Under The Thatch

"Tucked away in the corner of a wild-flower meadow next to the river it is secluded and ridiculously picturesque." Richard Hammond reviewing for The Guardian.

This is our simplest accommodation, but seems to have the highest level of customer satisfaction!

Self-catering with a difference! Stay in an authentic Gypsy caravan set in its own acre of riverside meadow - a truly magical, private location where you live close to nature. A wonderful rural location just a short drive from fantastic sandy beaches.

As well as the caravan, you'll be renting a small country cabin with a kitchen & shower-room for a unique holiday experience.

Of all the properties that we let, this caravan has the highest customer satisfaction record - everyone that stays there seems to loves it - no matter what the weather or time of year that they stay!

Note that we also have a similar cabin and caravan in the Black Mountains and a restored Showman's Waggon in the beautiful Wye Valley.

Reviewed Here by - 'Wales On Sunday' or an independent guest review here or read what the Guardian thought of it here. Click here to see a short amateur video of the dolphins off the nearby beach (10 min. drive).

Click here to see a 1 minute video that shows the caravan on an average autumn day or read this article on Ethical Travel from the Scotsman. Or see the holiday photos of guests who stayed in the winter here.

The caravan was built in 1924 by Wood Bros using an earlier 'drey' and is an authentic Romany bow-top vardo with a traditional interior including double bed, stove, seating and cupboards.

Although the caravan is special we think it is the location that makes this option a winner - an acre of private and secluded riverside meadow.

The caravan is cited in a quiet dell where the river bends, a lovely private and secluded spot with delightful views.

The caravan sits by the edge of the river, but just up ten (fairly steep) steps sits a simple cabin offering a good standard of facilities and open verandah to enjoy the views.

You can spend hours alongside the pot-belly stove on the verandah watching the river flow by, red kites in the sky, or if you are very lucky you may even see an otter.

You have full use of the field which has the lovely Afon Ceri (River Ceri) running along its length. This clean, shallow river is a Site of Special Scientific interest, protected because of the otters, brown trout, and its wild flowers.

The caravan is located within a short walk of the lovely village of Rhydlewis (shop, traditional salmon smokery etc), just 4.5 miles/ 10 minute drive to the best beaches in the county at Llangrannog or Penbryn.

You can take great country walks from the doorstep, easily be on the beach in under 15 minutes or walk to the village shop and trout/cheese smokery within a few hundred yards.

Or take a short drive down to the beach and enjoy the freshest fish served at the local pub overlooking the beach. This is one of the best locations in the UK to see bottle-nosed dolphins.

Why not try your hand at windsurfing, kayaking or take a powerboat ride at one of the local centres? For the exact location see the green tab here.

Can you stay all year round? The traditional pot-belly stove in the caravan, and the electric heaters in the caravan and the cabin (both are also insulated) means that you can stay all year round.

There is a second pot-belly stove on the verandah of the cabin so you sit 'outside' and be snug at any time of the year. It was, after all a home for a Romany family all-year round. Think of it like 'posh camping'.

Blankets, hot-water bottles, and a basket of fuel for the stove are supplied to make your stay comfortable. The stove heats the caravan up in no time (and there is also an electric heater at the flick of a switch).

Want to know more about traditional romany caravans? Click here to read about them.

Dogs? Well-behaved pets are welcome here. Note that there is plenty of land for them (you have an acre) but the boundaries are not securely fenced and dogs that want to escape will find a way.

The caravan doesn't have Broadband but only a 20>25 minute (15 mile) drive to the Harbourmaster where you can enjoy free wireless Broadband over a coffee/ drink or award-winning seafood. You'd probably want to visit the charming harbour at Aberaeron during your stay anyway.

Still not convinced? Click here to see the local coast as captured in an amateur video. It really is magic.

You can arrange a Welsh food hamper to be ready for your arrival through this local company.

THE PROPERTY COMPRISES OF:

An authentic Romany Caravan & Cabin set in an acre of meadow, with a picnic bench down by the water's edge as well as camp fire.

CARAVAN: Double bed made up for your arrival (proper hand-made sprung mattress but note the bed is 6" narrower than a standard double, and not ideal for people over 6'2" tall!), traditional pot-belly stove, cupboards.

Extra blankets and hot water bottle supplied, as well as starter basket of fuel for the stove. Electric heater and lights inside and out, plug socket. Electric blanket available in winter, though rarely required as the stove is so efficient! Why not bring a laptop to enjoy DVD's in bed? The steps up to the cabin have LED lighting if required at night.

CABIN: Split into three areas (kitchen, shower-room, covered veranda). Full-sized fridge, Proper flushing toilet, Electric shower, Combination microwave/electric oven, Kettle, toaster etc, Traditional Belfast sink, CD player radio . Electric heaters, hot-water on demand etc. There is a traditional cast-iron pot-belly stove on the verandah.

Down by the river's edge is a picnic bench and traditional campfire for you to enjoy. Watch the brown trout swim by and cook a rustic meal - Romany recipe book supplied!

There is a double sofabed in the cabin, but please note no children under 12 years old allowed, they squeak too much when they see the caravan. Our cottage, Ty'r Gof is just a field away if you have a larger party or Beudy Bendigaid is just 2 miles distant.

If you are interested in Romany history check out this website made by one of our genuine Romany guests.

This property has a generous midday check out time on day of departure.