Ein hoff bethau…
Things To Do at Llwynbwch
“A magical place, so relaxing and everything cosy, stylish and well designed…Footpaths close by meant days out walking without the car which we loved. We didn't want to leave after 4 nights!”
Rosie, May 2023
#1 Learn about Wild Orchids
Most of us know orchids are special for some reason or other….. but why does everyone make such a fuss over finding the wild ones?
Here are three good reasons:
Their rarity. Orchids are highly attuned to their growing conditions and - a bit like us humans - they need conditions to be perfectly right before they thrive - from climate, to soil, to habitat. They serve as indicators of healthy soil and make an important contribution to biodiversity.
Their incredible symbiotic relationship with fungi. Some orchids need specific types of fungi in the soil to grow - contributing to their rarity!
Their Beauty. With an intricate and unusual flower design, orchids are thrilling to study up close.
#2 Snooze under the Stars
If it’s clear night and the forecast is good, grab the opportunity to sleep out under the stars on the deck of your cabin, near the firepit or in the garden (or at least doze for an hour or two)!
Both Hafan and Derwen have sheltered decks and are completely secluded, get cosy by Onnen’s firepit or snuggle on the bench in the garden of Llwynbwch Barn. Experiencing the nocturnal skies has a wonderful way of resetting our internal body clock - our cicadian rhythm - our helping us find balance and calm.
#3 Explore our trails…
There are lots and lots of inspiring walks and picturesque places to explore around and from the site - from a mindful morning stroll, to full or or half day hikes up onto the incredible ridges of Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons). If you have a buggy or mobility issues, the lanes of our village, Llansadwrn, are really beautiful too - with mature trees, hedgerows and banks full of native species, ferns and wildflowers.
Different areas of our site have different things to offer at different times of year - so in April & May there are bluebells, in Summer the orchids and in Autumn it’s fungi. Let us know what kind of walk you’d like and we can guarantee we’ve got some good ideas!
The farm covers an area of around 80 acres, with sections of meadowland, woodland and pasture. The land is criss-crossed by a series of small streams which flow into the Abermarlais, a tributary of the Tywi river.
Whether it’s a mindful stroll through the woods on a sunny morning with the sun glinting through the trees - a dripping wet walk in the rain through the copses and dells, or you could take a blanket and sit or lie for an hour or several - the benefits of woodland bathing are tangible.
West Wales is blessed with temperate rainforest which means our rainfall, temperature and sunshine are balanced in perfect harmony for all manner of mosses, lichen and ferns to grow on the trees here. Close up study, lounging or just simply walking through our woods is beautiful, unusual, and a wonderful way of reconnecting with nature and restoring inner balance.
#4 Woodland Bathing
#5 Learn the guitar
Not every holiday has its own guitar…
Whether you’re a complete beginner or you can string a tune or two together, getting stuck into the guitar is truly absorbing and it has an impact on wellbeing too.
The sound of the strings slows our heart rate and calms our nervous system, while fine motor skills regulate us, and work really well helping children focus and feel peaceful. So learn a new song or just strum something you like the sound of - there are no rules, no judgement and you’re on holiday - kick back, relax and enjoy…
Paddling, deer, local life, campfires, picnics and ponies…
#6 Hi Deer!
If you’re staying in the cabins you may well catch a glimpse of the deer who are often spotted in the meadows in the early morning, before the humans are properly awake. If you’re staying in the Barn, you may need to get up early, and be still for while! Small herds of roe deer roam this area, completely wild, and are thrilling to see.
#7 Experience village life
Living in a rural Welsh village is a wonderful experience. You may enjoy a taste of it at regular village events - from pop-up film nights with Sinema Sadwrn, to our lovely village show. Tiny Llansadwrn is less than a mile on foot via footpaths and just under 2 miles to drive - with a friendly pub (The Sextons Arms - only serving drinks, no meals, open from 6pm until the landlord has had enough, numbers dependent!), church, field, playground and community space. It’s mainly a sheep farming village, but you’ll also see cattle, horses, pigs and donkeys all around here if you look hard enough…
#8 Paddle in the Streams
Children will adore playing in the streams that criss-cross the site, but being close to water - the sights and sounds of natural streams are also really beneficial to our wellbeing.
Kick off your shoes and be careful, stones submerged and muddy stream beds are hugely slippy! Stand in the stream, or sit on the bank and let the running water wash your cares away. It’s nature’s own meditation…
NB always supervise children !
#9 Picnic in the meadow
The only problem here is which spot will you pick?! Our 80 acre site has dozens and dozens of beautiful spots for lazy lunches, from meadows filled with wildflowers or woodland glades to streamside. And if you’re feeling in need of delicious local treats, just head over to the shops in our pretty historic market towns of Llandovery, Llandeilo and Llangadog for deli treats and delicious breads, cheese and organic fruit and salads.
#10 Enjoy a Campfire
How are your fire building skills? Ace? Non-existent? Don’t fear - campfires are easy to build and our firepit makes it easier still. Toast marshmallows (crumpets, bananas with chocolate also work well), fry bacon & eggs, make tea or simply enjoy the fire.
An open fire is warming all year round and allows you to enjoy the outdoors while keeping toasty! All our accommodations are equipped with snuggly warm blankets to wrap up in. Staring into the glowing embers in the dark, the smell of wood smoke, it’s mindfulness embodied.
PS All our wood is sourced from the land and available for a small cost.
#11 Spot the ponies
Ponies are quite something. They manage to instill calm and connection instinctively - and our Exmoors are no exception. They also do an amazing job of grazing for wildlife.
Bear, Jasper, Rosemarie & Nora are free to roam across the land, so it can sometimes be hard to know exactly where they’ll be - but if you encounter them give them space (they usually wander off if you get too close) - and please don’t feed them anything. Exmoors are a rare native pony and have done an amazing job at helping the land thrive for millennia. So if you spot them, its a nice opportunity to contemplate our relationship with the earth, how we treat it - and importance of the wild, native creatures that still roam upon it!
