Traditional meets contemporary with this cool vacation home rental in Wales. Surrounded by woodland and National Trust moorland, it's a great getaway in the Powys countryside. Perfect for groups of friends who want to hang out and go on long hikes - or families wanting to unwind in simple luxury.

Converted from a 19th-century traditional stone agricultural barn by David and Anjana Devoy,  made famous on the TV show Grand Designs with their Curved House in Clapham, London, it's a great space with an upside-down approach to living.

 In other words, sleeping and washing are downstairs, while living and cooking are upstairs. This allows for fantastic natural light and amazing views over the surrounding woodland from the top floor. The view from the zinc-clad kitchen island is of sunsets over the moorland. There's also plenty of space to chill - with a double rocking sofa, a pool table, a projection screen, and a rotating log burner.  Dine at the reclaimed elm table, on designer straw bales and antique Welsh pews.  

Downstairs are the three double bedrooms, one of which has an en-suite bathroom, complete with Moroccan-style tadelakt bath and fiber-optic overhead shower. Another bedroom has its own ethanol-burning fireplace, and an adjacent bathroom featuring a contemporary roll-top bath with color-wheel LED mood lighting. The third bedroom is a snug nest in which to watch DVDs or Sky HD TV. All bedrooms have riad-inspired lighting.

The house has some great eco-features, including underfloor heating and hot water provided by geothermal boreholes below the soil outside the barn, and water supplied from another borehole. The immediate forest around the barn was also replanted by the owners.

AROUND

The barn is located in its own private woodland, which is over 80 acres in size. Beyond that, it blends into upland moorland owned by the National Trust. 

This landscape is great for exploring, so pack a bag and strike out to the west of the property, where you will most likely be undisturbed by other walkers. Alternatively, head cross-country to the local pub, the Red Lion in Llanafan Fawr. The church opposite it has a certified 2,000-year-old yew tree. 

LOCATION

Llanafan Fawr, Wales, UK. Nearest airport: Cardiff (2 hours).

BEST TIME TO VISIT: Year round