Cottage Artwork
HAFOD Y WENNOL

Our holiday cottages are decorated with Welsh themed artwork. This includes paintings by local artists, historic photographs taken at Plas Farm, antique wood carvings and other interesting curiosities. Hafod Y Wennol (Swallow's Summer Dwelling) has a swallow theme throughout.

ART IN THE KITCHEN
Hanging above the pew, overlooking the kitchen table is the fourth of Frank Brangwyn’s internationally acclaimed British Empire Panels. On the adjoining wall is a plaster cast by Swansea sculptor Will Sked. The Beard Tuggers is based upon an image of two ‘Beard Pullers’ that appears in The Book of Kells, a remarkable artefact of medieval Celtic art. Opposite is a black and white photograph of Hafod Y Wennol holiday cottage as it appeared in 1958. Alongside the window is a fun modern print depicting dairy cows called Daisy Chain.

ART IN THE HALL
At the foot of the stairs is a Topographical Map of Neath and the Surrounding Area. It is an artists impression of what the landscape looks like from the air and is a great way of familiarising yourself with the surrounding mounatins and valleys. The hall also contains a row of ceramic tiles depicting swallows and the doorway into the lounge is decorated with stained glass depicting swallows.

ART IN THE LOO
The downstairs loo has a poster of Welsh poet Dylan Thomas's masterpiece Fern Hill - a poem on the loss of his childhood world in South Wales. Something to help pass time in the loo!

ART IN THE LOUNGE
To the left of the double doors is a large Geological Map of South Wales with Longitudinal Sections Across the Coalfield. It is a hand painted antique and a genuine collecters item. Behind the sofa is an antique oil painting of Tintern Abbey, originally in the possesion of the Plas Cilybebyll estate. There is a framed biography of the Minister Phillip Griffiths of Alltwen in the Welsh Language on the opposite wall. In the corner of the lounge are two etchings by Samuel and Nathaniel Buck, namely the North West View of Neath Castle and the North East View of Neath Abbey. There are postcards of Dylan Thomas and Salem by Vosper on the mantlepiece above the wood burning stove.

ART IN THE STAIR WELL
As you ascend the stairs you will pass an image of Wales From Space, two large colourful posters showing Birds of the Mountain and Wood and Birds from the Field and Garden followed by two prints by 19th century artist Thomas Horner, namely Bow Main and Across the River. Horner was fascinated by the diversity of romantic picturesque scenery in the Neath area and spent much time in the area painting.

ART ON THE LANDING
At the top of the stairs is a Buck and Nathaniel etching depicting the East View of Swansea Castle. Look out for the small wooden swallow's nest attached to the wooden beam above the landing. Our guests are often curious to know where they can get one from. Unfortunately, we did buy it locally - we found it in a small art and craft shop in the Czech Republic! Look out for the nest attached to the beam in the master bedroom.

ART IN THE TWIN BEDROOM
On the walls of the twin bedroom you will find a photograph of a Nesting Swallows, a print of Hafod Y Wennol holiday cottage by local artist Sue Bland and a print of find a small mural depicting swallows “kissing” over a rocky landscape, upon which blossoming red lilies bend in the Aegean sea-breeze. Known as Lilies (or Spring) Fresco, it is a copy of a portion of a wall painting discovered in the Pompeiian-like Minoan town of Akrotiri on the Greek island of Santorini. Buried by compacted volcanic ash for 3,500 years until its discovery in 1967, it is thought to represent the oldest art in Europe. Although not very Welsh, we thought being as Wales is part of the EU, it justified a place in Hafod Y Wennol!

ART IN THE DOUBLE BEDROOM
In the master bedroom, you will find a watercolour depicting an unidentified countryside scene. This painting was originally in the possesion of the Plas Cilybebyll estate. On the window sill is an old photograph of Victoria Gardens in Neath and in the corner of the room are a pair of prints depicting ladies in Welsh Natinal Costume.

• Sleeps 4
• All Ground Level
• Linen provided free of charge
• Secure parking
• No smoking
• Lawn area with swings and slides
• Picnic tables
• BBQ available
• Cot and highchair
• TV, VCR, DVD
• Microwave
• Washing machine
• Oil central heating
• 2 miles to 24hr supermarket
• 1 mile to the pub, post office, garage and general store
• Dogs welcome
• Selection of books and videos
• Comprehensive Information Folder
• No meters
• Wireless broadband internet

A Host of Attractions

 Bwthyn Y Saer holiday cottage is convenient to a host of attractions for all ages and interests, including the Gower Peninsula, Brecon Beacons National Park and Swansea Bay. For more information on the area please see our South Wales Region Guide.

The holiday cottage is equipped with a comprehensive information folder which includes plenty of information on where to eat and what to do during your holiday in South Wales. Our suggested itineraries will ensure that you get the most out of your holiday in Wales.