-595x446.jpg "Contemplation spaces")
-595x446.jpg "Music system")
-595x446.jpg "Peaceful spaces")
Architect Designed Life House Retreat
- Mountainous
- Village / Rural
- Internet Access
- Log Fire
- Cycling
- Fishing
- Golf nearby
- Horse Riding
- Walking
- Child Friendly
- Pet Friendly
An extraordinary architect designed house in a remote setting in the rolling hills of mid Wales, near the town of Llanbister. Designed by John Pawson, it’s a timeless example of architectural beauty and simplicity, designed as a retreat for serenity and contemplation.
The house is set on one level, partly subsumed by the hillside and stretching across the landscape. It’s constructed of handmade Danish bricks - black for the outside and white for the inside, and is a result of five years of work by John Pawson, who was deeply influenced by Japanese design and Benedictine Monk architecture.
Life House is very centrally located in mid Wales, approximately ten miles north of Llandrindod Wells. It is surrounded by hills and moorland, with lots of public paths and bridleways nearby so you can get out into this wild and beautiful landscape. Offa’s Dyke, Glyndwr’s Way and Elan Valley are all spectacular walking and cycling routes. You can hire bikes nearby. There are two excellent golf courses in the vicinity at Llandrindod Wells and Builth Wells. You can go horse riding at nearby stables, and fishing at Spring Rock Fisher and Wye and Usk Foundation. Visit the Red Kite Feeding Station and the Small Breeds Farm Park and Owl Centre, or head to Powis Castle or Abbey-Cwm-Hir Hall. There are lots of local shops, bakeries, supermarkets, pubs and restaurants in Montgomery, Llanidloes, Newtown and Llandrindod Wells.
Getting There:
The nearest railway stations are Llanbister Road, Dolau and Pen-y-Bont (10 minute drive to the Life House). Llandrindod Wells and Newtown stations are a 30 minute drive away. The nearest airport is Liverpool (2 hour 10 minute drive to Life House). Cardiff, Birmingham, Bristol and Manchester Airports are all within a 2 hour 30 minute drive.
Nearest Airport:
Liverpool
Nearest Train Station:
Llanbister Road
Nearest Shop:
Llanbister
Interior Details
The house can sleep up to six people in three en suite double bedrooms (one of which can be made up as a twin). Each bedroom is individually designed - the library bedroom walls are adorned with works of literature, the music bedroom has a carefully curated selection of CD’s and a sound system, and the bathing bedroom has an inset bath on a platform with stunning Welsh valley views. The bedrooms and bathrooms all have Egyptian cotton bed linen, hypo-allergenic pillows and duvets, and luxury body products. There’s a timber lined kitchen next to a dining area and large sitting room with huge picture windows looking to the hills beyond. The polished terrazzo floors and white brick lined walls give it a feeling of space and light, and there’s a large freestanding wood burner. The kitchen is well equipped with all the necessary appliances and equipment provided by David Mellor and When Objects Work. There’s also a cavernous chamber inside with a retractable glazed roof, buried into the hillside. The house has wifi, a TV, smart speaker and a library of books.
Exterior Details
Life House has extensive gardens for you to enjoy. There is an external ‘contemplation space’ with wonderful views across the valley - a seating area with integrated carved welsh slate stone which reflects the exact dimensions of the internal contemplation room. There is an EV car charging point.
Conditions
Check in from 3pm, check out by 10am. One well behaved dog welcome for a small additional fee. Please note that due to the location the wifi and mobile signal can be intermittent and a constant connection / fast speed cannot be guaranteed. One load of logs for the woodburner provided, as well as an arrival pack with tea, coffee, milk etc. Please bring your own high chair and cot if travelling with infants.
Please note: Enquiries and bookings for this One Off Place are managed by one of our partner agents. Click on the enquiry button to be taken straight through to their website where you can check exact rates and availability, and make your booking. We aim to keep the property descriptions on One Off Places up to date, but please also check the copy on the partner website to ensure you’re seeing the most up to date information.
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