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Special Escapes: Self-catering in the UK

The Cuckoo House

The Cuckoo House, Dolwilym, Hebron, Whitland, Carmarthenshire, Wales

Gothic splendour hits you at the gates to Dolwilym, carry on down a track, past a church, through a mass of giant oaks to the valley floor to find this cluster of bleached brick, stone and wood buildings amid an audience of antique ephemera. If the name sounds unique, the place is even more so: a seven-acre estate which housed the Protheroe family for centuries, then prisoners of war, then fell to disrepair... until Giles set eyes on the place and snapped it up for a song. The Cuckoo House was the old kitchen, a weathered, stone building whose tall, narrow, windows line up like books on a terracotta shelf, topped by wood cladding and a tiny balcony. Step into an open plan living space clothed in stone, bright wood and glass. On the far side, a huge alcove holds a working Victorian range (there's modern central heating too); to the right, a simple, smart, slate-topped kitchen; to the left a dining table and staircase leading to basic bedrooms floodlit by all those windows. Another double and two singles squeeze in under the eaves – it's not for the princess and her pea, but most will love the authenticity. Pull on your boots and follow the old railway tracks along the River Taf, despite the seclusion you can still walk to the pub for a beer. Rough, ready, and gloriously eccentric, this is one for the romantics.

Other places on Special Escapes

from Jethro Chaplin

The Old Bakery, Carmarthenshire
The Old Bakery

An old bakery is just what this solid stone house once was, along with the ...

Whitland, Carmarthenshire

Sleeps 8-9 per cottage (17 in total)

View Details »

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Details

The Cuckoo House

Contact: Jethro Chaplin

  • Tel: +44 (0)1994 419438 / +44 (0)7973 509004
  • Sleeps: 8-9 per cottage (17 in total)
  • Rooms: 3 doubles, 1 twin, bath/shower room.
  • Price: £270 – £950. Short breaks available.
  • Closed: Never
Children are positively welcomed, with no age restrictions, but cots, high chairs etc are not necessarily available. Within 10 miles of a bus/coach/train station and owner can arrange collection. Well-trained pets are accepted and may sleep in your room (not on the bed). Check when booking. Swimming pool on the premises. Wireless internet access available for guests.

Checklist

  • Dishwasher
  • Electricity included
  • Washing machine
  • Microwave oven
  • Central heating
  • Mobile reception
  • Television
  • BBQ
  • Beach within 3 miles
  • Cooked meals available
  • Restaurant nearby
  • Short breaks possible
  • Extra bed/cot available
  • Shop within 3 miles

Points of interest

  • Professional Music Studio on site and available for hire

This information is provided by owners and is not endorsed by ASP. If you have questions about it, please contact the owners.

The Cuckoo House Looking across the lawn

Looking across the lawn

The Cuckoo House Bedroom 1 on the first floor

Bedroom 1 on the first floor

The Cuckoo House The open plan living room/kitchen area

The open plan living room/kitchen area

The Cuckoo House The bathroom

The bathroom

Photo captions have been written by the owner or management of The Cuckoo House and are not verified or endorsed by ASP.

Help

Children of all ages are welcome. Cots, highchairs, etc, are not necessarily available.
Guests’ pets can sleep in the bedroom (not on the bed).
Working farm or vineyard.
Wireless internet access available for guests.
No smoking anywhere in the property.
At least one bedroom and bathroom accessible for wheelchair users. Phone for details.
Tennis court on the premises; use may be by arrangement.
Credit cards accepted, most commonly Visa and MasterCard.
Bikes on the premises to hire or borrow.
Swimming pool on the premises; use may be by arrangement.
Within 10 miles of a bus/coach/train station and owner can arrange collection.
At least one bedroom and bathroom accessible without steps.

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