Ty Gwennol, Llandefalle Near Brecon

Brecon Beacons. Sleeps up to 2

A stone built, cosy cottage, now lovingly restored and insulated with sheeps' wool, lined with local hardwood, and using recycled and reused materials, all set in an organic wildflower garden. Heating and cooking is by wood-burning stove (logs provided). The cooking range has a large hotplate area and a warming oven. It heats up very quickly. Electricity is by off-grid wind and solar power. We have tried to make materials and bedding fairly traded, locally sourced and/or organic to make your stay as carbon neutral as possible. There's even a mountain-bike tandem that you're welcome to borrow! (helmets provided).

Close to Hay on Wye and the Brecon Beacons National Park, but in a quiet area of countryside with a local shops, cafes and pubs within a couple of miles.

Guest access

You will have the whole cottage and garden to yourself, except our tool and canoe stores. (We may need access the garden ourselves if there is hay to be made or grass to be mowed). You are welcome to pick flowers and fruit - we have wild strawberries, raspberries, black currants, apples and pears, along with a wonderful patch of wild garlic. If you're arriving after dark please bring a torch - there are no street lights here!

We will try and greet you on arrival and can be contacted by telephone during your stay (we live 3 miles away). We will show you around, and be available by phone during your stay. If we are not available our friend will be able to show you the ropes.

Ty Gwennol is set just outside the quiet hamlet of Llandefalle nearly 300 metres above sea level. It looks across to the Black Mountains and the Wye Valley which are easy to access. Hay on Wye (8 miles) is the famous 'Town of Books' with its annual Literature Festival, and Brecon (8 miles) is known for its annual Jazz Festival. Closer to home is Llyswen (2 miles) with small shop, cafe and petrol station and Talgarth (4 miles) with an award winning traditional watermill, bakery and cafe. In Bronllys (3 miles) there is a small but attractive Norman Castle (free access), general shop and garage, post office, wonderful cafe and a small swimming pool. Canoe hire is available at Glasbury (5 miles) where trips down the River Wye are possible. There are a number of good pubs and eating places within about 4 miles. The Brecon Beacons National Park is a Dark Skies Centre, star gazing from Ty Gwennol and surrounding area is amazing (providing it isn't raining!!!). There are a number of excellent wild swimming spots within a few miles (we are happy to provide advice). Further afield are a Red Kite Feeding Centre, excellent mountain bike trails, Offa Dyke long distance footpath, and The Wye Valley Walk.

Getting around

If you come by car there is off-road parking at the cottage.

The T4 bus from Cardiff (2 hours) will get you to Llyswen two miles away, then it's an uphill walk! There are trains to Abergavenny (20 miles) and Hereford (30 miles). We offer a DISCOUNT to anyone coming by public transport, and or bikes. If coming by public transport we may be able to meet you in either Brecon or Hay on Wye.

Other things to note - Fairtrade tea, coffee and sugar is provided. The cottage is low energy usage so you will need to be environmentally minded - there is no fridge but we provide a cool box and we'll provide ice blocks on the first day. There is no TV either - the idea is to escape from normal life! THE CROG LOFT (bedroom) IS ACCESSED BY LADDER STAIRS. Cooking and heating are by wood stoves only, so it's a chance to try your 'back to nature' skills. In keeping with the general ethos of Ty Gwennol please note that the shower is not a 'power shower' - towels provided. Generally the stove(s) will be lit before you come. We also provide a small barbeque (local charcoal provided).

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