Notes from the host
Pet-Friendly Character Cottage
The perfect base for exploring an array of natural wonders, from waterfalls to caves and rolling hills.
Old School Cottage, a traditional two-bedroom stone cottage built in the early 1800s, offers luxury, pet-friendly accommodation for up to five adults (or four adults and two children) at the foot of the Brecon Beacons National Park.
Abercrave, which has two highly-rated pubs, is the starting point for walks to the Cribarth Ridge and Nant Llech Waterfalls Trail and is perfectly placed for exploring numerous local attractions.
The space
In a nutshell
Old School Cottage is a newly renovated, traditional two-bedroom cottage with two reception rooms, upstairs bathroom, downstairs cloakroom, and separate kitchen. Outside is a cosy seating area with washing facilities for bikes, boots, and dogs. The cottage can comfortably accommodate five adults (or four adults and two children); one bedroom has a king-size bed, the second superking bedroom can be made up as twins on request, and the living room features a high-quality small double (110cm wide) sofa bed (perfect for one adult or two children).
The cottage features high-speed WiFi, luxury towels and bedding, high-end toiletries & toilet roll, kitchen cleaning products (dishwasher tablets, washing up liquid, detergent), kitchen essentials (such as tea, coffee, sugar, salt and pepper), and Smart TV. A travel cot, stair gate, and highchair are available (cot bedding not provided).
Outside
On arrival, you’ll find roadside parking at the front of the property. As you pass through the wooden gate, you’ll notice a cosy seating area to your left, perfect for alfresco dining or drinks, plus a boot, bike, and dog cleaning area to your right.
Entrance, kitchen, and dining room
You’ll see that the cottage is deceptively spacious! As you enter the property, you’ll find a boot and bike store within the first reception room, alongside a dining table with comfortable seating for six and a view of the neighbour’s beautifully kept gardens. You’ll find an iron and ironing board, hoover, highchair, and drying rail in the cupboard.
A separate kitchen is to your left, featuring all the conveniences you would expect, including; fridge, freezer, cooker, hob, microwave, dishwasher, washing machine, toaster, kettle, cutlery, crockery, utensils, tea towels, plus essentials such as tea, coffee, sugar, salt and pepper. You’ll find a welcome basket with extra goodies, a pint of milk in the fridge, and a comprehensive house manual on the side.
From the dining room, you’ll enter the living room, furnished with comfortable seating including a small double (110cm wide) sofa bed (perfect for one adult or two children) which can be made up as required. A brand new Smart TV with BluRay player and numerous Freesat HD channels sits near the window (where you’ll spot that lovely view of the garden next door again!). You’ll find shelves full of games, books, and DVDs in the snug at the back of the room next to the handy downstairs cloakroom.
Upstairs - bedrooms and bathroom
From the upstairs landing, you’ll find a spacious family bathroom to your left with freestanding bath and separate shower. An array of high-end toiletries are available and fluffy, comfortable towels are found in the bedrooms.
Straight ahead is the master bedroom featuring a king-size bed with a luxurious memory foam mattress and percale sheets. A wardrobe is available to store your luggage. The stunning garden view features yet again from the floor-height window.
The second, larger bedroom is to your right, which features flexible accommodation depending on your needs. The luxury memory foam superking-size bed can be made up as twins on request. You’ll find the same high-quality percale sheets as in the master bedroom. A wardrobe is available for your luggage and you’ll find a travel cot (bedding not included) and stair gate if required. The garden view makes an appearance again from the floor-height window.
House Rules and FAQs
Pets
Pets are part of the family and we want them to feel as welcome as their humans. We try to limit the amount of rules we have but there are a few things you must observe. We do not accept puppies in training or dogs that bark excessively or scratch at doors and furniture. We have neighbours on two sides and a non-stop barking dog is not acceptable. Pets must be kept off the furniture at all times and must never be left alone in the property. In a nutshell, well-behaved pups and responsible humans only please.
We deep clean the property after pets stay due to future guests possible allergies, therefore an additional non-refundable cleaning fee of £20 will be charged. Please state if you are bringing pets (and how many) when booking.
Accessibility
The property is accessed via a set of narrow steps with a handrail provided - please see photos. The property is over two floors with the main sleeping accommodation and bathroom upstairs.
Noise
Parties, events and loud music are not permitted. Guests must keep noise to a minimum between the hours of 10pm and 7am. We have neighbours on two sides and their right to peace and quiet must be respected.
Smoking
You may smoke outside the property. An ashtray is provided which we ask guests to empty and clean before departure.
Discounts
We offer a 15% discount on stays of 7 nights or more which is automatically applied to your booking. We set our prices at a fair and reasonable rate and are unlikely to offer a discount on shorter stays.
Early check-in / Late check-out
We will do our best to accommodate this. Availability is dependent on the arrival / departure of other guests on check-in / check-out day.
Local Attractions
Abercrave, a former mining village featuring two highly-rated pubs, is the perfect starting point for walks to Cribarth Ridge, the Nant Llech Trail, and Henrhyd Falls, which boasts the tallest waterfall in South Wales (filming location of the bat cave in Dark Knight Rises!).
Wales Ape & Monkey Sanctuary, a rescue centre providing a home for many types of unwanted animals, especially primates, lies just south-east of the village and makes for a wonderful day out.
The National Showcaves Centre for Wales, voted Britain’s Finest Natural Wonder, is less than four miles from the cottage, boasting amongst other attractions Dan yr Ogof, an 11-mile long cave system offering a unique underground adventure (featured in Doctor Who!).
Craig Y Nos Castle and Country Park, a romantic 40-acre Victorian garden featuring woodlands walks, meadows, lakes and ponds, is just three miles from the cottage.
BikePark Wales, the UK’s first full-scale mountain bike park, is approximately 30 minutes away by car.
Swansea and the Gower Peninsula, with its many award-winning beaches, are less than an hours drive away.
A bus stop for the TrawsCymru T6 - an hourly service linking Abercrave to Brecon, Ystradgynlais, Neath and Swansea - is just a few steps from the cottage.
Other outdoor activities on offer in the area include rock climbing, canoeing, kayaking, gorge walking, white water rafting, caving and potholing, fishing, and clay pigeon shooting.
Local Amenities
Nearest shop and cafe: 0.2 miles
Nearest dog-friendly pub serving food: 0.3 miles
Nearest supermarket: 4.2 miles
Abercrave Café and Post Office - 0.2 miles. CAFE: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday 9:00am – 5:00pm; Wednesday 9:00am – 1:00pm; Saturday 9:00am -11:00pm; Sunday Closed. POST OFFICE: Monday 9:00am -2:00pm; Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday 9:00am – 1:00pm; Friday, Saturday & Sunday closed.
Abercrave Inn - 0.3 miles - 4.3* rated pub with beer garden. Serving: Lunch; Monday to Friday 12pm - 2:30pm, Dinner; Monday to Friday 6pm - 9:30pm, Sunday Roasts; 12pm - 3pm, Sunday Dinner; 6pm - 9pm (opening times correct as of July 2019 but subject to seasonal change).
Copper Beech Inn - 0.3 miles - 4.7* rated family-run pub with beer garden. Open for food from 4pm Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday and from 12pm Saturday & Sunday (opening times correct as of July 2019 but subject to seasonal change).
Ystradgynlais, a vibrant town 4 miles south-west of the village, features a variety of shops, cafes, bars, and restaurants, including an Asda and Tesco Superstore.
Getting around
There is free roadside parking at the front of the property.
For those arriving by public transport, a bus stop for the TrawsCymru T6 - an hourly service linking Abercrave to Brecon, Ystradgynlais, Neath Train Station and Swansea Train Station - is just a few steps from the cottage.
National Cycle Route 43, which connects to the Celtic Trail, passes through nearby Caehopkin.