A light, bright and colourful cabin for two, with a piano and a pagoda!

Flick and Ben stood on this spot and vowed not to waste such a magnificent view of the Herefordshire countryside. Now, in the old orchard at Pencombestone, a creative space has grown up. To a cabin built with local timber they added solar panels, gorgeous geometric fabrics from afar, and even a piano(!) to make a fun, uplifting retreat. You will love the luxurious touches: fine linen, and fluffy towels in the prettily tiled bathroom with its bath and power shower. The solid oak floors throughout are heated from below, and made cosy with bright, handmade zigzag rugs. The unquestionable highlight is the wooden deck with firebowl, perfect for lounging in the evening.

It’s so peaceful here: there’s a Chinese-inspired pagoda nearby for contemplation, which can double as extra sleeping space for two for a mere £30 per night. Sheep may peer through the windows, but otherwise it’s just you, and 360-degree views of the countryside. If you can't keep the place to yourselves, the dining table is big enough to seat your friends, who can bring their own tents and camp in the orchard.

Around and about, there are hill forts and lakes, good pubs and quaint tea rooms, some excellent rambles, and hidden treasures in the antique shops of Leominster. Climb to the top of the Croft for more incredible views or visit Strawberry Hill gothic church, one of the hundred most important churches in England. Then back to that magical pagoda for a long, enchanted sleep...

• Esentials
• Getting there
• Eating & Drinking
• Things to do
• Booking terms
• Meet your hosts

The essentials

The important stuff

• Check in is at 4pm
• Check out is at 11am
• Electric plug sockets for charging
• Extra firewood available at small cost if you don’t fancy collecting it yourself!

Sleeping arrangements

1 double for 2, space for own travel cot. Pagoda for 2, £30pn, extra guests can camp in own tents, £10pppn - call to enquire.

Kids & Pets

We’re sorry, Mosaic Cabin isn’t suitable for pets.

Surcharges

Bookings are for 2. Extra guests can be accommodated in the pagoda for £30 per night (max. 2) or camping in their own tents (max.10, £10pppn).

Cooking

• Handmade kitchen with double oven, grill, 6 hob gas stove
• All kitchen utensils provided
• Firebowl with grill for bbqs
• Big kitchen sink, lots of hot water
• Dishwasher

Washing

• Double-ended bath and power shower
• Hairdryer

Heating, lighting & bedding

• Firebowl for use outside on the deck
• Linen and towels included for the cabin, extra linen for the pagoda £30 per night (please call 01275 395 447 to enquire)
• request

Entertainment

• Board games, cards, and a piano!
• mp3 player dock in case you can’t play the piano
• Free wifi

Getting there

Mosaic Cabin, Pencombestone, Ledicot, Shobdon, HR6 9NX

By bus

The nearest bus stop is at Mortimer's Cross, 1.5 miles away. Pick ups can be arranged from here.

By train

The nearest train station is Leominster, roughly a 10-minute drive from Mosaic Cabin.

By car

Mosaic Cabin is at Pencombestone, in the hamlet of Ledicot.

From Mortimer's Cross crossroads, head in the direction of Shobdon. Approaching Shobdon village you will see a memorial cross, which is where you turn left, so look out for it! At the memorial cross, take your immediate left. Continue down the lane for about 1.5 miles.

You will come into the hamlet of Ledicot, and see a postbox on your right and a triangle junction on the left. Continue and after about 150 yards you will see a small lane to your left hand side. (At the right side of the lane there is an orchard gate opening, which will let you know you're taking the right lane!)

Go down the lane, around a very sharp 90 degree corner, and shortly after this you will see a black and white cottage with corrugated tin roof and will know you've arrived. Abbout 50 yards further on you'll come to a field opening on the left, follow the faint track in the grass along the left side of the field until you reach the cabin. You can park here, within a few metres of the cabin, weather permitting. Otherwise please park at the cottage a short walk away.

Eating & drinking

At Pencombestone

Ludlow, nearby, is the foodie capital of the UK, with many great pubs, restaurants, delis and local suppliers. If you haven't stocked up yet, some essentials are provided at the cabin: bread, butter, tea, milk, salt, pepper, and spices.

Order a homecooked meal for two (with leftovers) freshly made with local ingredients - £20

Order a hamper for your arrival so you can stay put: cheese, chutney, biscuits, fruit, vegetables, local bacon and sausages - £30

If you fancy it, Champagne or wine, or anything else you may require can be ordered by arrangement.

Shops & delis

Shobdon has very good local shops for locally-sourced provisions, newspapers, cigarettes and alcohol.

Kingsland tea rooms have a deli attached selling cakes, local meat, vegetables and bread. 

Pubs & restaurants

Angel Inn, Kingsland, good, well-priced pub grub 

The Stagg at Titley (Michelin star) has jolly good food

The Garden Tea Rooms in Kingsland: log fires and lovely food, and quaint gardens to have tea on a summer's day.

The Lion in Leintwardine is a ten minute drive away and has a gorgeous riverside location, great food and great wines.

if you love good food, head to either of the 2 local Michelin star restaurants in Ludlow, 15 minutes away. La Becasse is French food at it best and a wonderful treat. Mr Underhill's restaurant which attracts visitors from miles away for their excellent food. 

The Steppes in Pembridge, local tea room with good quality food

New Inn Pembridge, beautiful old unspoilt pub with roaring log fires

Things to do

At Mosaic Cabin

There is always room for extra hands in the vegetable patch!

You can explore local footpaths straight from the cabin.

Outdoors & Active

Canoeing is great fun on the river Wye, or go climbing on Symonds Yat or do some adventurous activities such as gorge walking.

There are some some gorgeous rivers locally: 2 miles away, the Lugg is a great spot for wild swimming enthusiasts and you can towel off at The Riverside Inn.

For walking, try Bircher Common and Croft Ambrey (about 5km walk to the top from the cottage, or a 10 min drive to Croft Castle) which provide excellent walking for all levels. The climb to the top of the croft (an ancient hill fort dating back to 500 AD) gives 360-degree views over the countryside, and you can see many counties at once... There is also another hill fort at Wapley (5mins by car) which is worth a visit.

Shobdon Arches (5 mins by car, 40 mins walk) and lakes is lovely walking country and the perfect place to take a picnic on a sunny day. The Strawberry Hill gothic church is listed as one of 100 important churches in England.

Places to visit 

Consult visitherefordshire.co.uk for lots of things to do in the county…

Visit Dunkertons Cider Mill for a cider tasting

The Workhouse in Presteigne, good food and gorgeous shop selling lovely rugs and textiles.

The Black and White Village trail: explore the historic villages of the county

The Mousetrap cheese company - hundreds of varieties!

Spend some time in the golden age of aviation at Shobdon Airport. Watch vintage planes take off and land and enjoy big breakfasts in their café

Devotees of stately homes will love grand Berrington Hall (NT) and sturdy Croft Castle (NT). Hergest Croft Gardens is pretty in all seasons.

The Courtyard Centre for the Arts in Hereford shows Art House films and has interesting talks, comedy, theatre - perfect for an emergency rainy day excursion. On the same trip, see the stunning cathedral and 'chained library' containing the famous Mappa Mundi, an early map of the world.

Markets

Ludlow farmers market, every other Thursday in the market square, very good food!!

Ludlow flea market 1^st and third Sunday of every month

Ludlow general market, mon wed fri and Saturday every week

Leominster has markets on a Friday”s which have excellent food

Meet your hosts

Ben and Felicity have lived at Pencombestone for 10 years and decided to rebuild the old stables in the orchard two years ago. There were no definite plans as to their eventual purpose, but somehow, they knew it would be a good idea to build the cabin. When they started building they removed the tin of the stables and realised the view onto a 20-acre field would be magnificent, and became determined to make the most of it. They realised then what a magical space was being created. As the build progressed, it became part yoga studio, part artists' and writers' retreat, and wholly peaceful: a retreat away from the city. Not until it was finished did they decide to share it as a special space to stay! 

The studio cabin is set within 7 acres, in an old orchard and next to an ancient meadow and 20-acre field. The studio has been made from locally sourced wood, has been insulated thoroughly and it makes for a perfect yoga space with the underfloor heating! They have managed to achieve a wonderful balance, combining ecological and local materials without compromising on luxurious details.

Wildlife and Environment

The property is off grid and generates its own electricity through solar panels. Water comes fresh from the spring! In your stay in the orchard, you could see badgers, foxes and masses of bird life, and deer are regular visitors too.