodge parking on the left. Your accommodation is a short walk away along lit paths. Wheelbarrows are available to help transport your luggage.
Do I need a car at Cynefin Retreats?
No. The nearest train station is Hereford. There are several buses from there to Hay on Wye, where you’d then need to get a taxi to our site. Or you can take a taxi directly from the station to our site. Once with us, there are plenty of taxis in Hay (numbers are in our pre-departure and welcome info packs) or walks over the hills.
Do you have EV chargers?
We are working on installing EV chargers in the parking areas. Until then, electric cars can be charged on a 13 amp outside socket. There is a charge for this and it must be booked ahead. The nearest EV charger is in the main car park in Hay on Wye, approximately a 10-minute drive away.
Where can I walk to from Cynefin Retreats?
Our woodland adjoins a public footpath which leads up into the hills and links into the Wye Valley Walk leading all the way to Hay-on-Wye. It’s a beautiful 1 ½ – 2 hour walk into Hay, with a range of vistas to hills, woodland and stream. In the other direction, the public footpath leads from our woodland to the river Wye itself.
How far away is Hay-on-Wye?
It’s approximately three miles. About a 45 minute off-road walk, or 5 – 10 minutes in the car.
Accommodation
How many accommodations do you have?
Cynefin Retreats is situated in a meadow, with our woodland to the far end. We have four luxe-pods and three luxe-lodges in a private location away from the road.
What is the difference between the accommodations?
All four pods are the same, and all three lodges are the same. Each has a hot tub on the terrace, a fire pit with seating, and a log burner in the living area. They are fully furnished to a high standard for a comfy and relaxing stay. Each has a view over fields to hills. For the pods, Rowan, Willow and Holly face west, towards the sunset, while Hazel faces southeast and the sunrise.
All three lodges face southeast, Chestnut and Silver Birch are on the ends of the row – Chestnut closest to the pods, Silver Birch closest to the working farm. Hornbeam is in the middle.
How private is the accommodation?
The pods and lodges have been designed with privacy in mind, being angled away from each other, with the windows to the front where no one will walk past. Natural screening and hedging border your outside space and terrace.
How many guests does each accommodation sleep?
Our pods were designed with couples in mind and have one bedroom and sleep 2 guests. We can provide a cot bed for one infant and a child aged between 2 and 10 can be accommodated on the sofa for a small extra charge.
Our lodges are designed with families or friends in mind, have two bedrooms and can sleep 4 guests. Up to 2 additional people can be accommodated for a small charge.
What is the bed configuration?
A luxe-pod has one king size bed in the bedroom.
A luxe-lodge has a super king size bed in the main bedroom and a further super king size bed or 2 x twin beds in the second bedroom. Up to two inflatable mattresses can be added.
Do you have a washing machine?
If you anticipate needing a washing machine during a stay in a pod, please contact us.
What is in the kitchen?
All accommodations have a fully equipped kitchen including a dishwasher, hob and oven, lots of pots, pans, crockery, cutlery and glassware. The pods have an under the counter fridge with small ice box.
Do you have a television in the accommodation?
We do not offer televisions but rather invite you to enjoy nature through the large glass windows offering a panoramic view from the living space.
Do you have Wi-Fi?
All accommodation has complimentary wifi which will enable you to stream your favourite movie or if you need to, to work.
Is linen provided?
All bedding is provided, along with towels for the bathroom, foutas for the hot tubs and tea towels in the kitchen.
Is the bedding synthetic or feather?
All of our bedding is natural feather. If you require synthetic bedding, please enquire as we have a limited supply.
Are you child friendly?
A pod can accommodate one child under 10 on the sofa. We also have complimentary travel cots, highchairs and stair gates for infants. Children love the freedom of the grounds and playing in the woodland, on the swing and in the willow tunnel.
Are you dog friendly?
We can accommodate one dog in a pod. We may be able to vary that if you have small breed dogs so do enquire. We supply bowls and blankets and have a warm outside tap for washing off muddy dogs.
Do you have a BBQ?
Outdoor cooking is over the firepit for all accommodations, which have a grill.
Do you provide wood?
There is a complimentary bundle of kindling and wood for use in the log burner/fire pit. Additional bundles are available at a small charge and will be found in your boot/utility room.
How accessible are you?
Our pods are accessed via a level path from our cark park. There are two steps leading up to the deck of each pod. Once you are on the deck, everything in the pod is on one level (kitchen, living area, bedroom, shower room, hot tub). Please get in touch if you would like more information.
Booking with us
How do I book?
Please go to the book now page here or contact our reservations team on relax@cynefinretreats.com
What are your cancellation terms?
Our terms and conditions can be found here. We strongly recommend taking out travel insurance once you have booked with us.
Do you offer single night stays?
Generally, we have a two-night minimum stay but can sometimes offer a single night. Please enquire.
Arriving at Cynefin Retreats
When is check in?
Check in is any time after 4.30pm via a key safe. There is no problem in arriving late at night.
When is check out?
Check out is by 10.30am.
Do you offer early check-in and late check-out?
Depending on other guests and our housekeeping arrangements an early check in from 2.30pm and/or late check out by noon may be available, for which there is a small charge. Please enquire once you have booked.
During your stay
What if I need assistance during my stay?
Members of our housekeeping and maintenance team are often on site during the day. The owner, Lorna, lives nearby and can be contacted at any time in an emergency.
What is there to do nearby?
You will be sent lots of information once you have booked and there is more when you arrive. There is lots to do from exploring Hay on Wye, walking, the river, pubs, restaurants and cafes, horse riding, kayaking, star gazing, cycling and much more.
