It is such a treat to stay in the lovely Stable Cottage. It is immaculate, beautiful, cosy and very romantic. With a four poster bed, a fairytale babbling brook running alongside, a gorgeous log burning stove and beautiful nature all around, it is a truly idyllic spot that sleeps up to four guests. This is a cottage with a fascinating history. As you walk through the cottage from room to room, you will be thinking of how it was in days gone by. Stable Cottage was originally built to house the horses and carriages that carried the landed gentry to and from the Pontardawe Country Estate. The kitchen was once a saddle room, the lounge was where the carriage horses slept, the twin bedroom was the groom’s quarters and the master bedroom was the estate office. Here it is said that the lord of the manor conducted romantic liaisons with local ladies as well as collecting rent from his tenants! The hallway was where the carriages were parked. A pair or chestnut carriage horses called William and John lived in the cottage in 1914. In the same year a sale was held at the farm. Among the items were a wagonette with a detachable hood by Fuller of Bath, a carriage foot warmer, a dog cart by Vezey of Bath, a Governess cart and a Brougham by Phillips of Neath. All of these items would have been housed in Stable Cottage.

This amazing estate really makes you think of Downton Abbey with its stories and history. This fabulous one hundred and twenty acre Pontardawe Country Estate sits in the ancient hamlet of Cilybebyll, surrounded by beautiful rolling Welsh countryside. The historic estate boasts links to the descendants of Welsh Kings, Arthurian legend, tales of the Mabinogion, the Norman invasion, the Earls of Pembrokeshire, Winston Churchill’s secret army, eighteenth century prisons, Charles II, the tea plantations of Ceylon, coal mining, the Industrial Revolution and much more. A World War II hideout, used by Churchill’s Secret Army was found in the estate’s private bluebell woodland and gained recognition as a Scheduled Ancient Monument of national importance. In addition to its superb grounds, the Pontardawe Estate boasts the gorgeous manor house, Pontardawe Country House, as well as a number of other holiday cottages that Oliver’s Travels also feature. Guests can book each of these individually or for a special celebration, you may want to consider booking a selection of the cottages with or without the manor house. Guests staying at the cottages are free to roam the estate, enjoying the beautiful natural scenery and its amazing wildlife. There are waymarkers from Stable Cottage along the river into a beautiful oak woodland.

Stable Cottage is a wonderful self catering holiday cottage with comfortable living space, a delightful country kitchen, the four poster master and a twin bedroom and wonderful outside space. Its elegant Georgian façade looks out to a courtyard lawn enveloped by giant beech trees and parkland. Guests can sit beneath the canopy of the beeches to enjoy fabulous sunsets over the sheep grazed parkland or relax in the private back garden, listening to the soothing sounds of the babbling brook and birdsong. A little gate leads down to the mountain stream where you can dip your toes and look out for wild trout, dippers and grey wagtails. The banks of the stream are very pretty with bluebells, daffodils, rhododendrons and hazel trees growing wild. You will find a delightful picnic table in the back garden and a barbecue where you can dine alfresco while enjoying the tranquility and natural surroundings. The cottage WiFi even works in the garden so you can enjoy the sunshine and keep track of emails if you wish.

When you arrive at this charming Welsh country gem, you will step into a beautiful, stylish country kitchen which looks out to the back garden. The chef in your group will be delighted by its warm and cosy ambience, its excellent appliances and its gorgeous oak dining table and chairs. The living room is snug and cosy, especially on those chilling evenings when you light the log burning stove. It boasts gorgeous wooden flooring and a comfy sofa and chairs. Guests enjoy Freesat television, a DVD player, a stock of DVDs, a selection of books, maps, cards and games. A door opens to the back garden. You will find a handy downstairs toilet in the corner of the hallway.

As you walk up the stairs you will see many historic, captivating images of this wonderful estate in days gone by. The cottage bathroom is to the right at the top of the stairs with a bath and overhead shower. The enchanting twin bedroom enjoys exposed beams, comfy beds and gorgeous views out to the courtyard lawn. The master bedroom is an idyllic, romantic haven with its four poster bed, exposed beams and fabulous views of the old walled garden of the estate and the manor house. An overhead skylight brings in natural light to this lovely space.

Stable Cottage is just perfect for a country escape. With a fantastic one hundred and twenty acre private estate brimming with wildlife, green fields, bluebell woods, rivers and stunning picnic spots to explore as well as the Brecon Beacons, the Gower Peninsula, numerous museums and delightful towns and villages, you can’t go far wrong in this beautiful corner of Wales.

Stable Cottage enjoys a fabulous position on the one hundred and twenty acre Pontardawe Country Estate in the tranquil hamlet of Cilybebyll, close to the village of Pontardawe. The estate is absolutely beautiful, full of forests, rivers, bluebell woods, sprawling fields, bird nesting boxes, beautiful picnic spots, a stately manor house and other holiday cottages. It is the perfect rural retreat between the Gower Peninsula and the Brecon Beacons National Park. The estate courtyard where many of the cottages are located is bounded by the upper reaches of the picturesque River Clydach and on the other side by green parkland pastures grazed by sheep and cows. The high hills of blue pennant sandstone provide the backdrop to an idyllic and tranquil scene. Guests booking Stable Cottage are free to roam the estate including its award winning bluebell woodland. The estate’s farm walk is a circular walk for guests which meanders from the doorstep of Stable Cottage towards the summit of Mynydd Marchywel and back. En route, guests follow mountain streams, climb over stiles, explore the bluebell woods and traverse lazy green fields. On a clear day, the panoramic vistas include the Swansea Valley, Swansea Bay, the Bristol Channel and the Brecon Beacons National Park. The cottage is an excellent base for those that want to explore the landscapes by bike. The Afan Forest and Bike Park Wales are easily accessible. There is a golf course close by for golf fans and the supermarket in Pontardawe is open 24 hours for those late night emergencies. There is also a village pub within walking distance.

The beautiful Swansea Bay coastline and the Gower Peninsula with its idyllic secret coves in and glorious stretches of fine sand is just twenty minutes drive away. The Victorian seaside village of Mumbles with its promenade, shops and restaurants is worth a visit and for those that want to stay outdoors, the National Showcaves of Wales and the Vale of Neath’s spectacular waterfalls are nearby. Guests enjoy visits to the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and the Glamorganshire Heritage Coast, both less than half an hour away.

Mumbles was one of Dylan Thomas’ many stamping grounds and is the home of some world class ice cream. Mumbles is steeped in history with its lighthouse being built in 1794. It also boasts a Victorian pier and Oystermouth Castle which sits on the hilltop overlooking the sea. There are lovely boutique shops and galleries including the gorgeous Lovespoon Gallery and the Gower Gallery. No visit to Mumbles would be complete without sampling some ‘fresh off the boat’ seafood, its handmade chocolates and its fantastic ice creams.