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16 October 202521 October 2025activities, 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 — Digging foundations in March

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 — Constructing the windows

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.

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 — Relax on the sofa

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 — Blue Tit

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).

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/

6 February 202512 February 2025activities, Days Out, Fauna & Flora, Walks

Beautiful Dolaucothi Estate & Gold Mines

One of our favourite local places for a country walk is The Dolaucothi Estate & Gold Mines. It is only 15 minutes drive from the cottages and offers several different walking options – from easy to challenging. The beautiful 2,500-acre estate has been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). It offers 25km of scenic footpaths. Wander through peaceful riverside trails, charming meadows, enchanting woodlands, and breathtaking upland landscapes.

Over time, nature has transformed this former industrial landscape so beautifully that it feels like a completely natural woodland. However, look a little closer, and you’ll discover there’s much more hidden beneath these rolling, tree-covered hills!

Here, the industrial past and the wild world come together to create the perfect home for lichens, mosses, and rare ferns.

Dolaucothi Through the Seasons

Every season brings something special to Dolaucothi!

🌸 Spring – Wander through woodlands blanketed in bluebells and watch the parkland trees burst into vibrant color.

☀️ Summer – Count the busy bees and pollinators in the sunshine whilst Red Kites soar overhead.

🍂 Autumn – Take in the breathtaking valley views from the trig point, the estate’s highest spot at 925ft (282m), surrounded by golden hues.

❄️ Winter – No need to stay indoors! Pull on your wellies and explore crisp trails, spotting wildlife along the way.

There’s always something to see and enjoy—whatever the season.

Around the estate you’ll see nuthatches, pied wagtails, blackbirds, thrushes and a variety of tits (including long-tailed). Look up to watch the swallows who return to nest every year. You may even be lucky enough to spot a tree-creeper or pied flycatcher. Listen out for Woodpeckers drumming as you enjoy the bird song. The estate has some very beautiful trees too, like this majestic Lime.

Stop for a moment beside the River Cothi. It is so peaceful and the water is very clean. Otters and kingfishers live along the banks.

Walking Trails at Dolaucothi Estate & Gold Mines

There are four way marked trails: The Parkland Trail (Easy), The Woodland Trail (Moderate), The Miner’s Way Trail (Moderate) and The Estate Trail (Strenuous).

TWIG Project
At the beginning of 2024, the Dolaucothi Estate was awarded a sum of money from The Woodland Investment Grant (TWIG). This project is jointly funded by the Welsh Government and the National Lottery Heritage Fund and aims to create and enhance woodlands for local communities to use and enjoy.

They are using the funds to try to boost local biodiversity, through the installation of Pine Marten and wildlife nesting boxes, and a programme of native species tree planting.

Next, they are improving access to the Dolaucothi Estate with improved walking trails, enhanced waymarking and new interpretation boards.

The Gold Mines

The Dolaucothi Gold Mines are ancient Roman surface and underground mines. These mines are believed to be the only known Roman gold mines in Britain, and they have a history that dates back over 2,000 years. The Romans are thought to have extracted gold from this site as early as the first century AD. Mining then continued over the ages until it was finally closed in 1938.

There are several guided tours you can take and the mines are generally open from mid-March to the end of October. Do check opening days as these vary with the time of year & whether there are school holidays.

Check opening Times & Prices: Dolaucothi Estate & Gold Mines Visitor Information

Here’s a little Reel I made for Instagram of the bluebells in May.

See more of our Instagram Reels here:

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

30 January 20242 September 2024Days Out, Fauna & Flora, Walks

Awesome Llyn Brianne & the Uk’s Tallest Dam

The drive from Coedmor Cottages to Llyn Brianne is a delight in itself. You want to take your time and savour the views as you enter the Cambrian Mountains. It is about 20 miles / 45 minutes from Coedmor Cottages.

There are a few places to stop and admire the views. This viewpoint is just off the Carreg Clochdy car park & picnic spot – the What3words address is ///hogs.raven.clinic
Not technically a Natural Wonder, the lake is actually a reservoir created in the late 1960’s/ early 70’s. The scenery is reminiscent of Canada or Scandinavia – just beautiful.

Fannog Farm – Fferm y Fannog

There is another small car park and picnic area at Fannog (what3words: ///self.crinkled.angel . In 2022 the water level was so low that we got to see Fferm y Fannog (Fannog Farm) which appears very rarely. This was an abandoned farm that was covered by the water when the reservoir was created. See a little Reel of Fferm y Fannog from our Instagram

Fannog Farm revealed, Fferm y Fannog, Llyn Brianne

Fannog Farm uncovered, Fferm y Fannog, Llyn Brianne

Llyn Brianne Dam

The dam at Llyn Brianne is the UK’s tallest at 91m (300 ft). You can walk across the top of the dam and see martins swooping below.There is a good track to walk around part of the lake from here. There is a big car park and toilets (which are sometimes open) – what3words: ///cuddled.villas.tinkle
The woodland here is famous for being one of the last places you can see Red Squirrels. You will also likely see Red Kites and Buzzards overhead.

Llyn Brianne - Cambrian Mountains Red Squirrels.

If you are keen on stargazing, the car park at Llyn Brianne is also a Dark Sky Discovery Site – part of the Cambrian Mountains Astro Trail.

Heading Home from Llyn Brianne

The drive around the lake is a great way to take in the scenery and for an alternative route back to the cottages the road between Llyn Brianne and Tregaron is worth a detour for spectacular Cambrian Mountain views.

If you drive back towards Llandovery, you will come across the Towy Bridge Inn – right next to the bridge on the River Towy (where else would it be!) Pop in for a drink or some food (do check opening times beforehand as they can be limited to weekends). This route also takes you past RSPB Gwenffrwd-Dinas and through Rhandirmwyn valley which is just stunning.

Cycling

If you are a keen cyclist, then the Big Wilderness Adventure takes in Llyn Brianne along the route. It is a 65 mile circular route that you can get onto just 5 minutes from our cottages. You can make it shorter by not going all the way to Llandovery!

20 September 202313 February 2025Days Out, Walks

Splendid Isolation in the Cambrian Mountains

Our romantic holiday cottages are located in the foothills of the Cambrian Mountains Area of Astounding Natural Beauty. You can even see the highest mountain – Pumlumon Fawr – in the distance from our meadows.

The natural beauty of the plateaux, valleys and gorges of the Cambrian Mountains is equal to and often greater than some British national parks. Although distributed among three counties – Powys, Ceredigion & Carmarthenshire – the Cambrian Mountains are geographically one area, and form the main watershed of Wales.

The rivers Severn, Wye, Elan, Irfon, Tywi, Cothi, Teifi, Ystwyth, Rheidol, and Twymyn all have their sources here. There are only a few roads across the mountains and they are acknowledged as some of the most scenic routes in Britain.

Cambrian Mountains - Hafod Estate — Hafod Estate

Cambrian Mountains - Abergwesyn Pass — Abergwesyn Pass

The walker is king in the Cambrian Mountains and you can find many routes online, such as the ones on Walking Britain. The landscape is vast, but not featureless. There are plenty of lakes and reservoirs that will make you feel like you could be in Canada!

Cambrian Mountains - Llyn Clywedog — Llyn Clywedog

Interesting features like Strata Florida, The Teifi Pools, Vale of Rheidol Railway and Devil’s Bridge mean that you can easily spend a week or more exploring the area.

Cambrian Mountains - Strata Florida — Strata Florida

Cambrian Mountains - Claerddu waterfall — Claerddu Waterfall, Teifi Pools

Cambrian Mountains - Vale of Rheidol Railway. — Vale of Rheidol Railway

Cambrian Mountains - Devil's Bridge — Devil’s Bridge

There are also amazing wildlife habitats like Cors Caron Nature Reserve which has great walking trails and is recognised internationally as an important wetland reserve.

Cambrian Mountains - Cors Caron — Cors Caron

And no visit to the Cambrian Mountain is complete without stopping off at the most remote phone box in the UK! You can even post letters from the post box there (we have seen the postie collecting mail from it). 😂 To find it, the What3words is ///campsites.guarding.brain

Of course, one of the outstanding features of the Cambrian Mountains is the Dark Skies. There are a number of Dark Sky Discovery Sites within easy reach of our cottages.

Cambrian Mountains Dark Skies stargazing

The Cambrian Mountains are such a special place and still relatively unknown. They are unspoilt and always quiet and peaceful – sometimes you will hardly see another soul all day! Don’t miss out on exploring this astoundingly beautiful area if you stay with us.

2 August 20232 September 2024Walks

Coed y Foel Woodland Walks

We took a drive out to Coed Y Foel Woodland Nature Reserve a couple of days ago for a walk (about 25 minutes from the cottages). It’s a really beautiful woodland and is a mixture of established broadleaf forest with a more open “nursery woodland”.

There is a small car park with a few more spaces out on the quiet road.

The older part of the forest is mostly oak and the newly planted part is a mix of hazel, alder and other native species.

There is a pretty steam running through the valley – Ziggy enjoys a cooling dip there.

It’s a moderately challenging walk but very peaceful and quiet and there are several circular routes you can take to make it more or less challenging. At this time of year there are lots of bilberries to snack on as you walk too!

There are information boards to show you the trails and the route is way marked (although not clearly in some places).

Here’s a little Reel I made for Instagram 😊

See more of our Instagram Reels here:

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

14 June 20222 September 2024Walks

Great Summer Walks in Long Wood Community Woodland

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.

Find out more on the website: Long Wood Community Woodland

Tag: views

Building a Bird Hide at Coedmor Cottages

Beautiful Dolaucothi Estate & Gold Mines

Dolaucothi Through the Seasons

Walking Trails at Dolaucothi Estate & Gold Mines

The Gold Mines

Awesome Llyn Brianne & the Uk’s Tallest Dam

Fannog Farm – Fferm y Fannog

Llyn Brianne Dam

Heading Home from Llyn Brianne

Cycling

Splendid Isolation in the Cambrian Mountains

Coed y Foel Woodland Walks

Great Summer Walks in Long Wood Community Woodland

Contacts