TRAVEL | Winter Relaxation and Digital Detox at Trallwm Forest Cottages

January 29, 2024 Shell Robshaw-Bryan

Glamping Site Reviews, Homepage Feature, Lodges & Holiday Parks, Reviews, Stays With Style, Travel

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Raven cottage at Trallwm Forest Cottages was absolutely magical. I can’t recommend this place enough and If you want relaxation and a total digital detox, this is the place to visit. Read on for our full review…

Regardless of the season, I do my best to embrace it and whilst I’ve learned to love the cold pause of winter, January can get in the bin. To break the tedium of a month I’m not the biggest fan of, I took myself off for a break in Wales on the second weekend of the new year.

After being back at work for just three weeks, I couldn’t resist the lure of low-season prices and opted to book another weekend break for us. I came across Raven cottage at Trallwam Forest Cottages whilst searching on Air B&B and given I have a huge raven tattoo on my arm and it’s my principal animal guide, it felt like a sign.

Having visited the region before (Llandrindod Wells and Randor Forest) I had a rough idea of what to expect from the area, but the private forest location and the promise of no phone signal were too much to resist.

I finished work early on Friday and a few hours later we pulled up outside Raven cottage. Trallwm Forest Cottages are a group of 10 self-catering cottages of varying sizes, spread throughout a private 400 acre working forest, located in Powys, just north of the Brecon Beacons.

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We quickly settled in, filled up the fridge, hung up our clothes and then cracked open a bottle of Prosecco and both indulged in an al fresco bubble bath under the stars.

Back inside, the interior of the cottage is just beautiful, extremely well equipped with everything we could have possibly needed, even a dishwasher and log fire. The simple joy of a wood-burning stove should never be underestimated and made such a difference on a chilly January weekend.

The renovation of the cottage has been done so well, it hasn’t lost any of its charm and has a beautiful, contemporary aesthetic ensuring Instagram-worthy shots, but with no WiFi or phone signal, social media and all forms of phone-based distractions are put firmly on pause here.

At first, this made me a little twitchy though I quickly grew mindful of just how often I habitually pick up my phone for no good reason. Within a couple of hours, we’d both relaxed into the ‘no phone needed’ mindset and loved every second of being out of touch with the real world, leaving us to immerse ourselves and be fully present.

“wrapped up in blankets, noticing the first fresh smells of Spring in the air, enjoying a wonderfully present nature meditation”.

We both slept exceptionally well on the ultra comfy super kingsize bed, and awoke on Saturday morning eager to explore some of the forest. The hosts Mary and Harri have done a superb job of providing information, with everything from forest trails to local wild swimming spots.

We headed out on foot and started with the 4km blue trail which gained enough elevation for some lovely views and made for an exhilarating trail run on the way back down, looping through woodland with streams and little waterfalls along the way – heavenly.

We then bounced on the trampoline at the park, – we wish with all our hearts adult adventure playgrounds were a thing – had several hilarious (terrible) games of ping pong, then simply sat outside beside the stream wrapped up in blankets, noticing the first fresh smells of Spring in the air, enjoying a wonderfully present nature meditation.

Chilling and enjoying the last sunshine of the day

With no desire to watch TV, we turned to the crate of board games and had a fantastic game of Scrabble, something I’ve not played for at least 10 years and something my husband and I had never done together! We then popped a film on and I cracked on with my crochet jumper.

Oh for simpler times, when you could hear yourself think and allow yourself time to breathe!

@campingwithstyle Bouncing on a trampoline, hugging trees, grounding, tarot, macro photography, trail running, sofa snuggles, woodland walks, bright clear starry skies, outdoor bubble baths, waterfalls and so much more. Now that's what I call a freeing weekend! 🥰🤌🏽 #weekendbreak #outdoorlife #wales #forestbathing #wellbeing #cottage ♬ walking on a dream by empire of the sun – sophie

For those seeking a romantic, relaxing couples weekend, Raven cottage is flawless, but there are also cottages set up perfectly for families and small groups too. We really did love every second of our stay, and will undoubtedly book again, and if you want to get back to nature and away from your phone screen, Trallwam Forest Cottages provides the ideal means to achieve a bit of relaxing bliss.

Highlights

So many birds! We loved spotting red kites in particular
The sound of running water
Quirky outdoor bathtub
Stunning, quiet forest location
Plenty of walks/running/biking trails on site with no need to travel
Excellent quality and level of comfort in the cottage
Nearby Abergwesyn Common is an epic wilderness well worth a visit

Our Trip

We stayed in Raven cottage at Trallwam Forest Cottages for 2 nights, 26th January – 28th January 2024.

Booked through Air B&B, we paid £217.51. A large crate of logs costs £5 and kindling £4. Raven is not pet-friendly, but there are pet-friendly cottages available.

Trallwm Forest Cottages, Abergwesyn, Llanwrtyd Wells LD5 4TS.

Book direct at forestcottages.co.uk or you can book Raven through Air B&B.

DISCLOSURE | This was a self-funded private trip and this review is in no way sponsored or collaborative.

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Shell Robshaw-Bryan

Editor & Owner at Camping with Style

Shell loves all things travel and outdoors and is a nature-loving, comfy-camping kinda girl. Shell started the Camping with Style blog after a serious snowboarding accident which left her with a broken back. Despite this she used the outdoors and healing power of nature to aid her recovery and she continues to spend time outdoors whenever she can.

From open water swimming, snowboarding and kayaking to hill walks and meditation, Shell shares her travels and microadventures here on the blog and in various publications she's written for, Shell has a particular interest in promoting wellbeing and the many benefits of nature therapy.

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