Goodbye winter, hello spring… Hwyl fawr gaeaf, helo gwanwyn…
Be sure to make your booking soon as spring and summer are already starting to fill up!
Gwnewch eich bwcing chi nawr wrth i’r gwanwyn a’r haf ddechrau llenwi’n barod!

hello, spring and summer...

Check out some hazy, sunny polaroids we’ve taken of Maes y ffynnon & Ffynnon fach recently and contact us if you fancy a break in the cottage or house – there’s still some availability left for the summer-autumn months! Dewch mlaen – hastwch hi! x

Maes y ffynnon

ffynnon fach

maes y ffynnon & ffynnon fach

We are currently looking into the early history of the house via the records office. It was a derelict house bought at auction in spring 2008, taking about a year and a bit to renovate. Rumour has it, ‘Pentre Llangwm’ (this small area of St. Dogmaels) used to be a lively quarter for sailors during Cardigan’s time as a bustling port – the stone house just by the car park was once a pub, but we’re not sure yet who lived at Maes y ffynnon… Looking out of the window upstairs, over the estuary to the left, you can also see a grand yellow Georgian house which allegedly has connections to Nelson.

Looking across the estuary from upstairs in Maes y ffynnon

Ffynnon Fach (cosy stone cottage) - once a derelict shed and annexe next door, now lovingly restored to reflect the main house’s design.

Ground floor: small entrance hall with cupboard (dog bowl and litter bags, bulbs, toilet rolls, hairdryer, First Aid kit etc), coat hooks and shoe rack:

View from Ffynnon Fach's front door

Ffynnon fach's small entrance hall with handy cupboard!

Ffynnon fach's downstairs bathroom

Victorian basin with bathroom accessories

Bedroom with double bed, understairs wardrobe and storage, bedside tables, mirror, rugs and blackout blinds:

Ffynnon fach's pretty bedroom

Ffynnon fach stairs

A touch of Laura Ashley wallpaper!

First floor: Cosy living room/diner/kitchen with skylight and two windows, games, books, DVDs and CDs shelf, wall clock, table and dining chairs for 2, sofa, small side table, mounted flatscreen TV, DVD, freeview, CD and radio, rugs, well equipped kitchen with oven/grill/hob, fridge:

Ffynnon fach games, dvd etc shelf

Ffynnon fach upstairs seating area

Ffynnon fach upstairs dining area

Ffynnon fach's well-equipped kitchen

Cosy and comfy - everything's within reach!

Top of the hill means gorgeous front-door views...

Main bedroom at front has a double bed, freestanding wardrobe with drawers, bedside tables, rugs, a mirror and blackout blinds:

Bedrooms furnished simply and stylishly - no chintz!

Main bedroom at front of house

Main bedroom: lovely sash window, lush view!

‘Middle’ bedroom at front has a double bed, understairs wardrobe and storage, bedside table/tabletop, a mirror, rugs and blackout blinds:

Maes y ffynnon middle bedroom in front

Cute coat hooks in middle front bedroom

Back bedroom has a double bed, shelf for bedside drinks etc, freestanding wardrobe with drawers, rugs, mirror and blackout blinds:

Maes y ffynnon's lovely back bedroom

Bathroom has a shower cubicle, bath, basin, toilet, heated towel rail, storage, soap dispenser, toothbrush holder, bath mat, anti-slip mat, bath pillow:

Maes y ffynnon's bathroom downstairs

Victorian toilet, modern shower!

Victorian basin with bathroom accessories

Front hallway has coathook rack and storage cupboard (hoover, spare dog bowl and litter bags, clothes horse and pegs, bulbs, toilet rolls, blanket, hairdryer, First Aid kit etc):

Every home needs a handy cupboard!

Racks and hooks for wet-weather gear near back door

Comfy sofas and stunning views upstairs!

Maes y ffynnon's reinstated fireplace

Maes y ffynnon dining area

Dining table for 6-8

Maes y ffynnon's games etc shelf

Gorgeous views from living room upstairs

Maes y ffynnon's well-equipped kitchen

Has pretty much everything you'll need to cook up a storm!

Dishwasher-equipped so Belfast sink optional!

Spacious roof patio with furniture for up to 8 people:

Maes y ffynnon french doors to roof patio

Maes y ffynnon roof patio

The roof patio has furniture for 6-8

Iron age dwellings at Castell Henllys

Attractions in local area:

St. Dogmaels:

• St. Dogmaels abbey – Benedictine abbey remains, cafe, heritage centre, shop etc www.welshabbey.org.uk
• Y Felin – water mill, team room, shop – one of only two working water mills in Wales, SA43 3DY, 01239 613999
• Poppit Sands Blue Flag beach, cafe and beginning/end point of Pembrokeshire Coast Path
• St. Dogmaels village path network
• Art gallery: High St, SA43 3EJ, 01239 612 677
• Yoga Studio: www.gwaliaessences.co.uk/index.htm
• Village has a nice green, millpond with ducks, playground, blessing stone and parish church with ‘Sagranus’ stone (www.coflein.gov.uk)

Cardigan:

• Cardigan Castle (home of the very first National Eisteddfod in 1176) – www.cardigan-heritage.co.uk/cardigan-castle.htm
• Cardigan Heritage Centre (the town was once an important port with over 300 vessels registered here) www.bbc.co.uk/wales/mid/sites/cardigan/pages/heritage_centre.shtml
• Statue of Our Lady of Cardigan – the National shrine of the Roman Catholic Church in Wales – www.cardigantaper.org
• Cardigan swimming pool www.sports-council-wales.org.uk
• Teifi Leisure Centre www.ceredigion.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=6887
• Teifi Mania Children’s Indoor play centre, Unit 1, Parc Piliau, Pentood Ind. Est, SA43 3AL, 01239 615772, www.teifimania.co.uk
• Cardigan Island Coastal Farm Park, Gwbert, SA43 1PR, 01239 623637, www.cardiganisland.com  
• Coedmor National Nature Reserve, Cardigan – this ancient woodland includes lime, ash, wych elm, spindle, hazel and holly, lichens, invertebrates and otters, www.ccw.gov.uk
• Felinwynt Rainforest Centre, Felinwynt, Cardigan, SA43 1RT, www.butterflycentre.co.uk
• The Heritage initiative has created many restored shopfronts, buildings etc – good for a browse in itself!
• Unique shops like Howies, galleries etc, as well as WH Smith, Boots, Tesco, Aldi etc

Cilgerran:

• Cilgerran Castle -  www.cadw.wales.gov.uk/default.asp?id=6&PlaceID=53 (painted by Turner)
• Welsh Wildlife Centre/Teifi Marshes Nature Reserve, SA43 2TB, www.welshwildlife.org/wwcIntro_en.link – Cilgerran SSSI Teifi marshes – footpaths leading into woodland, reedbeds and meadows along the river Teifi

Newport, Fishguard & Goodwick:

• West Wales Eco Centre, Newport www.ecocentre.org.uk
• Last Invasion Gallery – http://www.fishguardartssociety.org.uk/The%20Last%20Invasion%20Tapestry.html
• Ocean Lab (www.ocean-lab.co.uk), The Parrog, Goodwick, SA64 0DE, 01348 874737 – info centre with cyber cafe, coffee shop, soft play area
• Goodwick Parrog beach (30 mins in car, sand and shingle overlooking Fishguard Harbour watersports centre, Ocean Lab, popular with families, parking, toilets and other amenities nearby)
• Newport Sands beach  (20 mins in car, vast sandy beach, Blue Flag, sand dunes, near golf club, popular, car park & facilities)
• Newport Parrog beach (20 mins in car, small sand and pebble beach near town centre, boat club, car park & toilets)
• Pwllgwaelod beach (20 mins in car, sheltered grey sandy beach, good parking and toilets)
• Cwm yr Eglwys beach (20 mins in car, sheltered cover shingle beach with sand at low tide, popular with families, ruined Church of St Brynach, car park and toilets).

Preselis/inland – some wildly beautiful countryside (most within about 30 mins drive):

• Bro Meigan Gardens & Tea room, Boncath, SA37 0JE, 01239 841232, www.bromeigan.co.uk
• Dyfed Shire Horse Farm & Leisure Farm, Eglwyswrw, SA41 3SY, 01239 891288, www.leisurefarm.co.uk
• Nevern – Nevern Cross & ‘bleeding’ yew at church
• Penlan Uchaf Gardens, gardens & tearoom, Gwaun Valley, SA65 9UA, 01348 881388, www.penlan-uchaf.co.uk
• Pentre Ifan Burial Chamber, nr Nevern, SA41 3TZ, www.cadw.wales.gov.uk
• Castell Henllys Iron Age Fort, Meline, SA41 3UT, 01239 891319, www.castellhenllys.com
• See Trewern Arms, Salutation Inn and Tafarn Sinc pubs here
• Bit further away (45 mins) is www.oakwoodthemepark.co.uk, nr. Narberth, SA67 8DE, 01834 891376
• Also a bit further (55 mins) is www.folly-farm.co.uk, nr. Kilgetty, SA68 0XA, 01834 812731

Cenarth:

• The National Coracle Centre, Cenarth, 01239 710980, www.coraclecentre.co.uk
• Cenarth Adventure Centre, Cenarth, SA38 9JL, 07968 090336, www.cenarth-paintball.co.uk
• Cenarth falls – picnic area, walk, pub, tea shop etc

Teifi Valley:

• National Wool Museum, Drefach, SA44 5UP, 01559 370929, www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/wool
• Teifi Valley Railway, Henllan Station, Henllan, SA44 5TD, 01559 371077
• West Wales Museum of Childhood, Pen-ffynnon, Llangeler, Llandysul, SA44 5EY, 01559 370 428, www.toymuseumwales.co.uk

North of Cardigan:

• Mwnt beach (20 mins in car, National Trust, sheltered, sandy, little white church dating back to 1400, breathtaking headland good for dolphin-spotting)
• Aberporth beach (15 mins in car, sandy, Blue Flag, cafe, parking, toilets)
• Tresaith beach (20 mins in car, small, sheltered, sandy, toilets, cafe, shop)
• Penbryn beach (20 mins in car, National Trust, Blue Flag, sandy, smuggling history, scenic woods of fern-clad Hoffnant Valley)
• Llangrannog beach (25 mins in car, sandy, popular, cafes, dolphin-spotting, good pubs), Cilfach (nearby alternative to Llangrannog)
• Cwmtydu beach (35 mins in car, National Trust, pebbled, small cafe, old smugglers cove, seal-spotting)

New Quay:

• Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre, nr. quay, www.cbmwc.org/home.asp
• Cardigan Bay Water Sports Centre, www.cardiganbaywatersports.org.uk, nr. lifeboat station, 01545 561257 (sail, kayak, windsurf, RYA courses, powerboat instruction)
• Cwmtydu beach (15 mins in car, National Trust, pebbled, small cafe, old smugglers cove, seal-spotting)
• New Quay harbour beach (wide, sandy, popular, Blue Flag, cafes & pubs, fishing, boat trips, sailing and watersports centre, dolphin-spotting, Dylan Thomas trail)
• Cei bach beach (5 mins in car, quiet)

Let us know if you have anything to add…

Llangrannog - one of the area's many lovely beaches

Beaches (and approx driving distance):

• Poppit (couple mins in car/10 min walk – big and sandy,  Blue Flag, porpoise-spotting, fishing, cafe, dogs welcome but ban area from entrance of car park directly north over dunes and beach May 1 – Sept 30)

North of St. Dogmaels:

• Mwnt (20 mins in car, National Trust, sheltered, sandy, little white church dating back to 1400, breathtaking headland good for dolphin-spotting)
• Aberporth (15 mins in car, sandy, Blue Flag, cafe, parking, toilets)
• Tresaith (20 mins in car, small, sheltered, sandy, toilets, cafe, shop)
• Penbryn (20 mins in car, National Trust, Blue Flag, sandy, smuggling history, scenic woods of fern-clad Hoffnant Valley)
• Llangrannog (25 mins in car, sandy, popular, cafes, dolphin-spotting), Cilfach (nearby alternative to Llangrannog)
• Cwmtydu (35 mins in car, National Trust, pebbled, small cafe, old smugglers cove, seal-spotting)
• New Quay harbour (30 mins in car, wide, sandy, popular, Blue Flag, cafes & pubs, fishing, boat trips, sailing and watersports centre, dolphin-spotting, Dylan Thomas trail)
• Cei bach (30 mins in car, quiet and peaceful)

South of St. Dogmaels:

• Goodwick Parrog (25 mins in car, sand and shingle overlooking Fishguard Harbour watersports centre, Ocean Lab, popular with families, parking, toilets and other amenities nearby)
• Newport Sands (20 mins in car, vast sandy beach, Blue Flag, sand dunes, near golf club, popular, car park & facilities)
• Newport Parrog (20 mins in car, small sand and pebble beach near town centre, boat club, car park & toilets)
• Pwllgwaelod (20 mins in car, sheltered grey sandy beach, good parking and toilets)
• Cwm yr Eglwys (20 mins in car, sheltered cover shingle beach with sand at low tide, popular with families, ruined Church of St Brynach, car park and toilets).

Let us know if you have anything to add…

Cool clothing co Howies are based in Cardigan

Unique shopping activities:

St. Dogmaels: 

• St. Dogmaels Gallery, High St 01239 612677, www.saintdogmaelsgallery.com
• Blueberry Angoras (nearby), Moylegrove, SA43 3BU, 01239 881668, www.blueberryangoras.co.uk

Cardigan:

• Pendre Art, 35 Pendre, SA43 1JS, 01239 615151, www.pendreart.com 
• fforest outdoor, 1^st Floor Bridge Warehouse, Teifi Wharf, SA43 3AA, www.howies.co.uk
• Custom House, 44-45 St Mary’s St, SA43 1HA, www.customhousecardigan.co.uk
• Cardigan Indoor Market, The Guildhall, SA43 1PN, www.cardiganmarket.co.uk

Just outside Cardigan:

• John & Victoria Jewellery, Llechryd, SA43 2PP, 01239 682653, www.johnandvictoria.co.uk
• Limited Edition Etchings by David Beattie, Llandygwydd, SA43 2QT, 01239 682649, www.original-etchings.co.uk
• Beelief Botanics, Teifi Marshes Nature Reserve, Cilgerran, SA43 2TB, www.beeliefbotanics.com
• Snail Trail Handweavers, Cilgerran, SA43 2TP, 01239 841228, www.snail-trail.co.uk
• Pottery and Paintings, Aberporth Rd, Tanygroes, SA43 2HR, 01239 810265, www.potteryandpaintings.co.uk

Newport/Fishguard:

• Tecstiliau Tŷ Twt, Market Rd, Newport, SA42 0PH, 01239 821056
• Workshop Wales Gallery, Manorowen, Fishguard, SA65 9QA, 01348 891619
• Pembrokeshire Candle Centre, Trefelin, Cilgwyn, nr Newport, SA42 0QN, 01239 820470, www.pembrokeshirecandles.co.uk
• Oriel Glan y Môr Gallery, West St, Fishguard, SA65 9AE, 01348 874787, www.orielglanymorgallery.co.uk

Preseli/inland area:

• Linda Norris (gallery/shop), Maenclochog, SA66 7LB, 01437 532580, www.linda-norris.com
• Preseli Mohair Centre, Mynachlogddu, SA66 7SB, 01994 419327, www.preselimohaircentre.co.uk
• Francis Ceramics, Llanfyrnach, SA35 0DA, 01239 831657, www.francisceramics.com
• Roy Thedvall, Artist Blacksmith, Castell, Crymych, SA41 3QW, 01239 831959, www.pembrokeshirecrafts.org.uk/members_files/roy_thedvall.htm

Further afield:

• Melin Tregwynt, Castlemorris, Haverfordwest, SA62 5UX, 01348 891225, www.melintregwynt.co.uk
• The Welsh Gold Centre, Tregaron, SY25 6JL, 01974 298415, www.rhiannon.co.uk

Let us know if you have anything to add…

Spot of kayaking around the coast?

Activity companies:

• www.adventurebeyond.co.uk (coasteering, sea kayaking, climbing, surfing, hillwalking, gorge walking, canoeing, white water rafting, raft building)
• www.cardiganbayactive.co.uk (canoeing, kayaking, coasteering)
• www.llain.co.uk  (climbing, abseil, kayak, high ropes, zip wire, archery, assault course)
• www.cardiganbaywatersports.org.uk (sail, kayak, windsurf, RYA courses, powerboat)
• www.preseliventure.co.uk (coasteering, sea kayaking, surfing, biking)

Let us know if you have anything to add…