Hiraeth
Nevern Valley, Pembrokeshire, Wales, UK
On a forested plot in Pembrokeshire’s backcountry, there’s a pair of sister properties with identities of their own; one traditional milk-white cottage, one soot-black gabled bothy. Crafted from heart and stone and thermopine, with a finger on the pulse of minimalism and practical solutions, Hiraeth happens where Welsh homestead meets Scandinavian health club. Larger groups can hire the full estate, The Milk Wood, by also booking Huckleberry.
Introduction
Nearly two centuries ago, it was forestry folk who called this place home; using the Afon Nyfer as a transport artery, riding logs destined to be ships to the mill downriver. When Hiraeth’s owners found the cottages, they were ramshackle to the point of remediless. Drawing influence from Swedish routes and wilderness pursuits, they somehow made a snug family home beneath the oak trees. Their biggest (and smallest) muse? A son, born mid-renovation, who might someday tell tales of its limed walls and dappled light, of slumbers in curtained cubbyholes and bubble baths in the garden, and even, perhaps, of the gilt Tylwyth Teg who danced in the grasses.
Inside
Part concrete burrow, part timber birdhouse, this is the home you imagine while reading The Wind in the Willows. Taking cues from adobe architecture in the form of sloping walls and textured ceilings, but adding light wells and lively artwork to cement its modernity, the cottages were designed to create the feeling of being indoors and in the woods all at once. Bring both households together at the oak-fronted chef’s island to piece puzzles, pour taffy apple cider, and crumble perl las for the rarebit (keep the kitchenette across the way for humbler fare). Come nightfall, scatter in search of a quiet corner: bunklets, velvet sofas, and a sauna under the stars.
Outside
Connected by a pea shingle walkway studded with sleeper stepping stones, the homes are far enough to afford privacy, but close enough that the young'uns may still attempt to hang tin can telephones between the windows. What cocoons them is a modest land — periwinkle hydrangeas, long grasses, and a forest of old sessile oaks. In warm months, there’s a steady thrum of honeybees and peacock butterflies; the sauna and river hammock evoking feeling of a new life in the wild. When the mercury falls, eiderdowns of snow bring all the ethologists to the yard; telltale tracks reveal stoats, badgers, watersliding otters, and the claret smudge of their blackberry suppers.
The Facts
- SleepsUp to 12 guests (8 adult and 4 children)
From £3,450 per week, £2,595 per short break - Alternative group optionUp to 6 guests
- Bedrooms and bathroomsThere are five bedrooms split between two properties. The cottage sleeps six adults and four children in three double bedrooms and one quadruple children´s bedroom, two of which have en suite bathrooms while the other two share a shower room. The bothy sleeps two in one double bedroom, which has an en suite bathroom.
View bedrooms - FeaturesHot tub, sauna, outdoor bath, fire pit and river hammock
- PetsTwo well-behaved dogs are welcome, or three on prior request
Each pet is charged at £60 per week or part thereof - Arrivals and departuresArrival Time: 4pmDeparture Time: 10am
- FamilyBabies and children are very welcome. One cot and one highchair are available, but there are no stairgates.
- PracticalitiesThere is parking for five cars. The well-equipped kitchen in the cottage has a Rangemaster Professional+ electric cooker with induction hob, larder fridge, under-counter freezer, and dishwasher. There is a small utility room with a washing machine and tumble dryer. There is underfloor heating throughout both properties. The kitchenette in the bothy is equipped for preparing breakfast and snacks. Please note that the garden leads to a river, so do exercise due diligence if you are travelling with children and/or dogs. Guests with limited mobility should be aware that there are steps throughout the cottage, but the bothy is more accessible. If you wish to book the full estate, The Milk Wood, please enquire with the Homestay Specialist team.
- Homestay includesA luxury welcome hamper including Welsh cakes and local honey, iPad, Wi-Fi internet, Smart TV with Netflix and Amazon, Sonos sound system, De´Longhi bean-to-cup coffee machines, gas barbecue, books and board games, luxury bed linens, towels and bathrobes, and logs and kindling to get you started.House book - your property and destination guideDiscover more
- Private cateringSeeking a celebratory dinner or fully catered escape? Our recommended caterers will work with you to create personalised menus for your stay. Details are shared through our house book on confirming your booking.
- RetreatsFrom surf lessons to dawn yoga and adrenalin-fuelled adventures, we work with the most inspirational of experts to ensure a truly tailored stay. On confirmation of booking, these details will be shared within your house book.
- Other informationProperty terms and conditionsFrequently asked questionsView floor plan
Prices & Availability
Nevern Valley
Sandwiched between the Preselis and the Pembrokeshire Coast (the only coastal national park in the UK), the Nevern Valley is a meadowed wonderland that’s been a site of pilgrimage for centuries. It feels remote, but there’s still pizzerias and sandy beaches close to hand.
Getting there
- On the Map This luxury country cottage is located in the Nevern Valley near Newport in Pembrokeshire, ideally located for visiting the Preselis and Newport Beach.
- By Car Hiraeth is around ten minutes from Newport in Pembs, under one hour from St Davids (the UK’s smallest city), and five hours from London by car.
- By Train Carmarthen is one hour away by car, or two-and-a-half hours by public transport and on foot. There are regular trains from London Paddington with a journey time of four hours with GWR.
- By Air Haverfordwest Airport is thirty minutes away, Swansea Airport is one-and-a-half hours away, and Cardiff Airport is just over two hours away by car.
From the owner
“Our goal was to balance modern, luxury design principles with cosy comfort (think plump cushions, warm throws, and places to curl up with a cup of cocoa). Transforming this estate in the Nevern Valley has been a meaningful undertaking for us, and we are overjoyed to be able to open the doors to guests.”
These cottages are places to come to reconnect with nature and let the gurgle of the Afon Nyfer be your sleep soundtrack. A wholesome home where you can come to seek restoration and peace. Made up of enchanting nooks, deep-sinking armchairs, and roaring fires, the interiors are a magnet for those who embrace the hygge lifestyle. Outside, the landscape offers year-round opportunities for wild swims in the river, forest bathing, and immersion in nature.
While subtle, the home has been designed to ensure that no matter where you are in the cottages, you are wrapped in warm and atmospheric light; from skylights to playful pendants, the mood is always “just right”. Think of it as the Goldilocks of the modern country cottage world.
This patch of land feels like our hideaway, our secret; and we are so happy to share it with you. Far away from the “real world”, the worries of the everyday can’t reach you here. Our hope is that you find magic within these walls, that you make memories within Pembrokeshire’s embrace, and that this special valley becomes as etched in your hearts as it is in ours.
The Reader Family
Owner recommendations
Live like a local, discovering the best hidden gem restaurants, walks and attractions during your holiday in Nevern Valley with an insider’s perspective.
To Do
Pembrokeshire Coastal Path
Whether you are a casual stroller or avid hiker, the stunning Pembrokeshire Coastal Path has something for everyone. Don some good walking shoes, pack yourself a picnic, and grab your binoculars for wildlife sightings along the way.
To Do
Abereiddy Blue Lagoon
This old quarry is the site of the Red Bull Diving competition; a great place to have a go at cliff jumping or coasteering. Not to be confused with the Blue Lagoon water park, which is usually rather overcrowded.
To Eat
Llys Meddyg, Newport
The Daily Telegraph once wrote "Llys Meddyg has it all thanks to its location deep in the heart of a land rich in lavish local ingredients." With a choice of dining spots, there´s always somewhere to sip and sup no matter the weather.
To Do
Diving, Skomer Island
Diving in the Pembs opens up a treasure trove of marine habitats, allowing water-types to explore a swaying world beneath the sea. When you emerge from the blue, look out for the largest colony of puffins in southern Britain on the cliffs above.
Guest Testimonials
Read reviews on TrustPilot and Google
We had a wonderful week here experiencing everything nature has to offer, from a family of foxes playing in the field to otters messing about in the river. The riverbank was our centre of activity by day and tranquillity at night with a family gathering around the fire pit something we’ll all never forget. We will definitely be back again!
Hiraeth is more than just a holiday cottage – it´s an experience. For anyone looking to immerse themselves in nature, to find peace and tranquility, and to create memories that will last a lifetime, this is the place. Nestled on the bank of a gently flowing river, the cottage offers a relaxing escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Press
Below are a selection of features in which Unique Homestays has appeared. If you would like to feature the property in an editorial capacity, please contact the marketing team on +44 (0)1637 882014.
complete an image bank request
25 of the best autumn getaways
The Times
November 2024Good manors
Condé Nast Traveller
November 2024Ways to improve your life—from our experts
The Times
October 2024The UK´s most relaxing riverside stays
The Times
October 2024At one with nature
25 Beautiful Homes
September 2024Healing waters
Condé Nast Traveller
September 202425 of the UK´s best lakeside stays
The Times
September 2024Highland fling
25 Beautiful Homes
September 2024
Collections > Luxury Homes with a Private Chef > UK > Wales > Pembrokeshire > Hiraeth
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Disclaimer: These particulars, whilst believed to be accurate, are set as a guideline so should not be relied upon as a statement of fact. The photographs show aspects of the property at the time they were taken and it should not be assumed that the property remains precisely as displayed. If there are points of particular importance that need clarifying before you book, please contact us.
