Plas Pontfaen | Large Holiday Cottage Near Newport

Pembrokeshire Manor House for reunions - a charming property in the heart of the Gwaun Valley

This Gwaun Valley manor house stands on a knoll with the exquisite church of St Brynach on the opposite side of the curving entrance drive. Plas Pontfaen exudes a lazy charm - however it does not enjoy all the 'ease of living' features found in more modern properties.
Harking back to a past age, this delightful house in the Gwaun Valley has a charming rustic interior with interesting architectural features and furnishings together with full bookcases, family, school and army photographs - a reminder of country house living as it used to be.
Ideal for children and dogs to enjoy it's private fields, woodlands and streams, the Gwaun Valley's beautiful hills and countryside and Pembrokeshire's fine, safe, sandy beaches are within easy driving distance.
The kind and helpful caretakers reside in an adjacent, but totally independent wing of the Manor House to the left of the photo.
Set in extensive grounds of almost 1 acre in the long and winding Gwaun Valley with beautiful hanging woodlands - a special and magical place ideal for children, pet dogs and family reunions.
Fine, safe and sandy beaches are within easy driving distance.

About The Area

Newport Coastal Town

The bustling little town of Newport has a range of local amenities including interesting and individual shops, traditional small town butcher, baker and newsagents, mini-market, bank, post office, chemist, health centre and a filling station as well as a number of restaurants, pubs and cafes.

The Dyffryn Arms known locally as Bessie's

The Gwaun Valley pub, The Dyffryn Arms - known locally as Bessie' s - just 5 minutes serves real ale from a jug and New Year is still celebrated here by the ancient Gregorian Calendar on January 13th.

Pwllgwaelod Beach

A horseshoe of silvery soft sand backed by cliffs with lots of rock pools to explore. The Old Sailors Inn said to have been in business for 500 years is situated just above the beach and serves good food and drinks both in the garden and in the dining room with sea views.

Cwm yr Eglwys Beach near Gwaun Valley Manor House Newport Pembs

Do visit the picturesque sand & shingle beach with concrete ramp for easy access and boat launching. The ruined 12th C church of St Brynach, destroyed during a violent storm in 1859, stands just above the shore line.

Fishguard Markets

Fishguard Farmers Market is held every Saturday and a weekly market every Thursday. Purchase home grown produce and locally produced crafts.

The Gwaun Valley - North Pembrokeshire

A wide variety of eating places abound in North Pembrokeshire - Newport also has a fine links golf course, shops, art galleries and pubs, as well as a gourmet take-away all close to this manor house for holidays,

The Ivybridge Spa, Goodwick

Pamper yourself in a world of relaxing spa treatments and revitalising luxury. Day Spas are available.

Castell Henllys & John & Victoria Jewellery

Castell Henllys Iron Age Fort is a reconstructed hill fort with excavations going on each summer. There is a lot to do and see for all the family. Interesting events are held throughout the year including storytelling, craft workshops and experimental archaeology.
John and Victoria Jewellery (01239 682653) - hand made gold and silver jewellery. Visitors are welcome at the studio in Llechryd. Open from Easter to end October and December 10 - 5.30 Monday - Thursday. Please phone for an appointment outside these times.

Cilgerran Castle

Be inspired by the substantial ruin of Cilgerran Castle (3 miles south of Cardigan owned by the National Trust and in the guardianship of CADW) as many before you have. Turner's painting of the ruin hangs in the Tate gallery. The Castle stands on a rocky outcrop overlooking the beautiful wooded Teifi Gorge. It is ideally placed to watch over the natural river crossing and the comings and goings of sea ships.

Narberth Market Town

The bustling little town of Narberth has grown into the arts & crafts capital of Pembrokeshire. There is a variety of interesting and individual shops to explore as well as a choice of places to eat and drink.

Pembrokeshire Islands

Don't leave Pembrokeshire without visiting the spectacular bird islands off the coast. A number of boat trips are available including traditional and leisurely or swift and adventurous. As well as an abundance of bird life you should look out for marine life such as seals and dolphins.

The Invasion Tapestry Fishguard

The Invasion Tapestry commemorates the last invasion of Britain which was thwarted by Welsh women in the Fishguard area. The impressive work hangs on public view in the Fishguard Town Hall.

Walk the Golden Road

Keen walkers might enjoy walking this ancient track - a ridge of the Preseli Mountains. A Bronze Age route to Ireland via Fishguard.

Family Attractions

Families will love Pembrokeshire's quality family attractions such as Bluestone Water Park, Folly Farm, Dinosaur Park, Heatherton Sports Park and Anna Ryder Richardson's Wild Welsh Zoo.

Property Layout

5 Bedrooms sleeping a maximum of 11. 1 Double with en suite shower on mezzanine. 1 Double and 2 Twin rooms on 1st floor. Attic bedroom reached by spiral staircase with 3x 2'6'' Single beds, wash-hand basin with cold water only. (3 bedrooms have wash basins)

Bathroom with full suite. (Altogether 3 separate toilets)

Kitchen/Diner pleasant kitchen, gas cooker, large fridge, freezer and second fridge (in cellar) dishwasher. Seating for 10. Open fire.

Utility Room microwave, washing machine and tumble dryer.

Cellar including table tennis

Drawing Room comfortable and cosy with wood burning stove and satellite TV/i pod deck, CD/tape player. Views over garden and countryside. Seating for 8. Double doors lead into kitchen/diner. Large hall.

Grounds extensive, ideal for children and dogs. Garden furniture, basket ball and barbecue.

Additional lnformation

Short breaks - Year round except Summer Holidays

WiFi - Yes

Changeover - Saturday

Towels - No

Parking - Yes, ample

Fuel - Full central heating provided September to end of April at £30 p/w. Available on request to caretaker in advance of arrival outside these dates. Open and wood burning fires with logs provided.

Dogs - 2. 1 dog free, additional dog £25 p/w

Travel cot - Yes

Highchair - Yes

Access Information

Is there parking for at least one car within the cottage grounds? Yes

Is there a gate to open? Yes

If no parking within the grounds is there parking within 100m? Yes

Does this parking have reserved disabled spaces (min width 3.6m)? Yes

Are there paths? Yes

Are paths level and firm? Yes

Type of suface Gravel

Are there dropped kerbs or changes in level? Yes

Are paths at least 1.2m wide? Yes

Why you love Plas Pontfaen

We spread out into the house with ease. Mum, dad, and two grown-up sons, with all their wives and kids. Ten people in all! Big solid rooms, some interesting nooks and crannies, and a table tennis room downstairs. The couple next door were friendly and helpful when we needed them, and left us to our holiday in peace when we didn't. A a 20 min drive gets you to some lovely bits of countryside. And 35 mins towards the peninsula and you can find some beautiful coves for swimming, body-boarding, building sand castles, and exploring rock pools. Some amazing rock formations in this area too.

Morgan H

Plas Pontfaen Gwaun Valley near Newport

Things to do whilst visiting Plas Pontfaen

Bank Terrace (1558)

Lighthouse Watch (1004)

Middlelands (1562)

Plas Pontfaen Gwaun Valley near Newport

Family and dog friendly Gwaun Valley manor house to rent near Newport Sands. Extensive grounds and woodland to explore.

Things to do whilst visiting Plas Pontfaen