After last years wonderful April break at Pontbrenmydyr cottage, a National Trust property near Aberaeron, we knew we would have to find somewhere pretty special to top that experience of cottagey loveliness .... I think we've managed it very well.
This year we are having a weekend away in Treleddyd Fawr cottage a very well known and much talked about Welsh cottage in St David's, Pembrokeshire. I first heard about this cottage many years ago when I used to read a blog that spoke from a cat's perspective written by the wonderfully talented artist and writer Jackie Morris. In the blog she wrote of her cats and the cats of Treleddyd Fawr and their owner Mr Glyn Griffiths, it captured my imagination like no other blog I have read has ever done and got me dreaming of Welsh cottages when I lived in Oxfordshire, in southern England. How fate moves in mysterious ways, and I've ended up in a cottage of my own on a Welsh hillside, but one that has nowhere near the age of the one we will be staying in.
More about this photograph HERE.
When Mr Griffiths died in 2013 he bequeathed his cottage to the National Trust, and when they realised what a gem this little workmans cottage was they accepted with delight and work commenced. The work finished last year and it is now available to rent as a holiday home, so that future generations can see a simple but much loved Welsh cottage and experience living in it for themselves.
Photograph by Jackie Morris
When Glyn Griffiths died Jackie Morris wrote a beautiful and very moving tribute to him for the local paper, it appears in full in her blog post 'Last Words' .... a lovely read and it includes some lovely photographs of Mr Griffiths, his cats and his cottage. Griff Rhys Jones visited the cottage for a BBC2 programme about the cottage. Two short clips of this are HERE.
Of course these days the cottage has lost its romantic, derelict air and is fully renovated and ready for use, to say we are looking forward to our three night stay is a bit of an understatement. Unfortunately we won't be taking a cat with us ... but we will be taking a certain very well behaved little Pug who will no doubt give the cottage a brief reminder of it's previous four legged inhabitants.
Sue xx
Looks like a delightful place, I hope you have a lovely lovely break x
ReplyDeleteThat looks a beautiful place to stay, just beautiful. I'm sure you will enjoy yourselves.x
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful. Do take lots of photos to show us please.
ReplyDeleteLooks gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteIt looks so pretty. Bad luck for the cat though, it would love it there.
ReplyDeleteHe would ..... especially after he has just spent last night accidentally locked in the shed ... ooops. He's been telling me off for the last hour :-/
DeleteThe old cottage is adorable but, rather dark inside i suspect
ReplyDeleteSue, thanks so much for sharing. This is definitely a place I'd like to visit on my next trip to Wales (home of my father). The cottage has such a history and it's wonderful that it was captured with photos. My great Aunt grew up in a similar one up, one down, cottage in Caerwys, North Wales. I remember visiting it as a child, and yes, the stairs were very steep ! I look forward to reading about your stay.
ReplyDeleteI had never heard of this place and really enjoyed looking up all the history via the links you shared. Great post ! Hope you have a lovely time !
ReplyDeleteI remember Jackie Morris writing about Mr Griffiths. She asked for folks to send him a postcard to cheer him up and I sent one from my little island in Orkney.
ReplyDeleteI'd forgotten all about that ... I sent a card too :-)
DeleteIt looks delightful! I'm trying to convince my husband that we need a driving holiday around Wales.
ReplyDeleteOh Wow Sue it looks and sounds beautiful I have to say I adore the first photo and almost wish it still looked the same its a pity they chose to put a white roof on it it spoils it really for me that is. I will have to pop back and check out all the links when I have more time as its sounds really interesting. Enjoy your lovely break, dee
ReplyDeleteThey have just put the roof back to how it originally was when Mr Griffiths was fit enough to repaint it every year.
DeleteI shall be interested to hear how it all goes. My son and his wife spend most of their holidays in Wales - usually in North Wales, but this looks so inviting that I shall refer them to your blog and get them to look at the details. Hope Pug enjoys it.
ReplyDeleteVery interested to see your photos and hear how you enjoyed yourselves.
ReplyDeleteThat last "after" photo actually looks like an computer simulation, I do hope it looks more natural than that.
Have a great time
It was taken immediately after the renovations were completed for the National Trust website. Glowing in the sunshine just as it was described in lots of the articles written about the way Mr Griffiths kept it when he was younger and more able.
DeleteThis post brings back sweet memories !!
ReplyDeleteWhen Jackie wrote about him on her blog and that she would show Mr. Griffiths. One time she asked if anybody would like to write (snail mail) to him- well, I got busy !! Two friends and I wrote him short letters, took photos locally (Washington state US), bought postcards, and had a Sunday school class draw him pictures. We all sent photos of our cats - of course !!
I am sorry to read Mr. Griffiths died, but am happy his cottage is still standing and that you and Hubby and Suky will get to stay in it !!
xoxo
Well, I was ready to go to bed at 10 o'clock - my dog Zac had already taken himself off to his bed by the front door - when I started following your links, then further links as I got into the story of the cottage and its wonderful owner (and his cats). This led to further links of Jackie Morris books, her friend's shop in St Agnes and excerpts from programmes featuring the cottage and its owner . . .
ReplyDeleteIt's now 12.10am on Wednesday morning! I think I will go to bed!
This is the wonderful downside to the internet .... it can take you on unexpected journeys and eat up the time. I hope you got to sleep :-)
DeleteHope you have a wonderful time, it looks delightful!
ReplyDeleteThanks for a thoroughly interesting post. I've enjoyed reading all about Mr Griffiths and his cottage and cats. I'm looking forward to hearing about your stay there. It will be really special.
ReplyDeleteVery, very interesting post. Loved the stories and the history. Mr Griffiths must have really loved his cottage. He sounded like such a nice man and a wonderful character. I imagine him and his cats had a lovely life living there. Knowing all this history will make your stay so much more special. Enjoy, looking forward to your posts about it. Kind regards, Louise S, Cheshire.
ReplyDeleteIt looks delightful & full of history.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful transformation! Hope you have a great time! xx
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful place! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm going to Jackie's book launch and Ffions Boat launch on Sat 16th April at Solva :)
ReplyDelete