The Courtyard

Luxury Holiday Cottages located in a stunning, historic Pembrokeshire Courtyard, in a peaceful corner of Wales.

LOCATION

The Courtyard nestles in a bend of the river Teifi, near the north Pembrokeshire coast in South Wales. It is situated outside the small village of Llechryd, at the end of a long, private, tree – lined drive. This peaceful and secluded haven is only 5 miles from the spectacular coastline of the Pembrokeshire National Park and a similar distance from the Ceredigion Heritage Coastline, which is famous for its Dolphins and Seals.

HISTORY

Our luxury holiday cottages were formerly the stables & coach houses for the Castell Malgwyn Estate. They were originally built in 1840 by Abel Lewis Gower (a distant relative of the legendary cricketer David Gower). He commissioned Ambrose Poynter, a well known painter & architect of that time from London, to design a grand castellated building and clocktower which would stand majestically at the head of the drive to the Castle Malgwyn Estate In 1843 Abel Gower fell foul of the locals. His salmon weir which spanned the river Teifi adjacent to the stables and Coach houses was destroyed during the Rebecca riots. Despite the offer of a handsome reward of one hundred pounds, no body was ever brought to justice for the damage, and the weir was never rebuilt. Guests can still see the stone remains of the weir as they walk along the waters edge adjacent to the Courtyard holiday cottages. For a more detailed history please see the bottom of the page.

THE COURTYARD AND ITS' COTTAGES

Today the Courtyard provides a tranquil enclosure for guests at the 4 self catering cottages to relax in and enjoy the Pembrokeshire sunshine (some of the highest sunshine records in Britain - see local Weather & Tides ). From this sun trap you can just sit and take in the soothing scents of the honeysuckle, roses and lavender, or watch the resident grey wagtails rushing to and from their nest.

For outdoor enthusiasts, the Pembrokeshire wildlife experience starts before you even leave the door of your cottage. In this unspoilt corner of Wales, Swans, ducks and geese can be seen swimming past on the river. Birds of all description can be spotted -the kingfisher flying low over the river, swallows flying in and out of their nest in the Courtyard and birds of prey high above. All this before you even start on the Pembrokeshire National Park.

These characterful Holiday Cottages are designed to be equally appealing all year round, whatever the weather. You can dine ‘al fresco’ in the Courtyard in the summer, each cottage has a BBQ and additional garden chairs and cushions. Pembrokeshire's mild climate means that the summers stretch into the autumn months. Alternatively in the winter enjoy a bracing walk along the cliffs, taking in the spectacular breakers and then return to the luxury cottages and sink into the sumptuous sofas with a glass of wine in front of a wood burner. Take your choice between a book or a video from the library or spoil yourself at the Health & Beauty Centre in Cardigan.

The luxury cottages are designed to provide everything you need for a relaxing self catering holiday. Not only are the cottages well equipped but - all the sofas are large and the beds all have excellent quality mattresses. We have aimed to retain the charm and character of these beautiful cottages, whilst providing every possible comfort.

THE COACH HOUSES

The Coach Houses have been lovingly restored to reveal their original stone walls, slit windows, chimney places and slate floors. Instead of Coaches, they now house the table tennis and table soccer games, along with a library of books, board games and videos - for the enjoyment of guests at the holiday cottages. They also contain maps of the area with pictures of near by beaches and recommended walking routes. They are well stocked with leaflets detailing places to visit / family days out, Arts & crafts etc. and interesting articles. For the convenience of guests at all the cottages there is also a large Belfast sink for washing out walking boots, trainers, sandy buckets & spades, towels etc.

We have aimed to provide the best in modern convenience whilst retaining the character of each holiday cottage and the historical charm of this beautiful Courtyard.

A Courtyard for all Seasons

HISTORY OF THE COTTAGES - FURTHER DETAILS

The Penygored Tin works originally stood on the site of today’s Courtyard; these opened in about 1765. Sir Benjamin Hammet bought the works and surrounding land in 1791. Although his business was in the city he built the mansion on the spur of land overlooking the works in 1795. Originally called ‘Ty Mawr Y Gwaith’ (Big House of the Works), he renamed it ‘Castle Malgwyn’. He was knighted by King George III in 1786, and 11 years later he was elected to be Lord Mayor of London; however he refused to serve on the grounds of ill health. The city crier was dispatched to Castle Malgwyn to fetch him back to London, where he again declined the honour, but his excuses were not believed and he was fined £1,000 for avoiding the duty. Despite its situation next door to the factory he found it more enjoyable living at Castell Malgwyn than living in London.

After Benjamin Hammet’s death in 1800, his son, John Hammet inherited the estate and the tin works closed down 6 years later. After his death in 1811, the estate was left vacant for some time and was sold to Abel Anthony Gower in 1824. It appears however that he lived else where and it was only following his death in 1837, when the estate was inherited by his nephew (Abel Lewis Gower) that improvements were made to the estate.

In 1840 Abel Lewis Gower (a distant relative of the legendary cricketer David Gower) had the Stables and Coach Houses built. He commissioned Ambrose Poynter, a well known painter & architect of that time from London, to design a grand castellated building and clocktower which would stand majestically at the head of the drive to the Castle Malgwyn Estate

In 1843 Abel Gower fell foul of the locals. His salmon weir which spanned the river Teifi adjacent to the stables and Coach Houses was destroyed during the Rebecca riots. Despite the offer of a handsome reward of one hundred pounds, no body was ever brought to justice for the damage, and the weir was never rebuilt. Guests can still see the stone remains of the weir as they walk along the waters edge adjacent to the Courtyard holiday cottages.

Luxury Holiday Cottages, Pembrokeshire: Self Catering Accommodation at the Pembrokeshire Courtyard Cottages, Wales

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