Bryn Eglur or 'Clear Hill' is a perfectly restored Carmarthenshire smallholding in a lovely, peaceful, isolated position. This is the place to get away from it all and to really slow down your pace of life. The property has been sensitively brought back to life by its owner, with authentic and local materials, and is now a beautifully presented little cottage for a couple and 2 children (plus up to 2 dogs and an infant). Described as one of the 'Top 10 stays of the decade' by Sally Shalam in the Guardian. CLICK HERE FOR AVAILABILITY AND TO BOOK ONLINE. Alternatively, click here to email us with your booking requirements.

Twenty minutes from the M4 makes this lovely cottage an easily achievable escape, for a short romantic break, for a family holiday, or simply a place to enjoy perfect peace and quiet. Situated in the beautiful rolling countryside of Carmarthenshire, both the south and north coasts are well within reach for days at the beach. Or just stay at home: the garden is perfect for children and dogs to run around in glorious freedom and complete safety. Children enjoy meeting Mrs. Jones, a friendly little black cat who lives at Bryn Eglur. She'll be as attentive as you'd like her to be, but if you have dogs, she will probably keep out of sight.

The eighteenth-century whitewashed cottage was rescued from ruin by the owner, who has returned the old building to its original state, complete with Welsh country antiques, stick chairs, old settles and a Welsh dresser. A new spacious kitchen in the old barn and a lovely bathroom with modern fittings where the dairy used to be, complement the original cottage perfectly. DON'T come to Bryn Eglur if you are addicted to TV or are lost without a dishwasher - but DO come if you want a taste of another era and a heavenly escape from the 21st century. This little cottage provides a truly authentic and unique experience. Read a feature on Bryn Eglur's story by Helena Attlee in World of Interiors Magazine.

Downstairs, to the right of the hallway, the former kitchen or 'Cegin Fawr' is now the sitting room: full of interesting things, lovely old furniture and an impressive inglenook fireplace. Behind this, the former dairy is now a simple modern bathroom with a roll-top bath (with a hand-held shower head attached to the taps), a contemporary wash hand basin and loo. Pretty views through the little windows are of the garden behind the cottage and meadow to the side. To the left of the hallway is the old parlour, furnished with yet more Welsh vernacular furniture, including a Welsh dresser and a grandfather clock - a great place to sit and read or write. Then, further left is the old barn, which is now a nice big kitchen with modern fitted units, a large scrubbed deal kitchen table, a slate work surface, a butler's sink, and a huge old stone sink (once a salting stone).

Stable doors lead out onto the little box-edged vegetable garden, with lawn behind, where you can snip off a piece of rosemary for your lamb or some mint for your potatoes. There is a smart red Rayburn for winter heating (and additional hob capacity), as well as a modern electric oven. Upstairs, the cosy main bedroom is a delight: an antique cast-iron bed, Welsh blankets, vintage bedspreads, and more country furniture. Off this, is the adorable children's bedroom with a snug cupboard bed big enough for two children (or adults who don't mind curling up and who aren't too concerned about privacy).

The garden is spacious with lawn and fields on all sides - all yours to explore. There is a little ‘cow lick’ or small drinking pond near the entrance gate to the cottage, but it can be closed off from the rest of the garden. Just be aware that it is there if you have adventurous toddlers.

The nitty gritty:

• Complete peace, quiet and isolation
• Well away from the road: a safe place for children to play and run around
• Beaches within easy striking distance
• Renovated with authentic materials
• Bedding, towels and all basics included (soap, loo paper, cleaning materials etc)
• Elec, gas, underfloor heating, hot water.
• Kitchen with new Rayburn stove (runs on wood or coal) that boosts the hot water and heats the kitchen. First basket of wood supplied.
• Lovely antique furniture
• Up to 2 dogs welcome
• Fridge/freezer
• Electric oven and stainless steel hob
• Microwave
• Spacious kitchen with large kitchen table
• No TV, dishwasher or washing-machine
• No separate shower (but there is a hand-held showerhead attached to the taps)
• Small shallow pond outside garden, so remember to close gate to keep small children away from it
• Master bed is slightly narrower than the norm
• Pub 2 miles away at Trelech
• Closest shopping to be had at St. Clears, 12 miles, and Newcastle Emlyn, 15 miles
• Temporary building works are being carried out on a little thatched cottage belonging to the owner across the field behind Bryn Eglur during weekdays in 2010. Entrances are completely separate, so there shouldn't be any disturbance

Things to do around this holiday cottage in Wales

Pricing & Availability

Changeovers are normally Mondays and Fridays (enquire about other days). Weekends are set-priced from Friday 4pm to either Sunday evening or Monday 10.30am; so you can stay 1, 2 or 3 nights for the weekend price. If there are only 2 nights available, this shorter weekend will be priced down accordingly. Move the cursor over a date and prices will appear, and click for a quote. You can book online, or contact us by email and we can do it for you: caroline@blackmountains.biz or telephone 01873 890190.

Location Map

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From the Visitors Book at Bryn Eglur

"Thank you for a warm and cosy winter break- fantastic. The sunshine even paid a visit and we saw loads of Buzzards & red kites over the cottage. A holiday we wont forget !" ~ Claire & Simon from Shropshire

When we asked whether this beautiful home would be suitable for a honeymoon we were assured that it was, but we never expected anything as fabulous as this. The effort made in the renovation was really worth it - the cottage is a permanent reminder of the past days, without losing any of the luxury of modern times. The bedrooms are cosy and we both enjoyed the longest lie-ins for over a year!  This has simply been one of the best holidays ever !" ~ Rebecca & Brian who honeymooned .