Dog-friendly Ceredigion

Fabulous dog friendly cottage with its own doggy paddock, set in the beautiful Welsh countryside, Shire is located amongst 6 acres of shared grounds in a small privately owned hamlet of cottages. This once belonged to a bigger estate of grounds which, many years ago, was farmed by monks. A perfect tranquil location in which to explore some of the Welsh countryside and coastlines. Aberaeron, with its beach, pretty harbour and lots of good eateries, is about 20 minutes’ away, by car.
Shire is at the end of a traditional range of farm buildings which used to house the horses. Stepping through the front door of this traditional Welsh slate and stone cottage, you will be greeted by a stylish open plan lounge diner with leather Chesterfields and a wood burner. This leads onto the dining area with handmade rustic table and benches with a beautiful Welsh dresser. Next to this, handmade freestanding units set the tone for a vintage look, with a well equipped kitchen with electric range. Off the kitchen is a small utility area, perfect for hanging coats and washing dog bowls, there is also a large fridge/freezer and dishwasher in this area. The cottage offers a variety of sleeping arrangements with a super kingsize, a kingsize and a compact twin bedroom, all with handmade wooden beds and good quality mattresses for a restful night’s sleep. Across the hall is the shower room with walk-in shower, toilet, sink, and heated towel rail, and there is also a separate bathroom with freestanding bath, overhead shower, sink and toilet.
Outside, off the dining area, French doors lead to the enclosed private patio. This has a large barbecue (gas and coal), and a wood burning hot tub with bubbles and lights, perfect for relaxing after exploring the nearby beaches and countryside. There is a gate to your own small paddock area (slightly sloping), which is great for dogs, and beyond the cottage there are 6 acres of grounds shared with the other guests. A bridge takes you over the river to a picnic area, the perfect place to relax with a drink to the sounds of the water flowing. There are plenty of rural walks and dog friendly places nearby, a list of which you will find in your cottage. The owner provides dog bowls, blankets and towels. The owner loves dogs, so your four-legged family companion is ensured a warm welcome with them.
Shire can be booked together with Coach House (UK45413) Cwtch Honey (UK45406) and Cwtch Bee (UK45407) to accommodate up to 12 guests.

Tyllwyd, so named after the grey stone used to build this Victorian, detached farmhouse, is wonderfully situated within 80-acres of farmland, which takes full advantage of the glorious hillside views of the Rheidol Valley or “Cwm Rheidol”. The farm now only grazes cattle and sheep, along with hay and silage crops taken from the fields throughout the summer. There is record of a Tyllwyd at this location dating back to 1716 and it may have been part of the Abertrinant Estate at this time. Most of the estate was sold in 1830 and the census from 1841 and 1851 show farmers with their families living at Tyllwyd along with their servants. A later census records lead miners and farm labourer’s residing at Tyllwyd. Only one other building survives from this period and this was the milking parlour, until 2003. The extent of the farm and the house today were probably established in the late 19th Century and was built with servants’ quarters that are now the bathroom and utility room. Servants continued to be employed at the farm and maybe as late as the 1940s. A dairy herd was established with 70 cows and the milking parlour was installed in one of the old 19th-century buildings. Potatoes were also grown and supplied the local chip shops in Aberystwyth. Dairy farming continued at the farm up until 2003.
The house has now been carefully and lovingly restored by the present owners, retaining period features, including original flagstone flooring, that gives the house its character. The spacious country kitchen, with a traditional clothes airing pulley, features a large range cooker with three ovens. The kitchen is open plan with the comfortable dining area so it’s the perfect place for a sociable gathering with friends or family. The living room boasts a cosy wood burner and there’s an adjoining games room to enjoy with table football and darts. On the first floor there are four light and airy attractive bedrooms, two with double aspect windows. The master bedroom features an en-suite shower room and walk-in dressing room. Outside, the large garden is great for children to enjoy and adults to appreciate sitting out with a glass of wine around the fire pit on colder evenings.
Capel Bangor has a pub which serves quality food using local produce, fine wines and real ales.
The Vale of Rheidol narrow gauge steam locomotive is the finest way to explore the stunning Rheidol Valley. Opened in 1902, the railway has been delighting passengers young and old for over a century and the train which begins in Aberystwyth calls at Capel Bangor station on its way to Devil’s Bridge where you can alight to visit the unique waterfalls that have attracted many thousands of visitors since the 18th Century, including William Wordsworth who wrote about the "Torrent at the Devil’s Bridge". Today, the Falls Nature Trail provides a unique opportunity to see this great natural feature in the Rheidol Gorge. Birds of prey such as red kite and buzzards are regularly seen soaring high above the valley floor and breathtaking views can be enjoyed by all.
Stay at lovely Tyllwyd Farmhouse and enjoy this distinctive Welsh region with a thriving cultural identity. It’s perfect for a weekend break or a longer stay with award-winning beaches, sandy coves, sea cliffs, caves and wonderful wildlife, spectacular sunsets and starry dark skies. Horse riding is available just 1½ miles away. Fishing is available nearby, a licence is required and permits are available through Aberystwyth Angling Association. There is also sea fishing in Aberystwyth. Shop ½ mile, pub and restaurant ¾ mile.