Hole-in-the-Wall, Wye Valley AONB

This charming country retreat affords tranquillity and seclusion in abundance,  yet within easy access to Motorway connections
The Grade II Listed property boasts a long and fascinating history.  The house has been lovingly restored and refurbished over three years by its current owners from 2014.  The best conservation practice was used to retain its historic fabric. whilst making a very comfortable family home fit for modern-day living. The core of the home dates to the mid-15th century, therefore the detached residence carries a myriad of period features, such as inglenook fireplaces, natural sandstone walls and vaulted ceilings with curved timbers.   Unusually for a period cottage,  the ceilings throughout the house are high giving a light and bright aspect throughout the house.
The house is set close to a large country estate which is well-managed and full of wildlife,  and the setting is unspoilt by any sound, except a delightful variety of birdsong.

Location
The sleepy setting of Hole-in-the-Wall is formed along a tranquil meander of the River Wye, making it an ideal area for hiking and various outdoor pursuits.  A nearby Victorian suspension footbridge connects to the small hamlet of Foy which also offers spellbinding scenery and an ideal landscape to enjoy this secluded section of the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Ross-on-Wye lies around four miles to the south of Hole-in-the-Wall. This market town is famed for being the birthplace of British tourism due to its spectacular skyline; the town is perched on red sandstone cliffs which overlook the River Wye and its high street features an array of shops, supermarkets and independently owned boutiques, a range of restaurants, welcoming pubs and various leisure facilities. There are also four primary schools and one high school in the town, plus two GP surgeries and a community hospital.
The larger towns of Hereford, Monmouth and Ledbury are all within an approximate 30-minute drive.   


The home at a glance
Anchor & Can was originally a ferryman's cottage but, as the name suggests, when the River Wye became a popular trade route, the building was adapted into a public house - and was one of two such establishments in Hole-in-the-Wall.
The oldest part of the home is a medieval cruck-frame structure, but the property has gradually been extended throughout the centuries. The present custodians have nurtured the historic charm of Anchor & Can, but have sympathetically enhanced the home - for instance, modern insulation has been installed underneath the original flagstone floors and a Welsh slate roof was put on in 2018.
The home and its grounds are tucked away behind a wooden gate. The home is as practical as it is beautiful as many touches support the rural lifestyle; the main entrance - a stable door - leads into an entrance lobby with a tiled floor, which gives plenty of room to remove muddy shoes and coats.
Directly ahead, there is a shower room - complete with a walk-in dual-headed shower, a WC, a basin and a cupboard housing the recently fitted boiler - providing a warm space to clean up after time spent exploring the great outdoors.
A porcelain tile floor flows down two steps into a spacious dining kitchen. An original bread oven stands in the centre of the expanse and there is ample room for a table and chairs next to it. Handmade Victorian pine units with porcelain tile worktops are fitted across one side of the room, and there is a Belling range cooker, space for a fridge/freezer, space and plumbing for a dishwasher and a wealth of shelving space. The ceiling and walls feature exposed timbering and set a handsome scene.
A door within an exposed stone wall in the far corner leads down into a formal dining room, which enjoys two aspects; it overlooks the meadows that roll downhill towards the river Wye and a double-glazed door that leads out to the front garden. There are exposed beams, wooden flooring, attractive half-height panelling adorns the walls, and two alcoves are built into the stone walls, giving bijou nooks to display pretty trinkets or pictures.
A door at the other end of the kitchen leads through into two reception rooms - both of which are dual-aspect; they each showcase the rear garden on one side and Wye Valley from the other. Of these, the substantial Snug Room boasts a fireplace housing a traditional cast iron range as its principal focal point,.  The flagstone floor, timbered ceiling and original front door further enhance the rustic character of the space. The sitting room has a high ceiling that accentuates its generous size and includes exposed timbering, plus an inset log-burning stove on a flagstone hearth.
The four bedrooms all include individual doors and staircases linking them with the ground floor.   One is positioned within a former cellar, but it is not underground, therefore the room is still filled with natural light; there is a window and double glazed door leading out to the garden. It carries a timbered ceiling, a painted stone wall and an insulated flagstone floor beneath the carpet - therefore the space could serve as a workshop, hobby room, another reception room or an office in addition to a fourth double bedroom.
The other three bedrooms are all found upstairs. Of these, the master suite is an elegant, light-streamed expanse. It includes two zones, a sleeping area and a private lounge, both of which include vaulted ceilings, but the former showcases exposed beams and offers a wealth of built-in wardrobes.
Of the other two bedrooms, one has a vaulted ceiling with exposed trusses and the other includes a cast iron feature fireplace.  Both rooms have high ceilings and are double aspect with views over the River Wye and garden. These two rooms are separated by a shower room plus a Jack-and-Jill bathroom which includes a freestanding bath, countertop vanity unit and a WC.
Outside, the grounds are predominantly laid down grass with various mature trees.   Seating areas have been created to enjoy the south-facing garden and a patio next to an ancient well offers a particularly serene spot.
General
Services
Mains water and electricity. Oil-fired central heating (new boiler fitted approximately five years ago). Private drainage. Telephone line. Superfast broadband is available.
Local Authority
Herefordshire Council. Council tax band E.
Tenure
Freehold
Directions
From Ross-on-Wye, head away from town along Ledbury Road and journey to the Traveller's Rest roundabout. Once here, take the first exit onto the A449. After 550m, turn left onto Gatsford Road. Stay on this road until you reach a junction, then turn right and stay on this road for approximately 1.7 miles. Anchor & Can will be found on the right-hand side of this country lane, just before a cattle grid.
What3Words: bathtubs.nudge.mimic
Ross-on-Wye 3.5 miles - Ledbury 11 miles -
Hereford 13 miles - Monmouth 14 miles -
 Gloucester 21 miles - Cheltenham 27 miles -
(All distances are approximate)