Cabalva Cwm Pelved
Large holiday house and barn conversion in a stunning location with fishing available on the nearby the River Wye which runs through the estate.
10 Key Facts about Cwm Pelved
Set in beautiful Herefordshire countryside close to the River Wye, Cabalva Cwm Pelved near Hay-on-Wye comprises three historic buildings interconnected by glass walkways. With its own private driveway, the accommodation is situated on the Cabalva Estate, a family-run sheep and beef farm, and is surrounded by fields and wildlife on all sides in one of the most beautiful landscapes in the UK.
Ideal for two or more families
Bedrooms are at either end of the house making it ideal for two or more families to spend time together while having enough room to enjoy their own space.
The South Barn
The master bedroom in the South Barn
The South Barn is a huge converted double glazed barn provides a laundry area, downstairs washroom and an impressive glass fronted double height hall. There is a spacious double/family room ensuite downstairs with a double bed and a child’s single bed, a further double and twin room upstairs with bathroom and the huge master bedroom with Superking size bed and ensuite bathroom. Both have extraordinary views.
The Conservatory
Enough room for everyone – the Conservatory at Cwm Pelved
The Conservatory is a spacious double glazed conservatory with seating for 14 which has dramatic views over the Wye Valley, whilst filling a double height barn is the enormous kitchen with sofas and cosy wood burner which forms the heart of the property. The bespoke kitchen make in oak by local furniture maker consists of a large central island and fully fitted units.
The Cottage
The Cottage – the main entertaining room at Cwm Pelved
A glass walkway leads through to The Cottage, a double height room with oak beams and original windows which forms the main entertaining space coming fully equipped with flat screen TV, sofas, desk and piano to make it a perfect party room.
Outside
One of the picnic tables in the courtyard at Cwm Pelved
Outside is a four-sided courtyard sun trap with an ash tree at its centre. With two large picnic tables it’s perfect for barbecues or evening drinks. There is also a fire pit and pizza oven for al fresco wood fired pizza evenings.
There’s more to enjoy at Cabalva!
Pottery classes for all ages and abilities at Cwm Pelved
In addition to the fishing which is available on the nearby River Wye for guests staying at Cwm Pelved, the Cabalva Estate runs a range of indoor and outdoor experiences. These include Pottery classes which range from beginner’s introduction to clay to family sessions and throwing workshops for experienced potters and private lessons, woodland coppicing, kitchen gardening workshops in the restored Victorian Kitchen Garden next to Cabalva House and two-hour tours of the farm where visitors meet the animals and learn about regenerative farming practises.
Exclusive fishing for Cwm Pelved guests
A nice barbel from the Cabalva Estate’s stretch of the River Wye
In addition to the wide variety of fishing nearby, guests staying at Cwm Pelved can arrange for fish the Cabalva’s own private stretch of the River Wye. The stretch is unusual in that it has never been open to day tickets and to this day maintains its exclusivity for guests staying on the Estate and the fishery management team at Angling Escapades, who offer a guiding service on the whole fishery. Indeed, it is only in recent years that fishing has taken place again after being stopped in the 1990s for conservation reasons.
This means that, as the barbel population of the whole River Wye has increased year on year, they have done so at Cabalva without any angling pressure. There’s still a very good chance that any fish you catch here will have never been caught before.
The stretch varies enormously
At just under two miles in length, this expansive stretch in the beautiful Wye valley varies massively throughout its length. There are numerous classic salmon pools where the water changes from fast shallow glides to deeper rocky pools. Classic salmon water, but perfect for these wild Wye barbel to live in.
At the top end of the fishery the River is at its widest point. Changes in flows give perfect fishing whatever the height. Fast shallow oxygenated water in the warmer months, but when the floods arrive some very calm back waters appear, meaning that Cabalva can be fished for certain species at any height. The same can be said of the bottom end of the fishery in front of Mill Cottage where a classic salmon pool offers a pacey current for the barbel to thrive, but a big backwater where all species frequent, including a shoal of chub and some big pike.
Something for everyone
With regards to species, Cabalva has something for everyone. In the summer months, as well as the extensive chub and barbel shoals, the river is alive with smaller chub and dace. For float anglers, bites can be guaranteed all day with simple trotting tactics.
As the weather turns colder through the autumn and winter the big pike become a viable target. The unspoilt bankside vegetation and trees offer perfect habitats for some huge pike to ambush their pray. Pike over 20lb have been caught here, but with such a long, unexplored stretch of water, there’s always the chance of a magical 30lb pike.
Although the colder months may see some of the smaller fish disappear to their winter haunts, the float fishing is still red hot. This part of the river is renowned for it’s winter grayling sport and trotting with a centre pin and a few maggots will regularly catch grayling upwards of 2lbs.
Traditionally a game water
A nice salmon from the Cabalva Estate’s stretch of the River Wye
As prolific as the coarse fishing is, the water at Cabalva is traditionally game water. Although Wye salmon stocks are a shadow of their former selves, the pools still hold salmon. From March onwards there’s a good chance of big Wye Springer. Throughout the summer and towards the end of the season in October, most pools will hold late fish waiting to complete their journey upriver. The varied nature of the salmon pools means there is water equally suited to fly or spinning, but with so much easy wading, the pools are a fly angler’s dream. As ever with Wye salmon, being adaptable to conditions will give anglers the very best chance.
The River here has a big head of wild brown trout and these can be targeted on a variety of fly techniques including nymphing and drys.
Massively underfished
All in all, Cabalva is still massively underfished. There’s something for everyone all year round, and fishing here is still a journey into the unknown.
If you’re a little unsure about Wye tactics or don’t have the necessary equipment, Cabalva Mill has collaborated with all round Wye expert, Dave Roberts and his Angling Escapades guiding service. Guided days at Cabalva can be purchased through Angling Escapades. For more information visit www.anglingescapades.com
Rod fee £25 -£35 per day. The rental price of Cwm Pelved includes a rod fee for fishing downstream of the cottage. Guided fishing is also available at £125 per half day and £250 per full day.
How to get there
You may also be interested in
If you like the look of this property, why not check out Mill Cottage, which located on same estate and offers beautiful accommodation for two people, set right alongside the river Wye – making it ideal for fishing. Set in the most beautiful Herefordshire countryside.
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