It is such a treat to stay in the lovely Stable Cottage. It is immaculate, beautiful, cosy and very romantic. With a four poster bed, a fairytale babbling brook running alongside, a gorgeous log burning stove and beautiful nature all around, it is a truly idyllic spot that sleeps up to four guests. This is a cottage with a fascinating history. As you walk through the cottage from room to room, you will be thinking of how it was in days gone by. Stable Cottage was originally built to house the horses and carriages that carried the landed gentry to and from the Pontardawe Country Estate. The kitchen was once a saddle room, the lounge was where the carriage horses slept, the twin bedroom was the groom’s quarters and the master bedroom was the estate office. Here it is said that the lord of the manor conducted romantic liaisons with local ladies as well as collecting rent from his tenants! The hallway was where the carriages were parked. A pair or chestnut carriage horses called William and John lived in the cottage in 1914. In the same year a sale was held at the farm. Among the items were a wagonette with a detachable hood by Fuller of Bath, a carriage foot warmer, a dog cart by Vezey of Bath, a Governess cart and a Brougham by Phillips of Neath. All of these items would have been housed in Stable Cottage.
This amazing estate really makes you think of Downton Abbey with its stories and history. This fabulous one hundred and twenty acre Pontardawe Country Estate sits in the ancient hamlet of Cilybebyll, surrounded by beautiful rolling Welsh countryside. The historic estate boasts links to the descendants of Welsh Kings, Arthurian legend, tales of the Mabinogion, the Norman invasion, the Earls of Pembrokeshire, Winston Churchill’s secret army, eighteenth century prisons, Charles II, the tea plantations of Ceylon, coal mining, the Industrial Revolution and much more. A World War II hideout, used by Churchill’s Secret Army was found in the estate’s private bluebell woodland and gained recognition as a Scheduled Ancient Monument of national importance. In addition to its superb grounds, the Pontardawe Estate boasts the gorgeous manor house, Pontardawe Country House, as well as a number of other holiday cottages that Oliver’s Travels also feature. Guests can book each of these individually or for a special celebration, you may want to consider booking a selection of the cottages with or without the manor house. Guests staying at the cottages are free to roam the estate, enjoying the beautiful natural scenery and its amazing wildlife. There are waymarkers from Stable Cottage along the river into a beautiful oak woodland.
Stable Cottage is a wonderful self catering holiday cottage with comfortable living space, a delightful country kitchen, the four poster master and a twin bedroom and wonderful outside space. Its elegant Georgian façade looks out to a courtyard lawn enveloped by giant beech trees and parkland. Guests can sit beneath the canopy of the beeches to enjoy fabulous sunsets over the sheep grazed parkland or relax in the private back garden, listening to the soothing sounds of the babbling brook and birdsong. A little gate leads down to the mountain stream where you can dip your toes and look out for wild trout, dippers and grey wagtails. The banks of the stream are very pretty with bluebells, daffodils, rhododendrons and hazel trees growing wild. You will find a delightful picnic table in the back garden and a barbecue where you can dine alfresco while enjoying the tranquility and natural surroundings. The cottage WiFi even works in the garden so you can enjoy the sunshine and keep track of emails if you wish.
When you arrive at this charming Welsh country gem, you will step into a beautiful, stylish country kitchen which looks out to the back garden. The chef in your group will be delighted by its warm and cosy ambience, its excellent appliances and its gorgeous oak dining table and chairs. The living room is snug and cosy, especially on those chilling evenings when you light the log burning stove. It boasts gorgeous wooden flooring and a comfy sofa and chairs. Guests enjoy Freesat television, a DVD player, a stock of DVDs, a selection of books, maps, cards and games. A door opens to the back garden. You will find a handy downstairs toilet in the corner of the hallway.
As you walk up the stairs you will see many historic, captivating images of this wonderful estate in days gone by. The cottage bathroom is to the right at the top of the stairs with a bath and overhead shower. The enchanting twin bedroom enjoys exposed beams, comfy beds and gorgeous views out to the courtyard lawn. The master bedroom is an idyllic, romantic haven with its four poster bed, exposed beams and fabulous views of the old walled garden of the estate and the manor house. An overhead skylight brings in natural light to this lovely space.
Stable Cottage is just perfect for a country escape. With a fantastic one hundred and twenty acre private estate brimming with wildlife, green fields, bluebell woods, rivers and stunning picnic spots to explore as well as the Brecon Beacons, the Gower Peninsula, numerous museums and delightful towns and villages, you can’t go far wrong in this beautiful corner of Wales.
