The Bothy, Powis Castle, Welshpool.

The flight back from our show in Central America had been a long one. The whole week’s experience had been as exhausting as it was exhilarating and enriching.

In the week ahead I wanted to relax and explore some new musical ideas, but the chaos of my new apartment made it an incommodious location to unwind and think.

So when Candia, your Assistant Editor / Designer of C.L., and with whose band I had just returned from our sticky trip away, called to ask if she could assign me to take a couple of days out to write a short travel review of, The Bothy, The National Trust’s beautiful cottage and former Head grounds man’s quarters in the spectacular gardens surrounding Powis Castle, North Wales, my only negative thought was about negotiating the M54 through Walsall from Cheltenham.

I had enjoyed two previous short breaks away in holiday cottages in Wales and Warwickshire in the last 7 months. I liked the relaxing privacy and character generally associated with such breaks, so I thought I knew what to expect. The very grand difference here was that I would be staying on National Heritage property. You don’t get that status without something special in your back yard and in this case it was Powis Castle itself and spectacular manned gardens.

The National Trust’s decision to use many of its, apparently minor, properties as holiday cottages allows visitors to have a short break in some truly beautiful and fascinating places on these Isles grandest country estates, prettiest villages or most dramatic coastlines. In addition to former sporting grandstands, water towers and lighthouse cottages, from Cornwall to the Lake District, have been added; a Welsh medieval hall-house, a converted pig shed, a gothic revival chaplain’s house and a historic former coffee tavern. There are now more than 360 gems available to enjoy on their books and the Bothy, on closer inspection of the catalogue, was near the top of the list to this layman’s eye.

The 2 hour drive to Powis Castle from Gloucestershire gets increasingly tranquil and leafy as you approach Welshpool and the castle grounds. A fine cast iron gate and 2 stone pillared dragons guard the drive up to the cottage. This lavish ornament set the scene and mood beautifully for the next 2 days.

I was to enjoy 26 acres of magnificent gardens of the highest horticultural and historical importance, deer parks, a rural arboretum, dancing musical statues, a 30ft cavernous yew hedge dating back over 250 years, finely carved box hedges, wonderful Italian terraced baroque gardens blasted from the rock, lavish herbaceous borders, an apple and pear blossom orchard of impeccable balanced symmetry, a fountain garden and more all literally on the doorstep of the cottage and in the N.T owned grounds of Powis Castle. The overwhelming impression was of sheer dedication and man-hours applied to by the staff to create and upkeep the impressive effect.

The Castle itself was built by the mediaeval Welsh princes, the Baroque gardens around the 1680’s and the Bothy as the head gardener’s residence in 1908.

It is an Edwardian house in a mock Tudor cottage style, a theme popular I understand for garden houses of the time. The interior is rustic and polished with delicious colours from the floorboards to the panelled walls and from the fireplaces to the furniture. Like all good self catering holiday accommodation it became instantly apparent that the only work I would need to do would be research the whereabouts of a good local supermarket and pub. *

*I can recommend the Grolsch and house Sauvignon Blanc at the local Royal Oak in Welshpool. There is also a Morrisons supermarket 2 minutes from the castle.

The cottage interior consists of a large lounge with wood burning stove, impressive kitchen / dining room, shower room and cloakroom. Upstairs we find a bathroom with traditional roll top bath, 3 bedrooms; including a single a twin and a master room with en-suite and walk through bedroom. A family or friendly party would enjoy the spacious comfort here as it sleeps 6 comfortably. Extra blankets and tea making facilities are a thoughtful touch.

It was a thoroughly relaxing couple of days with only self-imposed distractions. (I turned the mobile phone off after 30 minutes) & was left with my thoughts, surrounded by silent timber & a calming complexion.

If you are looking to support historic National Treasures, explore horticultural excellence and relax in a warm & well cared for character cottage I recommend The Bothy to you absolutely.

A couple of points that do need to be raised are; you are staying in the grounds of a place open to the public, so be a little modest with your dress when you open the curtains for morning tea. The gardeners are hugely likable & will do their best to talk you through the foliage, but their dedication is 360 days a year, sometimes mowing the lawn till 4pm, often starting the petrol lawnmowers before the morning gates open at 9.

These points pale in to insignificance, however, compared to standing in awe underneath the giant Redwood in the tree garden or stumbling upon ‘the white girl with bird’ statue hidden in the terraced gardens. The castle itself and treasures, notably those of Clive of India, are just a 2 minute walk through the carefully cared for gravel path. Although please do check castle opening times before you book.

My parents have been patrons of the National Trust since the year dot. I think I will soon be joining them to continue to support, explore and enjoy such fond and exciting inheritances. I would encourage all to do the same.

For more information, prices, availability and details of how to book The Bothy & all other NT cottages please go to: http://www.nationaltrustcottages.co.uk/home or call 0844 8002070

Adam Henderson 15/05/09