OUR GUIDE TO HALF-TERM GETAWAYS
Look ahead to the May school holiday by planning a fabulous break in one of these gorgeousWelsh cottages
LET’S face it, the weather wasn’t great during Easter but hopefully the sun will be shining during the next school holiday - May half term.
So why not book a family break in Wales which you can look forward to during the coming weeks - and, you never know, the sun might be shining then too.
But, whatever the weather, we’ve found some beautiful family-friendly Welsh cottages which you can still book for you and the kids to enjoy...
Sleeps 4 1. Basel Cottage, Llandovery
A recently-extended and converted stone cottage originally dating from the 1700s tucked away down a private lane beside the owners’ farmhouse.
The property boasts approximately 17 acres of land set alongside a ridgeline with woods and a field adjacent to the private garden. The sitting room has a recently-discovered great stone inglenook fireplace which is now reinstated with a slate hearth and wood burning stove. Great for stargazing. Cost: Week break £688, short break £522 Details: www.breconcottages. com
2. Ash Cottage, Crickhowell
This very pretty traditional stone cottage with roses around the door is set in the village of Llangynidr.
The cosy sitting room has a fine wood burning stove set in the original great stone fireplace with an inglenook, bread oven and an oak lintel.
Just a few minutes walk down through the village brings a choice of two pub/restaurants both with childrens play areas and a village shop.
Cost: Week break £641, short break £487
Details: www.breconcottages. com
3. Apple Blossom, Abergavenny
Lovingly converted, the cottage offers everything for a really comfortable holiday close to all the amenities of a village and near to Abergavenny and with easy access down to The Heads of The Valley Road with all The Welsh Valleys. There’s private salmon and trout fishing available just a few minutes walk from the house, and the famous foodie town of Abergavenny is just a short distance away.
Cost: Week break £688, short break £522
Details: www.breconcottages. com
4. Little Manor - Plas Cwta, Conwy Valley
Tucked away on the eastern edge of Snowdonia National Park, this property is set in a peaceful location yet there is plenty to do in the local area to keep everyone entertained.
This cottage is halfway between the towns of Conwy and Betws y Coed – explore Conwy’s castle and estuary location, while in Betws y Coed there’s plenty of great places to shop.
There are two bedrooms at the cottage, sleeping four, but no dogs are allowed.
Cost: Week break £1,129
Details: holidaycottages.co.uk
5. Old School House, Brecon
Help the kids swap one school for another this half term...
Old School House was formerly the headmaster’s house of Trecastle School. This is a great place to stay if you are exploring the Brecon Beacons National Park – it’s easy to reach Waterfall Country and Dan-yr-Ogof caves and of scenic drives to enjoy.
There’s also a ‘secret’ garden complete with chiminea and barbecue.
Cost: Week break £641, short break £487
Details: www.breconcottages. com
6. Hafod, near Pwllheli
A converted barn in a quiet courtyard within a 200-acre farm with access to spa treatments and a children’s play area.
Amidst the stunning scenery of the Llyn Peninsula, this stylish semi-detached barn conversion is in a wonderful location for exploring the spectacular peninsula, which is renowned for its superb unspoilt countryside, excellent beaches, walking, cycling and water sports.
The cottage is situated in a quiet courtyard location, on the owner’s 200-acre working beef and sheep farm, enjoying its own
enclosed garden. Cost: Week for £633 Details: cottages.com
Sleeps 5 7. Meadow Malt House, Brecon
Converted from a 17th century malthouse, the property is surrounded by incredible views, a huge variety of good walks and fabulous wildlife.
This cottage is perfect for children with a gorgeous, family-friendly garden, plus the opportunity to meet with some of the friendly locals - Toffee the Shetland Pony, Misty and Bengo the children’s ponies and not forgetting Winky, the matriarch of the sheep flock.
Cost: Week break £641, short break £487 Details: www.breconcottages.com
8. Bwthyn Stabal, Criccieth
Situated near two Blue Flag beaches, this pretty cottage is ideal for three adults and two children and one pet dog is welcome too.
Surrounded by protected woodlands and set in a walled garden, there are great sea views from the kitchen/dining room.
Look out for the 600-year-old yew tree in the grounds.
Cost: Week break £944 Details: www.qualitycottages.co.uk
Sleeps 6 9. Llwyn y Neuadd, Llandovery
This remote 17th century Welsh longhouse has been converted, retaining the original ancient beams and stone flag floors.
Set within over an acre of woodland, your nearest neighbours are almost a mile away. The lounge features a large wood burning stove and the master bedroom has wonderful views across the Black Mountains.
Cost: Week break £800, short break £606 Details: www.breconcottages.com
10. Detached house, Cosheston, Pembrokeshire
This detached property has an acre of grounds and is set just outside the village of Cosheston near Pembroke and Pembroke Dock.
The village pub is a half mile walk away and serves great pub food if you don’t want to cook.
The holiday home has a cot and highchair available for the youngest holidaymakers.
Cost: Week for £720
Details: welsh-cottages.co.uk
11. Neuadd Cottage, Llandovery
A homely cottage in the centre of the tiny hamlet of Cily-y-cwm near Llandovery on the Western edge of The Brecon Beacons National Park.
This is a great option for mountain bikers with the Brechfa and Crychan Forest just a short distance away. Comfortable lounge feature a wood burning stove.
There’s an enclosed patio garden with garden furniture and a barbecue. Cost: Week break £641, short break
£487 Details: www.breconcottages.com
12. Wdig Wen, Whitesands, Pembrokeshire
This cottage is full of character and enjoys both rural and sea views.
There are three bedrooms sleeping a maximum of four adults and two children.
Inside you will find exposed beams and a wood burner and outside there are landscaped gardens to the front and a stone sitting area with views to the coast.
Cost: Week break £1,245
Details: www.qualitycottages.co.uk
Sleeps 8 13. Llwyn-y-Fron, Brecon
Beautiful Llwyn-y-fron with its garden studio is one of the highest and most remote holiday cottages in the Brecon Beacons, with the most stunning panoramic views right across to the Black Mountains.
Separate from the main building, the garden studio houses a large bedroom with a superkingsized bed, which can convert to twins and a well-appointed ensuite. Cost: Week break £1,238, short break £935 Details: www.breconcottages.com
14. Harbour House, Aberaeron
Overlooking Aberaeron’s picturesque small sheltered inner harbour, this elegant Georgian town house sleeps eight.
Recently extensively renovated and furnished, there are stunning harbour views from each of the four luxurious bedrooms.
A travel cot is already at the house and a highchair and stair gate are available on request.
Cost: Week break £1,439
Details: www.qualitycottages.co.uk
Sleeps 10 15. Danyfan, Brecon
A holiday cottage in the foothills of Penyfan. With five bedrooms and four bathrooms, it sleeps 10 (plus pull out bed and cots), and is fantastically equipped for groups and families, with toys, a trampoline and swings and slide in the garden.
Halfway up the first flight of stairs is a “solarium” – a sitting area with views up the mountain.
Cost: Week break £1,594, short break £1,202
Details: www.breconcottages.com
16. The House in the Hills, Hay on Wye
Set in the most amazing remote and secluded spot in the Black Mountains, this chic stone farmhouse and barn conversion can easily accommodation 10 people in luxury.
There’s a hot tub on the terrace as well as walking and mountain biking routes from the doorstep. Hay on Wye is five miles away.
Cost: Week break £4,675
Details: www.breconcottages.com
■ The May half-term holiday for 2018 in Wales runs from Monday, May 28, to Friday, June 1.