The Old Workshop
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Overview
The wonderful Old Workshop is nestled on the fantastic Pontardawe Country Estate which enjoys a remarkable history, unique character and more than one hundred and twenty acres of beautiful rolling Welsh countryside. The Pontardawe Country Estate is located between the Brecon Beacons National Park and the beautiful Gower Peninsula in South Wales. The Old Workshop is a cosy countryside cottage that has been beautifully renovated to provide modern, luxurious living. It is situated alongside a mountain stream on the slopes of Mynydd Marchywel, overlooking the central courtyard of the estate and sheep grazing in parkland.
The characterful Old Workshop enjoys one bedroom with an added single bed, beautiful open plan living space, a luxurious wet room and its own outdoor space. The cottage was formally the estate carpenter’s workshop. In addition to its superb grounds, the Pontardawe Estate boasts a 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 as well as the manor house.
The Old Workshop is tucked away and offers beauty, serenity and tranquility to the lucky guests that happen to book it. The Old Workshop was a former outbuilding on the estate, some of which record a history back to the early 1400’s. The estate lies in the ancient hamlet of Cilybebyll with 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.
The living space of The Old Workshop is very cosy and very modern. Open plan in design, it features a sleek, contemporary kitchen in one corner, perfect for your self-catering getaway, a modern, circular dining table and chairs in the middle and comfy sofas, a television and a contemporary wood burning stove at the far end. The television comes with over 150 channels for your entertainment. The generous sized bedroom is minimalist in styling, features a characterful exposed stone wall and offers both a kingsize bed and a single bed. You may decide to book this cottage for a romantic break or come with one child and perhaps a baby in a cot. The neutral walls are decorated with Welsh themed pictures and prints throughout. The cottage’s bathroom is a contemporary wonder with beautiful tiling, a wet room rainforest shower and other excellent fittings. The cottage is all on one level so it is perfect for anyone with mobility issues. The contemporary wet room offers ample room for a wheelchair to turn. It is also eco-friendly, being heated with renewable energy. The Old Workshop is also pet friendly but please let us know in advance if you want to bring your furry friend. There is private parking on the courtyard alongside the cottage.
The Old Workshop comes with a pretty, private garden where you can enjoy the wildlife, relax with a glass of wine on the south facing terrace, enjoy the tranquil sounds of the mountain stream, feed the birds on the patio walls or each lunch under the chestnut tree.
You can have food delivered from the local supermarket in Pontardawe, so you do not even need to leave this idyllic corner of Wales. Guests enjoy access to the river and farm trail and enjoy woodland walks from the doorstep. It is just a fifteen minute stroll along a country lane to the village pub. It is hard to beat this secluded, peaceful location. If you do leave the estate, then the majestic Brecon Beacons and the stunning Gower Peninsula are on the doorstep.
What you should know…
- Guests are welcome to wander through the estate, paddle in the river and enjoy picnics in the fields. You never know, you might even find Churchill’s hidden World War II hideout in the bluebell woods
- Your well behaved furry friend is welcome to join you at The Old Workshop but please do let us know in advance
This home is a part of our Great Value Collection!
Our great value homes:
- may be traditionally styled for a laid back feeling
- may have some simple amenities and features
- mean that you can enjoy top holiday destinations for less!
Property Features
Ground Floor
- Open-plan living & dining area
- Fully-equipped kitchen
- Bedroom with king-size bed and additional single bed
- Family wet room
Exterior Grounds
- Private enclosed garden
- 100 acres of Estate gardens to explore
Additional Facilities
- Wi-Fi
- TV
- Washing machine & dryer
- Travel cot & highchair available on request (please bring your own cot linen)
- Parking
Location
About the surrounding area of The Old WorkshopThe Old Workshop is nestled quietly in the one hundred and twenty acre Pontardawe Country Estate in the tranquil hamlet of Cilybebyll, close to the village of Pontardawe. The estate is absolutely incredible with woodlands, rivers, bluebell woods, sprawling fields, bird nesting boxes, beautiful picnic spots, a stately manor house and other holiday cottages. It is the perfect rural retreat between the Gower Peninsula and the Brecon Beacons National Park. Though you may find it hard to leave this wonderful spot, there is much to do and see. The estate courtyard where many of the cottages are located is bounded by the upper reaches of the picturesque River Clydach and on the other side by green parkland pastures grazed by sheep and cows. The high hills of blue pennant sandstone provide the backdrop to an idyllic and tranquil scene. Guests booking The Old Workshop are free to roam the estate including its award winning bluebell woodland. The estate’s farm walk is a circular walk for guests which meanders from the doorstep of The Old Workshop towards the summit of Mynydd Marchywel and back. En route, guests follow mountain streams, climb over stiles, explore the bluebell woodlands and traverse lazy green fields. On a clear day, the panoramic vistas include the Swansea Valley, Swansea Bay, the Bristol Channel and the Brecon Beacons National Park.The cottage is an excellent base for those that want to explore the landscapes by bike. The Afan Forest and Bike Park Wales are easily accessible.
The beautiful Swansea Bay coastline and the Gower Peninsula with its idyllic secret coves and glorious stretches of fine sand can be reached by car in twenty minutes. For those that want to enjoy nature and the great outdoors, the National Showcaves of Wales and the Vale of Neath’s spectacular waterfalls are nearby. Guests enjoy visits to the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and the Glamorganshire Heritage Coast, both less than half an hour away.
The Victorian seaside village of Mumbles with its promenade, shops and restaurants is definitely worth a visit. Mumbles was one of Dylan Thomas’ many stamping grounds and is the home of some world class ice cream. Mumbles is steeped in history with its lighthouse being built in 1794. It also boasts a Victorian pier and Oystermouth Castle which sits on the hilltop overlooking the sea. There are lovely boutique shops and galleries including the gorgeous Lovespoon Gallery and the Gower Gallery. No visit to Mumbles would be complete without sampling some ‘fresh off the boat’ seafood, its handmade chocolates and its fantastic ice creams.
Local Amenities | |||
---|---|---|---|
Nearest Town/City |
Swansea
(16.4km) |
||
Nearest Town |
Pontardawe
(3.2km) |
||
Nearest Restaurant |
The Butcher's Arms, Pontardawe
(2.8km) |
||
Nearest Supermarket |
Tesco Superstore, Pontardawe
(3.4km) |
||
Nearest Golf |
Pontardawe Golf Club
(4.9km) |
||
Nearest Beach |
Aberavon Beach
(21km) |
Region
While the image of lush valleys and a laid-back lifestyle are right at the heart of a holiday in Wales, don’t think stunning landscapes and a bit of relaxation are the only thing on offer in this beautiful country. Don’t believe us?
Check out our Wales travel guide – it’s full of handy hints, travel ideas and great stuff for families and groups of friends to do.
Kids
Best Suited For: All AgesWith one bedroom that offers a kingsize bed and a single, The Old Workshop works if you have a small family. There is room for a cot too. If this cottage is not big enough, please do look at some of our other cottages on the estate. Children love this heavenly estate and its sensational walks, views and picnic spots.
Swansea is only nine miles from the cottage with much entertainment for youngsters. There is tenpin bowling, cinemas, museums, go-karting, a trampoline park, a zoo, a waterpark, soft play areas and a lido. Plantasia Swansea is a unique tropical haven of wonderful plants and animals in the heart of Swansea. You will discover insects, reptiles, fish, monkeys, birds, bananas, pineapple plants, cacti, giant bamboo and much more. The Rainforest Hut has been been built using tribal techniques and is full of hammocks, musical instruments and spirit masks with tribal singing in the background. Children love seeing the chameleons, parakeets and the aquarium. There is an educational greenhouse walk and arid and tropical climate houses. The LC Swansea is a leisure destination on the doorstep of the Gower with swimming, surfing, climbing and rides including the white-knuckle rollercoaster, the Masterblaster. There is a fun indoor surf machine and a lazy river as well as a bubbling whirlpool. Little water babies can play in the mini pool. An aquatic maze also adds to the fun with bridges, ball pits and looping slides. Blackpill Lido is an outdoor water park with a splash pad, paddling pool, a dry play area, climbing rock and picnic facilities.
There are plenty of fabulous sandy beaches to visit including the three mile long Aberavon Beach. The beach is popular with families and surfers. Dogs are allowed in off peak months. The award winning Langland Bay Beach is also very popular, just around the headland from the pretty Victorian seaside village of Mumbles. It offers wide golden sands and plenty of rock pools. It is a bigger surfer destination during the winter months. Another popular beach is Caswell with its long stretch of sand.
The outstanding Llanelli Wetland Centre offers over 450 acres of rare wetland habitat bursting with nature and animals. Children can hand feed some of the rarest geese, ducks and swans and can jump, swing and climb their way through the obstacle course. At Wiggly Wood they can build a den and look out for beautiful birds. It is a great day out!
Baby and Toddler Equipment
- Cot(s)
- High Chair(s)
Kids Activities Close-by
- Outdoor Pursuit & Activities
- Tourist Towns & Villages
Extras
At Oliver’s Travels, we pride ourselves on going that little bit further for our guests. From private chefs to travel services, we can help you arrange those little extras that make it a truly memorable holiday. Simply fill in the concierge request form or contact the Oliver’s Concierge Team, who will be happy to help. We can typically help you arrange any of the following:
- Maid service/extra cleaning
- Private chef/cook/catering
- Welcome hamper/pre-stocked fridge
- Local day-trips or tours
- Airport pick-up/drop-off
Simply fill in the concierge request form or contact the Oliver’s Concierge Team.
Please note that all extras are subject to availability and must be requested in advance of the holiday (prices on request). Due to some rural/remote locations, not all services will be available at all properties. However, we will always do our best to fulfil your requests!
Oliver's Travels Chef Service: A Gourmet Dining Experience
Make hosting a memorable dinner party at your villa an absolute breeze with our superb Chef Service. Our chefs will take care of everything for you from start to finish so you can just sit back and enjoy the gastronomic experience. They will bring all the necessary ingredients, cook and serve the food and even clean up afterwards. To find out more visit www.oliverstravels.com/chefs
Security deposit | There is no security deposit, but should there be any damage or loss caused by you or your guests during your stay you will be liable for the cost. |
Arrival time | 4pm |
Departure time | 10am |
Terms & Conditions
These terms and conditions may be amended from time to time.
Security deposit | There is no security deposit, but should there be any damage or loss caused by you or your guests during your stay you will be liable for the cost. |
Arrival time | 4pm |
Departure time | 10am |
Energy costs included? | Yes, included in the rental price |
Linen & towels included? | Yes, included in the rental price |
End of stay cleaning included? | Yes, included in the rental price |
Internet access? | Yes, Wi-Fi included in the rental price |
Changeover day | Friday |
Minimum stay | Please note that there is a 2-night minimum stay, this may be increased across peak dates |
Pets welcome? | A maximum of 2 well-behaved dogs are allowed on request for an additional charge of £30 per dog, per booking. To be requested at the time of booking |
Smoking Allowed? | No smoking |
Rental Rates
Prices based on an occupancy of 2 people:
Rental period | 2 Nights | 3 Nights | 4 Nights | 5 Nights | Weekly |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Oct 9th 2024 - Oct 26th 2024 | £437 | £511 | £585 | £659 | £741 |
Oct 26th 2024 - Nov 2nd 2024 | £485 | £567 | £649 | £731 | £821 |
Nov 2nd 2024 - Dec 21st 2024 | - | - | - | - | £570 |
Dec 21st 2024 - Jan 4th 2025 | - | - | - | - | £1,093 |
Jan 4th 2025 - Feb 15th 2025 | £336 | £375 | £415 | £455 | £569 |
Feb 15th 2025 - Feb 22nd 2025 | £388 | £433 | £479 | £525 | £656 |
Feb 22nd 2025 - Mar 1st 2025 | £354 | £396 | £438 | £480 | £599 |
Mar 1st 2025 - Apr 12th 2025 | £367 | £410 | £454 | £497 | £621 |
Apr 12th 2025 - Apr 26th 2025 | £532 | £596 | £659 | £722 | £902 |
Apr 26th 2025 - May 24th 2025 | £421 | £471 | £521 | £571 | £713 |
May 24th 2025 - May 31st 2025 | £509 | £569 | £629 | £689 | £862 |
May 31st 2025 - Jun 28th 2025 | £512 | £572 | £633 | £694 | £867 |
Jun 28th 2025 - Jul 19th 2025 | £559 | £625 | £692 | £758 | £947 |
Jul 19th 2025 - Aug 30th 2025 | £671 | £751 | £830 | £910 | £1,137 |
Aug 30th 2025 - Sep 13th 2025 | £505 | £565 | £625 | £685 | £856 |
Sep 13th 2025 - Sep 27th 2025 | £478 | £535 | £591 | £648 | £810 |
Sep 27th 2025 - Oct 25th 2025 | £455 | £509 | £563 | £617 | £771 |
Oct 25th 2025 - Nov 1st 2025 | £504 | £564 | £624 | £683 | £854 |
Nov 1st 2025 - Dec 20th 2025 | £350 | £391 | £433 | £474 | £593 |
Dec 20th 2025 - Apr 12th 2026 | - | - | - | - | £1,137 |
Please note that these prices/rates are a guide only and may not be correct at the current date. For an accurate quote, please enquire.
Reviews
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Beautiful
Beautiful cottage, clean and comfortable
Don't miss out! Reserve now and get a full refund if you change your mind within 48hrs.