We came to River Cottage on our electric tandem as part of an independent ride from Taihape to Napier. It was like an oasis - comfortable, warm, peaceful where the occasional passage of a vehicle was a highlight. We happened to meet host Mary Mead as we arrived and found her to be a congenial and resourceful individual. Be prepared for no wifi or cell service if that is of concern. We usually say "we'll be back" and should we ever travel this road again we no doubt would.

This is the perfect place to stay if your wanting a peaceful getaway, tucked away beautifully in a picturesque Valley and the stunning Rangitikei River that runs through it. The River Cottage is so handy to a beautiful swimming spot along with the Historical Springvale suspension bridge, with some fascinating history to go along with it, and rumour has it that the trout in the Rangitikei River are massive !! We did bring our rods, but ran out of time, so will give it a go next time 😉 The cottage is very beautifully set up, and makes you feel at home, very well equipped and beds are super comfortable. In the evenings we enjoyed doing a few puzzles and reading through an amazing selection of books that are in the lounge to enjoy, which was a perfect way to relax after a busy day. The history of the area is very fascinating, there were a few stories in a Clearfile book which we found very interesting. The cottage is full of old photos on the wall that date back to the beginning of the early 1900s,of wool being trucked out and another one ploughing on the Otupae Station, I love history so I found them really absorbing ! We loved everything about our stay and hope to be back soon to enjoy this hidden gem once again !!

Fantastic place to stay and get away from it all with the family. We had a lovely long weekend and enjoyed exploring the area. Great fishing as well. Cottage was very clean and tidy and the owners were very obliging.