We have installed a grab handle in the shower for safety.
4-Star Gold Award holiday cottage
Rhydd Barn News
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Shower safety
—in Barn Newsshower before grab bar fitted shower with grab bar fitted
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Early signs of Autumn
—in Barn NewsConkers are already appearing on the horse chestnut tree alongside the driveway and the leaves are beginning to lose their bright green colour. Plentiful bright orange berries can be seen on the pyracantha which acts as screening for the gas tank.
horse chestnut conkers 
horse chestnut conkers 
pyracantha berries
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Flower pots and baskets
—in Barn NewsWe have refreshed the flower baskets and pots which decorate the barn’s patio as shown in the photos.
patio flower pots 
patio flower baskets and pots 
patio flower baskets and pots
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Woodpecker
—in Barn NewsWe occasionally receive emails from our guests about wildlife they have seen during their stay at Rhydd Barn. Our recent delightful guests from Germany sent us this email after seeing their review posted up on our reviews page:
Thank you so much to mention our review on your new and very perfect done homepage.
As I did browse your website I also found your picture of the male pheasant in front of the barn.
So I don’t want to withhold a picture from you of a very beautiful green woodpecker that “keeps your floor joints clean”.
We took the photo on the morning of June 15th right through the kitchen window.
We often can listen to the woodpecker in our area [in Germany] as well, but we had never ever the chance to see one so nearby.
Green Woodpecker 
Green Woodpecker
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Rhydd Barn field
—in Barn NewsThe small field immediately in front of the Barn was full of attractive wild flowers one month ago. This field is a natural meadow, not treated with fertiliser.
This week the meadow has been cut for hay.
Below are photos of the field as it was in May and as it is now.
Rhydd Barn small field – may 2024 
Rhydd Barn small field – june 2024
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New cooker
—in Barn NewsA 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.
New oven and hob
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Male pheasant
—in Barn NewsI 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
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Four star gold award for Rhydd Barn
—in Barn News
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
—in Barn NewsThe 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
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Plinth, drain covers and godfathers
—in Barn NewsA 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