Have you ever felt like you needed to step off the world just for the weekend? Go somewhere where there’s no washing, ironing or decorating to do or people milling about all over the place? CLAIRE SIMPSON and hubby Rob did – and that’s how they ended up in a beautiful country cottage tucked away in lovely Wales.

Why Wales you ask? Well, someone suggested Cornwall, but everyone goes to Cornwall and it’s rare you find somewhere you can really escape to without having to drive for hours and hours.

Someone else suggested Norfolk but why would we want to go all the way over there when we had the promise of the Gower Peninsula’s deserted golden sandy beaches over the border in southern Wales.

One concern we did have was the weather, and, as expected, on the day we set out to Wales it poured down. As we sat in a traffic queue on the motorway, rain danced on the bonnet and things looked a little grim.

But by the time we had turned off the M4 at Swansea a few hours later and started to wind our way through Welsh countryside, the sun had come out and life was looking good.

We stayed on a farm for the weekend in the ancient hamlet of Cilybebyll.

Surrounded by hills and only being able to hear the birds twittering and the cries of newborn lambs, it was hard to believe we were only 10 miles away from Swansea city centre.

Our self-catering cottage, Y Stabl, is one of four well-equipped cottages let out by Rachel and David Bowen, who started farming at Plas Farm 30 years ago.



Realising the potential of their farm buildings, the Bowens converted the old carpenter’s workshop and stable into accommodation and invited visitors to enjoy life around the farm.

In recent years the couple have passed the farm on to a tenant farmer and instead concentrated their efforts on looking after holiday makers.

Our cottage, which could sleep four, was a real home-from-home with a well-equipped kitchen, comfortable lounge with working log burner and a lovely four-poster bed in the main bedroom.


DREAM DESTINATION - tranquility and style in the Gower Peninsular

The décor had true country style with period colours and plenty of stripped wood while outside were acres and acres, 120 to be precise, of countryside waiting to be explored.

After a good sleep we woke to more sunshine and set off on a trail around the farm though, most unlike us, we set out without a map and needless to say didn’t get to explore everything on offer.

Not one to be defeated, however, hubby Simpson set off again the following day on a mission to find the promised wonderful views and the hidden World War Two hideout, which would have been stocked up with food and weapons for the Elite Home Guard should the Germans have invaded.

He found the shelter and enjoyed the views over Swansea Bay while I put my feet up and enjoyed a few home comforts – a nice hot bath and some peace and quiet, afterall, we had just been on a trek up and down a waterfall somewhere in the Brecon Beacons.

Sadly, I couldn’t tell you what it was called or how to get back there, but it was a real challenge winding our way along the side of a raging river while six months pregnant, something I’m sure Hubby Simpson forgets when he gets the chance to explore.


HEAVENLY - The area boasts some stunning walks

The cottages are just a 15-minute drive from the Brecon Beacons National Park which is described on the Bowen’s website as an ‘adventure playground’. I know Hubby Simpson was wishing he’d taken his mountain bike with us.

The following day we woke again to glorious sunshine and headed for the seaside – something we often crave living in land-locked Oxfordshire.

We headed for Rhossili Bay which is located on the most western part of the Gower Peninsula.

Our thinking was that if we just drove that little bit further, we would completely escape the crowds and have a bit of beach to ourselves.

We drove for about 40 minutes and our efforts were rewarded.

After a hike down a cliff face we walked for what seemed miles and miles along lovely golden sands without seeing another soul.

We pottered for hours and I can’t stress enough just how lovely it was. It was so tranquil, it was perfect, and comes highly recommended. You’ll understand my excitement at finding Rhossili’s offerings when I tell you I am a Cumbrian who is used to deserted sandy beaches – with Sellafield and everything it has to offer to the north and the shifting sinking sand of south Cumbria I was spoilt for choice!

Back at the farm, quite literally, and we enjoyed another home-cooked meal. We could have eaten out at numerous eateries but chose to make the most of our cottage and rustle up some of our favourites.

In addition to a stack of local leaflets, the Bowen family has compiled a guide which lists anything and everything you could possibly need to know during your stay – including where you can find good food and plenty of suggestions for making the most of your time in Cilybebyll.

We were sad to leave the tranquillity of Y Stabl and wish we could have stayed for longer to make more of what was on offer.
We found out about Plas Farm through Farm Stay UK, which gives the cottages five stars. To find out more, visit www.walescottages.com or given the Bowens a call on 01792 864611.

When I last spoke to Rachel there was still some availability during May, June and September onwards. See www.welshholidaycottages.com/availability.php

Claire and Rob's three-night stay would have cost £175 and prices start from £215 for a week and £95 for a weekend.

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