4-star holiday cottage near Malvern, Worcestershire

Barn News

  • Four Star Gold Award for 2021

    We are pleased to announce that Rhydd Barn has again been awarded a Four-Star Gold Award by VisitEngland in an assessment carried out on Friday 19 March 2021.

    Rosemary Boaz, owner of Rhydd Barn, wishes to express her heartfelt thanks to her wonderful staff: cleaner Sharon and maintenance person/gardener Max. Without their valuable work this award would not have been possible.

    It is especially noteworthy that, within the total score awards, the cleanliness of Rhydd Barn scored 100% in all areas—an important factor in this time of Covid. Again, thank you to Sharon for all her hard work.

    This is the web address of our listing on the VisitEngland Assessment website: https://www.visitenglandassessmentservices.com/establishments/rhydd-barn/

    Here are the highlights from the VisitEngland report:

    • A great location for exploring the Malvern Hills and surrounding area.
    • The Proprietor is to be congratulated on the continued investment and of standards. This past year as well as ongoing redecoration, investment has included: The provision of various additional furnishings and cleaning materials to help meet with Covid recommendations and helping to ensure guest safety and well-being.
    • Excellent to see the general repainting of exterior stonework and paintwork helping to lift overall initial impressions. The rear of the barn to be completed shortly.
    • New concrete fencing spurs and lead post toppers adding to the support and longevity of the wood.
    • The sewage tank also having been serviced.
    • New Director chairs a great added benefit for guests to enjoy this year.
    • Again, the re planting of planters and re planting/landscaping of the main drive entrance adding to the first impression and feel of the barn.
    • 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 Ms Boaz and the team are to be congratulated.
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  • Maintenance work on Rhydd Barn

    Much of the scheduled maintenance work has been completed on Rhydd Barn. Recent sunny weather allowed the paintwork repairs on the exterior walls to be carried out. Also the old wooden bench on the patio has been treated with preservative. Some minor repairs inside the barn have also been done.

    Spring-cleaning of the barn interior is now under way as we prepare to welcome guests once again after the current restrictions are relaxed on 12 April.

    Below are a few photos taken by our wonderful maintenance man, Max, showing his work on the exterior.

    South-facing exterior wall paint touched up
    South-facing exterior wall paint touched up
    Patio bench wood preservative
    Patio bench wood preservative
    West-facing exterior wall paint touched up
    West-facing exterior wall paint touched up
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  • Rhydd Barn maintenance

    This is the time of year when we can get any less urgent and ongoing maintenance jobs done on the Barn. For example, some of our current works include:

    • The clearwater sewage treatment plant has been serviced and is aerating well—a new compressor was fitted last summer
    • Two fire extinguishers have been replaced: one foam and one powder extinguisher
    • Paintwork, both inside and outside, will be touched up when the weather conditions improve plus exterior wall repointing in places
    • Our latest round of Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) has been done on all electrical appliances in the Barn
    • The annual gas boiler and gas cooking hob service has been booked for early March 2021
    • we acquired two new outdoor chairs for the patio last summer

    A few photos below showing repairs needed and a nice sunny one of our new outdoor chairs:

    Barn paintwork defects
    Barn paintwork defects
    Barn brickwork defects
    Barn brickwork defects
    new outdoor chairs
    new outdoor chairs

    We hope to post a few ‘after’ photos later to show the Barn restored to its full glory!

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  • Snow!

    Lots of lovely snow at Rhydd Barn. Photographs taken on the morning of 24 January 2021.

    • Snow at The Rhydd
      Snow on the fields
    • Snow at The Rhydd
      Snow on Rhydd Barn
    • Snow at The Rhydd
      More snow
    • Snow at The Rhydd
      Snow
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  • Fence repair

    The wooden fence along the Rhydd Barn entrance drive has been reinforced with the use of ‘grandfather’ concrete spurs. The grandfathers are short concrete posts fixed into the ground to which the wooden posts of the fence are attached. See our photographs below.

    ‘Grandfather’ concrete spurs added
    Showing ‘grandfather’ concrete spurs

    UPDATE: If you look very carefully you might spot the lead caps fitted to the top of each post to protect the open grain of the fence post tops from moisture ingress. We hope that our fence will now last for many years!

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  • Rhydd Barn is ‘Good To Go’

    We're Good To Go England logo

    Rhydd Barn has obtained the ‘We’re Good to Go’ mark. The scheme means Rhydd Barn is adhering to the respective Government and public health guidance regarding COVID-19, has carried out a COVID-19 risk assessment and has the required processes in place.

    The ‘We’re Good to Go’ mark is a UK industry standard launched on 25 June 2020 by VisitEngland, Tourism Northern Ireland, VisitScotland and Visit Wales. For added reassurance, an ‘alert’ system will ensure that businesses signed up to the standard are notified of any changes to the official guidance so you can visit them with confidence. Spot checks will happen throughout the recovery period as required.

    See also: The ‘We’re Good to Go’ Industry Standard.

    We have a ‘We’re Good to Go’ certificate which we will display in the barn.

  • Seen around Rhydd Barn

    Here are some photographs Rosemary, the owner of Rhydd Barn, took on her recent visit. They show plants growing in the small wildflower meadow and cut hay lying in the field below the barn with the Malvern Hills blue in the distance. Rosemary also managed to capture an image of a young pied woodpecker on the fence to the hay field. Click on a photo below to see a larger full version.

    cut hay in field below barn
    cut hay in field below barn
    wildflower meadow closeup
    wildflower meadow close-up
    pied woodpecker - juvenile
    pied woodpecker – juvenile
    clematis and roses by barn
    clematis and roses by barn
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  • COVID-19 (coronavirus)

    Now that Rhydd Barn is open for holiday bookings again we hope you will be reassured that we have spent the last few weeks making the barn as Covid-safe as possible. We have followed the relevant official guidelines — below is a summary of the changes we have made.

    Rhydd Barn has introduced recommended protective measures against the spread of COVID-19. We are following the Professional Association of Self-Caterers (PASC) Self-catering COVID-19 Cleaning Guidelines — also recommended by VisitEngland (the former English Tourist Board).

    Our cleaner and gardener are implementing the extra precautions needed to eradicate any possible traces of the SARS-CoV-2 virus thus minimising the risk of contracting COVID-19. We are sending extra instructions and terms and conditions to visitors before their stay.

    We have a COVID-19 Risk Assessment in place which has been passed on to our staff. Our cleaner is using a comprehensive changeover cleaning checklist. Our rigorous cleaning and disinfecting procedures between each set of guests pays particular attention to sanitising high-touch points such as keys, door handles and light switches.

    We have decluttered Rhydd Barn to ensure that there are a minimum of non-essential high contact items — for example we have removed many of the ornaments around the property and the attractive extra cushions on the bed.

    We request that you bring your own bed linen and towels with you—if you would like us to provide them then we will have to charge you an extra £10. Please indicate your preference on our booking form.

    We have installed a hand sanitising station in the barn by the main entrance door.

    COVID-19 precautions
    COVID-19 precautions
    COVID-19 precautions
    COVID-19 precautions

    Rhydd Barn is applying for the ‘We’re Good To Go’ industry standard mark a self-assessment scheme that has been designed by the four UK tourist organisations. This will be a signal to you, our guests and potential guests, that we have worked hard to follow Government and industry COVID-19 guidelines, that we have a process in place to maintain cleanliness and aid social distancing, and that we have read and implemented the Government’s and Public Health England’s (PHE) COVID-19 guidance.

    We're Good To Go England logo

    UPDATE (8 September 2020): We have now obtained the ‘We’re Good to Go’ accreditation. See separate news item: Rhydd Barn is ‘Good to Go‘.

    Here are some useful links:

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  • Recent improvements at Rhydd Barn

    patio flower pots
    Flower pots on the patio

    We have been busy maintaining the barn over last few months. Here are some of the things we have done:

    • A new Accessibility Guide has been produced with photographs and measurements added to help visitors’ understanding of accommodation at Rhydd Barn.
    • The white paint of the exterior walls has been touched up where necessary and also the paintwork inside the barn.
    • The flower pots, baskets, and small garden at the entrance to Rhydd Barn have been refreshed with new plants. Also, new gravel added between the plants in the entrance garden.
    • There are new attractive trays in the kitchen and on the shelf in the bathroom. Also a new pan holder in the kitchen.
    • There is a new mattress and new duvet cover on the bed.
    • We have purchased a new ‘smart’ television (see separate post for more details).
    • Three new plug-in night lights have been provided.
    • The exterior lighting had been adjusted so it stays on for a longer period when going outside the barn at night.
    • Antibacterial hand-wash is now supplied as standard. This may prove to be necessary in the future when are able to welcome guests to Rhydd Barn once again.
    entrance garden
    Entrance garden
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  • New television for Rhydd Barn

    Panasonic TX-32FS503B

    We have finally got round to replacing the television in Rhydd Barn with a slightly larger smart television with all the ‘catch-up’ services. The tv is a Panasonic TX-32FS503B.

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  • Four Star Gold Award for 2020

    VsitEngland 4-star gold award logo

    We are pleased to announce that Rhydd Barn has, yet again, been awarded a Four Star Gold Award rating by VisitEngland (the official tourist board for England).

    Here is the summary from the report:

    • A great location for exploring the Malvern Hills and surrounding area.
    • The Proprietor is to be congratulated on the continued investment. This past year as well as ongoing redecoration, investment has included:
    • The re staining of exterior woodwork helping to greatly “lift” overall initial impressions.
    • Again, the re planting of planters and re planting/landscaping of the main drive entrance adding to the first impression and feel of the barn. New edging to the gravel drive “finishing off” the appearance. A real credit to the owners.
    • A new Smart television along with USB chargers, a great benefit to potential guests. The re staining of exterior woodwork painting of the exterior metal work helping to greatly “lift” overall initial impressions.
    • Other enhancements that help to further meet with market expectations include a new additional freezer, a great additional asset.
    • The new toaster and kettle along with new omelette pan and compost caddy also very much to be commended.
    • Again, the ongoing replacing and upgrading of kitchen utensils helps to further meet with market expectations.
    • New night lights helping to enhance safety and guest access at night.
    • Special mention should also once again be given for the very high standards of cleanliness noted on this visit, and for which Ms Boaz and the team are to be congratulated.

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  • Sheep in field

    My sister took this photograph recently of sheep grazing in the field below Rhydd Barn.

    sheep in field
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  • Wildlife at Rhydd Barn

    barn owl
    Barn Owl (from wikimedia.org)

    We receive some lovely ‘thank you’ letters and emails from our visitors. Here, with their permission, is an extract from a recent email:

    Dear Rosemary,

    Thank you so much for letting us stay in The Barn over Christmas and for returning our tidiness deposit – received today.
    […]
    We had a few treats courtesy of Mother Nature. We were visited by a pheasant who peered in through the arched window then minced round and had a further look through the door before marching off down the drive. We watched a muntjac deer come through the hedge by the water trough and walk along the cottage side of the hedge munching the grass periodically until he got to the gap at which point he dived through and bounced across the second field to the far hedge. We also saw a barn owl which dropped into the corner of the field immediately the other side of the fence from the arched window! The owl dropped a couple more times into the field before going into the garden of the house at the end of the drive. It was all lovely to see.

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  • Gardening


    Our wonderful gardener has been busy at Rhydd Barn refreshing our flower pots, tubs, and baskets around the barn patio—the cyclamen look good now. And the small flower bed at the entrance to the barn has been tidied up: some unsuitable shrubs were removed in favour of smaller flowering plants (eg small roses from the local nursery in Guarlford) with a backing of slate to keep it tidy. The edging along our entrance drive has been repaired or replaced where necessary so it all looks much neater, giving a positive first impression to our visitors.

    edging on entrance drive
    edging on entrance drive
    entrance to barn flower bed
    entrance to barn flower bed
    flower baskets on pigsty
    flower baskets on pigsty
    flower pots on patio
    flower pots on patio
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