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The Seren Mawr geodome is a friendly competition between the inside and the outside for the title of most impressive view. Outside, the Brecon Beacons reach away from the hilltop site, stretching in misty folds for miles. Inside, intense scouring of antique shops and auctions has resulted in a lavish version of frontier style, all furs and blankets and dark wooden furniture. The two are brought together by the clear picture window that spans five whole metres of the eight metre space, as well as the sofa and the bed, both perfect places to snuggle and watch the sun set on the hills. You’ll also get pretty good views from Ty Bach, the little house behind the dome which houses the shower and loo, but the best way to enjoy the stunning scenery has to be while soaking in the wood-fired hot tub.
When night falls, the solar lanterns give the off-grid dome a soft, warm glow. You can cook on the gas hobs or barbecue outdoors or, for a more indulgent meal, take a short stroll down the lane to the award-winning Felin Fach Griffin, where great food is served in a casual, loungy atmosphere. After so much looking at the view, you’ll probably want to get out into the hills. There’s a good selection of books and maps and owner Amanda can set you off on some of the family’s favourite trails straight from the door. As well as hiking and cycling, there’s adventure from canoeing to canyoning nearby, as well as the festivals of Brecon and Hay and the Penderyn distillery for a taste of the recently-revived Welsh whisky.
Read more
Essentials
The important stuff
Check in: 4 pm
Check out: 9.30 am
Please being torches, wellies, waterproofs, and extra towels for the hot tub
100m from the other geodome
Designated parking space a 2 min walk up a field, with a wheelbarrow to transport luggage
Tracks to the geodome are not well lit
Variable mobile signal, depending on provider. Wifi available by the barn
Please note there are sheep in the field that you walk through. The Dome itself is fenced off
Sleeping arrangements
Geodome for 2; one king size bed
Extra space available
Space
for 2 pets
from £35 per pet per stay - bowls, mat, towel and treats are provided.
Cooking
2 ring gas hob
Crockery, cutlery, glassware, cooking utensils and equipment all provided
No fridge, but instead a very large fisherman's coolbox
A Belfast sink and washing up equipment can be found just outside
Washing
Hot water available in shower and sink
A gas powered shower is found just outside, a few metres away in Ty Bach
Towels, bathrobes, conditioning shampoo and shower gel are provided
Modern self composting loo and washbasin found just outside, a few metres away in Ty Bach
Heating, lighting & bedding
Plug sockets for charging phones - not suitable for hairdryers etc
Bed linen provided
Towels provided for showers, please bring extra for hot tub
Wood burner
Hot water bottles
Electric blanket can be provided in colder months
Solar lighting including solar jars inside the dome and fairy lights
Entertainment
Books
Binoculars
Cards and board games
A Stellarscope to help decipher the night sky (5th Dark Sky Reserve in the world)
Communal areas include a lavender garden and the rest of the field
If using Google maps, please search for: Argoed Barns, LD3 0UG
If using satnav, search for: LD3 0UG
By Public Transport
The nearest train station is Abergavenny. For buses use Stagecoach Route 43 to Brecon; Bus from Brecon to Felinfach (Stagecoach Route T4); Mile Walk to Argoed.
By Car
Head for Brecon and once you take the Felinfach turn (switch your Satnav off if using one) follow these directions:
- Pass 'The Griffin' on your left hand side.
- Continue along the road as it bends round to the right, passing the 'Plough & Harrow' on your right hand side.
- Continue up the road out of the village, ignoring the first right turn at triangular junction.
- Take the next right turn which will bring you in front of the church on your right hand side and Talachddu House on your left hand side. Continue along this country lane (looks a bit like a farmyard) descending a hill and then steeply ascending the other side.
- About 50m after the sharp right hand bend, take the first turn on your left and drive straight up the steep driveway to Argoed Barns.
- Drive straight up to the large barn and park on the right in the marked bay and let us know you have arrived.
Read more
Food & Drink
At Argoed Barns
Cooking basics provided including tea, coffee, sugar, hot chocolate, salt, pepper, oil and milk
Local Shops
Talgarth Co-op is a 10 minute drive away towards Hay on Wye
Other supermarkets including Morrisons, Co-op and Aldi are in Brecon, a 10 minute drive away
Pubs & Restaurants
The Griffin - Twinned with The Gurnard's Head and the Old Coastguard in Cornwall, The Griffin is a fabulous place combining a warm bar and good ales with an understated restaurant serving fantastic food. Make sure to book as far in advance as you can, this is very popular!
The Three Horseshoes, Groesfford - Cosy pub with open fire and rural views, serving locally sourced fare from steak to fish and chips
The Castle Inn, Llangorse - A favourite of the Barnett Family with a great range of homemade pies, sharing platters and steaks etc in a local pub near to Llangorse Lake
The Castle Hotel - Good bar snacks and Sunday lunches, with an extensive menu
The Gurkha Corner - Traditional Nepalese cuisine served in an unpretentious space lined with art & artifacts
Read more
Activities
At Argoed Barns
Walking - Take advantage of the plethora of wonderful walking routes that surround Argoed Barns. Amanda and Barney have provided a good selection of books and maps and are a good source of suggestions as are the Visitors’ Books. Further sources of walking books, maps and outdoor equipment are to be found at any of the outdoor shops in Brecon. Alternatively an excellent start would be to head to the Brecon Beacons Mountain Centre.
Cycling - Amanda and Barney have bike storage and maintenance facilities guests are welcome to use. Bring your own or ask about hiring
Places to visit
Tretower Court and Castle – this takes you on a journey through history that dates back to Norman times and gives visitors an insight into the gracious lifestyle enjoyed by the favoured few during the Middle Ages
Dan yr Ogof Caves - also known as the National Showcaves Centre for Wales, is a 17-kilometre long cave system in south Wales, five miles north of Ystradgynlais and fifteen miles south west of Brecon within the Brecon Beacons National Park
The Big Pit & National Coal Museum - an industrial heritage museum in Blaenafon, Torfaen, South Wales. A working coal mine from 1860 to 1980, it was opened to visitors from 1980. It is a privilege to be given a guided tour by one of the ex-miners
Penderyn Distillery – the only distillery in Wales and home of the award winning Penderyn Single Malt Welsh Whisky and other premium spirits; Brecon Gin, Vodka and Merlin liqueur. Tours of the distillery culminate with a tasting session
Outdoor & Active
Pony Trekking – Cantref Riding Centre offers numerous pony trekking opportunities in the Brecon Beacons
Mountain Biking – Bikes & Hikes offer mountain and trail bikes for hire at competitive prices. You can collect the bikes from their shop in Brecon or opt to have them delivered direct to your door
Water Sports – sailing boats, rowing boats and pedaloes can all be hired from Lakeside Caravan and Camping Park on the banks of Llangorse Lake, the largest natural lake in South Wales
Black Mountains Activities - Canoeing, kayaking and even white water rafting on the River Wye. For those seeking a more relaxing pace, pottering on the Brecon Canal might be more appealing; ‘Backwaters’ will provide the equipment you need
Festivals & events
Brecon Jazz Festival – held in August at various venues in Brecon with renowned Jazz musicians such as Jools Holland and Acker Bilk among the head-liners at this year’s popular annual event.
Hay Literary Festival – held at the end of May/Beginning of June in Hay ‘One of the World’s biggest book festivals …a literary extravaganza that is now firmly established as the biggest book event in Britain..’
The Green Man Festival – held on the Glanusk Estate in mid August. Wales' leading award winning contemporary music and arts festival
NGS Gardens Open to the Public – if you’re keen gardeners, we’ll be able to tell you if there are any gardens open in the local area during your stay.
Crickhowell Walking Festival - This takes place over nine days in Feb/March with a wealth of guided walks to suit all ages and abilities.
Read more
Meet your hosts
Meet the Barnett Family
The Barnett family decamped from Surrey in search of a little piece of welsh countryside and a more tranquil lifestyle. After extensive renovation of their land above Felin Fach, they have made their home a beautiful spot which they are ready to share with guests. The construction of the Dome and the shepherd's hut site has been a family affair with everyone pitching in. Son Ben doing most of the construction work, Amanda decorating and planning, dad Barney doing the landscaping and daughter Lottie providing refreshments and encouragement. No one knows what the bouncy springer spaniel Loki thought he was doing, but his contribution was undoubtedly invaluable.
Wildlife and the Environment
A host of birds call Argoed Barns home including kites, buzzards, and hooting owls at night. The Barnett family are a veritable "Watership Down" playground for rabbits, alongside field mice and moles. From time to time, Mark moves his sheep into the field to keep the grass at bay.
Argoed Barns benefits from the Dark Sky status of the Brecon Beacons – perfect for stargazing and spotting shooting stars. The tranquillity of the place is a salve for the soul – it’s so relaxing just watching the clouds drift across the sky casting shadows across the mountains. Guests may even see the occasional bat at night!
The bore hole provides a free supply of delicious water and guests are encouraged to leave plastic bottles of water at home. The family recycle as much as possible, and kindly request that guests do their bit too so that only the bare minimum is consigned to land fill.
The Seren Mawr geodome is a friendly competition between the inside and the outside for the title of most impressive view. Outside, the Brecon Beacons reach away from the hilltop site, stretching in misty folds for miles. Inside, intense scouring of antique shops and auctions has resulted in a lavish version of frontier style, all furs and blankets and dark wooden furniture. The two are brought together by the clear picture window that spans five whole metres of the eight metre space, as well as the sofa and the bed, both perfect places to snuggle and watch the sun set on the hills. You’ll also get pretty good views from Ty Bach, the little house behind the dome which houses the shower and loo, but the best way to enjoy the stunning scenery has to be while soaking in the wood-fired hot tub.
When night falls, the solar lanterns give the off-grid dome a soft, warm glow. You can cook on the gas hobs or barbecue outdoors or, for a more indulgent meal, take a short stroll down the lane to the award-winning Felin Fach Griffin, where great food is served in a casual, loungy atmosphere. After so much looking at the view, you’ll probably want to get out into the hills. There’s a good selection of books and maps and owner Amanda can set you off on some of the family’s favourite trails straight from the door. As well as hiking and cycling, there’s adventure from canoeing to canyoning nearby, as well as the festivals of Brecon and Hay and the Penderyn distillery for a taste of the recently-revived Welsh whisky.
If using Google maps, please search for: Argoed Barns, LD3 0UG
If using satnav, search for: LD3 0UG
By Public Transport
The nearest train station is Abergavenny. For buses use Stagecoach Route 43 to Brecon; Bus from Brecon to Felinfach (Stagecoach Route T4); Mile Walk to Argoed.
By Car
Head for Brecon and once you take the Felinfach turn (switch your Satnav off if using one) follow these directions:
- Pass 'The Griffin' on your left hand side.
- Continue along the road as it bends round to the right, passing the 'Plough & Harrow' on your right hand side.
- Continue up the road out of the village, ignoring the first right turn at triangular junction.
- Take the next right turn which will bring you in front of the church on your right hand side and Talachddu House on your left hand side. Continue along this country lane (looks a bit like a farmyard) descending a hill and then steeply ascending the other side.
- About 50m after the sharp right hand bend, take the first turn on your left and drive straight up the steep driveway to Argoed Barns.
- Drive straight up to the large barn and park on the right in the marked bay and let us know you have arrived.
Cooking basics provided including tea, coffee, sugar, hot chocolate, salt, pepper, oil and milk
Local Shops
Talgarth Co-op is a 10 minute drive away towards Hay on Wye
Other supermarkets including Morrisons, Co-op and Aldi are in Brecon, a 10 minute drive away
Pubs & Restaurants
The Griffin - Twinned with The Gurnard's Head and the Old Coastguard in Cornwall, The Griffin is a fabulous place combining a warm bar and good ales with an understated restaurant serving fantastic food. Make sure to book as far in advance as you can, this is very popular!
The Three Horseshoes, Groesfford - Cosy pub with open fire and rural views, serving locally sourced fare from steak to fish and chips
The Castle Inn, Llangorse - A favourite of the Barnett Family with a great range of homemade pies, sharing platters and steaks etc in a local pub near to Llangorse Lake
The Castle Hotel - Good bar snacks and Sunday lunches, with an extensive menu
The Gurkha Corner - Traditional Nepalese cuisine served in an unpretentious space lined with art & artifacts
Walking - Take advantage of the plethora of wonderful walking routes that surround Argoed Barns. Amanda and Barney have provided a good selection of books and maps and are a good source of suggestions as are the Visitors’ Books. Further sources of walking books, maps and outdoor equipment are to be found at any of the outdoor shops in Brecon. Alternatively an excellent start would be to head to the Brecon Beacons Mountain Centre.
Cycling - Amanda and Barney have bike storage and maintenance facilities guests are welcome to use. Bring your own or ask about hiring
Places to visit
Tretower Court and Castle – this takes you on a journey through history that dates back to Norman times and gives visitors an insight into the gracious lifestyle enjoyed by the favoured few during the Middle Ages
Dan yr Ogof Caves - also known as the National Showcaves Centre for Wales, is a 17-kilometre long cave system in south Wales, five miles north of Ystradgynlais and fifteen miles south west of Brecon within the Brecon Beacons National Park
The Big Pit & National Coal Museum - an industrial heritage museum in Blaenafon, Torfaen, South Wales. A working coal mine from 1860 to 1980, it was opened to visitors from 1980. It is a privilege to be given a guided tour by one of the ex-miners
Penderyn Distillery – the only distillery in Wales and home of the award winning Penderyn Single Malt Welsh Whisky and other premium spirits; Brecon Gin, Vodka and Merlin liqueur. Tours of the distillery culminate with a tasting session
Outdoor & Active
Pony Trekking – Cantref Riding Centre offers numerous pony trekking opportunities in the Brecon Beacons
Mountain Biking – Bikes & Hikes offer mountain and trail bikes for hire at competitive prices. You can collect the bikes from their shop in Brecon or opt to have them delivered direct to your door
Water Sports – sailing boats, rowing boats and pedaloes can all be hired from Lakeside Caravan and Camping Park on the banks of Llangorse Lake, the largest natural lake in South Wales
Black Mountains Activities - Canoeing, kayaking and even white water rafting on the River Wye. For those seeking a more relaxing pace, pottering on the Brecon Canal might be more appealing; ‘Backwaters’ will provide the equipment you need
Festivals & events
Brecon Jazz Festival – held in August at various venues in Brecon with renowned Jazz musicians such as Jools Holland and Acker Bilk among the head-liners at this year’s popular annual event.
Hay Literary Festival – held at the end of May/Beginning of June in Hay ‘One of the World’s biggest book festivals …a literary extravaganza that is now firmly established as the biggest book event in Britain..’
The Green Man Festival – held on the Glanusk Estate in mid August. Wales' leading award winning contemporary music and arts festival
NGS Gardens Open to the Public – if you’re keen gardeners, we’ll be able to tell you if there are any gardens open in the local area during your stay.
Crickhowell Walking Festival - This takes place over nine days in Feb/March with a wealth of guided walks to suit all ages and abilities.
The Barnett family decamped from Surrey in search of a little piece of welsh countryside and a more tranquil lifestyle. After extensive renovation of their land above Felin Fach, they have made their home a beautiful spot which they are ready to share with guests. The construction of the Dome and the shepherd's hut site has been a family affair with everyone pitching in. Son Ben doing most of the construction work, Amanda decorating and planning, dad Barney doing the landscaping and daughter Lottie providing refreshments and encouragement. No one knows what the bouncy springer spaniel Loki thought he was doing, but his contribution was undoubtedly invaluable.
Wildlife and the Environment
A host of birds call Argoed Barns home including kites, buzzards, and hooting owls at night. The Barnett family are a veritable "Watership Down" playground for rabbits, alongside field mice and moles. From time to time, Mark moves his sheep into the field to keep the grass at bay.
Argoed Barns benefits from the Dark Sky status of the Brecon Beacons – perfect for stargazing and spotting shooting stars. The tranquillity of the place is a salve for the soul – it’s so relaxing just watching the clouds drift across the sky casting shadows across the mountains. Guests may even see the occasional bat at night!
The bore hole provides a free supply of delicious water and guests are encouraged to leave plastic bottles of water at home. The family recycle as much as possible, and kindly request that guests do their bit too so that only the bare minimum is consigned to land fill.
A breath of fresh air! The Geodome itself was amazing, very spacious, with lovely interior and lots of personalised touches to give it a home away from home feel. The view was beautiful in rain or shine and good location for access to Brecon and Hay-on-wye.
The hot tub was great providing a lovely opportunity to take in the Dark Sky experience
Overall would highly recommend!
02/09/2024
Amy
Beautiful geodome well apointed with a great host
The views were fantastic too
02/08/2024
Laura
We had a lovely stay at Seren Mawr, great location and very private.
the Geodome is very cosy.
the views are amazing and can watch the sunrise in the morning.
sky is very clear at night and can see so many stars will 100% stay again.
Not to far from waterfalls and other great walks.
Amanda and Barney were very helpful and friendly
15/09/2023
Jack
We had a beautiful stay at Seren Mawr. The location is simply stunning with views that we could not stop looking at. Amanda was really helpful prior to our arrival and when we arrived, ensuring we had everything we needed. The inside has been beautifully decorated and the bed was super comfortable!
07/07/2023
Sophie
A wonderful tranquil stay. Amanda was very welcoming and gave us great tips about local walks and hills to visit.
The geodome was lovely and kitted out with everything you need. The love tub was heavenly after a few busy weeks at work!
19/05/2023
Tom
We visited along with our dog Huey. We had such a lovely, relaxing weekend. I haven't slept so well in a long time. The view was phenomenal and it was great that Huey could roam around outside the dome without any risk. It was so peaceful with zero noise surrounding us, a proper chance to get away from it all and switch off. Inside, the dome is perfect, even with colder weather outside there is ample inside to get warm and cosy. Highly recommend for the perfect weekend away!
31/03/2023
Kelly
A complete chill out. Accommodation was good. Setting was lovely and we got glorious weather too.
11/07/2022
Terry
Was magical. Everything was catered for and lots to do around the area. It was perfect for the sunny days and the rainy ones.
29/04/2022
Natalie
My partner and I had the most serene stay at Seren Mawr. The geodome was cozy, but still surprisingly large. The wood burner inside the dome was a real treat for our dog in the evenings. Amanda, our host, was so hospitable and welcoming and you can tell she had considered every details meticulously. Overall, we had a totally unique experience we will never forget.
04/10/2021
Tom
Truely amazing place to stay.
We had the best weekend lovely and chilled. The facilities was excellent.
The hot tub and views are something from a flim.
Amanda was warm and welcoming on arrival and really went out her way to make us feel at home
24/09/2021
Dan
We chose to stay at Seren Mawr because of the beautiful location and seclusion, we wanted to get away from it all after the last couple of years. When we originally booked after lockdown 1 there was only 1 dome but at the time of our stay another had been erected. This wasnt an issue as it was still very private.
Amanda was there to great us and was just lovely, even used the quad bike to get our stuff up the hill, and it is a steep hill, keeps you fit.
The dome was cosy with a small kitchen area, sink outside the door with loo and shower hut close by. We had an enjoyable weekend with everything you need to hand.
There is a little store with everything you need, lots, bbq, ice packs etc and you tick off what you have taken and it is deducted from your £50 deposit at the end of your stay.
If you are looking to get away from it all but want to still be close to small towns, this is ideal we had a lovely walk around Hay on Wye. If you are thinking if booking a meal in the Felin Fach Griffin, do it when you book or you may not get a table.
10/09/2021
Debbie
We had a wonderful anniversary at Seren Mawr, just walking up the hill through the wildflower meadow was a pleasure. I don't think we could get tired of the view. Although "off grid" for the most part, an electric socket provided us with a place to charge mobile phones. Surprisingly, we also had sufficient mobile phone signal at the tent (EE network) to participate in a video Zoom call with my family! The bed was very comfortable. The dressing gowns and clogs provided by Amanda were very welcome, particularly for night-time trips to the Ty Bach.
02/07/2021
Hazel
Beautiful glamping experience in the most peaceful location
11/06/2021
Gemma
Fantastic! The property was everything it was described, and more. We had perfect weather which made it even better. Amanda and Barney were very hospitable and helpful and we had everything we needed to make the stay perfect
23/04/2021
Alice
We had the most amazing time Glamping at Argoed Barns. Waking up to those incredible views every morning was heavenly. The tent is fully equipped with pretty much everything you could need, we pre-made some food which we were then able to easily heat up on the gas stove in the evening. Definitely needed some warm hearty food in the Welsh autumn weather. We will 100% be back, and have recommended to friends already
12/10/2020
Kerri
Our stay at the dome at argoed was absolutely amazing! The location of the dome was on top of hill which provided the most amazing views which we would happily soak up whilst sitting in the pefect hot tub! Everything about this holiday was perfect and I could not recommend it enough to anyone looking for a romantic stay in somewhere a little bit different!
31/08/2020
ella
Great hosts couldn't do enough for you. They even went and collect the bits of shopping we had forgot, so we could relax without leaving again and we were exhausted so this was so welcome. Place was clean and very comfortable, fabulous views and so quiet and peaceful.
19/04/2019
Alivia
This was a fantastic experience! Booked for our three year anniversary, we were dying to get off the grid for a bit and away from our online jobs. Amanda was the perfect host, a truly lovely person and the Dome was tranquil, cosy and had all the comforts you could possibly need. Loved spending the evenings in the hot tub looking out over the Brecon Beacons - it couldn't have been more idyllic. Plus the almost entirely off-grid Dome (we're talking compost loo, log burner, solar lights, a natural water borehole and everything - just stunning) had one cheeky little power outlet which mean we could keep a phone charged to take loads of pictures :) just perfect!
03/09/2018
Lauren
Beautiful, memorable and comfortable
13/08/2018
Rachel
We're super excited to be adding Amanda and Jonathon's latest space. A wonderful addition to the collection. The feedback for Shepherd's Hut at Argoed should give you a good feel for what it will be like. Book a stay and be the first to write a review!”
11/05/2018
The Canopy & Stars Team
Reviews
A breath of fresh air! The Geodome itself was amazing, very spacious, with lovely interior and lots of personalised touches to give it a home away from home feel. The view was beautiful in rain or shine and good location for access to Brecon and Hay-on-wye.
The hot tub was great providing a lovely opportunity to take in the Dark Sky experience
Overall would highly recommend!
02/09/2024
Amy
Beautiful geodome well apointed with a great host
The views were fantastic too
02/08/2024
Laura
We had a lovely stay at Seren Mawr, great location and very private.
the Geodome is very cosy.
the views are amazing and can watch the sunrise in the morning.
sky is very clear at night and can see so many stars will 100% stay again.
Not to far from waterfalls and other great walks.
Amanda and Barney were very helpful and friendly
15/09/2023
Jack
We had a beautiful stay at Seren Mawr. The location is simply stunning with views that we could not stop looking at. Amanda was really helpful prior to our arrival and when we arrived, ensuring we had everything we needed. The inside has been beautifully decorated and the bed was super comfortable!
07/07/2023
Sophie
A wonderful tranquil stay. Amanda was very welcoming and gave us great tips about local walks and hills to visit.
The geodome was lovely and kitted out with everything you need. The love tub was heavenly after a few busy weeks at work!
19/05/2023
Tom
We visited along with our dog Huey. We had such a lovely, relaxing weekend. I haven't slept so well in a long time. The view was phenomenal and it was great that Huey could roam around outside the dome without any risk. It was so peaceful with zero noise surrounding us, a proper chance to get away from it all and switch off. Inside, the dome is perfect, even with colder weather outside there is ample inside to get warm and cosy. Highly recommend for the perfect weekend away!
31/03/2023
Kelly
A complete chill out. Accommodation was good. Setting was lovely and we got glorious weather too.
11/07/2022
Terry
Was magical. Everything was catered for and lots to do around the area. It was perfect for the sunny days and the rainy ones.
29/04/2022
Natalie
My partner and I had the most serene stay at Seren Mawr. The geodome was cozy, but still surprisingly large. The wood burner inside the dome was a real treat for our dog in the evenings. Amanda, our host, was so hospitable and welcoming and you can tell she had considered every details meticulously. Overall, we had a totally unique experience we will never forget.
04/10/2021
Tom
Truely amazing place to stay.
We had the best weekend lovely and chilled. The facilities was excellent.
The hot tub and views are something from a flim.
Amanda was warm and welcoming on arrival and really went out her way to make us feel at home
24/09/2021
Dan
We chose to stay at Seren Mawr because of the beautiful location and seclusion, we wanted to get away from it all after the last couple of years. When we originally booked after lockdown 1 there was only 1 dome but at the time of our stay another had been erected. This wasnt an issue as it was still very private.
Amanda was there to great us and was just lovely, even used the quad bike to get our stuff up the hill, and it is a steep hill, keeps you fit.
The dome was cosy with a small kitchen area, sink outside the door with loo and shower hut close by. We had an enjoyable weekend with everything you need to hand.
There is a little store with everything you need, lots, bbq, ice packs etc and you tick off what you have taken and it is deducted from your £50 deposit at the end of your stay.
If you are looking to get away from it all but want to still be close to small towns, this is ideal we had a lovely walk around Hay on Wye. If you are thinking if booking a meal in the Felin Fach Griffin, do it when you book or you may not get a table.
10/09/2021
Debbie
We had a wonderful anniversary at Seren Mawr, just walking up the hill through the wildflower meadow was a pleasure. I don't think we could get tired of the view. Although "off grid" for the most part, an electric socket provided us with a place to charge mobile phones. Surprisingly, we also had sufficient mobile phone signal at the tent (EE network) to participate in a video Zoom call with my family! The bed was very comfortable. The dressing gowns and clogs provided by Amanda were very welcome, particularly for night-time trips to the Ty Bach.
02/07/2021
Hazel
Beautiful glamping experience in the most peaceful location
11/06/2021
Gemma
Fantastic! The property was everything it was described, and more. We had perfect weather which made it even better. Amanda and Barney were very hospitable and helpful and we had everything we needed to make the stay perfect
23/04/2021
Alice
We had the most amazing time Glamping at Argoed Barns. Waking up to those incredible views every morning was heavenly. The tent is fully equipped with pretty much everything you could need, we pre-made some food which we were then able to easily heat up on the gas stove in the evening. Definitely needed some warm hearty food in the Welsh autumn weather. We will 100% be back, and have recommended to friends already
12/10/2020
Kerri
Our stay at the dome at argoed was absolutely amazing! The location of the dome was on top of hill which provided the most amazing views which we would happily soak up whilst sitting in the pefect hot tub! Everything about this holiday was perfect and I could not recommend it enough to anyone looking for a romantic stay in somewhere a little bit different!
31/08/2020
ella
Great hosts couldn't do enough for you. They even went and collect the bits of shopping we had forgot, so we could relax without leaving again and we were exhausted so this was so welcome. Place was clean and very comfortable, fabulous views and so quiet and peaceful.
19/04/2019
Alivia
This was a fantastic experience! Booked for our three year anniversary, we were dying to get off the grid for a bit and away from our online jobs. Amanda was the perfect host, a truly lovely person and the Dome was tranquil, cosy and had all the comforts you could possibly need. Loved spending the evenings in the hot tub looking out over the Brecon Beacons - it couldn't have been more idyllic. Plus the almost entirely off-grid Dome (we're talking compost loo, log burner, solar lights, a natural water borehole and everything - just stunning) had one cheeky little power outlet which mean we could keep a phone charged to take loads of pictures :) just perfect!
03/09/2018
Lauren
Beautiful, memorable and comfortable
13/08/2018
Rachel
We're super excited to be adding Amanda and Jonathon's latest space. A wonderful addition to the collection. The feedback for Shepherd's Hut at Argoed should give you a good feel for what it will be like. Book a stay and be the first to write a review!”
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Book with us in confidence knowing you won’t find that place cheaper elsewhere. All of the prices we display are set and matched by our Owners. (In this world of foreign currency, we do have to say 'subject to exchange rates' for some of our European places.)
What does ‘from price’ mean?
Our ‘from price’ is based on a four night stay in low season and designed to help you to compare different prices across our collection. Some of our Owners vary their nightly rates and check in days throughout the year, so it may differ from the rate quoted below the calendar. It is quite common (although by no means universal) for places to charge a little more in peak season or for shorter stays, to cover changeover costs. Consider booking longer stays during the cooler months if you’re looking for the lowest nightly rates.
Agency Terms & Conditions
Except where otherwise specified, we Sawday’s Canopy & Stars Ltd (Company No 09088366) of Merchants House, Wapping Road, Bristol, BS1 4RW act only as an Agent in respect of all bookings we take and/or make on your behalf. As an Agent we act as an intermediary between you and the owner (‘’Owner’’) of the holiday accommodation (‘’Property’’) you will be staying in. We help to arrange reservations and bookings between you and the Owner and take payments from you on behalf of the Owner.
We are only arranging a contract between you and the Owner for hire of the Property and for any other services or arrangement you purchase from the Owner (the “Booking”). This means the legal contract for the Booking is between you and the Owner despite the fact that a payment for the Booking has been made to the Agent. Your contract for the Booking is not with Sawday’s Canopy & Stars Ltd (Canopy & Stars).
Canopy & Stars is part of the Sawday’s family of companies, a majority employee owned business, 24% owned by a charitable trust and a B Corp. We accept no liability in relation to any contract you enter into in relation to Bookings or for the acts or omissions of any supplier(s) or other person(s) or party(ies) connected with any Booking.
When making your Booking we will arrange for you to enter into a contract with the Owner, as detailed in clause 1.2 below. Your Booking is subject to these Agency Terms & Conditions and any other specific booking conditions of the relevant Owner(s) you contract with. The Owner’s booking conditions may limit and/or exclude the Owner’s liability to you.
You may decide to make more than one Booking at the same time. The price charged in total for more than one Booking will always equal the prices charged separately for each individual Booking. All Bookings are available to be purchased separately at the same price as they are when more than one Booking is made. This means that any multiple Bookings do not constitute a package as defined in the Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992.
By making a booking, you agree that:
- You have read these Agency Terms & Conditions and agree to be bound by them;
- The lead name on the Booking will be the person responsible for the Booking and shall be responsible for paying the deposit and the full price, for making any amendment and cancellation requests and for the payment of any additional charges. The lead name accepts these Terms & Conditions on behalf of all persons in the Booking;
- You consent to our use of your information in accordance with our Privacy Policy;
- You are over 18 years of age and where there may be age restrictions in place, you declare that you and all members of your party are of the appropriate age
The Canopy & Stars online booking system enables Guests to make Bookings 24 hours a day. To confirm your booking, you must pay a 25% deposit (or full payment if booking within 10 weeks of your check in date) and the entire Booking will be subject to the cancellation policy as outlined in clause 2 below. The Canopy & Stars telephone booking line is open Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm and Saturdays 10am to 2pm. When using the online enquiry form, for those Properties without online booking, please allow 24 working hours for us to contact you by telephone to confirm the Booking. If we are unable to reach you by phone, we will attempt to contact you by email. We will contact you during Canopy & Stars working hours (Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm and Saturday 10am to 2pm). Online or email enquiries will be dealt with in the order they are received, but please be aware that we cannot guarantee reservation of your selected dates until the receipt of suitable payment. Therefore, if possible, we do recommend that you book on the Canopy & Stars website using the online booking system.
1. Booking and payments
1.1 In order to confirm your chosen Booking, you must pay a 25% non-refundable deposit as required (or full payment if booking within 10 weeks of the date of your check-in). The deposit is non-refundable as it covers costs incurred and services provided to enable your Booking. These include, but are not limited to, marketing and PR, property inspection fees, Owner management, booking management, credit card fees and customer service.
1.2 Your Booking is confirmed and a contract between you and the Owner will exist when we receive payment of the deposit and send you a booking confirmation on the Owner’s behalf. This Booking confirmation email will be sent within 24 hours and will contain the details of your Booking and of payments made and due. If you have not received your Booking confirmation email within the specified time, please notify us as soon as possible by email (bookings@canopyandstars.co.uk). Please check your confirmation carefully and report any incorrect or incomplete information to us immediately. As we act only as booking Agent, we have no responsibility for any errors in any documentation except where an error is made by us.
1.3 Once the 25% deposit has been paid, the full balance payment will be due 10 weeks in advance of your check in. A reminder to pay your balance will be sent to you one week prior to this 10 week date, where applicable, by email. We automatically take the balance payment using the same card as used to make the deposit payment. It is your responsibility to advise us if we should use a different card and to contact us by telephone (0117 204 7830) to arrange for alternative payment method. If the automated balance payment does not successfully go through as there is a problem with your card, such as it is expiring, then we will contact you to try and take alternative payment. If you do not make any payment due to Canopy & Stars by the due date for payment and at the latest within 5 days of this date, then with regret, we will notify the Owner who will cancel your Booking and terminate their contract with you. In these circumstances, your rights to a refund are set out in clause 2.3 and 2.4 below. Please note that if you have paid in a currency that is different to the original pricing, we will not be able to guarantee the same conversion rate that was used to convert the deposit payment.
1.4 Except where otherwise advised or stated in the booking conditions of the Owner concerned, all monies you pay to us for a Booking will be held on behalf of the Owner(s) concerned.
1.5 Credit Card payments are processed via Elavon who provide merchants services facilities to Sawday’s Canopy & Stars Ltd.
2. Cancellation by You
2.1 If you have to, or want to cancel or amend your Booking, this request must be sent to us by email (bookings@canopyandstars.co.uk) and will be considered and responded to within two working days of receipt. Please ensure that you have received written confirmation of any changes to your Booking prior to travel. Whilst we will always try to help, we cannot guarantee that such requests will be met.
2.2 Cancellation by you at any time will result in your 25% deposit being forfeited. The deposit is always non-refundable as it covers costs incurred and services provided to enable your Booking.
2.3 All bookings are non-amendable and non-refundable within 10 weeks of your check in date. If you need to cancel your booking within 10 weeks, the total cost of the accommodation including the deposit will be forfeited. Cancellation should always be in writing to bookings@canopyandstars.co.uk.
2.4 If you need to cancel your booking at a date 10 weeks or more in advance of your check in date, the 25% deposit will be forfeited. If the booking has been paid in full the balance will be returned to you, minus the 25% deposit. Refunds will be issued in the same form and ratio as the original payment was made. Therefore, if a Gift Voucher was used to book your stay, the refund will be back onto a new Gift Voucher at the same amount as originally used. Alternatively, if you paid in cash, your refund will be processed in the currency of the booking. Where this is different to the currency of the payment card, this will be converted at the current exchange rate on the day of the refund.
2.5 Cancellations made by you, at any time, may incur a £50 administration fee in addition to us retaining the non-refundable deposit. This represents the administration costs incurred by us on behalf of the Owner to deal with such requests.
2.6 If extreme weather prevents you from reaching your holiday, taking, or finishing your holiday, you are still subject to these cancellation terms as outlined in clause 2.3 above. We strongly recommend that you take out a travel insurance policy which covers this eventuality. In the event of the property becoming unavailable (such as due to fire or flooding), Canopy & Stars will endeavour to provide the Guest with suitable alternative accommodation, starting with any other accommodation that may be available with the same Owner of your Booking, or will refund all monies paid, or a proportion in the case of curtailment. The Agency cannot, however, pay any compensation or expenses as a consequence of such an event.
2.7 Cancellation insurance is available to purchase from many providers, but will be a third-party arrangement and not involve Canopy & Stars or the Owner in any way. You are strongly recommended to take out personal travel insurance for all members of your party for UK holidays and you must take out personal travel insurance for international holidays, including for illness and cancellation due to Covid-19. It is your responsibility to ensure that the insurance cover is adequate for your needs, including cancellation and curtailment.
2.8 If you fail to check-in on your date of arrival your Booking will be cancelled and no refund will be due.
3. Amendments to your booking, requested by you
3.1 Amendments to your Booking can only be made more than 10 weeks prior to the check in date, after which time amendments may be treated as cancellation and our refund policy as detailed in clause 2.3 above may apply. All amendments are subject to availability and may incur a £50 admin fee detailed in clause 2.5 above.
3.2 If we can fulfil your request to amend your booking, any differences in price as a result of the amendment, will be paid by you in the case of an increase and refunded to you in the case of a decrease in price, e.g. amending your booking from low season to high season.
3.3 In the event that a date swap is offered, this will normally be agreed with a set timeframe to rebook and sometimes a credit against a future stay will be offered. The credit can only apply to a stay at the same space as originally booked.
3.3.1 If a date swap is offered, then the Agency Booking Terms and Conditions applied at the time of your original booking will still apply. Therefore, if your date was swapped within 10 weeks of the original check in date, the 10 week cancellation policy set out in clause 2.3 applies to your new stay, even if the new check in date is beyond 10 weeks.
4. Refunds
If a refund is issued it will be in the same form and ratio as the original payment was made. Therefore, if a Gift Voucher was used to purchase the original stay, the refund will be back onto a new Gift Voucher at the same amount as originally used.
5. Insurance
You are strongly recommended to take out personal travel insurance for all members of your party for your holiday, including holidays in the UK. It is your responsibility to ensure that the insurance cover is adequate for your needs, including cancellation and curtailment for any reason. Please read your policy details carefully and take them with you on holiday.
6. Changes and Cancellations by the Owner
We will inform you as soon as reasonably possible if the Owner needs to make a significant change to your confirmed Booking or to cancel your Booking. We will also liaise between you and the Owner to try and organise an alternative Booking offered by the Owner, or a refund but we will have no further liability to you.
7. Cancellations due to events outside of Owner’s control
An Owner may have to cancel a booking due to events outside of their reasonable control (see clause 22). In such circumstances, we will liaise between you and the Owner to try and organise an any alternative Booking offered by the Owner, or a refund but we will have no further liability to you.
8. Complaints & Procedure
We always aim to provide the best possible holiday experience, however, if you have any complaint or problems during your stay, please immediately notify the Owner during the stay itself, so that the Owner has the opportunity to resolve the problem at the time. If you do not follow this procedure, there will be less opportunity for the Owner to investigate and resolve your complaint and to make your stay as enjoyable as possible. Delays may also mean that the amount of compensation you may be entitled to, may be reduced or negated.
Whether or not your complaint is dealt with satisfactorily, please also let us know of the problem as soon as possible by emailing info@canopyandstars.co.uk. We will aim to respond within 1 working day to acknowledge your email. We will then review your feedback and investigate the complaint. This may involve discussing your concerns with the owner, revising the website listing for inaccuracies, and reviewing previous guest feedback and internal inspection notes. This process can take time to complete, so please allow approx. 7 working days for a final response.
We also welcome you to fill in our feedback survey which will be sent to you via email the day after you check out. It is important for us to gather as much information as possible about the experiences our guests are having. This is what helps us support our Owner in fulfilling their potential and identifying if anything could be improved.
9. Our Responsibility for your Booking
Your contract is with the Owner and its booking conditions apply. As Agent, we accept no responsibility for the actual provision of the Booking. Our responsibilities are limited to making the Booking in accordance with your instructions and acting properly in accordance with our legal duties as an Agent. We accept no responsibility for any information about the Booking that we pass on to you in good faith. However, in the event that we are found liable to you on any basis whatsoever, our maximum liability to you is limited to twice the cost of your Booking (or the appropriate proportion of this if not everyone on the Booking is affected). We do not exclude or limit any liability for death or personal injury that arises as a result of our negligence or that of any of our employees whilst acting in the course of their employment.
10. Your Responsibilities
10.1 Please note that you have a contract with the Owner of the property. As such you are under a responsibility to behave in a proper, appropriate and legal manner whilst staying at the property with due respect to the Owner, the Property and other guests and their Property.
10.2 You are responsible for informing the Owner of any losses or damage to the property as soon as possible. Please note that you will be liable to pay the Owner for any losses or damage to the property caused by you or a member of your party (except reasonable wear and tear). Some Owners may also require a damage deposit. If so, this information will be provided on the website place page under ‘essentials’.
10.3 You must also leave the property by the check-out time specified on your Booking. If any guest behaves inappropriately or improperly (of which the Owner will be the final judge on their Property), or illegally, the Owner reserves the right to ask the guest and their party (at their discretion) to leave the Property before the end of the holiday period and/or refuse any future bookings from you. Please note that this would be without the right to any refund.
11. Pets
11.1 Not all properties accept pets. If you wish to take your pet on holiday, please advise us before booking and we can check whether pets are accepted at the property. You must obtain the prior consent of the Owner before taking any pets to the property. If you take a pet to a place that doesn’t allow pets, or you exceed the number of pets allowed at a place, the Owner has the right to refuse you to stay at the Property, and/or they may ask you to leave the Property before the end of the holiday period. Please note that this would be without the right to any refund.
11.2 A nightly charge may be made by the Owner for each pet and additional terms may apply, you will be notified of this at point of Booking. Please check these terms carefully before booking and arriving.
11.3 Please do not leave your pets alone or unsupervised in the property at any time during your stay. For the safety and comfort of your pet we request that Owners exercise due diligence at all times, especially where the property is located near a road/livestock. Canopy & Stars nor the Owner can accept responsibility for the safety of your pet.
11.4 If any guest has an allergy to pets, please be aware that Owners (and we) cannot guarantee that a pet has not stayed in a particular Property. We and Owners cannot accept responsibility for any suffering which may occur as a result of such animals having been present in a property.
11.5 We ask that all owners of pets keep their pet under control at all times and to be responsible for ensuring that they do not damage the Property, livestock or vegetation during the stay. You will be liable for any damage caused by your pet. Any damage is to be reported to the Owner immediately. Any additional cleaning required, that may incur an additional charge, will be at the Owner's discretion.
12. Special requests
If you have any special requests (for example dietary requirements, allergy, cots or room location), please let us know at the time of booking. We will pass on all such requests to the Owner, but unfortunately, we can't guarantee that they will be met and we will have no liability to you if they are not.
13. Maximum Numbers
Please note that except by prior arrangement confirmed in writing, only the number of persons specified on a booking confirmation may occupy a property. Most owners reserve the right to refuse admittance or revoke a Booking if this condition is not observed and you are unlikely to receive any refund.
13.1 The Owner reserves the right to sue the guest for any loss, damage or injury caused to the Owner, the Property or to other guests and/or their property. As Agent, we will have no liability to you in these circumstances.
13.2 The Owner only supplies the Property for domestic and private use. You agree not to use the Property for any commercial, business or re-sale purpose, and the Owner has no liability to you for any loss of profit, loss of business, business interruption, or loss of business opportunity. If you do wish to use the Property for a commercial purpose, you must contact Canopy & Stars prior to confirming your booking.
14. Group Bookings
Not all Owners accept Bookings for a single sex group (for example, a stag or hen party). Guests wanting to make such a Booking should check with us beforehand to enable us to check whether the Owner is prepared to accept the Booking. We will then advise you accordingly. In event that an Owner does not accept this type of Booking then it is with regret, that the Booking may be cancelled, and cancellation fees may apply. It is the Guest’s responsibility to enquire with Canopy & Stars and/or check on our website beforehand to make sure that this type of Booking is permitted.
15. Pricing
15.1 Canopy & Stars reserve the right to amend advertised prices at any time on behalf of the Owner. We also reserve the right to correct errors in both advertised and confirmed prices. Special note: changes and errors sometimes occur.
15.2 Rates are set per place in the currency specified by the Owner. Where this has been converted into the currency of your preference, until the payment stage this will be an estimation only, based on a recent exchange rate. The original rate will be displayed before you confirm your payment and you will be given the option of paying in your own currency at our guaranteed rate, or paying in your own currency and leaving the conversion and any associated fees to your card provider.
16. Information & Accuracy
The information and prices shown on this website are varied from time to time and may change between the time you first view a property and make a Booking. You should check that all the details are as you expect prior to making a Booking. It is always possible that, despite our best efforts, some of the properties (including the features and extras available) may be incorrectly described and/or priced. If we discover this is the case after you have made a Booking, we reserve the right to contact you with details of the correct information and/or pricing and will give you the option to:
(1) proceed with the Booking based on the correct information and/or pricing, which may require the payment of an additional amount by you
OR
(2) subject to availability, change your booking dates to dates when the pricing can be honoured and so no additional charge to you. In the event that a lower price can be offered for alternative dates then the difference would be refunded
OR
(3) cancel the Booking. If we do not receive your instructions within 5 days of contacting you, we reserve the right to cancel your Booking without liability to you.
17. VAT
Many of the Owners of properties in the Canopy & Stars portfolio are not registered for VAT in which case no tax is payable. Where VAT is payable, the tax is included in the advertised holiday rental price. If the rate of VAT changes between the date of the Booking and the date of the stay, Canopy & Stars may adjust the rate of VAT that you pay, unless you have already paid for the Booking in full before the change in the rate of VAT takes effect.
18. Visa, passport and health requirements
Unless you tell us otherwise, we assume that all members of your party are British citizens who hold or will hold full British passports valid for the entire duration of the international Booking. Information on visa, passport and health requirements, where given and applicable, is so given on this basis. Requirements may change and you are therefore strongly recommended to check the up to date position with the Owner of the Booking, Passport Office, appropriate embassy or consulate or your doctor as applicable in good time before the commencement of your holiday. Prior to international travel it is your responsibility to check whether it is safe to travel by visiting the FCO website www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.
19. Governing Law and Jurisdiction
These terms and conditions have been drafted in accordance with and are governed by English law and the courts of England and Wales have exclusive jurisdiction in relation to any and all disputes arising out of these Agency Terms & Conditions.
20. Discrepancies
In case of a discrepancy between these Agency Terms & Conditions and any other Canopy & Stars literature, these Agency Terms & Conditions shall prevail.
21. Validity clause
In the event that a court finds that a condition in these Agency Terms & Conditions is illegal or void, the illegal or void provision will be severed from the remainder of the Agency Terms & Conditions, which will continue to be valid and have full force and effect.
22. Events beyond an Owner or Agency’s control
If an Owner or Canopy & Stars is prevented or delayed from complying with any of their respective obligations under these Agency Terms & Conditions or a contract for a Booking due to events or circumstances beyond their reasonable control, the inability or delay in performing those obligations will not be treated as a breach of these Agency Terms & Conditions or a contract for a Booking. Examples of such events or circumstances include fire, flood and other acts of God, strikes, trade disputes, lock outs, restrictions of imports or exports, riot, accident, disruption to energy supplies, civil commotion, acts of terrorism or war, pandemic (including Covid-19), any national/local/regional government restrictions.
Thank you for wading through all the very boring, but very important stuff above.
Now the outdoors is calling, so go and get wild in nature!
A breath of fresh air! The Geodome itself was amazing, very spacious, with lovely interior and lots of personalised touches to give it a home away from home feel. The view was beautiful in rain or shine and good location for access to Brecon and Hay-on-wye. The hot tub was great providing a lovely opportunity to take in the Dark Sky experience Overall would highly recommend!
02/09/2024