In the Observer's 'Top Ten Winter Escapes' and in the top 'Unusual Hotels UK' (book). Get close to nature in a secluded spot with modern conveniences and the luxury of a proper bed and wood-burning stove - 'posh camping'! Built in the 1940s, the waggon would have been the 'living van' home of a travelling showman from a circus - like a grand form of early caravan with its own kitchen, living room and bedroom. Click here to see a photo album from real guests, summer views here, winter here. Set in 1.5 acres of private meadow with wildlife close-by, and the opportunity to see wild badgers which are fed nightly while you watch from a fab treehouse above. Great for fly-fishing on the Wye - you have access to brown trout and (sometimes) salmon over a 1.5 mile stretch of the river. See also our other Showmans Waggon.

The waggon itself comprises of:

Compact kitchen with a small electric oven with two cooking plates, fridge and sink. Fitted units and great views while you wash up!

Lounge with two leather tub armchairs, fitted cupboards and original woodburning stove etc - first basket of fuel provided. There is also electric heater backup if required. Beautiful cut-glass mirrors and fitted bureau and bookshelves and great views down the valley. Radio.

Double bedroom – bedlinen provided. The double bed is fitted, and higher off the ground than modern beds. It is 6'4" long (standard) and 4'1" wide - so comfortable for two but technically narrower than a modern standard double. There is a cute fitted dressing table and a small wardrobe. Views down the valley to make getting out of bed seem worthwhile.

There is also a large haybarn for your exclusive use so that you can sit outside/barbeque in any weather. Inside the barn there is a small heated shower room and toilet for your exclusive use (towels provided). On-site recycling facilities.

The accommodation is great but what makes this place a winner is the genuine sense of being close to nature and wildlife that you get from staying here. You have immediate access onto beautiful open mountain moorland which is intersected by great walking and cycle routes.

Or walk down the field to the badger treehouse, or down again to the river which has a boardwalk along it - you have access to 1.5 miles of private river frontage. Click here to see the location.

Located a long field away from the main farmhouse ( with a genuine sense of privacy and seclusion) you'll find a games room by the main farmhouse where you can play table-tennis, table-football and pool.

There is also a laundry room and freezer you can use.

There is no TV (you're welcome to bring DVDs and a laptop) but you can hire bikes and there are some great trails, and footpaths that start at the door.

• Area known as 'The Welsh Lake District' 
• Located in beautiful rugged mid-Wales, great for outdoor activities
• Rhayader -15 min drive
• Famous Red Kite feeding centre - 15 mins
• Elan Valley - lakes, reservoirs
• River Wye - good fishing, clear pools for swimming and secluded beaches
• Sustrans Cycle Route 8, Lôn Las - for long distance cyclists
• Backs onto Elan Valley, crossed with bridleways, eg Monks Trod
• Elan Valley 9 mile cycle trail - Rhayader/Pen Garreg area, following old railway
• 21 speed Saracen bikes, variety of frame sizes available to hire
• Hay-on-Wye -15 miles - famous book town on the border

"I am not sure that anything could have prepared us for how beautiful this place is! We had an amazing weekend, saw Badgers, had fun walking the hills and around the nature reserve and feeding overly enthusiastic lambs! Friendly owners and variety of wildlife made out stay superb! ~ Nicola and Gianni

'The place is just magical. Where do I begin to extol the virtues of the place? We loved the delicious welcoming cakes, super comfy bed, stunning local walks, abundance of varied wildlife, toasty wood burner, beautiful interior, stunning views, friendly locals, amazing tree house and resident badgers, and the crystal clear river. A special mention for time spent hawking with Layla, Whisper the barn owl and Hope the harrier hawk from Hawksdrift. The experience of walking around Nannerth Farm with Hope the hawk as the mist rolled in over the hills made our trip. A must!" ~ Sophie & David Henzell

"The location is unique, we experienced so many firsts - badgers eating, woodpeckers just outside the window, hundreds of Red Kites, wood burning stove and owls hooting. A magical time, we were privileged to stay in the Showmans Waggon, transported back in time"  ~ Peter and Sophy