Dog-friendly Holidays in Wales

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.

Wernddu Fechan Bungalow is perfect for an extended family break or friends alike looking to explore this fabulous area. The property has full wheelchair access and ramp level access to the ground floor, there is a ground floor double room and walk-in shower for those with reduced mobility. A great open kitchen/dining room leads to the rear garden through French doors – perfect for al-fresco dining! There is an enclosed grassed area for the dogs to run about freely and a paddock to the side of the property (not fully enclosed). The living room is perfect for a night in or relaxing in front of the wood burner with a glass of something refreshing.
For your comfort there are digital thermostats downstairs that control the underfloor heating, with additional, separate controls for the master bedroom and hallway. Upstairs has individual thermostatic radiator valves. The patio area outside to the front of the property has glass balustrades surrounding the front of the property and to the rear is a patio area and grassed garden. The property sits within 10 acres of land.
Both Neath town centre and Swansea are easily accessible being approximately 4-5 miles from the property.
The Neath Valley in South Wales is an increasingly popular area for UK holidays. The location lends itself well to those looking to explore the diverse countryside of the area. With cycle paths and walking trails on your doorstep, there is plenty to explore.
The valley is home to some of Wales’s most impressive waterfalls, including Aberdulais, Melincourt, Pontneddfechan and Sgwd yr Eira. Impressive hills will keep you busy, head to Afan Forest Park, 20 minutes away, for hilly bike trails or Penyfan in the Brecon Beacons, which is the tallest peak in South Wales.
For family fun days out, the National Showcaves Centre for Wales at Dan yr Ogof, The National Botanic Gardens, Folly Farm, quad biking and Zip World are firm favourites in the area. Aberavon beach is 8½ miles away, or visit the famous beaches of the Gower Peninsula, The Mumbles and Swansea Bay are all within 40 minutes or less. Pendine sands, Tenby, Carmarthen, Bridgend (McArthur Glen Designer Outlet Village), Cardiff, Newport, Prince of Wales Stadium are all within an hour’s drive. The Penderyn Whisky distillery is under 30 minutes away where tours are available. Multiple local golf courses are available as is some of the best Salmon and Sewin (Seatrout) fishing in the UK on the rivers Towy, Teifi, Gwilli and Cothi, a personal ghillie can even be arranged for you. It is a perfect base for anyone wishing to fish the Golden Grove or Abercothi Estates waters. Other coarse and flyfishing lakes and reservoirs are also available. Horse riding with a local equestrian centre is also available.
All in all you could not find a more centrally located place for a holiday in South Wales.
This property can be booked with Wernduu Fechan House (ref UK42932) to accommodate up to 20 guests.

This lovely, large detached property, situated next to a chicken farm, is just 4 miles from the town of Newtown yet sat in a rural location with great views of the rolling countryside. This property is an ideal base for groups of friends and large family gatherings. It comprises of an open plan kitchen/dining room which leads into a large conservatory, great for watching the wildlife in the area as it opens onto the large lawned garden and patio area, which hosts the private hot tub. The living room has a wood burner and again some fabulous views of the countryside. This room leads into the cinema room which boasts a 60" screen - great for movie nights! Upstairs there are four bedrooms, two doubles with en-suite facilities and two further twin bedrooms sharing a family bathroom. There is also a games room on the ground floor of the property. Plenty of walks can be had from the property so this is a great place for taking your four legged friends too. There is so much to do and see in the town of Newtown, with its array of shops, coffee shops and restaurants, and the coast is a short drive away. Shop, pub and restaurant 4 miles.

This spacious, detached family home, nestled down a private lane, is situated on the owners working farm in the Radnorshire valley. It is a great place for families and friends to get together and has its own hot tub and games room. Set in the open countryside, with fabulous rolling views of the valley to be had from all angles of the property, it’s in an ideal location for those wanting to explore the countryside with Offa’s Dyke being just 15 minutes’ away, as well as other fabulous walks and cycle paths in the area.

After a long day of exploring the area, head back to Upper Close and dry off your four-legged friends with the dog towels found at the property, and tuck into some home made cake from the generous welcome pack provided. Sit back in the living room, complete with a wood burner, or make the most of the views and relax in the oak conservatory. There is also use of a lovely enclosed garden, great for letting your furry friends and children let off some steam. Shop 3½ miles, pub 2½ mile, restaurant 2 miles.
Upper Close (UK10873) can be booked together with Offa’s Dyke Lodge (UK10835), Red Kite Lodge (UK32610), Middle Hanter (UK37355) and Larchwood Lodge (UK42917) to accommodate up to 30 guests.

Uncover the delights of Oak Cottage nestled within the quaint hamlet of Walwyns Castle, in the rolling Pembrokeshire countryside near the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Footpath, and close to St Brides Bay, complete with a plethora of picture-postcard beaches including St Brides, Little Haven and Broad Haven. In an evening after a busy day sightseeing, relax in your private hot tub with a glass of bubbly, relax those muscles and take in the stars. On-site there is plenty to keep you busy with a large shared games room boasting a full size pool table, table football, table tennis and soft play area for the young ones. For those more active, enjoy a game of tennis or keep fit at the gym. There is also an outdoor climbing frame and slide to keep the children entertained.

Oak Cottage is set all on one level within the mature grounds of the owner’s home and is the end of a row of three beautiful holiday cottages. The contemporary, galley-style kitchen offers the perfect space for testing your culinary skills, or you may prefer to dine al fresco in the south facing courtyard, perfect for evening sunsets. Both bedrooms have been lovingly furnished to a very good standard.

The coastal hamlet of Little Haven is 10 minutes away where you can enjoy fresh line caught fish or an array of shellfish, and the local inn/restaurant serving local ales. Travelling further south west, visit the boating village of Dale and enjoy some fantastic walks, boating, kayaking and fishing, or for some birdlife, take a trip to Skomer Island with boats departing from St Martins Haven. Tenby, Folly Farm Zoo, Heatherton World of Adventures and Oakwood, Wales’ largest theme park, are all within 40 minutes’ drive and perfect for all the family.

Oak Cottage can be booked with Ash Cottage (ref UK11213), two doors apart, to accommodate up to 8 guests.

Dyffryn Haidd sits in a glorious position in the little village of Llanafan, boasting wonderful views across the fields and hills. Saint Afan was thought to have founded the settlement here in the 7th century. Dyffryn Haidd is a beautifully presented, detached dormer bungalow perfect for a family break away. There is a large well fitted kitchen/dining room with a separate living room. Plus there is a ground floor twin bedroom and separate family bathroom with a luxurious spa bath. Upstairs there are two further en-suite bedrooms. Both children and adults alike will also undoubtedly enjoy playing table tennis and darts in the converted garage.
The whole area is blessed with an abundance of walks and cycle trails, many taking in the sights where the TV detective series ‘Hinterland’ is filmed. Guided Hinterland walks are also available to book locally. The scenery within the Cambrian Mountains is unsurpassed and a must do is a trip along the Vale of Rheidol steam railway from Devil’s Bridge, just 5 miles away. You will also find a pub, café, a small chocolate factory and shop here. The steam railway meanders to the coastal town of Aberystwyth, travelling through the Rheidol Valley.
The seaside town of Aberystwyth offers an array of shops, restaurants and cafés, as well as the pier and promenade. To the north end of the sea front is the Victorian Cliff Railway, taking passengers on the stately journey to the summit of Constitution Hill, where you can enjoy a coffee whilst taking in the magnificent views of Cardigan Bay. Being a university town, there’s a very good arts centre and theatre, and the national Library of Wales offers free guided tours. If it’s beaches you’re after then Ceredigion has a stunning selection and over 60 miles of coastal path too. At the northern end of the superb Borth beach, is the impressive sand dune system of the Ynyslas National Nature Reserve and visitor centre, which juts out halfway across the Dovey Estuary. Visit Ynys-Hir, the RSPB wildlife haven and the Dyfi Osprey Project.
Dyffryn Haidd is just 9 miles away from the historic market town of Tregaron, which was once famous as a strategic point for drovers taking animals from west Wales to the markets in England. Today it is a centre for ‘Trotian’ - horse trotting and carriage racing which attracts competitors from all over the UK and Ireland for its events. It is also the home to the Welsh Gold Centre which sells Celtic inspired designs. Tregaron is a ’walkers are welcome’ town and the annual Bro Tregaron Walking Festival held in May is a firm favourite on the walking calendar.
Ceredigion is perfect for a short break, or equally a longer stay away, with stunning landscapes, award winning beaches, sea cliffs, wonderful wildlife, and starry dark skies. This distinctive region with a thriving cultural identity will offer you a “croeso cynnes”, or warm Welsh welcome, with Dyffryn Haidd as the perfect place to start your adventure. Fishing for brown and rainbow trout is available 4 miles, day passes are £20. Beach 9½ miles. Shop, pub and restaurant 4 miles.
These properties can be booked together to accommodate up to 14 guests.

Solitude is a stunning, spacious, large three-storey home, situated in the heart of rural mid Wales, with wonderful views from all angles over glorious countryside of the Severn Valley.
This detached home is perfect for year round holidays, family holidays, celebrations and occasions or to get friends together for a reunion.
The home is surrounded by lawns and gently sloping gardens and for the pleasure of visitors is a private, extra deep hot tub situated just off the secluded veranda, barbecue, garden furniture to seat all and a bike store, a separate games room with darts, air hockey/table tennis and a 7" pool table.
The area is very picturesque at all times of the year, and ever-changing with each season.
Newtown, 6 miles, is the closest large town and the closest local amenities from Solitude can be found at Caersws, 2½ miles. Here you will find a petrol station, emergency groceries, post office, butchers, hairdressers, fish and chip shop, three pubs that serve food, railway station and Mid Wales Art Centre.
Solitude makes an ideal base from which to explore mid Wales in any direction - the borders with England, the coast and further afield.
The whole area surrounding this beautiful home is a wonderland for adventure – with walking (Glyndwrs Way and Hafren Forest), cycling (from door), mountain biking trails, fishing (River Severn), clay pigeon shooting, quad biking and canoe hire within easy reach.
Some other tourist attractions include, Powys, Montgomery and Dolerw Castles, Welshpool and Llanfair Railway, Llyn Clyedog Dam, Lake Vwrnwy, Elan Valley and the Snowdonia National Park. These and others are noted in more detail in the ‘Welcome to Solitude’ book found in the property. Beach 38 miles. Shop, pub and restaurant 2½ miles.

This lovely, detached farmhouse sits in rolling countryside within the beautiful Snowdonia National Park just outside the little hamlet of Rhyduchaf and is two miles from the historic market town of Bala. The farmhouse offers four good sized bedrooms and there is plenty of space to relax. There is a pleasant yard where guests can relax with a glass of wine or it makes a great place to dine al fresco.
Bala offers a choice of places to eat out with plenty of cafés and eateries for you to choose from. You can walk straight from the door or hop in the car to explore the area. The National White Water Centre is close by, where you can experience the thrill of rafting or canyoning, whilst more sedate activities may be found on the shores of Bala Lake which is close by. Take a trip on a steam train on the narrow gauge railway along the lake shore between Bala and Llanuwchllyn, have a day at the beach over on the coast at Barmouth, or try some Welsh foodie delights at the award-winning Rhug Estate Organic Farm Shop at Corwen. Further afield in Blaenau Ffestiniog is the incredible Bounce Below where the whole family can try bouncing on trampoline nets deep underground in an old slate cavern, and Zip World, the largest zip wire zone in the world where you can fly high over the quarries whilst enjoying the spectacular view as you try not to scream! Beach 28 miles. Shop, pub and restaurant 2½ miles.
Bryn Melyn can be booked together with Gwynfa (UK39366) to accommodate up to 12 guests.

This family-friendly, detached holiday home sits in Hen Efail, Tyn-y-groes near Conwy, Gwynedd. Hot tub. Off-road parking. Enclosed garden. Smart TV. Woodburning stove. Ground-floor living. Pet-free. Llandudno 7.3 miles; Betws-y-Coed 11.8 miles.