Soak up the peace at Hafod Y Wennol. This converted barn allows you to have your cake and eat it – a wonderfully peaceful countryside setting plus attractions and amenities on the doorstep.
This rural barn is one of six family-run award winning cottages and barns at Plas Farm, the former home farm of the historic Plas Cilybebyll Estate, situated between the Brecon Beacons National Park and Gower Peninsula. Overlooking fields of sheep, Hafod Y Wennol (the Swallow's summer dwelling) boasts a stunning location in the courtyard of this historic working sheep and cattle farm.
Guests at Hafod Y Wennol are welcome to explore 120 acres of private countryside including bluebell woodland, mountain streams and hillside pastures with panoramic views of the Welsh countryside – the farm trail starts right on the cottage doorstep!
This cosy countryside cottage is a real home-from-home, decorated in traditional style. Leading off a central hallway, the farmhouse kitchen with a Belfast sink includes a sociable dining area, and the lounge has a cosy wood burning stove, perfect for chilly evenings.
Upstairs a double and twin room with views over the courtyard and surrounding countryside are separated by a family bathroom with an over bath shower.
Outside, the large lawn area has views over the sheep grazed parkland – kick back and relax under the giant beech trees and watch the lambs. Or chink glasses on the suntrap sun porch and set the steaks to sizzle on the barbecue.
Hafod Y Wennol is close to modern amenities with pubs, restaurants and a 24 hour supermarket just over a mile away. Its unique location means that guests can explore the entire region with ease. And there are so many spectacular and world class tourist attractions on the doorstep it is hard to know where to start!
Just 20 minutes from the Swansea Bay coastline, guests can explore the glorious stretches of sand and idyllic secret coves of the Gower Peninsula (Britain’s first designated Area of Outstanding National Beauty) and the Victorian seaside resort of Mumbles, with its promenade, shops and restaurants.
The cottage is also in a superb location for visiting Brecon Beacons National Park, the upper Swansea Valley being a gateway into the park. The National Showcaves of Wales, the Vale of Neath’s spectacular waterfalls and the energetic Afan Forest Park, home to five world-class trails for the mountain biking enthusiasts are all nearby. It’s also the perfect base for day trips to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park or the spectacular Glamorganshire Heritage Coast, both of which are less than an hour’s easy drive away.
Swansea itself with its many bars, restaurants and shopping is 10 miles down valley and Cardiff, the bustling capital city of Wales, is well worth a visit with its castle, museum and Millennium Stadium.
Hafod Y Wennol is located around the courtyard with three other cottages; Bwythn Y Saer (sleeps 4), Y Stabl (sleeps 4) and Ty Cerbyd (sleeps 4). Ty Gambo (sleeps 6) and Lloc Lo (sleeps 4) are situated on the farmyard on the other side of the river. Cottages can be taken individually or in any combination to accommodate up to 26 guests.
"Great location. Very pleasant hosts and very well priced. Nice little extra comforts and great tourist and history info. Thoroughly most enjoyable stay." (Simon stayed at Lloc Llo)
"Hi Charles, just a quick note to say how pleased we were with Lloc Llo. Once again we've had a great experience booking through Staycation - info on web was spot on again. Thanks, Simon" (Simon stayed at Lloc Llo)
"Nice & quiet location yet convenient for travelling to many tourist sights and the local town and shops. We would be happy to visit again & would recommend it to others." (stayed at Ty Gambo)
"Wonderful cottage set around three other cottages, peaceful, relaxing, dogs and child friendly and fabulous rural walks. The perfect place to get away from it all. Cottage was well equipped with all mod cons and owners could not be nicer, the most obliging hosts I have ever met."
"We were only there for three days but I cannot say strongly enough -- this has become one of my favorite places in the world. The cottages are impeccable. The hosts are excellent. The setting made me want to quit my job and move to Pontedarwe immediately. It was relaxing -- lovely strolls, cozy places to read in the cottage, nearby natural beauty, and -- Welsh folk. Not far away are both the Brecon Beacons and the Gower Peninsula. We did not get to the Brecon Beacons -- but the Gower Peninsula is beautiful. In love."
"Just returned from 4 glorious nights staying in these cottages. Fantastic location, beautiful accommodation and grounds, and a lovely friendly family run place. Easy access to the Beautiful area. We'll definitely be back!"
"Stayed in January 2016 with our two young children. Fantastic peaceful location, just a short drive from the M4. The downstairs of the cottage had everything you could need, including a fully equipped kitchen, dining table, lovely sitting room, cloakroom. Upstairs featured a double bedroom, twin bedroom and bathroom. The rooms are large and ooze character with original features and interesting decorations and ornaments. The biomass-fired central heating was very warm. There was also a wood burning stove which we didn't use. Free wifi is available. A supermarket is a short drive away for any essentials. The owners are lovely and live on-site (in a separate farmhouse)."
LOCAL INFORMATION
The cottage lies in the ancient hamlet of Cilybebyll (thought to have been where the Romans at Neath spent leisure time). Plas Farm is the former Home Farm of the celebrated Plas Cilybebyll Estate, which has a recorded history back to the early 1400s. Its unique character and remarkable history links it to the descendants of Welsh Kings, Arthurian legend, tales of the Mabinogion, the Norman invasion, the Earls of Pembrokeshire, eighteenth century French prisons, Charles II, Iolo Morgannwg, the tea plantations of Ceylon, coal mining, the Industrial Revolution and much more…
The holiday cottages are situated on opposite sides of the farm courtyard. The courtyard is bounded on one side by the upper reaches of the picturesque River Clydach and on the other side by green parkland pastures that are grazed by sheep and cows. High hills of blue pennant sandstone provide the background to an idyllic and tranquil scene that retains much of its original remote and wild character.
FOOD & DRINK/SHOPS
A major 24 hour supermarket just over a mile away in the town of Pontardawe. the local supermarket will deliver supplies. Pontardawe also has a leisure centre, theatre, cinema, plus a selection of pubs and restaurants.
There is a great gastro pub in the neighbouring village of Alltwen.
The small village of Rhos is only 1 mile away with a post office, local pub, convenience store and fish and chip shop.
WALKS
The walks from the doorstep of the cottage mean that you never have to leave the farm if you so wish and you can just spend your time relaxing and exploring the surrounding countryside. Roam 120 acres of beautiful Welsh countryside, including an award winning bluebell woodland. Highlights include The Plas Farm Trail which starts on cottage doorstep.
There is also a wonderful variety of walks within easy reach - coastal walks, mountain walks, waterfall walks, heritage trails and town walks. Highlights include: Gower and Brecon Beacons; The Glamorgan Heritage Coast (cliffs and sand dunes); the Vale of Neath, known as ‘Waterfall Country‘; The Afan Valley, a narrow forested valley known locally as “Little Switzerland”, which includes Afan Forest Park’s many miles of beautiful walks ; the Wales Coastal Path which passes through some of Britains most spectacular and breathtaking scenery and Fforest Fawr Geopark (the Sleeping Giant).
MOUNTAIN BIKING
Afan Forest and BikePark Wales are both easily accessible. The cottages offer secure bike storage, bike washing facilities and an area to dry clothes and equipment.
It is possible to ride from the cottage doorstep along quiet country lanes - forestry tracks that will give you access via offroad trails to the Afan Forest and other spectacular routes such as the old Roman road of Sarn Helen above the Vale of Neath or the Great Forestry Ride between Neath and Pontypridd. Afan Forest Park is home to five world class trails, over 100 km of track and voted one of the world’s ten best places to ride.
BIRDWATCHING & WILDLIFE
The farm is ideal for those on a bird watching holiday as it has contains a wide variety of different habitats including an area of award winning broadleaved woodland, coniferous woodland, grassland, hedgerows and upland streams. Situated upon the bank of the upper reaches of the picturesque River Clydach, it's a haven for wildlife – herons, dippers, grey wagtails, trout and otters all live on the river.
FISHING
There are many benefits to choosing our cottages whether you are a complete beginner or an experienced angler:
Guiding and tuition available (pickup at cottage).
Catch sewin in the River Tawe, just a mile away.
Local to one of Wales’ best fishing tackle shops.
Excellent sea fishing and coarse fishing nearby.
HISTORY & HERITAGE
Blaenavon World Heritage Site, otherwise known as Big Pit is a real coal mine and one of Britain's leading mining museums.
Castell Coch, (Red Castle in Welsh), is a perfect fairytale castle on a steep wooded hillside.
Dylan Thomas' Boathouse - Visit the shed where Wales' famed poet wrote many of his greatest works.
Lancaiach Fawr - A Tudor house, built around 1530, that has been transformed into a living history museum set in 1645, the time of the Civil War.
Pembroke Castle - A mighty and largely intact medieval fortress located on the banks of an estuary. Endless passages, stairways and tunnels.
Tintern Abbey - This Cistercian abbey is the best-preserved medieval abbey in Wales.
Caerphilly Castle - Vast and impressive, Caerphilly is Britain's second largest castle and covers 30 acres.
Dolaucothi Gold Mines - Underground tours of a likely source of gold bullion for the Imperial Mint of Rome.
Kidwelly Castle - An imposing monument of Norman power whose remains are some of the most intact of any medieval Welsh castle.
Museum of Welsh Life - Europe's largest outdoor museum - a vast collection of over 30 reconstructed historic buildings from all over Wales.
Royal Mint - The UK's money making factory boasts over 1,000 years of history and is the world's leading export mint.
ENTERTAINMENT & ACTIVITIES
Celtic Manor, Wales' most famous golf course, gaining fame as the venue for the 2010 Ryder Cup.
Oakwood Theme Park - Ride Megaphobia, Europe's largest wooden roller coaster and considered to be one of the world's best.
Folly Farm - One of Wales' largest family attractions and 10th best zoo in the world according to a Trip Advisor poll.
Wales Principality Stadium - The home of Welsh rugby boasts the second largest retractable roof in the world and an incredible atmosphere on match day!
CAVES & WATERFALLS
National Showcaves - Voted 'Britain's Greatest Natural Wonder' by the British public and comes with a dinosaur park!
Waterfall Country - A collection of over 15 waterfalls in one of the most impressive limestone landscapes in Europe.
BEACHES & COASTLINE
Glamorgan Heritage Coast - These famous Jurassic cliffs are a sight to behold - walk on the rick pavement beach and marvel at the round stones that roll like billiard balls across its surface.
Merthyr Mawr Nature Reserve - The second highest sand dune system in Europe - known as the Welsh 'Sahara Desert'.
Three Cliffs Bay - One of the UK's favourite views -three sea cliffs jut out into the bay and a large stream, flows across the beach into the sea.
The Gower Peninsular - The UK's first 'Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty' is one of the most beautiful corners of the British Isles.
Pembrokeshire Coast National Park - Britain's only coastal national park boasts some of the finest coastline scenery in Europe.
Worms Head - A highlight of the Gower Peninsula - three miles of golden sand and a grass covered rock that resembles a basking Welsh dragon.
COUNTRYSIDE & GARDENS
Aberglasney House and Gardens - A medieval house with more than 10 acres of gardens that are considered to be among Wales' best.
Brecon Beacons National Park - The famed National Park of wild open hillsides and waterfalls. Their peak, Pen-y-Fan, is the highest point in southern Britain.
The National Botanical Gardens - The world's largest single span glass house and the first major botanical gardens to be created in the UK for over a century.
Pembrey Park - Eight miles of golden sands at Cefn Sidan, hundreds of acres of woodland and the longest toboggan run in Wales.
Red Kite Feeding Station - Over 50 red kites and buzzards visit this Black Mountain feeding station every day.
Wye Valley - Spectacular limestone gorge scenery and dense ravine woodlands dominate this fascinating Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
CITIES
Cardiff - Capital of Wales, a major sports venue, a city centre castle and one of UK's best shopping centres.
Swansea - Compared by poets for centuries with the Bay of Naples, Swansea has a huge sandy beach and is Wales' second largest city.
Things you need to know about Hafod Y Wennol if you’re thinking of booking a holiday there:
*Internet access is offered at this property for recreational purposes only and is not meant for business use. Speed/service may vary depending on the package obtained by the owner which is provided to guests free of charge. Should guests experience difficulties or loss of use, neither the owner nor the agent will be held responsible.
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