Under The Thatch

Awel-For ('Sea Breeze') is charming - a traditional West Wales fisherman's cottage just a 150m stroll from the beach. A great base for exploring the beautiful Cardigan Bay coastline.

Situated on a quiet dead-end lane and almost in the shadow of the historic Llansantffraed parish Church, Awel-For is a romantic little retreat that has easy access to plenty of great days out.

Come home to an open log fire and double-ended roll-top bath after a day walking the coastal footpath!

The beauty of this cottage is that it has never been extended, so it retains its original form as well as some nice features.

There is still an open fire in the main room, the rood is of grouted slates - typical of West Wales, and the sash windows are painted in the local colour of red oxide.

As the beach is shingle, it is never busy and you can often find yourself with the beach to yourself, even in high season.

Most tourists stick to the local sandy beaches, which means that the beach at Llansantffraed can be enjoyed in peace & quiet.

You can idle away hours picking up pebbles of different shapes to form a collection, and if you are lucky you'll even see wild dolphins. This video of the Cardigan Bay coast should put you in the mood.

This village was once famous for its tall ships, and you can hunt around the churchyard for slate gravestones into which Victorian children have carved images of the local boats. Or stroll down to the beach and collect driftwood for the fire.

Llansantffraed is a small hamlet clustered around the ancient church, and is a protected landscape because it is one of the best surviving examples of medieval field-strips or 'slangs' where each household had a narrow strip of land to produce their food.

Local legend has it that St David's mother (called Non, hence Llanon) gave the land to poor local fishermen. Amazingly they have survived in their origijnal form for over 700 years! You can see these clearly in aerial images.

It is likely that there has been a building where Awel-For stands for many centuries, but in its current form the cottage is absolutely typical of the local cottages built in the mid-nineteeth century when this area had an important tall-ship building industry.

Llanon is just a short walk away and is said to be where St David spent his childhood. Today it has a choice of pubs, a good fish & chip shop, excellent bakery and two butchers specialising in local meats. There is also a shop that opens late, post office, two chapels and church. You can visit a preserved local museum cottage here that is one of our favourites.

The village of Llanon is located on the coast of Cardigan Bay, 11 miles south of Aberystwyth and 5 miles north of Aberaeron on the main coast road.

Or walk up the coastline 2 miles to the next village of Llanrhystud to follow their heritage trail, play a round of golf (day or weekly membership can be arranged) or just try out their beach for a change. End up at the famous Black Lion for a pint before taking the coastal footpath home. This video shows the village.

Aberaeron - one of the prettiest small harbours in Britain is just five miles south. Why not walk the coastal footpath rather than taking the car? Enjoy great seafood restaurants and the fantastic National Trust Llanerchaeron estate is well connected by public footpaths from the town.

Awel-For is a great location for people that want to arrive, leave the car, and have everything they need within a 10 minute walk. Or this cottage is reasonably accessible by public transport (train to Aberystwyth then take the X40 bus down the coast).

One of our favourite activities is to head South down the coast to pick up a boat trip to see the dolphins - as seen in this amateur video.

The cottage doesn't have broadband but is only an 8 minute drive (5 mile walk) to the Harbourmaster where you can enjoy free wireless Broadband over a coffee/ drink or award-winning seafood.

Inside the cottage is clean, bright and a pleasant mix of traditional and contemporary design.

Overall a small but very comfortable and cosy cottage with a great location by the sea. Click here to see extra, larger photos on my Facebook profile.

Click HERE for the location. Or read about the local area here.

The Property Comprises:

The property is centrally-heating throughout and the cost of this is included in the holiday. There is also an open log fire.

Small entrance lobby with doors left (to bedroom) and right (to Cegin Fawr).

Cegin Fawr - the main room is open to the rafters, with sash windows to the front and side and a small window to the rear. It is an open-plan living space including the kitchen, lounge and dining areas.

The room is centred on the open log fire, and includes a leather double sofabed. CD Stereo. Plasma television with basic Sky satellite package. DVD player.

Note that if more than 2 stay the bathroom is off the main bedroom. We don't recommend this cottage for 4 adults.

The new kitchen is in a simple country style with Belfast sink, solid wood counters, fridge and microwave. No freezer, but the fridge has ice compartment.

Table & chairs for 4.

Double Bedroom - with sash window to the front, and bathroom off to the rear. Stripped pine floor, new furnishings and a Victorian bedroom grate (not in use). Double height ceiling and internal walls clad in painted pine tongue & groove boards.

Bathroom - with window to rear & with all new fittings - a roll-top double-ended bath and a modern shower cubicle with power shower.

Outside - There is a small seating area with bench to the front inside the stone wall, and a very small enclosed garden to rear (dogs could escape).

The lane to the rear runs alongside the river down to the beach.

Parking (one car) is currently on a patch of land 20m down the lane, that belongs to Awelfor. In future the small rear garden may be replaced with parking directly behind the cottage.

Travel cot and high chair available on request. Guests to bring own cot bedding.

Like all Under the Thatch accommodation, this property is entirely non-smoking inside.