Buckshead Eco Cottage

 

by Deborah Miarkowska

Our recent rural escape was simply the perfect rustic getaway.

Look no further than Buckshead Eco Cottage  if you are looking for an eco adventure.

Brynmawr Farm is a 217 acre organic mixed hill farm situated in the remote Clun Valley on the Shropshire Welsh border and it is quite an inspiration.

With my two excitable five year old twins we set off for our girls adventure. Reaching Newcastle, Shropshire was a peaceful delight with rolling hills and beautiful fresh cold air. We were warmly greeted by Farmer Trev and his wife Sue, a basket of local goodies, freshly harvested organic potatoes and a piping hot wood burning stove, making our arrival all the more hearty.

Farmer Trev recounted the story of  a near ruin, tenderly restored to high eco credentials after the last person to live there being ‘Jo the Buck in 1989′. Trev’s daughter was insistant that Buckshead become an eco masterpiece and this it is. The first striking feature on the hill ajacent to the house of the quaint cottage is the wind turbine supplying 2.5kw to power the cottage and stored with sixteen 12 volt batteries, which have a life span of ten years. Other eco power supplies at Buckshead are the locally bulit wood burning stove and solar panel.

The eco theme evolves throughout the cottage with the door frames from a local oak tree, the window and bedroom floors from alder wood sustainably harvested from the Clun valleyand previously only used for Charcoal and the all wood stairs from a local ash tree. The kitchen is a recycled mini masterpiece all from wood off cuts. Whilst resident we were encouraged to help ourselves to the herb garden, compost our waste and drink the spring water from the organic farm and enjoy the hot water bottles a real touch of nostalgic warmth.

 

 

Despite the winter downpours we explored the slow food town of Ludlow, rummaged in Zani Jane’s antique and vintage emporium, strolled through the countryside; ate in glorious tea rooms and couldn’t resist Fothergills, handmade Shropshire leather accessories. Farmer Trev even allowed the girls to feed his chickens which they delighted in. 

The whole experience of Buckshead and the local area was gentle and welcoming. We highly recommend a booking so you can enjoy this truly beautiful rural idyll and eco escape.

 

One thing that I thoroughly enjoy reading are guest book testimonials and the Buckshead Cottage reviews were no exception:

“I don’t think we could have been better welcomed. Our ride on the trailer tot he fiddle was not only the highlight of our holiday but of our year. Bless you both in your endeavours. You have the great good fortune to live in a true gem of the English Countryside. Thank you for sharing it with us” The Mathews June 2008. 

Buckshead Eco Cottage,  Clun Valley Organics, Brynmawr Farm, Newcastle, Craven Arms,

Shropshire, SY7 8QU. Contact Farmer Trevor & Sue,  Tel:  +44 (0) 01588 640298

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