Herefordshire, England
Self-catering cottages in the quiet end of the county — come for a weekend, bring the dog, walk out of the door and up the hill.
Photographs from around the cottages and the lane that leads to them.
The Cat's Back is the long ridge that runs above this corner of the county — a thin green spine of a hill that looks, from the valley road, exactly like a cat stretching. We took the name because that is the view from the lane, and because it is the first thing every guest asks about.
The cottages are ordinary in the best way. Thick walls, small windows, a kitchen you can actually cook in, and a woodburner that will take the chill off a wet afternoon in about twenty minutes. There is no reception desk, no breakfast sitting, nobody knocking at nine to do your room. You get the key, the place is yours, and you can spend the whole weekend in a jumper eating toast if that is what the week has earned you.
Self-catering should mean the cupboard has a colander in it. Ours do: pans that fit a family, a decent knife, a corkscrew in the drawer where you would look for one, mugs enough for everybody. Beds are made up before you arrive and towels are out. Logs and kindling are by the stove. Bring food, bring a bottle, bring the walking boots — that is genuinely the list.
We are a dog-friendly house and not grudgingly so. There is a hook by the door for the lead, a towel kept back for muddy legs, a water bowl, and hard floors downstairs for everything that comes in off the hill. Tell us who you are bringing when you enquire and we will put you in the cottage that suits — some have an enclosed bit of garden, which matters a lot if yours is the sort that goes looking for sheep.
You do not need the car to start a walk here. The lane, the field path and the climb up onto the ridge all begin within sight of the gate, and from the top you get the whole border country laid out — Herefordshire one way, the Black Mountains the other. There is an afternoon's stroll to a pub and back, and there is a proper day out with sandwiches if you want one. We keep a folder in each cottage with the routes written out, the gates described, and honest notes about which ones are a bog after rain.
Most people come for two or three nights, usually Friday to Monday. Midweek is quieter and often easier to get at short notice. Families tend to take a full week in the school holidays and barely move the car after the first day. Tell us roughly when you are thinking of and we will tell you honestly what is free — including the weeks when we would send you somewhere else because we are full.
Everything is arranged by enquiry: send your dates, we reply with what we have, and nothing is held until you say yes.
Tell us which one you have in mind and your dates — we will come back with what is free.
Friday to Monday — the standard escape, and the one that goes first.
Monday to Friday, when the lane is at its quietest and short notice is usually fine.
Seven nights for families who want to unpack once and leave the car where it is.
Any length of stay, matched to a cottage that suits the dog you are bringing.
Dates, availability and anything you are paying are confirmed in writing before you book. Nothing is held until you say yes.
Use the form below. Rough dates are fine, and tell us how many people and how many dogs.
A straight answer about which cottage suits you, what it costs for those nights, and what is included.
The dates come off the calendar once you confirm. Nothing is reserved before that, and nothing is assumed.
Before you travel we send directions for the last few lanes, where to park and how you get the key.
Tell us who is coming and we will tell you which cottage fits. Most stays are fine with one or two; more than that we would rather talk it through than have you arrive and find it tight.
Beds made up, towels, a kitchen with proper pans, crockery and a corkscrew, logs and kindling by the stove. You bring food, drink and boots.
This is self-catering in farming country, so most people do a shop on the way in. We send a list of the nearest shops, butchers and market days with your arrival details.
Signal in the valley is patchy and depends on your network — that is the countryside, not the cottage. Ask us about internet when you enquire and we will tell you honestly what to expect where you are staying.
You can walk from the door. The lane, the field paths and the climb onto the ridge all start within sight of the gate, and the routes are written out in the folder indoors.
Send us when you are thinking of coming and who is coming with you — people and dogs both count.
We will get back to you shortly with what we have free for those dates. Do check your spam folder if our reply is slow to show up.
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