Scenic Stays Herefordshire is a small, family-run collection of self-catering properties set across the South Herefordshire countryside. In 2026, the collection was brought together under a single brand, having previously operated as Trevase Cottages, Old Barn House Hereford and Bettws Court Retreats.
Our story began at Trevase Farm, where the Pursey family have farmed for three generations. In the early 2000s, Liz and Roger Pursey saw an opportunity to transform an underused barn into a holiday let, and Trevase Granary opened in 2007 — marking the beginning of the business. Penblaith Barn, located five miles away, followed in 2010 as the collection began to grow.
In 2020, their daughter Sarah joined the business, marking the next chapter in its evolution, with the launch of Old Barn House, just over half a mile from Trevase Granary. Alongside this, plans were already underway for a new venture at Bettws Court Farm, located five miles from Trevase Granary — land farmed by the Pursey family since 1974 and known for its elevated position and far-reaching views. Bettws Court Retreats opened in 2022.
Today, Scenic Stays Herefordshire is led by Sarah, with the support of her parents, Liz and Roger, and the wider family team. While the business has grown over time, the approach remains the same — to offer beautifully maintained properties, excellent facilities, and a level of service that makes every stay feel easy and enjoyable.
Farming remains an important part of the family business, with both Trevase Farm and Bettws Court Farm run by David (Roger and Liz’s son, and Sarah’s brother), alongside his wife Amy and their three children. Depending on the season, you may see cattle grazing nearby or tractors working in the surrounding fields during your stay, particularly at Trevase Granary or Bettws Court Retreats.
Behind the scenes, Scenic Stays Herefordshire is supported by a dedicated local team who share our attention to detail and pride in maintaining the highest standards across every property.
Sarah grew up at Trevase Farm and has always been closely involved in both the farm and the holiday accommodation business. After nearly five years living and working in London, she returned in 2017 and now leads Scenic Stays Herefordshire, having developed both Old Barn House and Bettws Court Retreats.
Liz grew up on a farm in Gloucestershire and later moved to Trevase Farm with Roger. Together, they ran Trevase Farm and Bettws Court Farm while raising their three children. She was the driving force behind opening Trevase Granary and Penblaith Barn, and continues to support the business across all areas when needed.
Jess joined the team in 2024 as Assistant Manager and plays a key role in the day-to-day running of the business across all properties.
Our housekeeping team is made up of 12 members across four sites, all dedicated to maintaining exceptional standards and with a genuine passion for creating special places to stay, with consistent attention to detail. Many have longstanding connections with the family — including husbands who work on the farm. Theresa, Head Housekeeper at Trevase Granary, has worked with the Pursey family since 1983 (with her husband Kevin working on the farm since 1977).
Each property has its own story. Click to learn more.
In 2003, the dairy herd at Trevase Farm was sold, leaving behind an 18th-century stone barn that had previously been used to rear calves. Rather than dividing the space into smaller units, the decision was made to create one large property — something quite unique at the time — designed specifically for group stays.
The barn was carefully restored between 2005 and 2007, combining original features with modern comforts. After a great deal of work, including sourcing materials and even shipping and rewiring light fittings from South Africa, the project was completed in Spring 2007 when Liz welcomed the first guests.
Penblaith Barn was originally a milking parlour before being converted into a private home. The family who carried out the original conversion created many of the features seen today, including a hand-built oak staircase and imported Spanish tiles for the bathrooms.
After purchase in 2010, it was thoughtfully reconfigured to create a spacious holiday property. This included adding a ground floor bedroom and redesigning the upper floor to provide eight en-suite bedrooms. The aim was to build on the success of Trevase Granary while offering a different setting, and the first guests were welcomed in June 2010.
Old Barn House was previously a long-term rental property. In 2020, it was carefully adapted into a holiday let, providing a more intimate option within the collection.
This came at a particularly challenging time, with the existing properties closed for an extended period during the pandemic. With only light changes required, the focus was on creating a warm, comfortable, and well-equipped countryside stay.
Bettws Court Retreats is located on Bettws Court Farm, a 123-acre farm set high on Orcop Hill, with panoramic views across the surrounding countryside and land best suited to livestock farming.
The idea for accommodation here had been considered for many years, and after extensive research, planning was submitted in 2019.
The project was led by Sarah from concept through to completion, with the retreats opening in 2022. Great care went into designing and building the properties, which are carefully positioned to make the most of the landscape and views.
The farm continues to operate alongside the retreats, with cattle housed on-site during the winter months and grazing the surrounding fields in the summer.
An incredible amount of work and thought has gone into creating each of the properties you see today, and in maintaining the high standards for our guests. The business brings together years of experience with a fresh, thoughtful approach to hospitality. We look forward to welcoming you.
