Category: Cottage Life

activities, Cottage Life, Fauna & Flora, News

Building a Bird Hide at Coedmor Cottages

We have worked hard to re-wild the meadows around our cottages over the last 5 years and the results have been very rewarding. We now get a wonderful variety of birds living and nesting all around the gardens and meadows. So it was obvious (me being a complete bird nerd) that building a bird hide would mean we could enjoy watching them all year round whatever the weather.

When building a bird hide, location is key. We scoped out quite a few different areas of our garden, but ultimately, following the birds showed us the perfect spot. A quiet corner of our garden, bordering our wildlife meadow, was always popular with the smaller birds. A hedgerow with willow, beech, alder, hawthorn, holly, blackthorn and elder trees provides great habitat along with a lovely bramble patch and borders full of dock, thistles and teasels.

We designed the bird hide so it is nestled into the trees with a small stream behind it. Leigh started the groundworks in March and by May we were starting to see it taking shape.

Digging the Bird Hide foundations
Digging foundations in March
Buildings a bird hide by hand
Making Progress in May
Insulating the bird hide
Insulating to keep it cosy
Buzzard watching the Bird Hide Build
Buzzard watching the hide build

We had such beautiful weather all through the Spring and Summer we were able to make pretty fast progress. The interior of the hide is fully insulated so that it stays warm in winter and cool in summer.

Leigh built a dead hedge beside the hide entrance so that entering and leaving the hide would not disturb the birds. The hide has two windows facing west where we have installed perches, and two windows on the north side where we decided to create a raised bathing/drinking pool.

Building a Bird Hide
Constructing the windows
Dead Hedge screening at the Bird Hide
The Dead Hedge screens the hide entrance
Reflection Pool at the Bird Hide in Mid Wales

By September Leigh had finished the bathing pool and we turned to adding some accessories inside to make it feel homely.

Luxury Bird Hide in West Wales

The hide is designed to be versatile with photographers in mind, but it is also ideal if you just want to watch the birds and not take pictures. There are three comfortable office-style chairs and also a sofa for relaxing.

The hide has full electrics so we’ve provided a kettle and tea & coffee making facilities. There is also high speed wi-fi and underfloor heating for that touch of luxury.

Relax in the bird hide near Lampeter
Relax on the sofa
tea & coffee in the bird hide
Help yourself to tea & coffee

We finished the hide in October and Leigh has already taken some stunning images – here are a few of our regular visitors.

Blue Tit at Misty Heights Bird Hide
Blue Tit
Nuthatch at Misty Heights Bird Hide
Nuthatch
Coal Tit at Misty Heights Bird Hide
Coal Tit on the Reflection Pool
Greater Spotted Woodpecker at Misty Heights Bird Hide
Greater Spotted Woodpecker
Long-tailed tit at Misty Heights Bird Hide
Long-Tailed Tit posing beautifully on the antique spade

We will continue tweaking the posing perches and reflection pool through the seasons so that we can offer photographers a good variety of shooting options. And we will be adding a composting loo beside the hide too (we also have toilet facilities 50m from the hide in our studio until this is ready).

Building a bird hide

We’re currently working on a dedicated website for the bird hide and also photography workshops, so it is not available for photographers to hire just yet. But any cottage guests staying in the next couple of months can arrange free taster sessions and spend a few hours photographing the birds or simply relaxing in the hide. 😊

Here’s a little Reel I made for Instagram of the bird hide build in progress in May.

A progress update Reel on building a bird hide in July.

See more of our Instagram Reels here:

https://www.instagram.com/coedmorcottages/

Red Kite Cottage – Holiday Let in Lampeter

A Cosy Holiday Let in Lampeter – Red Kite Cottage at Coedmor Cottages

Holiday Let in Lampeter

Red Kite Cottage is a cosy, quirky holiday let in Lampeter. The cottage is part of a barn-conversion and used to be a hay loft when Coedmor Fach was a working farm.
It has wonderful character beams & a wood burning stove for romantic nights in. The modern amenities include high speed wi-fi, radiator central heating, Smart TV, EV Charger & stylish furnishings. The 2 acres of private garden meadows are just around the corner from your front door.

How to Book Red Kite Cottage

Check available dates and prices for Red Kite Cottage here: Check Availability

Living Room

The open plan living area has a comfy sofa as well as table and chairs for dining. The cottage has radiator central heating throughout as well as a wood burning stove for cosy winter nights. We set the fire ready for lighting and provide a full basket of logs and kindling (extra baskets are £5).

For entertainment there is a Smart TV with Freeview and access to Apps such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, YouTube and BBC iPlayer (using your own subscriptions) as well as a DVD player. Free ultra high-speed Fibre WiFi is also included. There are cards and some board games to keep you entertained too.

The kitchen area is fully equipped for self-catering with oven, ceramic hob, full size fridge & freezer and a dishwasher as well as kettle, toaster & microwave. You will find a good range of crockery, glasses, cutlery and cooking equipment.

Tea, coffee & sugar are provided along with a welcome basket of essential food items to get you started. You will also find olive oil, salt, pepper, herbs, washing up liquid, cleaning spray & cloths, hand wash, foil, cling film, kitchen roll & dishwasher tablets for you to use during your stay.

Dining area
Cosy Living Room with log fire and Smart TV
Cosy Living Room with log fire and Smart TV

Bedroom

The copper double bed has 100% luxury cotton bedding for a comfortable sleep. Radiator heating means you have control over the temperature.

There is a skylight window for stargazing and the bedside lamps have USB ports built in for overnight charging.

We provide a full size Babylis hairdryer in the bedside table near the mirror so you can travel light.

Bathroom

Red Kite Cottage Bathroom has a modern walk in spa shower. There is a heated towel rail and a heated mirror with lights (so no condensation) with an electric shaving point for electric razors and toothbrushes.

The extra large double-ended bath is perfect for soaking after a day of exploring the hills and valleys.

We supply you with body wash, hand wash, bubble bath and a few rolls of toilet paper for your stay as well as fluffy towels – one hand and one bath towel per person plus a bath mat.

Outside

Red Kite has a private patio with table & chairs right outside the door surrounded by greenery.

When you arrive at Coedmor Cottages, you have your own dedicated named parking spot in the courtyard in front of the cottages.

We also have a 7kW EV charging point guests from both cottages can use. This is charged at our normal domestic rate. 

Follow the grassy path round the corner from the patio to get to the cottages’ private Picnic and Garden Meadows. Or head down to the bench in Valley View Meadow for the sunset and to say hello to the sheep and chickens. See some Videos on our Instagram & Facebook.

Parking
Valley View
Garden Meadow

How to Book Red Kite Cottage

Check available dates and prices for Red Kite Cottage here:

Check Availability

Woodpecker Cottage – Countryside Retreat for Couples

A Countryside Retreat for Couples – Woodpecker Cottage at Coedmor Cottages

countryside retreat for couples

Woodpecker Cottage is an idyllic countryside retreat for couples in wonderful Mid West Wales. The cottage is part of a barn-conversion and used to be used for sheep-shearing when Coedmor Fach was a working farm.
It is full of character with beams & wood burning stove but with modern touches like underfloor central heating, high speed wi-fi, Smart TV, EV Charger & stylish furnishings. Surrounded by green meadows, there are countryside walks right from your door which make the most of the amazing views.

How to Book Woodpecker Cottage

Check available dates and prices for Woodpecker Cottage here: Check Availability

Living Room

The open plan living area has a comfy sofa as well as table and chairs for dining. The cottage has lovely underfloor central heating throughout as well as a wood burning stove for snuggly nights in. We set the fire ready for lighting and provide a full basket of logs and kindling (extra baskets are £5).

For entertainment there is a Smart TV with Freeview and access to Apps such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, YouTube and BBC iPlayer (using your own subscriptions) as well as a DVD player. Free ultra high-speed Fibre WiFi is also included. There are cards and some board games to keep you amused too.

The kitchen area is fully equipped for self-catering with oven, ceramic hob, full size fridge & freezer and a dishwasher as well as kettle, toaster & microwave. You will find a good range of crockery, glasses, cutlery and cooking equipment.

Tea, coffee & sugar are provided along with a welcome basket of essential food items to get you started. You will also find olive oil, salt, pepper, herbs, washing up liquid, cleaning spray & cloths, hand wash, foil, cling film, kitchen roll & dishwasher tablets for you to use during your stay.

Bedroom

The solid oak double bed has 100% luxury cotton bedding for a comfortable sleep. Underfloor heating keeps it toasty and the bedside lamps have USB ports built in for overnight charging. There is a full size Babylis hairdryer in the bedside table near the mirror so you can travel light.

Bathroom

Woodpecker Cottage Bathroom has a modern walk in spa shower. There is underfloor central heating which is so lovely underfoot! You also have a heated towel rail if you need it and an electric shaving point for electric razors and toothbrushes.

There is an extra large double-ended bath to soak in after a day of exploring the countryside or beaches.

We supply you with body wash, hand wash, bubble bath and a few rolls of toilet paper for your stay as well as fluffy towels – one hand and one bath towel per person plus a bath mat.

Outside

Woodpecker has a patio with table & chairs right outside the door with views across the valley.

When you arrive at Coedmor Cottages, you have your own dedicated named parking spot in the courtyard in front of the cottages.

We also have a 7kW EV charging point guests from both cottages can use. This is charged at our normal domestic rate. 

Follow the grassy path behind the patio to get to the cottages’ private Picnic and Garden Meadows. Or head down to the bench in Valley View Meadow for the sunset and to say hello to the sheep and chickens. See some Videos on our Instagram & Facebook.

Parking
Valley View
Garden Meadow

How to Book Woodpecker Cottage

Check available dates and prices for Woodpecker Cottage here:

Check Availability

Cottage Life, Lifestyle

Hay Baling Wild Meadow by Hand in 2022

Last week was mostly spent cutting Wild Meadow and baling the hay… by hand🤗

Yes we are a bit crazy. But it was mostly great fun. Last year’s wheelie-bin baler has been upgraded 🎉

Leigh built a new baling box that made things much easier & quicker. Just as well – last year we only baled the hay from Picnic Meadow which was about 20 bales. This year we managed 106 bales altogether!

The hay smells amazing but it is really prickly and gets EVERYWHERE 😳

So if ever someone suggests “a roll in the hay” to you, just say no 😂

Cottage Life, Walks

New Year in the Snow 2021

We were expecting to have a quiet, uneventful New Year’s Eve this year with Wales being in lockdown and having to cancel our cottage guests. But we woke up to the most stunning sight on New Year’s Eve morning.

Our view on New Year’s Eve morning

It had snowed overnight…and was still coming down quite fast. This was our first proper snow since we moved here in March so we were very excited to see the change in the landscape.

Leigh and Ziggy heading down our driveway.
Our Tree Tunnel looks amazing with a covering of snow.
The beech trees seen from the other side – magical.
Woodpecker Cottage in the snow
The view down our lane…looks like we are locked down in more than one way today!
View of the hillside opposite us.
Lampeter below us looking like Hogsmead. 🧙‍♀️⚡️
The pine forest on the hill opposite the cottages.

On New Year’s Day we went for a longer walk up in the hills behind the cottages. We have permission for ourselves and our guests to walk here from the farmer who owns the land.

The track behind our cottages leads up the hill.
You get even more panoramic views from the very top of the hill behind us.
Walk even further into the next field and you have views in a different direction…and the snow is even deeper up here.
A magical Winter Wonderland a little further over the hills.

We were the first ones to walk on the snow…apart from the foxes, hares and rabbits that had left their tracks. We walked to the top of the hill behind us and then round into the field behind that where there is a byway that goes even higher. The snow got deeper the higher we went.

This is just about a 40 minute walk from the cottages’ front doors. Feels like you could be in Scandinavia.

Walking further down the track you come to the road which then leads you in a circle back to the cottages. The hill back up is steep at the end, but it is worth it! This circular route we took was 5 miles altogether, starting and finishing at the cottage door.

The view from the track back up to the cottages.

What a fabulous start to 2021 – lets hope once the lockdowns are over and the virus is under control we can welcome more guests to share the beauty of Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire with us. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Check out our cottages here: Winter Holiday Cottages for Couples.

Cottage Life, Walks

Our Daily Walks in the Hills During Lockdown

During lockdown we have had plenty to keep us busy but we have also set aside time to explore the countryside around the cottages. In Wales, lockdown rules are especially strict and at the moment we are only allowed to go out once per day for exercise and it has to be very close to home – no driving to get to a beauty spot for walking.

Ziggy doesn’t appreciate the scenery but does enjoy snacking on sheep poop.

Just as well that we live in such a gorgeous place then! ? At this time of year when the meadows behind our cottages are empty or just have sheep, the farmer who owns them doesn’t mind us walking up the hill to get some exercise…and more stunning views. As you get higher even more of the landscape opens up.

The meadow we walk up to get to the top of the hill.
View from the top of the hill

Right at the top is an old abandoned slate quarry and the panorama is so amazing from up there it is worth the effort to climb the hill.

View from the top of the Quarry
On a clear day you can see for miles and miles.

The gorse bushes are now blooming and the colours are unreal. ? We have been blessed with some perfect weather and the bluest of skies. It is so calming spending time just taking it all in and stopping to look at the colours and smell the flowers. Did you know that gorse flowers smell like Pina Colada? ?Why did I never know this before? It is quite an intoxicating aroma – very coconutty!

These colours are straight out of the camera(phone) no adjustments!

Being surrounded by nature does make you slow down – it is so therapeutic. We have so many different birds around us. Red Kites and Buzzards circle overhead and the songs of the robin, coal tit, willow warbler and wren are so musical. We even have a resident hare that visits the farmland behind our picnic meadow – we see him most mornings if we are out early enough.

The view from the bottom of the hill on the way back to the cottages.

We have discovered a few different circular walks that you can do right from the cottages so if you want to stretch your legs and connect with nature when you come to stay we can give you directions…or you can just explore and find them for yourself!

Enjoying the morning sun in the Picnic Meadow.

Contacts