Welcome to Upper Grippath Holiday Cottages
A warm welcome awaits you in our 4 star
graded self catering farm cottages, in Risca, South Wales
A 400-year-old sheep farm with welsh heritage
Having had generations of our family living and working on our 40-acre Sheep farm since forever, well 1954 actually, we woke up one morning looked at the stunning countryside with views across to the River Severn – and thought, “How lucky are we to have this on our door step? We should bottle it and sell it!”
This thought occurred about the time the 400-year-old stone barn was in serious danger of falling down. Unable to pay for it to be repaired for animal use and unwilling to let it fall into further disrepair, we decided to venture into a new direction – holiday cottages!
That was in 2000 and we haven’t looked back since.
The transformation of the old stone barn in 4 star cottages
Nestled in the welsh hills with the sheep keeping watch, we set about preserving some of the original features of the old barn previously referred to as the ‘Cow Shed’ (don’t worry there are no cows in there now!). In keeping with our Welsh heritage, we named two cottages Barrwg and Talfryn which means Mountain Summit and Tall Hill in Welsh.
The exquisite cottages are equipment with everything our guests need for a relaxing holiday including the peace and tranquillity of the farm. There’s space outside to take in the stunning views of the countryside over the beautiful welsh border valleys to the Severn bridges and beyond. Did we mention the stunning sunsets too?!
A third purpose-built cottage was opened in 2000 and has since been adapted and updated to provide an additional, Semi accessible cottage for our guests to enjoy. This cottage is a bit more modern in layout and its Welsh name reflects this – Hafren, is the modern Welsh name for the River Severn!
We now have what has been described as, “3 stunning self-catering cottages”.
Welsh hospitality for everyone
Passionate about ensuring a holiday to the farm is inclusive and accessible for everyone, we designed one the of the stone barn cottages specifically with wheel chair accessibility in mind (having for example wider doors, downstairs bedroom and bathroom – you can read more here in our accessibility statement). Our newer cottage allows for ground floor living if stairs are an inconvenience for any reason too.
For our guests who are dog lovers, we allow up to 2 fury friends to join you on your holiday in Barrwg with it’s own dog garden to keep them safe (from Autumn 2021).
If you’d like us to arrange the essentials to be in your cottage when you arrive, we can do this. We’ve even taken in people’s home delivery for those of you who are organised and get this delivered on the day you arrive. We are here to do whatever we can to ensure you have a great stay in Wales, including advising on places to visit and pubs/restaurants to eat at. Our first class and friendly service is what has people returning year after year.
Even when were full we only have the 3 cottages at Upper Grippath Farm (6 bedrooms in total) – so you’ll never feel that’s its over-crowded at our welsh farm get away. You are free to roam the open farmland – meet the pony, the cat, the dog, the sheep and it you come at the right time of year the lambs too! All we ask is that little people are supervised at all times. If you want to help out feeding the lambs, we’re happy for the help – simply ask! On the other hand perhaps, you’d like to hire all 3 cottages and ‘take over’ the farm for a min. 3 night break and bring your friends and family, (Sorry No stag or hen do’s – although respectful workers are welcome).
Ideally located for your perfect get away
The beautiful barn conversion on our working sheep farm sits in a delightfully quiet location outside Risca in Gwent, South Wales. It’s the perfect location for painting, writing, reading or just sitting and thinking. You’d be coming to holiday on a welsh mountain too! – Twmbarlwm Mountain. It feels a million miles away from civilisation yet is only a 10 minute drive from the M4.
If an activity based holiday is what you’re after then the beach is within a 45 minute drive, the cosmopolitan city of Cardiff us 30 minutes away, the Brecon Beacons 45 minutes away and the roman ruins of Caerleon just 20 minutes away. The national trust property, Tredegar House is just 15 minute from the farm and the nearest castle you can visit at Caerphilly just 20 minutes away. For the more active, wales largest mountain biking centre is only 60 minutes away and Cwmcarn Scenic drive and downhill cycle centre is 15 minutes away by car, or you can ride to it! Plus, there’s white water rafting in Cardiff, or sailing too! We haven’t even started on Golf!
There really is a lot to do locally if you wish, or you can just relax on the farm at our secret hide away with local walks and great local pubs if that’s more your style.
A warm welcome awaits you at Upper Grippath Farm.
Louise and Tony Saunders would be delighted to welcome you to their farm. The only question is when?
To book, simply Call, Email, Enquire or Book!
Got a question? – simply contact us and we’d be delighted to help.