Long Wood Community Woodland is just 10 minutes away from Coedmor Cottages in Llanfair Clydogau.
there are 325 acres of woodland which is being managed by the local community. The aim is to restore the non-native plantation areas of the woods to native broadleaved species whilst managing the woodlands as a community resource.
It is so peaceful and often we are the only ones there when we visit. The views of the Cambrian Mountains are just stunning on a clear day.
The main track through the woods goes all the way to Lampeter if you fancy a proper walk.
Our cottages are only 5 miles away from this brilliant vantage point, so we visit often. The summit of Esgair Fraith is 415m – it is in the foothills of the Cambrian Mountains and has a Bronze Age cairn at the top.
There are a few different routes to take to get there, but it is only 15-17 minutes drive.
Routes to drive to Esgair Fraith
It’s not a long walk if you park by the old Roman road of Sarn Helen.
Just a 5 minute walk up the track, through the gate (or over the stile) and then climb the grassy path to the cairn at the top of the hill. Red Kites, Buzzards and Skylarks will be sharing the view with you.
Track from the road up to the stile.Go over the stile or through the gateClimb the grassy path.The cairn at the top of the hill.
On a clear day you can see the western edge of the Brecon Beacons to the east. To the south you can see the highest peak of the Preseli Hills in Pembrokeshire. You can see the sea at Aberaeron to the west. Look northwards to see the Cambrian Mountains and the foothills of Snowdonia.
Looking west you can see the sea!
If you are lucky you may even get to see RAF jets fly by – this has happened to us a couple of times.
Look east to see the Brecon BeaconsEven on a cloudy day the view is dramatic.
If you want to explore more, head back down the track towards Sarn Helen.
Looking back down the track towards the road.
There is another historic site on the other side of the Sarn Helen road which is only a few minutes walk. Careg Y Bwci ( The Goblin Stone) is a site of national importance. Thought to have originally been a Bronze Age burial chamber with standing stone circle, it was then probably used as a Roman signal station – like something from Lord of the Rings!
The Goblin Stone and remains of a stone circle at Careg Y Bwci.
Both sites can be visited in less than a couple of hours – although you may want to stop and sit a while to take in the amazing views – taking a picnic is recommended! If you want to stretch your legs further, there are brilliant walks through the neighbouring Clywedog Forest Plantation too.
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 snowThe 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.
Monday 6th July 2020 was the first time we were allowed to travel more than 5 miles from home in Wales since the week after we moved here in March. We were so excited to be visiting Aberporth to explore the lovely beaches. It was really quiet with just a few families and surfers. So lovely to feel the sea breeze on our faces! The drive is very picturesque too and it only took us 40 minutes from Red Kite & Woodpecker Cottages.
Dyffryn Beach
Aberporth lies at the southern end of Cardigan Bay about six miles north of Cardigan and ten miles south of New Quay. It overlooks two sandy beaches both with European Blue Flag status.
Dyffryn Beach from above
Dyffryn Beach is to the west of the headland and Dolwen Beach to the east. Aberporth Beach is often used to describe both of these beaches together.
Dolwen Beach
The beaches both have soft golden sand and shelve gently into the sea. They were both pretty quiet when we were there which is unusual for July. Probably because tourists weren’t allowed to visit until the following week .
View of the pretty houses in Aberporth from Dyffryn beach.The beaches are popular with surfers.
We went in the afternoon when it was low tide, so there was more space to walk and we got to explore the rocks and rock pools. 🦀 🦐
Limpets and barnacles galore!Rock Pools.
We walked on Dyffryn Beach as we had Ziggy with us – dogs aren’t allowed on Dolwen in the Summer months.
Ziggy loves the beach!Dyffryn Beach is dog friendly all summer.Ziggy enjoys getting his paws wet.
We also had a wander up the hill into the town and then walked down through a small wooded area back to the beach. A very pleasant stroll with views over the beaches.
View from the top of the hill back down to the beachesSculpture on the walk back to the beach.Dyffryn Beach from the walk back down from town.
We couldn’t go onto Dolwen beach as dogs aren’t allowed in Summer.
The steps down to Dolwen BeachDolphin Sculpture overlooking the Beaches – Sightings are common in this area.
The shops and cafes were still closed when we visited this time, but we went back a couple of weeks later and it was much busier with tourists and everything was open. We enjoyed a lovely salted caramel ice cream 😋
So quiet for JulyYes!! The joy of being able to have a day at the beach after lockdown!
I’m pretty sure we will never again see Aberporth so quiet in July…but come the Autumn when the crowds of tourists get smaller, we think it will be a great place to walk and chill out for an afternoon.
Another month in lockdown…but we can’t complain with such glorious weather and stunning views. We’ve continued staying close to home enjoying our gardens and meadows.
Meadow View
Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly
Wild Irises
We’ve also been busy with decorating Woodpecker Cottage and renovating the bathroom.
Bathroom renovations for Woodpecker Cottage.
Shopping for new furnishings has all had to be done online, but thankfully we have managed to get most things we need delivered. We’ve invested in quality Egyptian cotton bedding for a touch of luxury and it’s been great fun choosing the decor. Can’t wait to get the decorating finished and get the rooms dressed so we can take some new pictures!
New Luxury Egyptian Cotton BeddingDesigner Curtains for Woodpecker Cottage
It has been a frustrating month for everyone with limits on travel and seeing loved ones. Here in Wales, restrictions have been extra severe as we had to stay very local. So we’ve not been able to explore all the amazing places around us yet. We are, however, making the most of our location which is a constant delight to us. If you wake up early, you are rewarded with some remarkable sights.
Sunrise over the Cambrian Mountains viewed from our meadow.
On clear days you can see the Cambrian Mountains in the distance which is magical and there is often mist in the valley below us which gradually lifts as the sun rises.
Misty May Morning
Our neighbours in the meadow below.
The views are enchanting at any time of day and we have had another month of unbelievable sunshine and summer temperatures. ?
Even Ziggy appreciates the views (or had he just seen a hare in the meadow)?
It has even been warm enough for BBQs and dinner in the garden this month.
Dinner with a View
Then to round off the evening, a glorious sunset.
Happily, we are going to be allowed more freedom in June – we have to continue to stay local, but we are allowed to drive to go for a walk so we can start visiting some of the beautiful spaces around us. Can’t wait to share them with you!
Spring has arrived with a flourish of colour! All the trees are coming to life and flowers are exploding into bloom. It is always my favourite season, but this year, living at Coedmor Fach I feel so much more connected to nature and the changes happening around us. We’re still in lockdown so we’re making the most of our immediate surroundings.
The weather in April has been wonderful
The weather has continued to be amazing with temperatures even hitting the low 20s. Such a shame that we couldn’t have guests here to enjoy it! The gardens are starting to get more colour too with some beautiful flowers blossoming.
Mountain Cornflower
Bleeding Heart
Azaleas
Our beech tree drive has really come to life! The leaves have turned it into a beautiful green tree tunnel – the perfect welcoming entrance to the cottages. It’s not quite as dramatic as The Dark Hedges but we love it. We counted 51 trees on the left hand side – and we haven’t counted the other side yet…?
Ziggy loves the driveway as we often see squirrels.
Our Tree Tunnel
It is a photographer’s paradise here with so many photo-opportunities every day. We have gorgeous landscapes and wild flowers in abundance.
Tick Tock
Dramatic Skies
So many shades of green
April has been full of sun and colour and surprisingly warm enough for sundowners and picnics in the meadow after a hard day of decorating the cottages.
A perfect end to an April day watching the Sunset from the meadow.
