Under The Thatch

We're not known for our love of concrete at Under the Thatch - but in Bryncyn we have a reason to celebrate the stuff. Here we have a traditional cottage, well restored, with a cutting-edge modernist concrete extension. Few homes manage to marry the old and the new so successfully.

There aren't many homes in Wales that remind you of the modernist 'Case Study' homes of California, or the work of Mies van de Rohe, but Bryncyn will. This is a holiday home for people that love good architecture and good design.

If you hate chintz then you will love this place - it's an architect's dream. No fuss, no clutter, just clean lines and a wonderful sense of purity. Your eyes are constantly drawn out to the landscape and the views of the Preseli mountains.

And even if well-designed architecture isn't your bag, everyone will enjoy the cedar hot-tub, the comfortable beds, and the efficient wood-burning stove.

Although it's hard to believe, this minimalist pad was created by the same man (Dorian Bowen) who restored our most traditional cottage interior at Bryn Eglur. He has created two dramatically different and yet equally successful homes from these once derelict Carmarthenshire homes. Wales should be grateful.

It's an over-used cliche - but this really has been a labour of love - and an experiment in poured-concrete construction that has never been seen before in these parts.

Set in a good-sized garden up a private track, this is a modernist 'get-away-from-it-all' escape in the heart of the hills of Carmarthenshire, yet easily accessed from the M4 at Carmarthen. There are no near neighbours, and fantastic panoramic views.

Click HERE and HERE to see photos taken by Ioan Davies, and some lesser images by myself HERE. As far as I'm concerned you can never have too many photographs in contemplating where to stay. The floorplan is here.

Bryncyn sleeps 6 in a flexible arrangement of beds. The main bedroom has a double, and two singles. The main room on ground floor has a double day-bed, and the loft over the kitchen has another double. As there are only two bedrooms as such we recommend it for max. 4 adults.

The cottage itself is traditionally restored with sash windows, limed walls and a slate floor. Classic Welsh pieces like the traditional Welsh oak deuddarn cupboard sit comfortably alongside modernist classics like the Barcelona chairs by Mies van de Rohe.

I think it's important to have good design about you when you are on holiday, and you'll find an inspirational interior at Bryncyn. I'm not entirely sure what 'good taste' is - but if this cottage was a meal I'm sure it would taste great.

Adjoining the cottage is a modern (or should I say modernist?) extension. Stone clad to the front so as not to spoil the main cottage elevation, but the rest is created in solid poured concrete and lit by a clerestory light.

The sliding glass door out to the patio and hot-tub is probably the largest in Wales, and had to be imported especially for this project. Everything is white, or concrete, in this space, and chairs around the dining table are by Eames, Vitro, Palocco and Tallow. No crap here then.

The huge wall of glass to the rear of the kitchen brings the outside in, and once the sliding door is back you feel like you are living outside. The exotic tree fern takes shelter from winter winds behind the poured concrete walls, and the cedar hot-tub bubbles away next to the natural pool.

The cottage is 6 miles (12 minutes) from the small market town of Newcastle Emlyn, with a good independent butchers, fishmongers and delicatessen. The castle ruins and surrounding parkland make for a pleasant stroll.

The coast at Cardigan is just 16 miles away (30 minutes in the car) and has a great choice of small independent shops. Check out the great delicatessen in the old market hall. Or the traditional sweetshop on the high street. Or the floating boat Indian restaurant!

Local daytrips for guests here will probably include include Llansteffan beach and castle, Cenarth waterfalls & cheese farm. Dylan Thomas' Boathouse is a great day out in a beautiful location. See his writing 'hut' and enjoy the amazing estuary views.

This cottage is more about hills than beaches, but if you love the sand then head to Mwnt (18 miles) where you can explore the ancient church and the views over to Cardigan Island nature reserve. Kids will love nearby Cardigan Island Coastal Farm Park. Mwnt is a great location for viewing wild dolphins - as seen in this amateur video. This video of the Cardigan Bay coast should put you in the mood for the West coast.

This (very!) amateur video of Mwnt beach should also give you an idea, and also make you smile - even awful camerawork can't take away from the beauty of this spot

The National Botanic Garden of Wales is one of Europe's best gardens. Forget the Eden project - our dome is bigger and better!

In fact there are so many great gardens in the area that is has been called The Garden of Wales.

And there is SO much great food produced locally that they've made a directory of the finest producers.

Other good beaches under 45 minutes drive are at Pendine or Llansteffan.

See the cottage location here. Note that the cottage is approached by a private, bumpy track which is accessible by all but the lowest of sports cars (eg Audi TT was fine).

The cottage isn't suitable for children under 8, though babes in arms are fine and we can provide a cot & high chair on request for them (guests provide own cot linen).

The property is centrally heated to the ground floor (included in price). There is also a wood-burning stove (first basket of logs provided) and electric oil-filled radiators to the two upstairs rooms.

The Property Comprises:

Cegin Fawr - The main cottage is now open plan to the ground floor, with stairs rising to the first floor bedroom. Entered up two steps from outside.

There is a modern woodburning stove, bespoke modernist sofa and Barcelona lounge chairs by Mies van de Rohe.

Note that there is nothing so vulgar as a television here. :)

The other half of the room has a double day-bed that can be used as a bed if you wish. Door through to kitchen.

Kitchen - Step down one step from living area to kitchen. The large kitchen is lit by a traditional casement window to the front, a clerestory light around two walls, and an absolutely huge sliding glazed door to the rear patio.

It is a simple space in concrete, contemplative, and pure.

Dining table with collection of modernist classic chairs, and a small fitted kitchen with basic appliances. There is a fridge (no freezer box), cooker, but no dishwasher, washing machine or microwave. If you want to eat out then head down to Newcastle Emlyn or Cenarth.

Door out to rear patio which is on exactly the same level to give you a sense of connection with the outside.

Door to front garden.

Shower Room is simple and modernist, with a poured concrete shower, marble base, and fantastic dinner-plate power-shower. Chrome heated towel rail and nice taps. Nice taps matter.

Master Bedroom occupies what was originally the whole first storey. Double bed, lounge chairs, and a pair of singles across the width of the room that make for a great day-bed/reading area. Sit back with a good book and enjoy the open views across the Preseli hills.

Bedroom Two is accessed by a steep fixed step-ladder that won't suite everyone. It is in the roofspace above the kitchen extension. Double bed, restricted headroom in parts.

OUTSIDE

The rear patio is protected from the winter winds (that are common up this high) by a modernist 'curtain wall' of concrete. This means that tropical tree-fern can flourish and you can enjoy the cedar hot-tub year round.

Steeply terraced gardens mostly left to rough grass.

Plenty of parking.

If your heart is strung between the traditional and modern then you will LOVE Bryncyn. There really is nowhere else like it to rent in Wales.

Travel cot and high chair available on request. Guests provide own bedlinen for cot.

Like all Under the Thatch properties, Bryncyn is entirely non-smoking inside. If you are addicted then at least the rear patio gives you a sense of protection and pleasant views.

Is it green? Well it has a private spring water supply, is insulated with Welsh sheepswool, and the new glazing is all thermally efficient.