Reviews

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A unique stay in the most cosy & sublime of surroundings: If you like your holidays to be in modern, dull, pre-fab hotel rooms without character or interest & your hosts to be invisible then this place is sadly not for you. If however you want to indulge and have a true adventure then you simply must book in fast! We had the pleasure of staying in the farmhouse over the New Year’s bank holiday weekend. Two families including a 9 month old baby takes some serious housing and Foel Ortho provided it beautifully. From the very first communication to the warmest of welcomes I thoroughly enjoyed my conversations with both Eddie & Jenny Matthews.
The accommodation itself is like an exciting rabbit warren with more rooms than you can count including secret bedrooms behind bookcases, secret passages and even a spa. The house is well stocked with everything that you need for a great holiday, right down to toys and games for babies and children. There’s even a piano in the living room instead of a TV to encourage evenings when families & friends talk together and have fun rather than staying glued to a TV or mobile screen.
We honestly had one of the most memorable holidays that I’ve been on and will most certainly be back many, many times to come.
Eddie & Jenny thank you so much.
Jon Burt-Matthews

“Hi Jenny & Eddy Thank you for a great time at your amazing farmhouse last week! It was the perfect place for our family gathering, everyone really appreciated the special touches, intriguing spaces, beautiful location and child-friendliness. We loved the music evening too! Thanks again from all of us for your warm welcome, and best wishes to you both, Alison x”

“Mummy, when a big cannonball destroys our house, can we go and live in the house with the secret bedroom?” Nelson, age 4 “Dear Jenny and Ed, we loved your adventure house and garden, the castle, and mostly the tadpoles. Love, Isabella, Jasmine and Annelise”. Isabella, age 6.

I just wanted to write and say another massive thank you for a truly memorable weekend away at the magical farmhouse! We had such a wonderful time and look forward very much to returning. Will check out the diaries and no doubt be in touch very soon. Take care, Katie McArdle

“The best staying experience that I ever had, for sure!!! Muchas gracias, Ruben (Red Bull).”

“1November 2013 – I don’t think that we have ever stayed in such a delightfully idiosyncratic house. The children loved all the staircases, the secret bedroom, and the minstrels’ gallery; the second youngest (2 1/2) just loved peeping through the railings, and announcing her presence to all of us down below. The large amount of rain didn’t spoil our desire to explore the wild and beautiful country around Foel Ortho (I understand now why reservoir builders love mid-Wales!). In fact the rain had one great advantage. It meant that we had the excitement of seeing some really spectacular waterfalls!

So thank you, Ed and Jenny. We have enjoyed our stay here. and we all enjoyed the musical evening. Never in the history of mid-Wales has so much talent been assembled in one place. One final comment – your garden is just so original, so full of quirky delights and surprises beyond every Portmeirion Tuscan-red cottage, and trumpeters lurking in the undergrowth. The Coopers – Alastair and Margaret, Duncan, Hayley, Mia, Rosa and Ivy. Beth, John, Freya and Barney (York).”

“Greatest bunkhouse ever! The jazz interlude was very impressive! All the best with the construction work, from the mountain bikers Will, Adam, Adan.”

Dear Eddie and Jenny, Thank you so much for an incredible weekend! Such creative genius has gone into this wonderful place and it has been a privilege to experience it. You are both such gorgeous people and have made our holiday incredibly special! Massive thanks, Steve Dixon.

Dear Ed and Jen, your property is fabulous and your hospitality is way beyond the requirements, and very much appreciated. Many thanks, Marceline D XX

We have all had a fabulous time, and all the children are refusing to go home. The secret bedroom reminded my son of the “secret way” in the Famous Five’s adventures at Kirrin cottage. Highlight of the year – many thanks, see you again, Issy.

Dear Eddie and Jenny, A huge THANK YOU from all of us for loaning your magical house for the weekend. We have all had a wonderful time – the kids especially thought it was the best house they’ve ever been in! Can’t wait to come back for the hot tub! Sarah.

Dear Eddie and Jenny, What a wonderful time we have had, made very special by this beautiful house and fantastic hosts. We have been lucky to find you and meet you. Last night’s performance was very much enjoyed and appreciated! What fun! Good luck with the garden projects and we have to come and enjoy the hot tub anon! Huge thank you, Mike. The Dixon family XX

Our weekend, which has been fantastic, was centred around a triathlon training camp organised by Toby Garbett, G.B. Nat. Age Group Champion and Olympic + World Champion rower (www.tobygarbett.com ). Farmhouse and surrounding area are ideal, and we will return. Thank you Eddie and Jenny for making us welcome and giving us a great musical evening. Margaret + Chris. Lovely comfortable base for an active weekend of cycling, running and swimming. Enjoyed the sunsets and views. Hope to be back.

“This place is amazing, magical, and has been the catalyst for 5 days of pure unbridles joy – thank you, with much affection and appreciation, love, James, Ayo, Luca, Lola and Gianni”

“I cannot thank you enough for making this Christmas 2012 such a memorable experience for myself, family and especially my 7 grandchildren. God bless you both and all your family, much love, and many many thanks, Rosanna”

“We have had an absolutely wonderful Christmas here at Foel Ortho. The kids have been making the most of the garden and all the nooks and crannies in the house, whilst us elders have revelled in the fantastically equipped and beautiful house. Your musical party was fantastic, and we have all thoroughly enjoyed your hospitality and our Christmas. Many many thanks, and we hope to see you again. Hamish (from Warsaw)” .

“Ed and Jenny, I’ve never visited anywhere as quirky as this. What you’ve done with the farmhouse and gardens is amazing! Thank you for making us feel so welcome – I hope I can come back another time – Jodie”

“Ed and Jenny, thank you so very much for a lovely weekend. I have had such a peaceful, relaxing time, you have such a beautiful house and garden. I hope to come back again. June”

(Jack’s stag do) “Ed and Jenny, many thanks for a memorable week here at Foel Ortho. Enjoyed finding our way around the house and garden. Evening music session was very memorable. We had lots of log fires and made the most of some bright spots of sunshine among the “Welsh breath”. You have created a wonderful place here. All the best, Aidan, Nichole, Liam, Lynne, Victor, Laura, Diane and Rowena, also from Hank, Washington DC, Dallas, Houston + Worthing (+ Rhayader)”

“Dear Ed and Jen, another fantastic time had by all! As beautiful as we remembered it. Thanks for your hospitality, Saturday was great. Whenever I hear “Hey Jude” it will take me back to here!!! Thanks again, lots of love, Jo, Derek and friends”

Dear Jenny and Ed, thanks for an unforgettable stay! Truly a “Narnia” experience that I’ll never forget. I will definitely be returning soon with the family. I look forward to discovering your future creations! Keep rockin’!”

“Dear Ed and Jenny, what a wicked place! Took me ages to find my way round, so many awesome things to see ad find. April and Will” .

“Dear Ed and Jenny, precious memories have been formed here – and that is priceless. With many thanks for your warm and generous hospitality, Matt, Beth and Josiah (and Daisy the dog!)”

Thanks Ed and Jenny, we’ve had a wonderful weekend. Dad and son (the twins) had a fantastic birthday, and this was the perfect place to come to. Everyone will remember this for years to come. Boules at midnight with a starry sky was fantastic!! Wonderful place for the whole family to get together and a very memorable happy 60th birthday celebration for Stan and Phil. Jan and Stan Tregoning xx

Thank you for our second fabulous visit this year. It was lovely to see the garden in all its glory and use the BBQ. Dale and Allan Greenow, Amanda and Sean, Tom, Bessy and Jack, Sharyn and Rich, Harry and Billy, Claire and Andy, Noah, Jemima, and Danielle.

Dear Ed and Jenny, Thank you for your lovely welcome. I have so enjoyed staying in your beautiful home – just about every need catered for! Thanks for being so appreciative of my poetry – I love a friendly audience! Love from Isobel .

My daughter’s 40th birth here in your beautiful home could not have been more enjoyable. You are both incredibly talented musicians, and what a privilege it has been to share music with you both. Thank you for your warm welcome and your contributions towards making this a memorable time for Rachael and entire family. Love, light and peace, Eleanor

Hi Ed and Jenny, Thanks so much – we’ve all had the most amazing weekend and I personally loved getting back into the Foel Ortho spirit -felt like I was 15 again! You really do have an amazing and inspiring house and garden. Lots of love, Sarah xxxx .

Dear Ed and Jenny, We have had such a fantastic weekend, from exploring the follies, walking to the top of the waterfall, salsa dancing in the barn, to jazz on a Sunday morning – sublime. Thanks so much for everything. Peter, Sonia, Beth, Feicity and Saskie Hopkins Domus, Chadlington

Dear Ed and Jenny, 1/5/11 Thanks for a wonderful stay (again!). We’ve had amazing weather – real icing on the cake! The children had a great time getting lost in your amazing garden. Trip to waterfall yesterday was breathtaking. We even managed a music jam evening on Saturday night. Lots of love, Liz

Dear Ed and Jenny, A truly amazing place you have here – we have all had a fantastic time. The kids have loved the house and the follies. We’ve made the most of al fresco dining on the many terraces. Have enjoyed lots of runs, walks, swims, bike rides and games of dodge ball (+40 – 40). We had the best ever egg hunt around the folllies and have all vowed to return v. soon. Maxine B.

Eddie and Jenny, Thank you for opening your home and your hearts to us. A magical, mystical haven which we’ve explored and enjoyed together. A real treasure set in a beautiful landscape coupled with your hospitality has made this a Christmas to remember. Cosy evenings around the fire, leisurely meals at the dining table and fun sledging down the snowy banks, we’ve filled this silent heaven with laughter. A musical evening of entertainment with stories of your lives made us feel not like guests but good friends. The children have enjoyed the freedom provided by this landscape, your amazing garden and the absence of technology. For the adults, the pleasure’s the same. A week to spend quality time together, lazy days with the people we love in a secret paradise here in the Welsh hills. Thank you, we look forward to visiting again soon. Amanda and the Greenow, Langford, Fletcher clan.

The Escotts (July 2010) Thank you from the bottom of our hearts – we all (12 of us) had an amazing time. Your house is magical and we loved sharing your very own paradise with you. We could not have asked for anything more, everything is here that anybody could want. The children, all 8, have had a fantastic holiday, and I hope the memories they have will stay with them forever. We not only had a great time, but also feel we have gained two friends. Already planning next year – maybe two weeks are needed. Thanks for everything – the Escotts, John, Pat, Sarah, James, Dan, Ben, Jack, Rebecca, Joshua, Charlotte, Harry and Maxwell.

To Ed and Jen, beautiful as ever, you make the experience of a getaway cottage all the more special. Thank you from all of us for the best New Year ever. It has been fun, musical and wonderful to be amongst friends and family. Thank you for letting us enjoy the farmhouse and follies for the 2nd year running! Love to you both, Jenny, Kris, Cheryl, Ellen, Tim, Lisa, Stuart, Jane, James, Ross, Peggy, Georgia, Holly, Harry, and Catherine.