Explore the Kerry Ridgeway from Upper Castlewright Cottage

Posted on April 10, 2013 by Anne

Upper Castlewright Cottage, Kerry Ridgeway, sleeps 5 and welcomes pets, ideal for walkers

If you are a keen walker then Upper Castlewright Cottage is the perfect base for you. This ancient cottage, once an inn frequented by Drovers, is nestled on the very top of the Kerry Ridgeway, a 15 mile route between Wales and the lowland English markets . The ridge never dips below 1000 ft above sea level and the ancient pathway forges a beautiful route through heather moors, woodlands and bilberry rich heaths.

 At Upper Castlewright Cottage you stand with one foot in Wales and the other in England as you admire the remarkable views up to 70 miles on a clear day. 

Just 400 yards away the long distance Offa’s Dyke footpath crosses the Ridgeway on its 177 mile route from Chepstow in the south to Prestatyn in the north and is said to be one of the finest sections of this National Trail.

Upper Castlewright Cottage has a huge utility room with an independent entrance. There is plenty of space for kitting up, storing walking boots, a long row of coat hooks for outdoor gear and a massive drying cabinet as well as the usual wasing machine, tumble dryer and sink unit.

Here are some visitors comments:

“Thank you so much for use of your splendid cottage. We had a fabulous weekend. We will tell all our friends and family and look forward to returning.”

“We love the cottage – home from home. Fantastically equipped in such a beautiful environment. We drank wine the Summer House looking at the wonderful view, accompanied by a herd of sheep. We have stayed in several holiday cottages and yours is the best and most comfortable.”

“Just to say thank you. The cottage is superb – much nicer than the photos suggest. Fantastic walks. We will return. “

So what are you waiting for? Pack your walking gear and head for Upper Castlewright Cottage on the Kerry Ridgeway. You are in for a treat.

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Look out for Red Squirrels!

Posted on April 10, 2013 by Anne

Gwel y Rhos near Newborough Warren Nature Reserve on Anglesey, sleeps 6 and welcomes pets

Newborough Warren Nature Reserve is home to a thriving colony of red squirrels and backs onto the spectacular tree lined sandy Newborough Beach leading to Llandwyn Island once home to Wales’ patron Saint of Lovers.

In this location on the tip of the Lleyn Peninsula, in an area of outstanding natural beauty you will find Gwel y Rhos a distinctive luxury barn conversion with stylish open plan living and quality furnishings throughout. An ideal base from which to explore the fabulous Lleyn Peninsula snaking out into the Irish Sea with wonderful coastal walks, interesting towns and villages and exciting boat trips to see puffins, seals and dolphins. You can eat fresh local seafood, sample Halen Mon organic salt produced just down the road and visit the historic home of Plas Newydd (National Trust).

Here are some visitors comments:

“Breakfast sitting outside then a walk along Newborough Beach to Llanddwyn Island. Brilliant week, all perfect, wonderful house! ”

“We have stayed in many holiday cottages but this is without doubt the best. The quality of the furnishings and care that has been put in is obvious. Little extras like the Wifi, tea & coffee are great. Sitting on the patio with a glass of wine – what more could we want. We all loved it and were so sad to leave. Thank you for letting us stay in your beautiful home! ”

“Excellent accommodation, spacious, modern & well equipped. Probably one of the best we have stayed in! Thoroughly enjoyed exploring the coastal paths and forests and beautiful beaches. National Trust properties and castles. Two members of our party climbed Snowdon for Cancer Research.”  

For full details click on Gwel y Rhos

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Holiday Cottages in Wales – Home from Home? No!

Posted on April 9, 2013 by Anne

Holiday cottages Wales - Quality Cottages.

Do you remember the days when Gran’s cottage complete with Gran’s fixtures, fittings and furniture was quickly put on the holiday letting market to make a few extra pounds? It’s not like that any more. Now if you inherit Gran’s property, you move into it and let your own sophisticated home with stylish up to date interior, plush furnishings and all mod cons.

Cottages in Wales are no exception, particularly Quality Cottages. When Quality Cottages set out in the holiday cottage industry 60 years ago their whole ethos was Quality, Quality, Quality. Can you imagine the thrill experienced by weary travellers arriving in their chosen holiday cottage in Wales to find sumptuous interiors, central heating, dishwashers and washing machines? Very few homes had such luxuries in those days. Home from home? No, these cottages in Wales were better than home. So good in fact that some families who rented then, still rent Quality Cottages now. Satisfied customers through the generations.

The Welsh Tourist Board began some time after Quality Cottages and indeed awarded them with the first ever Gold Award for services to quality self catering holidays in Wales. We like to think Quality Cottages set the bench mark for the industry.

If you are planning a holiday do check out our holiday cottages in Wales but don’t expect a home from home, expect better! See below a review posted on Trip Advisor

“Quality Cottages by Name & Nature”
 
5 of 5 stars Reviewed March 30, 2013 NEW
 

Our stay at Cerbid Old Farmhouse was our first stay with Quality Cottages and we have been very impressed. The cottage is very well-presented, clean, well-equipped and fitted out to a high spec. The rooms are spacious and can easily sleep 5 without it feeling crowded. There is a sink in both the double room and twin room along with the bathroom upstairs and shower/toilet on the ground floor. The bathrooms are fitted out really well with a good Mira shower in the shower room and a modern, very clean bathroom upstairs. The living area has a flat screen TV and DVD player along with an open fire (with fire guard) which makes it very cosy. The sofas, beds, bedding and dining chairs were really comfortable and good quality. Outside there is a private garden and private drive so although the cottage is close to 3 others, you aren’t overlooked and wouldn’t know there were other cottages nearby. The kitchen had everything you could possibly think of needing. There was free wifi and a landline with honesty box for payment but we had some mobile phone coverage. On arrival there were fresh flowers, a bottle of wine, milk, orange juice, Welsh cakes and handmade toiletries to greet us, which made a lovely surprise.

The location is 3 miles off the main road from Haverfordwest to St Davids which gives easy access to the coast and other parts of Pembrokeshire. We visited the pretty estuary at Solva, St Davids, Pembroke Castle, Folly Farm near Tenby (great full day out with young kids), Whitesands beach and Newgale beach. The nearest beach is at Newgale which is less than 10 mins drive and offers a huge sandy beach, parking and toilet/café facilities.

We would recommend this cottage for anyone, from couples to families. It is also ideal for people looking to get away from it all and seclude themselves in the countryside and go walking or cycling.

Cerbid Old Farmhouse, North Pembrokeshire holiday cottage, sleeps 5, welcomes pets

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Meet a Meerkat – at the National Botanic Garden of Wales, April 6-7

Posted on April 4, 2013 by Anne

National Botanic Garden of Wales, Llanarthne, Carmarthenshire

 

The meerkats are back – along with tarantulas, snakes, a skunk, a porcupine and a parrot in this fun-for-all-the-family show by Tropical Inc.

Get up close and personal with a variety of exotic animals. Shows are at 11am, 12.30pm, 2pm and 3.30pm, both days.

Admission to the Garden is £8.50. There is an additional £2 charge to see the show.

To book, call 01554 667149 or email info@gardenofwales.org.uk

Quality Cottages has an extensive range of fine Carmarthenshire holiday cottages in fabulous coastal and countryside and locations, 80 % welcome pets. Click on Carmarthenshire for more details.

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Lift your spirits at Garn Isaf on the North Pembrokeshire coast

Posted on April 2, 2013 by Anne

Pet friendly Pembrokeshire holiday cottage, Garn Isaf with stunning sea views 3 minutes from Newport Parrog Beach.

Garn Isaf with its light, airy, comfortable accommodation and stunning sea views is enough to lift the spirits. Imagine throwing off the traditional Welsh blankets and leaping out of a toasty warm bed to be greeted by a breathtaking panorama of the North Pembrokeshire coast overlooking Dinas Island and Cemaes Head.  This idyllic cottage is just 3 minutes drive or 10 minutes walk from the bustling coastal town of Newport, the glorious golden sands of Parrog Beach and Pembrokeshire Coast Path. The Preseli Hills on your doorstep offer wonderful walking along old drover’s tracks with sheep and wild ponies for company. After a day’s exploring pour yourselves a glass of wine and watch fabulous sunsets over Newport Day. Bliss. Yes, Garn Isaf certainly will lift your spirits.

For full details click on Garn Isaf

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Gourmet’s Gastronomic Heaven – Aberaeron

Posted on April 2, 2013 by Anne

Minawel, Aberaeron holiday cottage with WiFi, sleeps 8 and welcomes pets.

Choose an Aberaeron holiday cottage and enjoy gastronomic heaven. Aberaeron is an elegant harbour town with a selection of choice restaurants delis, cafes and pubs all within walking distance.

The Harbourmaster Hotel has featured in the Good Food Guide since it was first established in 2002. Delicious breakfasts, lunches and dinners are served in the huge stylish bar and in the more formal dining room both facing the colourful harbour full of bobbing boats.

Manuka, a recently opened restaurant, is owned and run by chef Sara Griffiths, a local girl who trained in Aberystwyth. During her career Sara has worked at several good restaurants throughout the country including the Harbourmaster in Aberaeron and for the last 2 years with Gordon Ramsay in London before returning to set up her own business at home. Owner of Aberaeron holiday cottage Minawel, Mrs Green, highly recommends Manuka. She was most impressed with the delicious quality of Sara’s food and rates it alongside restaurant’s such as Heston Blumenthal’s Fat Duck. Everything served is made on the premises including the bread and ice-cream.

So if you fancy a gourmet’s get away Aberaeron is the town for you.

For full details of Minawel click on the name.

You may also like Bronallt, Cerniw or Ynys House our other Quality Cottages in Aberaeron.

 

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Weatherman Walking and Felin Dwarch

Posted on April 2, 2013 by Anne

Felin Dwarch, luxury Pembrokeshire holiday cottage, sleeps 4 and welcomes 1 pet dog.

Derek Brockway is a familiar figure to all Welsh folk. Derek joins us daily in our homes to give us our weather forecast. He is the weather man for BBC Wales. It is no secret that Derek is a keen walker and loves nothing more than striding out along the fabulous coast or through the beautiful hills and vales of his native Wales. Derek shares these favourite walks in his programme Weatherman Walking and has inspired many to follow in his footsteps – whatever the weather!

If you are lucky enough to have chosen Felin Dwarch as your Wales holiday cottage then you might like to follow in Derek’s footsteps too. Keen walkers will love the 10.5 miles from Trefin (no more than 3 miles from the cottage) to Pwll Deri possibly the most dramatic cliff top scenery in Pembrokeshire. We are so used to keen walkers here in Pembrokeshire that we have even developed a coastal bus service for them. You need only walk one way then get the bus back to your starting point. What could be better?

Don’t worry though, if you prefer a gentler pace of life. Felin Dwarch, nestled in a small wooded valley in a country lane is adjacent to a quiet path to the sea which winds its careful way across a field, through glorious National Trust woodland, bursting with bird life, carpeted in spring time with primroses, bluebells, pink campions, wood anemones and wild garlic, and then on to the small but perfectly formed, twin beaches of Abermawr and Aberbach. This walk is a firm favourite of Quality Cottages staff too – at any time of year.

 For more information about Felin Dwarch click on the name.

To download a map of Derek’s walk from Trefin to Pwll Deri click here.

http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/tv/weatherman-walking/walks/Trefin.pdf

The walk:

1. The Ship Inn, Trefin

51.94864° N, -5.14810° W

From the Ship Inn head west, down through the village along Ffordd y Felin towards the coast and join the Pembrokeshire Coast Path.

2. Trefin Mill

51.94834° N , -5.15319° W

The ruins of the old mill sit above Aber Draw, with a small stream trickling down which once powered the large mill wheel.

3. Old ruined building

51.95215° N , -5.15465° W

Climb up a hill with loose shale underfoot and through a wooden gate towards an old ruined house on the top of the headland.

4. Longhouse Farm

51.95815° N, -5.14176° W

Pass a signpost for the farm which was once a hotspot for daffodil farming in the area but has now been taken over by the National Trust.

5. View over to sea arch

51.96117° N, -5.144294° W

Just north of here, cross into farmland and to your left is a wonderful example of a natural sea arch.

6. Carreg Sampson

51.95835° N, -5.13300° W

As you approach Abercastle, turn right and take a look at this magnificent Neolithic burial chamber, measuring 15 feet by 9 feet.

7. Abercastle

51.95971° N, -5.12686° W

Abercastle is a scenic old trading harbour which once exported local slate, grain, butter, honey, corn, and coal. Continue along the coastal path up behind the houses.

8. Pwll Trodur

51.96126° N, -5.10687° W

The track down to Pwll Trodur is steep on both sides. This dark sandy, pebble strewn naturist cove is best from mid to low tide.

9. Castell Coch promontory fort

51.96891° N, -5.09852° W

To the left of the path is an Iron Age promontory fort complete with a double embankment and intricate entranceway, which is now largely obscured by bracken.

10. Abermawr

51.96812° N, -5.08616° W

Head down the path to the beach at Abermawr where Brunel once proposed building a harbour and railway terminus.

11. Melin Tregwynt Mill

51.972133° N, -5.067473° W

At the end of the beach, follow a pathway leading up to the road and follow it for just under a mile to the mill. Return to the beach using the same road.

12. Aberbach

51.97319° N, -5.08203° W

Just before Abermawr, turn right onto a track leading down to Aberbach. At the northern end, cross over a stream and turn left up a steep track and keep going.

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A room with a view -The Cottage at Hafod Wen above Harlech Beach

Posted on March 28, 2013 by Anne

 Holiday cottage Harlech, sleeps 5, welcomes 1 pet, WiFi, private access to beach

The Cottage at Hafod Wen is 130 steps to Harlech’s huge sandy bay below, via a private access from the garden. What a dilemma. To stay in the cottage and enjoy the magnificent views or make a bee line for the beach? The bay is encircled by the Lleyn Peninsula and the mighty mountains of Snowdonia with views of Harlech Castle reaching above the sand dunes. A veritable feast for the eyes. The light filled elegant cottage is a delight too with the emphasis on comfort and style. A riot of colour beckons you into the mature gardens with patio areas to relax in, small lawns and a huge variety of shrubs and trees to wander through and the coastal path is right on your doorstep. Once you arrive at The Cottage at Hafod Wen you can forget your car. It will be reduntant. All you need for a fabulous holiday will be right there in front of you. For full details click on The Cottage at Hafod Wen

The garden of The Cottage at Hafod Wen. Would you want to be anywhere else?

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Temple House – its so new we don’t have a link for it yet!

Posted on March 27, 2013 by Anne

Temple House, Pembrokeshire coast, sleeps 6, welcomes 1 pet dog

Temple House is a substantial, spacious Pembrokeshire cottage with panoramic coastal and countryside views set in a gated courtyard. Newly refurbished, beautifully decorated, stylishly furnished and fully equipped with all modern conveniences including Bang & Olufsen television (with Sky), ipod docking station and unlimited Broadband, Temple House makes a wonderful base for exploring Pembrokeshire. More information coming soon. Watch this space.

Whitesands Beach close to St Davids, Britain’s smallest city, is less than 8 miles from Temple House.

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3 Pembrokeshire Holiday Cottages -Temple House, Temple Barn & Temple Cottage

Posted on March 27, 2013 by Anne

3 Pembrokeshire holiday cottages combined sleep 14 and welcome pets

Here is a fabulous opportunity for a gathering of friends or a family get together in the luxurious comfort of 3 separate and independent properties on the same Pembrokeshire gated courtyard. Each one is beautifully decorated, stylishly furnished and well equipped with all modern conveniences including unlimited Broadband and each has its own completely separate and private garden and patio area. Combined, the properties can sleep 14 guests, 2 in the cottage , 6 in the barn and another 6 in the house and each welcomes a pet dog. Just imagine the fun of exploring the spectacular Pembrokeshire coast together. St Davids, Britain’s smallest city and glorious Whitesands Beach are less than 8 miles away. The coastal villages of Trefin and Square and Compass are close by with an excellent villlage shop and local pub within walking distance. The Coastal Path within 1 1/2 miles meanders over perhaps the most spectacular cliff top scenery in Pembrokeshire. For full details click on the names. Temple Cottage, Temple Barn and Temple Cottage (coming soon, watch this space).

 

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