Owl Barn is a fantastic recent conversion of an old stone and slate building on an upland hill farm in Carmarthenshire, Wales.
With its stylish decor and amazing views of the Brecon Beacons this romantic and quirky spacious barn will both wow and cosset you.
There are 2 large double bedrooms and 2 shower rooms;
The master bedroom has a super king size (6 foot) double bed and an en-suite shower room.
The second bedroom has a king size double bed, a single bed and a large baby's cot.
So we can accommodate up to 5, easily.
You will have ample parking spaces, a sheltered outside space and a little bit of peace and quiet.
Owl Barn is usually well stocked; with basics such as teas, coffee, and other cooking needs in the well equipped kitchen, smart TV, DVD, radio and 20 meg Wifi, books and magazines to browse.
All the mobile phone networks have pretty good coverage here.
Whether your stay (minimum of 2 nights) is for family, friends or a romantic weekend get away, you could not ask for a more delightful retreat from the hustle and bustle of modern life, and you are within seconds of quiet countryside walks which can be as challenging as you wish; a stroll around the farm or on sheltered roads and footpaths, or up to the ridge near the top of Fforest, the nearest hill top of the Cambrian range at about 1300 feet.
All without getting in the car.
This is a stylish warm and peaceful building with underfloor heating throughout, supplied by an air source heat pump.
It is well appointed, quiet and has lovely extensive countryside views and a sheltered terraced outside area to eat al fresco or just sit quietly.
There is parking for numerous cars.
Sleeps 5 in 2 bedrooms with a baby's cot (and a high chair).
+ short breaks (2 night minimum)
+ Romantic? Most definitely!
+ Two couples? Ideal.
+ For a group of friends? Perfect.
+ A family? Oh yes.
- Smokers? Sorry, definitely not inside the building.
- Pets? Not allowed at all, sorry.
- Hen or stag parties? Sorry, definitely not; this is a quiet place, so no noisy groups please.
The main shower room is spacious and has room for a wheel chair.
There is a very quiet minor road running past the barn so walks with great views and without getting your shoes dirty are possible on the doorstep too.
Owl Barn has under floor central heating with oak flooring in the main, tiled floor in the kitchen, and the shower rooms. There is plenty of room in the lounge for the fold-up bed, or it can go in either bedroom.
The master bedroom with en suite shower room is at the end of the barn, and so would be quiet for a child using the fifth bed, if they needed to be in bed earlier than the rest of the group.
The second bedroom has a comfortable king size double bed, a single bed and a baby's cot.
There is a communal shower room, which is spacious, and has a loo and spacious wet room type shower with no step into the shower.
The large kitchen is a chef's paradise, with a breakfast bar island that seats 4.
Stylish and well fitted, equipment includes; electric double oven, grill and ceramic hob with extractor fan, fridge/freezer, dishwasher, washing machine, microwave, kettle, toaster, cafetiere and all the usual cooking utensils and pans etc. Superb views over the surrounding countryside.
Ironing board, iron (and even soft water for the iron) and a hairdryer are all provided.
Living Room: Spacious sunny lounge with lovely outlook, 2 comfortable 3-4 seater sofas. WiFi, Smart TV and a Humax TV digital recorder. DVD player, CD/radio, mP3/iPod connection. Extending dining table that can seat up to 10.
A beautiful room with exposed stone wall and beams that is very relaxing.
The corridor leading to the bedrooms and main shower room/ loo is pleasantly wide as befits the space.
Towels and linen; Laundered, quality cotton sheets, duvet covers, and towels are provided at the start of your stay, and changed weekly for longer stays. Hand soaps also.
Cleaning; The property is cleaned prior to your arrival, and weekly, with a linen change, for longer stays.
Amenities/Facilities: hob oven fridge/freezer microwave dishwasher washing machine, washing line and drying rack iron & ironing board smart TV and TV recorder, compact Hi Fi, internet access by WiFi, central heating, board games, books, CD's & DVD's
Guests have the whole of Owl Barn and the terraced outside area with tables and seating to themselves, along with several parking spaces.
You are welcome to roam across the 166 acres of the farm (maps provided), which has several delightful spots for picnics, farm walks and some wonderful views.
So bring your wellies, walking boots, coats and binoculars.
You may see Red Kites, buzzards, sparrow hawks, starlings, swallows, wagtails, cuckoos, woodpeckers, crows, finches and probably lots of other birds and even, perhaps, hear the owl we named the barn after!
The dark night skies are a treat for city dwellers; you can easily pick out the Milky Way on a clear night.
Squirrels, badgers, hares, hedgehogs, sheep and cows as well as the occasional fox and feral cat too.
Maybe the odd low flying fast jet or a Hercules, possibly even below where you are standing, which is always impressive, if loud!
I live on the farm in the main house across the yard, but I am often away too, so you may well not see me at all.
You will be given instructions, by email, about accessing the keys a couple of days prior to arrival.
However, I am always available on the phone/email/WhatsApp etc.
The Neighbourhood
Llandovery is a pleasant market town, only 10 mins by car, along the leafy lane that leads down to the main road.
Many shops, including a medium size supermarket, bakers, butchers, delis, cafes Post office, gift shops etc.
A great Chinese takeaway, and the Three Horseshoes fish and chip restaurant and takeaway, both on the main street are recommended, and there are Indian and other fast food outlets.
There are several good places to eat out;
The Old Printing Office cafe (daytime) is my favourite, behind the shop.
The Kings Head and Castle Hotels do good food, as does the Three Horse Shoes restaurant and takeaway.
The town used to have over 30 pubs! But now there are approximately 4,
and there a several country pubs in the Towy valley that make a good welcome and do food.
I provide a detailed list in my welcome notes.
Llandovery is the home of the Llandovery Drovers, a semi professional Welsh Premiership rugby side, and the centre of the small town is occupied by the famous Llandovery College, where many sporting greats have come to the notice of talent spotters, especially on the rugby field.
There is a swimming pool, tennis squash and racquetball courts, bowls and croquet adjacent to the delightful Castle Fields cricket ground, next to the car park in the centre of town.
A visit to the livestock market, beyond the town car park, on Tuesday mornings or most Fridays could be an interesting excursion.
This lovely rural area is fantastic for the outdoors with walking, cycling, both on road and off, and we even have a great MTB trail within easy cycling range of the farm, Cwm Rhaeadr MTB forest trail; cycle over into the next valley, 30 mins, ride the trail, 45 mins /lap, dine in the Royal Oak or Towy Bridge Inns and ride back to Owl Barn at Penygaer. Phew! Or put the bike in the car to get there.....
There are many other cycle and walking tracks through Crychan forest on the opposite side of our Bran valley, or ride/ walk out onto the hills of mid Wales or the Brecon Beacons, only 30 mins away.
Visit;
Lyn y Fan; is a delightful lake nestling in the cwm of Fan Fawr, the mountain in the view from the kitchen door; 35 mins in the car, then 40 mins walk to the lake. Magical with mystical stories about the Lady of the Lake! On to the top of Fan Fawr is a good hike, but what a that is Somerset you can see from there!
Gold Mines at DolauCothi 30 mins away by car
Upper Towy valley, Cilycwm, Rhandirmwyn and on to the
Lynne Brianne dam, the largest of it's type in Europe, walking/cycling, very scenic 35 mins to the dam
Aberglasney; world famous gardens, 40 mins
National Botanic Garden of Wales, Nantgaredig 45 mins
Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli, home of Scarlets rugby 60+ mins
Cardiff and the Millenium Stadium 80+ mins
Swansea (football and Ospreys rugby) and
The Gower peninsular, beaches, walking, etc 90 mins
Llandeilo; shopping and architecture 30 mins
Brecon; shopping and architecture 35 mins
Laugharne; home of Dylan Thomas 65 mins
Brechfa forest/Abergorgech; superb MTB trails, 35 mins
Dan yr Ogof show caves open to the public 40 mins
Ystradfellte; amazing walks in wonderful sheltered wooded valleys with waterfalls and caves
Horse riding at Cae Iago Riding Centre, Ffarmers 35 mins
Llangorse Lake; sailing, canoeing etc. beyond Brecon 40 mins
Rallying; many events throughout the year, on the Eppynt military range or in Crychan and Halfway forests, 25 mins
The area has fantastic roads for motorcyclists, and you will notice many of them visit the town for a cuppa on their travels in summer.
Golf; there's a nine hole course just beside the river Towy. 10 mins
Getting Around
It is best to arrive under your own steam by car, motorcycle (or even bike), although there is a train service to Llandovery which is on the Heart of Wales line, between Swansea (connects with mainline to London) and Shrewsbury.
Buses run to Brecon and Carmarthen from Llandovery.
There are several local taxi firms that would happily collect and return you to the farm.
It's a steady climb of around 500 feet in 3 miles to the farm from Llandovery, so keep a bit in reserve to get back if you are going out for a cycle ride!
More info in my welcome notes, along with local maps etc
