Feature and photos
Gill Rothwell
CASE STUDY
‘We built a rustic getaway that was inspired by the African bush’
I
t would be
hard to find a
more special
getaway than
Bee’s Bower, a
beautifully crafted
little wooden
house perched
at the top of a
copse overlooking
the lush valley
that surrounds it.
From the outside,
its appearance is
somewhere between a log cabin and a
tent, while on the inside it is pure rustictreehouse, as at its heart is a massive oak
tree trunk supporting a hand-carved spiral
staircase.
The concept of living closely with
nature stems from owners Tim and
Bryony Longden’s experience of living
in the African bush for 17 years. ‘We ran
an ostrich farm in a very remote place in
Botswana,’ explains Bryony. ‘It was on the
edge of a game reserve, where the lovely
rustic lodges provided our inspiration
when we returned to the UK.’ Moving
back, but still wanting to live in an area
with ‘a bit of wilderness’, they found their
ideal home with land on the edge of the
Brecon Beacons, South Wales.
An area of the country popular
with holidaymakers, Tim and
Bryony came up with the idea of
offering unique accommodation
after attending a yurt-making
course and building their own
design to start off their business.
Another followed before they
began to consider buildingBee’s Bower. Designed in conjunction
with a timber framer and former boat
builder they met through their son, it’s
almost entirely handmade from locally
sourced and upcycled materials.
Even with the whole family being
hands on, it took almost two years to
complete the lodge, which is available
to rent. Downstairs, the open-plan
space comprises a kitchen and dining
area, a living area with wood-burner, a
free-standing copper bath and separate
shower room with a composting WC.
All this opens out onto
the balcony, with an
impressive view across
the treetops. Upstairs,
the bedroom nestles in
the cosy eaves of the
canvas roof.
Tim and Bryony’s aim
was to ‘bring something
of Africa and to give
people an individual
experience’. They have
certainly achieved that
with Bee’s Bower. For
more information or to
rent Bee’s Bower, contact
the Cottage Company
on 01873 890190 or
visit http://www.the-cottage-
company.co.uk.Bee’s Bower is the perfect place
to escape from everyday lifeBryony now
works part-time
while running the
family holiday
lettings business ssSnuggle up under a canopy
of tree branches in the super
comfortable double bedsThe spacious and rustic
interior is dominated by
the oak tree trunk that
supports the staircases