Holiday Cottage in Pembrokeshire, Wales. butterfly

Erw Wen is a holiday let overlooking the sea at Newport Parrog,
in the heart of the Pembrokeshire National Park.
Sleeps up to 9,  6 bedrooms. 
Last updated 20th July 2008

Latest: 2009 bookings are open. See rates / availability

Erw Wen is great for small groups too - lower rates for up to 4 people.

CONTACT:   Teresa Grafton or Brendan Blake, 88 Mount Ararat Road, Richmond, Surrey TW10 6PN.    Tel: 020-8940-7087  EMail: info@erwwen.co.uk
Please phone us or send an e-mail to info@erwwen.co.uk  if you are interested in renting Erw Wen

Map  Environment  Accommodation  Rates/Availability  How to book  Booking form  References  Picture Gallery

View of sea and surroundings from the holiday cottage
View of the sea and the estuary from the house:

ERW WEN is a self catering holiday cottage at Newport Parrog (harbour). Located by the coastal path in the Pembrokeshire National Park. There are wonderful sea views and the large sandy beach is one of the best in Pembrokeshire. Erw Wen means "Fair Acre" and it is set in just under an acre of grounds. It can sleep up to 9 comfortably, though small groups will also find it very manageable.   Newport itself is an ancient borough in the heart of the Pembrokeshire National Park, set between the Preseli Hills and the sea. There are a variety of useful shops as well as galleries and restaurants. The atmosphere is friendly and welcoming.

Recent Improvements An extension (with a very fine sea view) was built in 2007 as shown in the picture. View of house showing new extension The bathroom was refurbished (and moved) and a new shower room and cloakroom constructed. See here for photos of the work and here to see a summary of the plans. If you are interested in the work, see this slideshow

House and Environment   The holiday cottage is modern, warm and comfortable, with wonderful sea views and a large garden. It is about 130 metres from the beach, down a "no through road". As a result there is little danger from traffic for young children, though you must watch the water and the tides, especially during the fast ebb and flow periods.  Life revolves around the tides, and tide tables are kept in the house. At low tide you can wade across the river to the sand dunes and a beautiful large sandy beach which is never over crowded.

Walks and activities   The house is located on the Pembrokeshire coastal footpath and there are walks in all directions - to Dinas Head one way, round the estuary the other (good for bird watching) or up onto the Preseli hills - said to be the source of the Blue Stone for Stonehenge. By car the whole of the Pembrokeshire peninsula is within easy reach. Boats to the islands off the coast are great fun - try Puffin watching on Skomer. Visit Pentre Ifan, the largest group of standing stones in Wales, to be found on the hills overlooking Newport. In the house you will find an information binder and also brochures and leaflets.

Pembrokeshire Coast National Park   Predominantly coastal, the park has some of the most beautiful coastline in Europe. Offshore islands, the largest of which are Skomer, Skokholm, Ramsey, Grasholm and Caldey, are internationally known for their sea bird and seal populations. The waters around Skomer make up one of only two Marine Nature Reserves in the British Isles. The coast varies from high cliffs to long open beaches. There are sheltered coves, harbours, mud flats and dunes. In contrast are the wooded slopes of the Gwaun Valley and the windswept expanse of the Preseli Hills.  This is a Welsh speaking area although you will have no problems being understood.  There is a National Park Information Office in Long Street, Newport, opposite the car park. Click here to go to the Park web site: url= http://www.pembrokeshirecoast.org/

Sports and Boating   There are 2 tennis courts just a few minutes from the house. Newport Golf Club has a 9 hole golf course with glorious views overlooking the sea on the other side of the estuary.  In the garage there is a table tennis table - especially useful on wet days. Newport also excels for water sports. It is great for sailing, canoeing and windsurfing (in the estuary or out in the bay). There is space to store boats at the house. Newport Boat Club is a short walk along the sea front. It accepts holiday members and is a wonderful place to have a drink and watch the sunset. Most boating takes place at high tide

Shopping, craft centres etc   The centre of Newport can be reached in 15 minutes walk, or by car, and has a range of small shops, including a Spar Supermarket which is open every day from 8 am until 10 pm. There are a number of cafes and restaurants and several pubs which provide meals. There is a large TESCO in Cardigan 20 minutes drive away as well as a variety of shops in Fishguard which is a little closer in the other direction. For a special meal try Cnapan Restaurant, East Street, Newport which is Egon Ronay recommended. There is an excellent small book shop. At the Carningli centre you will find arts, crafts and pictures. Newport Pottery is well worth a visit. In the surrounding area there are many small workshops producing craft products (eg the candle workshop at Cilgwyn.)

Travel:   Travel to Erw Wen is easy. By car it takes about 4 hours from West London, or 3.5 hours from the West Midlands, plus stops. Full details of how to reach Erw Wen are sent with the joining instructions. Travel is also relatively easy by Public Transport - details are here. If you use public transport there is an hourly bus service in both directions, which can take you to Cardigan, or to Fishguard and on to Haverfordwest in the other direction. There is also a summer coastal bus service (The "Poppitt Rocket") which will take you to the main resorts along the North Pembrokeshire coast.

Doctor / Dentist / Shops etc:   Click Information on local services.


Accommodation/Details    The house sleeps up to 9, but because one room contains two children's bunk beds, we don't normally let to more than 7 or 8 adults. Call to discuss if you have a large party of adults.. Picture taken inside the new extension, showing the sea view

Ground floor: Large kitchen/dining/garden room (recently extended - see picture on right). Table can seat up to 9. HiFi; living room with wood burning stove, 3 sofas, 2 chairs, cushions, 21" TV, DVD/VCR, bookcase with books and some games; Double bedroom with double bed, wardrobe, 2 drawers under bed; Bedroom with 2 bunk beds and chest of drawers; single bedroom with chest of drawers and drawers under bed; bathroom with shower and WC; shower room, cloakroom.
Upstairs: large bedroom with double bed, built in cupboard and chest of drawers - spectacular views; 2 single bedrooms, both with chest of drawers and drawers under beds; modern shower room with WC.

Linen: duvets and pillows are supplied for all beds. However, we do not supply linen. We ask you to bring your own sheets, pillow slips, duvet covers and towels/tea towels. All beds are standard sizes (ie double beds are 4'6")
Cooking: gas fired AGA and microwave oven. Dishwasher. Larder fridge in kitchen, fridge and 1.8 cubic foot freezer in utility room. See Cooking on an Aga.
Laundry: washing machine, spin dryer, outside and inside lines. (the Aga is also good for getting things dry) Iron and ironing board.
Other facilities: TV (21"), Freeview set-top box (hence you can get Channel 4 - not available on analogue TV in Wales), DVD player, VCR, pay telephone, small "stereo" including CD player, radio.
Outside: 2 picnic tables, garden chairs, barbecue.  Parking: ample - at least 4 cars.
Pets: by negotiation. There is a surcharge. (See booking form).
Changeover day: Saturday. Arrival - after 3.30 pm, Departure - by 11.00 am (unless agreed otherwise.)
Electricity and gas: there are no meters. Instead a charge is made based on the average cost (see rates file).
Central heating: Via a mains gas boiler, which also heats the water.
Fuel for woodburning stove: We do not supply wood, but this is available from the garage in Newport and elsewhere.
Smoking: Erw Wen is a no-smoking house.   Please book alternative accomodation if this gives you a problem, as we ask smokers not to smoke in the house.
Children: For young children, there are two stair gates. They fit at the top and bottom of the stairs (or, without the correct fittings, they can also fit in the doors to rooms. We also now have a high chair. We regret we don't have a cot. Please bring your own.
Booking Conditions apply: available with booking form - click here to view/print.

Insurance: We don't have insurance to protect you if you are forced to cancel (see the booking conditions). You are recommended to take out travel insurance.

Weekend lets / Small group discounts:  Outside School holidays in the off season, weekend lets (of up to 3 nights) are possible, and we also offer "small group" discounts. See the rates file for more details.


Map.
Click to see a Google Map of Erw Wen's location
Note that this points to our postcode - not exactly at the cottage.

References.    (These are extracts from notes we have received or from the visitor's book.)

"We have been in Newport many times, and this is the best house we have stayed in yet."  Lloyd family (regular visitors)

"We had a fantastic week in Erw Wen. We have stayed in many cottages throughout the UK, and what we liked about Erw Wen is that it didn't feel like a rental. The minute we walked in the door, it felt lived in - a real home"  Janice & Mark Hinchliffe (September 2007)

“We had a marvellous week at Erw Wen. What a beautiful place! The house was perfect for us as a family; very well appointed and comfortable. And the location could not be more stunning.  Sherman family (July 2006)

“We found the cottage very warm and comfortable - and the cottage location was superb. The best bit for me was walking down to the estuary each early morning whatever the tide and weather, always delightful, I was very sad to leave"   Roma Galpin. (September 2005)

"Over the years we have stayed in a number of holiday cottages, and this is quite the best we have ever found, in terms of both location and standards. It is superbly equipped, in a delightful location - with fabulous views of the sea, sands and surrounding countryside - plus a huge safe garden. The dog really loved snuggling up by the Aga."   Peter Booth (May 2004)

"Just to say how much we enjoyed staying in your home, after 7 years of holidaying in this area this was by far the best!"   Woods family - May 2003.

"We were very impressed with the cottage which was well organised and superbly equipped"   Family M. (April, 2002)

"We've been to Newport lots of times before, but thought the house was the best we've stayed in (ideal for a larger group and very child-friendly)"  Family J. (July 2001).

"Our second visit; if possible it was even better than the previous time. ..we were sunbathing every afternoon in the sun/wind trap opposite the kitchen"    DB.(April 2001)

"We have had a really splendid holiday.  The house is all one could want - the countryside wonderful, and Newport Beach best of all."   DW. (July 99)

"What a brilliant place - both house and surrounding area"  Gill McD. (August 98)

"Our second stay here was just as enjoyable as the first.... the area, and particularly Erw Wen, has been a great 'find' for us."  Family C., (July 1998)

For the astronomically inclined:   "You can see the milky way and constellations without atmospheric polution .. marvellous.  The Galaxy M31 (the most distant object seen with the naked eye) 2 million light years distant was clearly visible."   R. C., Wirral.  (Oct 1999)

Canine comments:  "A good place for a break - you can recommend it to your humans. Excellent walks, good beaches (washed twice a day), interesting selection of smells in the garden - traces of fox!  The Aga in the kitchen is a good place to dry out and doze by." Toby and Bertie (Sept. 1997)

(You may think renting direct from the owners represents a risk - but we can give you the phone number of previous visitors or local people who know us and the property - and who will be happy to talk to you if you would like.  Just call us, and ask.)


HOW TO BOOK:

ERW WEN is our home. It is a place we love. If you choose to stay, we hope you will enjoy it as much as we do.  Please don't hesitate to call us if you need any further information.

For other owner/managers:- this site is maintained with the help of the Holiday Letting System: www.holletsys.co.uk or www.erwwen.com/holletsys

Go to Top Map  Environment   Accommodation  Rates/Availability  How to book  References  Picture Gallery

Links to information and other sites of interest

http://www.pembrokeshirecoast.org.uk/   Pembrokeshire National Park Site.
http://www.newport-pembs.co.uk/             Newport Town Web Site
Walking in the National Park
Newport Castle Information.
Plan your route with free RAC route planner.
Click to see Erw Wen's location, courtesy of streetmap.com,
or here for the Google Maps view.
Tide tables - Fishguard is nearest port
1000 Islands Expeditions.
Gardeners: Hilton Court Nurseries/Craft Centre.
Visit the local candle workshop
Newport Boat Club
Visit Pembroke Castle
St Davids Cathedral
Skokholm Island Web Site.
Welsh Tourist Board

Getting to Erw Wen by Public Transport
Cooking on an Aga.
Local shops and services
Erw Wen plans - used for the recent Building work
Photos of the Erw Wen Building work (Oct 06 to June 07)
Visit Holiday-Rentals.co.uk to see other properties - we use this site for advertising
...and here's Erw Wen's page on Holiday-Rentals
Want a Cruise instead? Get good advice from www.travelgatewayltd.com
Take out holiday insurance