Our Stay at The Roundhouse - The Perfect UK Retreat for Couples
It was a late-night decision that brought us to the Roundhouse in Herefordshire. My husband Oliver and I had been planning a child-free weekend away for a while. The main requirement was a romantic getaway where we could completely switch off from everyday life and spend quality time together - peaceful days spent reading, and relaxing quiet evenings. I was imagining an infinity pool overlooking a beautiful Mediterranean beach in a very quiet adults' only hotel with lovely restaurants nearby. After weeks of hunting for the perfect place that matched our budget and getting nowhere, I finally locked us both in a room at 6:30pm one evening and refused to open the door until we'd booked something. At 1am the next morning, exhausted, thirsty and slightly delirious, I turned to him and said "Shall we just stay in this country?" And so our trip to the Roundhouse was decided.
Although we’ve had a few staycations together in recent years, they’ve all been city breaks (Oxford, Cambridge and Bath) so this was our first foray into relaxing lodge style territory. The Roundhouse is honestly the loveliest place I’ve ever stayed in - just like being in your very own spa. It also tied in nicely with our three month (so far) alcohol hiatus and we left feeling so refreshed. It turned out to be the perfect retreat from busy life.
The Roundhouse is on the outskirts of Ross-on-Wye on the north eastern edge of the Wye Valley - an area of outstanding natural beauty (I’ve added more info and recommendations on this lovely picturesque market town towards the end of this post). Located off the beaten track along a quiet country lane and surrounded by trees and wildlife, it's the perfect place to relax and unwind.
The retreat consists of two buildings which you have all to yourselves - the apartment and The Roundhouse.
The Roundhouse
The stunning Roundhouse is a circular shaped timber structure set beside a natural pond with its own waterfall (it has a reed filter system so you can swim in it although we weren’t quite brave enough).
It’s surrounded by nature and has panoramic views of the ancient woodlands, beautiful gardens and surrounding countryside. All you can hear is the sound of birds, sheep and rustling grasses. It’s so peaceful.
It might not have its own hot tub but tucked away behind the Roundhouse is an outdoor copper bath which, in my view, is even better! There aren’t many things more soothing in life than lying in a relaxing bubble bath with a good book, surrounded by the sounds of nature. A great way to start or end the day.
Inside, there are two very comfy sun loungers with gorgeous views of the waterfall - the perfect spot for reading or just dozing.
And that’s not all! Downstairs, you’ll find a lovely sauna in an ideal spot overlooking the pond. There’s also a shower area next to it.
Like I say, it’s just like being in your own private spa - they even provide you with robes!
The Apartment
The apartment includes an open-plan dining-living-sleeping space, kitchen, bathroom and small utility room. It has all the modern comforts you need and more.
With a beautiful Scandinavian-rustic vibe, the warm neutral walls, large windows and skylight make it feel so light and airy. The views from this room are stunning, with just trees and the glimpse of distant hills.
I don’t think I’d ever slept in a four poster bed before and this king-sized one felt very luxurious! The linen curtains add an extra layer of privacy and a lovely softness to the bedroom area.
Moving across to the sitting area, the large corner sofa is super comfortable and there’s also a log burner - perfect for restful winter evenings. The different textures in the furniture and soft furnishings create a lovely layered look that feels so cosy. There’s no TV - another plus point for me - it really encourages you to switch off and relax. The perfect escape to nature and the ideal place to recharge.
The space has just the right amount of luxury while retaining a relaxed, lived-in feel - exactly my kind of place.
The grand piano is a lovely touch. You’d think that I, with my Grade 7 piano playing prowess might have had a go. I didn’t but Oliver played The Entertainer for the first time in over 30 years - not something I’d care to hear again.
And if all that wasn’t enough, what makes the Roundhouse extra special is the thoughtful little touches - you’ll find herbal tea in different flavours, interesting books and even yoga mats.
As an interior designer, it’s such a treat to stay in a well designed space and this place has got every detail right. We were so lucky getting a last minute booking which cost £395 for two nights (the usual price is £495 - still a bargain).
The Surrounding Area - Ross-on-Wye
Ross-on-Wye is in a great location not far from the South Wales border and the Brecon Beacons, and about a three hour drive from London. We stopped off there on our last day and we also went for tea there on our second night. The town is full of old English charm with its 17th century buildings, timber framed houses and narrow streets lined with independent shops, cafés, and traditional pubs - a great place for a wander. We had a very exciting time following the vintage & design shopping trail (I bought an old oil painting for my newly refreshed bedroom) - the ideal way to end our stay!
The courtyard at Truffles Delicatessen
If you’re looking for lovely coffee and delicious sandwiches, Truffles Delicatessen is the ideal choice. They have a pretty courtyard at the back. The ideal place for a light lunch.
No 3 Restaurant serves really delicious food made with local produce. We went there on our second night and I really can’t recommend it highly enough. One of the best places we’ve eaten in a long time.
Oh and make sure you stop off at Rossiter Books for a cosy browse – it’s one of those independent bookshops that’s full of charm and character.
After having used most of our rare child-free breaks on trips abroad over the last fifteen years, we'll definitely be going on more rural retreats from now on - and we’ll definitely be back to the Roundhouse!
I hope you've enjoyed this blog post and it’s given you some ideas for your next break away. Whether it’s for a special occasion or just a romantic break - it really is the perfect hideaway. Who needs the Med? (if you do need the Med, take a look at my blog post about Alicante).
