Luxury self-catering holiday let in Skenfrith, Monmouthshire
Welcome to Ruthlin
Ruthlin is an old farm set in eight acres of mostly meadowland, beside the River Monnow on the border of England and Wales. We live in a 16th Century converted barn and guests can rent the old garage, affectionately nicknamed 'Garaj-Mahal' by our youngest.
Ruthlin is home to otters, kingfishers, more birds and butterflies than we can count, and a number of fairly domesticated pheasants who have escaped the local shoots. It feels like a mini-Eden. For a few weeks we even had two escaped cockerels, Randolph and Mortimer, until the inevitable.
Ruthlin is one mile from Skenfrith, a quintessential medieval border village with the obligatory ruined castle; six miles from Monmouth, with its fortified stone bridge (the only one of its type remaining in Britain); and thirty miles from Hay-on-Wye, host of the internationally celebrated annual Hay Festival of literature and arts. It is an easy drive from London and we are happy to collect guests from Newport, Hereford or Abergavenny train stations.
Where England ends and Wales begins
A mile downriver from Ruthlin lies Skenfrith (Ynysgynwraidd), one of the prettiest villages on the Welsh border known as the Marches. Skenfrith’s history stretches back to the medieval period, when the village grew around its imposing castle, one of the famous Three Castles of Gwent, founded by the Normans to control this strategically important borderland and the routes between Wales and Hereford. What survives today was largely rebuilt in the early 13th Century by Hubert de Burgh, a powerful man in King John’s England. St Bridget’s Church, whose earliest parts date to the reign of King John and which is traditionally said to have been consecrated in 1207, is a must-see, if only to admire the remarkable 16th Century chest tomb of John Morgan (d. 1557) and his wife Anne (d. 1564). Morgan was steward of the Duchy of Lancaster and the last governor of the “Three Castles” of Grosmont, Skenfrith and White Castle.
We had a wonderful stay. The location is ideal for a relaxing break and enjoying the solitude of the river. Comfortable bed and a huge bath and all finished to a very high standard. We’ll definitely be back!
Garth, UK
Dinner under the trees
Most summers, we gather a hundred friends and family for our annual Picnic & Pimm’s party. Even when the inevitable Bank Holiday showers arrive, the setting remains magical.
For something more intimate, a table à deux can be laid beside the gently flowing River Monnow.
If you would like to host a larger dinner al fresco during your stay or another event please email with your thoughts.
Explore the grounds
Our Home
Ruthlin is a working home, so you may see our teenage girls pretending to revise in the garden, but generally, if you are staying, you will have the place to yourself. There are few places better to unwind, swim in the river and read a book. If by happenstance you discover us sitting by the river enjoying a drink you are most welcome to join us.