A new Bosch induction hob and electric oven have been installed in the kitchen area at Rhydd Barn. We hope that our visitors will enjoy using it. Below is a photograph of it.
Barn News
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New cooker
New oven and hob -
Male pheasant
I managed to get a decent photograph of our pheasant through the window. He proudly patrols the area outside, sometimes with his female partner. Here is the photo:
Male pheasant -
Four star gold award for Rhydd Barn
We are proud to announce that Rhydd Barn has again been awarded 4-Star Gold Award status by VisitEngland for 2024. And, in addition to our Walkers Welcome accreditation, we are now also a Cyclists Welcome accommodation. The inspection was carried out by VisitEngland on 7 March 2024. The criteria that apply to the Welcome schemes can be seen on the VisitEngland Welcome Schemes web page. VisitEngland is the official tourist board for England.
Rhydd Barn scored particularly highly on Cleanliness (a 100% score!) and Management (93%, which includes the ‘welcome/arrival procedures’ and ‘in-unit guest information and personal touches’). So, we must thank our excellent cleaner, Sharon, and Rosemary‘s sister, Andrea, for all their hard work. Rosemary, the owner of Rhydd Barn, well deserves this award for all her hard work and her insistence on the highest standards throughout the year.
This is a link to the summary page of VisitEngland‘s latest assessment.
Below are selected highlights from the conclusion to VisitEngland‘s report:
- A great location for exploring the Malvern Hills and surrounding area.
- The Proprietor is to be congratulated on the continued investment and maintaining of standards.
- This past year as well as ongoing internal redecoration, a great deal of investment has gone into the compliance of the new Fire Regulations for holiday accommodation with a Fire Advisor being employed to offer advice. A real credit to the owners in showing their commitment to the safety of the guest.
- External paint work of the barn continues to be attended to on an ongoing basis ensuring that the excellent initial impressions continue to be maintained throughout the year.
- Great to see all the various items purchased and facilities now provided for cyclists.
- Again, the ongoing replacing and upgrading of kitchen utensils helps to further meet with market expectations.
- Great to see that the web site is being updated on an ongoing basis with new pictures added as and when along with “news”.
- Special mention should also once again be given for the very high standards of cleanliness noted on this visit, and for which Sharon and Ms Boaz are to be congratulated
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Wall and window sill painting
The west wall of the Barn has been repainted as some areas of paint were peeling off. Also the window sill around the west-facing ground floor picture window has been redecorated.
Wall repainted 
Picture window redecorated 
Wall repainted -
Plinth, drain covers and godfathers
A concrete ‘plinth’ has been added to the rear of the patio wall to stabilise the wall as gaps were appearing at the base. Also the rear of the adjacent pigsty wall was repointed. New drain covers replace old cracked ones beside the driveway. And concrete ‘godfathers’ have been added to reinforce the fence posts of the fence between the Barn’s little wildflower meadow and the Hanley Swan road.
Concrete plinth base rear of patio wall 
New drain covers 
‘Godfathers’ reinforcing fence by Hanley Swan road -
Water butts
We have replaced an old leaking water butt behind the Barn with a new one. Also the water butt beside the pigsty needed a new connection fitting to the downpipe which has been done.
New water butt behind the Barn 
New connection to pigsty water butt -
Malvern Railway Station
When I visit Rhydd Barn I usually travel by rail. So, I am often at Malvern Railway Station. This wonderful Victorian station was built in 1861, designed by E W Elmslie using local Malvern stone, to impress wealthy visitors who came to Malvern for its famous water cure. There is a café where, if I arrive early enough, I like to have a coffee with cake. The station is lovingly looked after and it was recently repainted. Here are two photographs I took:
Malvern Railway Station detail 
Malvern Railway Station -
Signs of Autumn at Rhydd Barn
While I was staying at the Barn in early September I noticed some signs that autumn was not far away. Fruits have formed on the horse chestnut tree which will later mature and fall to the grass as spiny green shells containing ‘conkers’. I also saw some early acorns on the oak tree, still green. My small wild flower meadow at the entrance to Rhydd Barn has been cut—the cuttings are left to lie on the ground so that any seeds will be returned to the meadow to add to next year’s flowers and grasses.
I took some photographs:
‘Conkers’ appearing 
An early acorn 
Wild flower meadow cut -
Maintenance at Rhydd Barn
I stayed at the Barn during the first week of September and was able to take a lot of photographs. Paint was peeling off the walls inside the converted pigsty—it has now been redecorated. Also the pigsty exterior brickwork on the side wall and the back of the pigpens was repointed in places. The gravel drive has to be weeded regularly and the grass in the field mowed and strimmed along the edge. Grass in the sewage tank area in the field also has to be kept short. The sewage tank is inspected regularly—most recently in August when it was found to be in excellent order.
Here are some photographs:
Pigsty repointing 
Pigsty interior repainted 
Driveway weeding 
Grass cut by fence 
Sewage tank area grass cut -
Field cut for hay
My sister sent me this photograph of the field in front of the Barn. The long grass has just been cut for hay. Here is the photo:
Field cut for hay -
Maintenance, August 2023
We have carried out some necessary maintenance and repair work on Rhydd Barn:
- Re-pointing work on the lower part of the south exterior wall and converted pigsty.
- The inside of the south entrance door has been treated to prevent water entering.
- Wood surfaces at the end of the converted stable block have been painted.
- The metal gate to the grassy area behind the barn has been painted.
- The wooden entrance gate to Rhydd Barn has been treated to prevent algae and coated with a preservative.
- Fridge doorknob tightened—which was a much trickier job than it appeared to be!
Main entrance door treated against damp 
Converted pigsty repointing 
Metal gate painted 
Fridge doorknob tightened up -
Four star gold award for 2023
We are very pleased to announce that Rhyyd Barn has, yet again, been awarded a 4-Star Gold Award rating by VisitEngland. The inspection was carried out on 14 March 2023. The Gold Award is an additional accolade for those ‘offering exceptional quality within their star rating’.
We are so grateful to our maintenance team at Rhydd Barn: Sharon our cleaner, Max our gardener/’handyman’, Tom our builder and Andrea, Rosemary’s sister, for all their hard work. Here is the summary from the official report which we received a couple of days ago:
Rhydd Barn continues to offer comfortable very well well maintained accommodation for its market.
Mrs Boaz, the Proprietor and her team clearly take great pride in the barn, this being very much
reflected in the high standards achieved and maintained and for which all are to be congratulated. A
real credit to you all. Well done!
It is therefore a pleasure to once again reconfirm the Four Star Self catering rating along with Gold
Award for another year reflecting this, and fully deserving. Congratulations to you all!!
It is also understood that the Proprietors feel the current rating and award meets well with the market
expectations and business levels catered for and we wish them all the very best for a successful
coming season.
Wishing all, all the very best for the future and stay safe and well.
Walkers Accreditation also confirmed for another year. -
Conifer tree reduced
The large conifer tree at the entrance to the driveway to Rhydd Barn was becoming too tall. So, reluctantly, we decided it needed to be reduced in height along with a general pruning. Our gardener did a neat job and you can see the difference between the before and after photos below.
Conifer tree – before 
Conifer tree – after -
New security lights
New outside lights have been installed. We have replaced a failing security light opposite the garage and a third new security lantern light has been added on the pigsty wall. The new light attached to the pigsty can be left on to light up the patio area in the evening. The overall result is much better lighting now all round the Barn. The new lantern-style light on the pigsty wall is shown below:
New outdoor light -01 
New outdoor light -02