4-Star cottage near Malvern, Worcestershire

gold award

  • 4-star award for Rhydd Barn

    VisitEngland award logos

    We are pleased to announce that that Rhydd Barn has, yet again, achieved a 4-star Gold Award rating from VisitEngland in an its annual inspection carried out on 20 March 2025. Our Walkers Welcome and Cyclists Welcome accreditations were also confirmed for another year. We are grateful to Sharon, our cleaner (who helped the Barn achieve a 100% rating for cleanliness), and our team who maintain the buildings and grounds as well as Andrea who provides a ‘welcome pack’ for our visitors.

    We have just received the full report. Here is the summary:

    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! This continues to also be reflected in the number of return guests, a real testament to the commitment to the business of the owners and team.

    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 2025 Season, and stay safe and well one and all.

    Walkers Accreditation also confirmed for another year.
    Cyclists Accreditation also confirmed for the coming year.

  • Four star gold award for Rhydd Barn

    4-Star plus Gold Award logos

    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

  • 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’.

    4-Star plus Gold Award logos

    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.

  • 4-Star Gold Award for Rhydd Barn

    4-Star plus Gold Award logos

    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 6 April 2022. 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’, and Tom our builder 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 a high standard of comfortable well maintained accommodation for its market. Mrs Boaz, the Proprietor clearly takes great pride in the barn and is very much to be commended on the continued investment and maintaining of these high standards helping ensure that market expectations continue to be maintained. It is therefore a pleasure to once again reconfirm the Four Star Self catering rating with Gold Award for another year reflecting the care and attention afforded by the Proprietor, and fully deserving. Congratulations to you all!! It is also understood that the Proprietors feel the current rating meets well with the market expectations and business levels catered for and we wish them all the very best for a successful coming season, despite the strange and unknown circumstances we all find ourselves in. Wishing all, all the very best for the future and stay safe and well. Walkers Accreditation also confirmed for another year.

    —VisitEngland Assessment Services Self-Catering Visit Report for Rhydd Barn, April 2022.

    In addition we would like to add that our cleanliness score was 100%. From the more detailed pages of the report: “As on my previous visit, it was once again quite clear that extremely well practised and regimented cleaning and housekeeping procedures are in place. Exemplary levels of cleanliness were noted with surfaces dust free and obvious attention to upper and lower levels clearly evident for which Mrs Boaz and Sharon are to be congratulated.”

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Four Star Gold Award for Rhydd Barn

    four star logo

    We are very pleased to announce that Rhydd Barn has, again, been awarded a rating of Four Stars with a Gold Award in recognition of exceptional quality within its star rating. Quality in Tourism, the assessment service for VisitEngland (previously the English Tourist Board), inspect star rated properties every year to ensure that standards meet their strict criteria. Here is are the highlights of their report:

     

    • The new gate provides easier access to the site and a new sign has been fitted. Fencing has been strengthened.
    • Investment has included the replacement of the arch window on the ground floor and blown glass has been removed. Wi-fi is a new addition for the property and will be appreciated by guests.
    • The public area space provided is very flexible and is offered across three floors.
    • In the public areas the wooden flooring to the first floor has been improved and the new rug presents well. The new standard lamp is a useful addition.
    • An excellent ratio of bathroom facilities is provided.
    • The kitchen has excellent flooring and lighting is also well positioned within this area.
    • The content of the guest information continues to be exceptional.
    • Great cleanliness standards were noted throughout the accommodation.

    This has only been possible with the help of our cleaner, our gardener and Rosemary’s sister Andrea. Many thanks to them for making sure that Rhydd Barn is a clean and attractive place to stay.

  • Four Star Gold Award again for Rhydd Barn in 2014

    four star logoRhydd Barn had its annual assessment by Quality In Tourism on 11 April 2014. We are very pleased to announce that we have maintained our Four Star rating and our Gold Award (given in recognition of exceptional quality within a property’s star rating). We have also maintained our Walkers Welcome accreditation (please refer to the Walkers Welcome leaflet for more information about this).

    Some highlights of our assessment include:

    “The property enjoys some excellent views even from the ground floor windows”

    “Guests appreciate the flexibility of layout of the living areas in particular”

    “The barn is specious for the numbers accommodated”

    “Excellent standards [of cleanliness] observed—high and low surfaces are pristine and kitchen equipment and kitchenware is immaculate”

    “The guests continue to benefit from a shower room to the ground floor as well as an en suite facility on the first floor”

    “Guest information continues to be comprehensive and is up to date”

    One point that we have already improved on since the assessment  is to make sure that the emergency information is more clearly displayed.