1 / 24The Firs
Longtown, Herefordshire
A detached 17th century listed cottage in the Olchon Valley near Longtown, with far-reaching rural views, a wood burner, an enclosed south-facing garden and two dogs welcome.
The Firs is a detached 17th century listed cottage in the Olchon Valley, on the Herefordshire and Welsh border within the Black Mountains, on the eastern edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park. Surrounded by fields and mountains, with far-reaching rural views and an enclosed south-facing garden, it is a remote and romantic dog friendly retreat where six guests and two dogs can settle in.
The old stone porch has stone shelves to sit on while the boots come off, with room for logs and outdoor kit, and the dogs come in to stone floors and a house full of character. The traditional kitchen has bespoke wooden cupboards and a breakfast table. The lounge/diner is cosy, with deep seating gathered round the wood burner, a big table for hearty meals, and books and games aplenty.
Dogs are not permitted upstairs, so the fireside is theirs. The first floor has a garden-view super king, a king that leads through to a twin, a single and a shower room. Out in the enclosed south-facing garden there is wooden furniture with a parasol and a BBQ, a lovely place to admire the view. Sheep are usually around, and dogs need to be kept under control.
The valley is an area of special scientific interest, with a profusion of birds, plants and animals and no light pollution, which makes for great stargazing. You can leave the car behind and take the dogs into the Black Mountains, climbing onto the Hatterrall Ridge to join the Offa's Dyke Path out to Hay Bluff and Twmpa, or visit the ruins of Llanthony Priory, and Hay-on-Wye and Abergavenny are both 15 miles away.
We research every description carefully and believe it to be accurate, but details can change. Please confirm anything important, especially dog rules, with the booking agent or property owner before you book.
Book your stay
from £679 for 7 nights
The Firs takes 2 dogs and is booked through holidaycottages.co.uk.
Book with holidaycottages.co.ukPrices are a guide only, checked 27 August 2026, and change with dates and availability. We may earn a commission if you book through this link, at no extra cost to you.
At a Glance
- Dogs Welcome
- 2 dogs
- Enclosed Garden
- Yes
- The cottage is accessed via a farm track leading into the enclosed gardens
- Sleeps
- 6 guests
- Rooms
- 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Price
- from £679 / 7 nights
- Grading
- 4 star
- Arrival
- in from 16:00, out by 10:00
- Facilities
- Bbq, Open fire, Parking
The Firs from £679 for 7 nights
Book with holidaycottages.co.ukFrequently Asked Questions
Is The Firs dog friendly?
Yes, The Firs welcomes dogs — and it's set up with them genuinely in mind. The cottage sits within enclosed gardens reached by a private track, so dogs can get out of the car without needing a lead, and the stone floors throughout make muddy paws much less of a worry. Two dogs are included as part of the stay.
Are dogs allowed at The Firs year round?
The listing doesn't specify any seasonal restrictions on dogs, and nothing about the setup suggests otherwise — the Olchon Valley is a working rural landscape that doesn't change character between seasons. For confirmation of availability at specific times of year, it's worth checking directly with the property.
What should I know before visiting The Firs with my dog?
The Firs comes with two resident dogs, so it's worth bearing that in mind if your dog doesn't mix well with others. On the practical side, the stone porch is a good place to sort out muddy kit after a walk, and the enclosed gardens mean dogs have secure space from the moment you arrive. Walking from the door is genuinely easy — there are field paths along the Olchon brook, open hill behind the house, and very little traffic in the valley beyond the occasional tractor.
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The Firs from £679 for 7 nights
Book with holidaycottages.co.ukWhat’s Nearby?
Walk2.5 mi awayBlack Hill (Cat's Back) from Olchon Valley
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A rocky knife-edge ridge for dogs on a lead, the Cat's Back, climbing to 640 metres on the Black Mountains' edge with views into two valleys.
Attraction3.2 mi awayLongtown Castle
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A thick walled round keep on a high mound in the Olchon valley, free and open, with Offa's Dyke Path on the ridge above for a real walk with your dog.
The Golden Valley: Dorstone to Arthur's Stone
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Hay Bluff and the Gospel Pass
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Unfenced Black Mountains ridge above Hay-on-Wye with the highest road in Wales at the col and sweeping views in every direction — wild, exposed, and best saved for a clear dry day.
Walk5.2 mi awayThe Dragon’s Back (Y Grib)
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Atmospheric ridge walking with good off-lead potential on the open plateaus, though narrow sections and real weather exposure require planning and close control.
Walk8.1 mi awayBrecon Beacons: Waun Fach and Pen y Gadair Fawr
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A long, demanding Black Mountains horseshoe over two of the highest peaks in the range, a dog friendly mountain walk on remote and often boggy ground.