Frequently Asked Questions

.Planning a stay at Drovers Retreat?

Here are answers to the questions guests often ask about our holiday cottage near Radnor Forest in the Welsh Borders.

Where is Drovers Retreat?

The cottage is in the Welsh county of Powys, some 9 miles west of the market town of Knighton, which straddles the Welsh/English border. It is almost west of Ludlow and east of Aberystwyth, and roughly halfway between the two. It is best found by searching GoogleMaps for “Drovers Retreat”.

Is there a gallery of photographs on the website?

Yes, there are two gallery pages. One is a gallery for the cottage and another for the local surroundings.

How many rooms does the cottage have?

There is a large living/dining room with a vaulted ceiling, a kitchen, bathroom, and two bedrooms.

How many guests can Drovers Retreat accommodate?

Up to four people can be accommodated in the cottage. We have two bedrooms - with a twin and double bedrooms.

Are children welcome?

Yes, absolutely! Children of all ages are welcome at Drovers Retreat. There are board and other games in the cottage and the games barn has snooker, table football and darts. There are also books in the living room. A baby travel cot and high chair are available on request, free of charge.

Are dogs welcome?

Yes, we welcome up to two well-behaved dogs at Drovers Retreat. There is a charge of £25 per dog, per visit.
Please keep dogs off the furniture and beds. We provide a large dog bed, stainless steel bowls. and doggy treats. You can find out more on our Dogs Welcome page.
The surrounding area is sheep-farming country, and sheep and sometimes cattle graze here on our pastures at Graig Farm. Please make sure your dog does not worry or attack livestock. please keep your dog on a lead when you’re out, except when you’re in our fenced woodland.

have previous guests said about Drovers Retreat?

A full list of reviews left by guests in our Guest Comments book since 2017 are on our Guest Reviews page

How do I book Drovers Retreat?

To get the best prices, you can book directly through our Booking and Prices page, where you can also check prices and availability.

What is the minimum stay?

The minimum stay at Drovers Retreat is three nights. We also offer weekly discounts.

Where can I check availability or ask a question?

You can check dates, prices and book on our Booking and Prices page.

When do I need to pay?

We ask for payment seven days before arrival. We’ll send you an email reminder when it’s due.

What is your cancellation policy?

You can cancel free of charge until 14 days before arrival. If you cancel within the 14 days before arrival, you will be charged the total price. Any refund will be made to your bank within seven days.

What time can I arrive and depart?

Check-in is after 4pm, and we ask guests to check out by 10.30am. This gives us time to make sure Drovers Retreat is clean and tidy for each arrival.

If you need to arrive or leave outside these times, please let us know in good time and we’ll try to accommodate your request.

Is there Wi-fi and Mobile telephone signal?

Yes, Many people will be visiting Drovers Retreat to escape the pressures of modern communication. Others may be consoled by the fact that we have 4G mobile from EE, and wi-fi in the property.
EE telephones have a strong signal at the cottage, although other networks vary in strength.

Where can I buy food locally?

The nearest food shop is the garage at Crossgates 6 miles away towards Llandrindod Wells.
There are supermarkets in Llandrindod Wells and Knighton (both about 9 miles away).
There are also still some local food shops, where you can buy quality locally grown food, including organic. These are in Knighton (butcher and fruit and veg, plus wholefood shop). There are delis in Llandrindod Wells and Presteigne. For details see the Local Food section of our Local Area page.

Can we explore the farm and woodland?

Yes, guests can explore the designated visitor areas, including the woodland. These areas are marked in green on the farm map provided when you arrive.

Please keep to the designated areas. Farms have hazards, particularly for children, so take care and follow the signs around the property. You can also read about the Drovers woodland walk. Information about the farm is on our Graig Farm page.

Is there anything I should know about the cottage before arriving?

Drovers Retreat is an old building, and the flagstones in the living room are uneven. They can also feel cold underfoot, so you may wish to bring slippers.

A complete list of the facilities at the cottage are to be found on our Facilities page.

Is there much public transport locally?

We have a railway station at the local village of Dolau (2 miles away). The station is on the Heart of Wales line which goes from Shrewsbury to Swansea.
There is also a bus which plies from Builth Wells to Shreewsbury, via Craven Arms. It passes Drovers Retreat on the A488, at the bottom of our driveway, although it only stops at DSt Michael’sn Church in Dolau village. More information is on our Local Area page.

Is there much wildlife around Drovers Retreat?

Yes! The farm has been organically managed since 1989. One of the features of Drovers Retreat is that we have been developing suitable wildlife habitats at the farm over the nearby 40 years we have been here. in 2025 the farm was designated as a Local Wildlife Site. You can read more about this on our Wildlife page, and you can see the broader environmental policies on our Environment page.

How is the cottage heated?

Drovers Retreat has a log burner and electric wall heaters. We provide logs, kindling and matches free of charge, and can offer advice on lighting and controlling the log burner.

Can I charge my electric car?

Yes. Drovers Retreat has a 7kW type 2 charger for guests. Charging is free when you book directly with us; guests who book through other routes are charged per kWh.

What can I do near Drovers Retreat?

Drovers Retreat is near Radnor Forest in the Welsh Borders, and yes, although we are in a rural area, there is plenty to do on your stay. For ideas to help plan your visit, see our Local Area page and the Walking page.

Do you have a newsletter about the cottage?

Yes, although is is rather irregular. You can sign up for it on the Newsletter page.

Further Questions/Contact us

If you have any questions before booking, please contact us at enquiries@droversretreat.co.uk, 07377 865123, or use the form on our Contact Us page.

Want to know more about the hosts of Drovers Retreat?

See our About Us page.

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