A Taste of Self Sufficiency: Home - Ross-on-Wye

Nicki B.

Stayed here for a couple of days in February and it was a superb experience! Yolande and Andrew are wonderful and have so much knowledge to share about living a self sufficient lifestyle. The accommodation was excellent - best 2 nights sleep I have had for ages! It was great to eat food that was seasonal and grown at Howle Hill - super sourdough bread and homemade cakes! Loads of lovely walks from the door step too and beautiful countryside. I took away so much about self sufficiency from my stay here and would love to go back sometime.

claire C.

This is a lovely place to stay to relax. Yolande and Andrew really made me feel at ease and I left feeling like I'd known them for years. Having said this they only interact with guests as much as you want and I had plenty of time just relaxing in their garden. Lovely walks from the door or go off and explore this beautiful part of the country. I will definitely be back for a taste of self sufficiency. Thanks for a lovely stay.

Paul F.

A wonderful experience. The Rooms are really spacious and finished to a really high standard. Yolande and Andrew do everything with love and care and it shows in their wonderful hospitality. We were served herb tea fresh picked from the herb garden! & also had a tour of the of the smallholding where they grow all their own vegetables. Unique. My two year old loved it and we will definitely visit again.

A T. O. S. S. H.

Jan and David from Australia wrote ..."Yolande and Andrew greeted us on arrival and instantly made us feel welcome and at home. Our room was extremely comfortable, warm and spacious. Now the heart of the house was their fabulous kitchen where many delicious recipes & meals were discussed, prepared and shared. It was around the kitchen table that warm friendly & interesting conversations took place . Yolande and Andrew kindly shared their extensive local knowledge with infectious enthusiasm and as a result of that we were able to explore and connect with so much in the local district. From walks in the woods, collecting delicious cherries, brass bands to picnics on the river banks, our stay was absolutely delightful. The depth of our experience was enhanced with amazing input from Yolande and Andrew. Warm , knowledgeable, interesting & inspiring - it was very hard to say farewell! We left behind some wonderful new friends and have some lovely memories and stories to share when we get home. Wonderful stay in Wye Valley- highly recommended indeed".

Julie Y.

Highly recommended. Yolande and Andrew are beautiful people with huge hearts. We felt so welcome and have come away feeling relaxed and revitalised. Their knowledge of healthy living and wholesome, nutritious food is inspirational. Caenwood is a peaceful, happy space and we look forward to returning in a different season so as to learn more about self-sufficiency.

Daphne J.

We booked for two nights but stayed three. Andrew and Yolande are very welcoming, and interesting, hosts. A great value home from home stay in a most beautiful area. Thank you, Andrew, for your scything tips (amongst others) and Yolanda, for fascinating information about the Hedgehog!

Greg H.

Just stayed here this weekend and can not recommend it enough! On arrival Andrew kindly baked my girlfriend a cake for her 30th which was a lovely gesture. Throughout the stay Andrew was a great host and made us feel at home. We will definitely visit again some time in the future!

Patrick H.

We visited A Taste of Self Sufficiency last weekend and had a truly inspiring time. If this was just a B&B it would be very good but as a way of life it is extraordinary. Andrew and Yolande certainly provide an excellent welcome, accommodation, food and company and then they lead you across the lane to a small Garden of Eden tucked away a little off the A40 from Pontshill.

Here is a tranquil corner where nature is allowed to blossom under Andrew and Yolande’s clever and intuitive stewardship. We listened enthusiastically as they told us the story of their land journey, how they make the most of techniques including organics, permaculture and biodynamics, providing a bountiful supply of food. We walked the land and gazed in awe at the vibrant growth of amaranth, artichokes, beans, brussel sprouts, cabbages (the size of footballs), carrots, cavalo nero, chards, corn, flowers, quinoa, spinach, tomatoes (red and yellow) – I’ve not included the fruit gardens, and orchard, I’m sure I missed some of the veg and this is despite our visit being well into Autumn. Everything looks delicious and vibrant. There are some layouts or structures, with rows and mixtures but it is not over orchestrated, the natural ebb and flow here is nurtured not controlled.

Andrew and Yolande have a life that is not just sufficient but abundant, they grow, harvest, make, bake, brew, forage, store, share, reuse, recycle, upcycle and they do all this with a joy and a sense of their place in the world. Visit Andrew and Yolande at A Taste of Self Sufficiency with an enquiring and open mind and you will be inspired.