Under the Thatch

Lleine-Price is a traditional West Wales cottage just 5 minutes from the 'jewel' of Cardigan Bay - Mwnt beach. It is on our books as it has a great location and I loved the 'St Ives' feel to the interior.

This cottage is a great base for exploring the beautiful Cardigan Bay coastline. This is one of the best places in the UK to see bottlenosed dolphins from dry land, and in summer dolphins can sometimes be close enough to touch from Mwnt beach (though this is not advised - apparently they aren't as friendly as Disney would have us believe).

Mwnt really is one of the nicest beaches in Britain, and unlike many sandy beaches is unspoilt by modern development. Take my word that it is great there - but don't tell everyone as I'd hate it to become crowded.

Situated on a country lane, Lleine Price is a comfortable compromise between tradition and modernity, and has easy access to plenty of great days out. It faces its own traditional stone outbuildings (not in use).

Come home to an open log fire or a bounce on your own trampoline after a day walking the coastal footpath! You'll even find an inflatable paddling pool in keeping with the summery feel of the place.

The interior has been tastefully decorated (thank goodness eh - not a bit of cheap stripped pine in sight!). The cottage still has original fireplaces, doors, and sash windows, and we can forgive it a couple of rooflights in the name of modern convenience. The relaxing colour scheme and hand-made quilts give it a pleasant 'New England' feel.

Lleine-Price started life as a smallholding farmstead, but was modernised in the twentieth century with the insertion of a few modern rooflights and the conversion of the cowshed into a lounge. You'll find Victorian photographs of the once-resident sailors dotted about the place.

Centrally heated throughout, and with a woodburner in the dining area, and an open fire in the lounge, as well as underfloor heating in some rooms, this is a cosy place to stay at any time of the year. It feels great to step out of bed onto a heated floor in winter!

Mwnt beach is walkable (2.5 miles) but is probably best reached by car - a short drive that takes about 5 minutes as the lane is narrow. Explore the ancient church and the views over to Cardigan Island nature reserve. Kids will love nearby Cardigan Island Coastal Farm Park.

This is probably our best located cottage for viewing wild dolphins - as seen in this amateur video. This video of the Cardigan Bay coast should put you in the mood.

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!

Cardigan is just 2.5 miles away (6 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!

There are supermarkets in Cardigan, but fortunately they don't seem to have killed the spirit of the place yet! Why not buy your food from nearby Llwynhelyg Farm Shop that specialises in local and organic foods? Or you can arrange for a local company to deliver a hamper for your arrival.

The nearby golf club (3.5 miles or 6 minutes) has such amazing views that it could persuade anyone to learn the sport. Or nip down to the boat club at Gwbert (4 miles, 7 minutes) and watch the yachts coming in and out - wind-surfing sometimes possible.

If you get fed up of Mwnt beach (could you?) then check out the choice of other local beaches. I love Poppit Sands - great for dogs (Minti's favourite), which is useful as the National Trust unreasonably ban dogs from Mwnt from 1 May to end October. How dare they!

Drive south and you can be over the border in Pembrokeshire in just 10 minutes, with a choice of amazing beaches, castles and day trips. Or head up north for charming towns like Aberaeron. Enjoy great seafood restaurants and the fantastic National Trust Llanerchaeron estate is well connected by public footpaths from the town.

Lleine-Price is reasonably accessible by public transport (train to Aberystwyth then take the X40 bus down the coast). Or head to Cardigan on the bus from Carmarthen train station.

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-heated throughout and the cost of this is included in the holiday.

There is also an open log fire and a woodburner, and several ground floor rooms enjoy underfloor-heating. The first basket of logs is provided, but guests are responsible for getting further baskets if they require them (garage just 1 mile away sells them).

Entrance lobby with doors right (ground floor double bedroom) and left (to Cegin Fawr), and stairs to first storey.

Cegin Fawr - now a dining room with large country table, window to front, and doors off to the kitchen at rear, and lounge. There is a large woodburner in a traditional inglenook fireplace.

Kitchen - a modern kitchen with lovely views to the rear. Watch the kids on the trampoline or in the padding pool.

Good quality kitchen with a solid wood worktop, dishwasher, fridge-freezer, microwave and washing machine. Bung the washing up in the dishwasher and grab the hammock that you can see at the top of the garden.

Lounge - a large modern room open to the rafters with a 'croglofft' over that kids will love. Glazed door out to the large rear garden. Leather and canvas sofas, open log fire and 32" plasma TV on the wall (with DVD player which also plays CDs). Great sound quality from the TV.

Ground Floor Bedroom - double room with cast-iron type modern bed with views to the front. Antique chest of drawers etc. Suitable for the less mobile as there is also a ground floor bathroom.

Ground Floor Bathroom - the ground floor bathroom is the largest and has bath with shower over. All newly fitted out and spotlessly clean.

UPSTAIRS

Master Bedroom - double room with original fireplace. Modern cast-iron type bed. Rural views to front.

Twin Bedroom - Large twin bedroom with full-sized single beds and adult mattresses. The other side of the shower room so kids won't annoy the parents :)

Shower Room - a compact but useful and attractive shower room (power shower) & chrome towel rail etc.

OUTSIDE

Lots of outside space.

Parking for max. 3 cars to front.

Large rear garden (enclosed) with hammock, paddling pool (use at own risk), and trampoline (again, be careful kids!). Lovely rural views.

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.