Cabalva Mill Cottage
Charming and remote well furnished holiday cottage on the banks of the River Wye in Herefordshire
Key Facts about Mill Cottage
An ideal angling escape for two
Mill Cottage on the Cabalva Estate, a family-run sheep and beef farm on the Herefordshire border with Wales, is an immaculately restored, one bedroom holiday cottage on the banks of the River Wye. With views over ancient woodland, the river and the Black Mountains, Mill Cottage is perfect for two and makes for an ideal angling escape.
Described by the owners as “Perfect for romantics, naturalists and anglers”, the double glazed and centrally heated cottage is set in secluded woodland beside a gently flowing waterfall. The complete yet sympathetic restoration has been carried out to the very highest standards enabling visitors to enjoy traditional features like the large fireplace, exposed stonework and oak flooring alongside modern convenience and luxury.
Spacious sitting room
The spacious sitting room has a large stone fireplace with wood burning stove, together with oak floorboards and beams. Traditionally styled with local Welsh tweed curtains, Melin Tregwynt cushions and throws, pictures on the walls by local artists and a deep leather sofa and arm chairs the lounge has a bookcase full of books plus Freeview satellite TV, DVD player, wifi, a telephone for outgoing and incoming calls and board games.
Bedroom with running water!
From the bedroom guests can go to sleep to the sound of a waterfall running down to the River Wye. The Super Kingside bed has a supremely comfortable mattress and 400 thread count Egyptian cotton sheets with Melin Tregwynt cushions and throws. The bathroom is downstairs and is modern, tiled and warm. There is a bath with shower above, WC and basin.
Well equipped kitchen
Overlooking the River Wye, the kitchen has spacious seating for four and has a glazed dresser, double oven, fridge, microwave oven, washer dryer and utensils for cooking and eating. Even salt, pepper, tea, coffee, sugar and washing up liquid are provided.
On arrival guests have a welcome basket of local produce for their first breakfast and can order shopping from a supermarket and have it delivered. In addition, vegetables, fruit, 100 per cent grass fed beef and flower boxes from the estate are also available by prior arrangement.
Patio overlooking the river
Outside there is a patio area with locally made and sourced Douglas Fir seats and table, a barbeque for al fresco cooking and a beautiful peaceful seating area with views of the waterfall on one side and the river Wye on the other.
The Cabalva Fishery
A nice barbel from the Calva Estate’s stretch of the River Wye
The Cabalva Estate’s two mile stretch of the River Wye 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 massively
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
We are lucky to farm along nearly two miles of one of the prime stretches of the River Wye. Cabalva is unique in that it has avoided the angling pressure which has caused many Wye fisheries to deteriorate over time. We are blessed with multiple pools that are home for many species, whether it be an atlantic salmon resting up before continuing its journey upstream, or the shoals of chub and barbel that find comfort in oxygenated water of the pools.
Exclusive private fishing can be arranged for you including guided fishing with manager, Dave Roberts www.anglingescapades.com
Rod fee £25 -£35 per day. The rental price of Mill Cottage 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
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Also of interest
If you like the look of this property, why not check out Cwm Pelved, which is located on same estate and offers beautiful accommodation across 3 buildings, set in the most beautiful Herefordshire countryside.
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