THE COTTAGEThe cottage enjoys a tranquil position and yet it is only a short-walk of literally a few minutes to reach the heart of the village. The village boasts magnificent 12th century abbey ruins and also has a working water-mill. There is a thriving local art-gallery and several pubs, including the Ferry Inn. Here you can easily while away a summer’s afternoon with a drink in hand, watching the wildlife and boats on the river. Cardigan town is 1 mile away. In addition to the usual facilities of a market town, Cardigan also boasts Cardigan Castle where the first Eisteddfod was staged. There is also a modern arts complex, Theatr Mwldan, which showcases international performers. Theatr Mwldan also has a cinema, a café and an art gallery. St. Dogmaels is part of the Pembrokeshire National Park. This area of outstanding beauty offers the visitor spectacular beaches and hidden coves, the 200-mile Pembrokeshire coast-path, the Preseli mountains, the beautiful Teifi river and the Cardigan Wildlife park. The front door opens into a good-sized sitting-room with a wood-stove. A stable door leads off into a small courtyard at the back. Steps lead up to a secluded grassy area where the visitor can enjoy their private view of the estuary and village. These are steep, uneven steps and there are unfenced off drops. Therefore this property may not be suitable for young children. The kitchen-diner contains a table and four chairs, a full-sized cooker and a fridge and is supplied with modern kitchen utensils and crockery. There is also a washing-machine and freezer. A small room beyond the kitchen can be used as a useful storage area. This is also used to store tools, DIY and cleaning products. Again, this may make it unsuitable for young children. Wooden stairs lead up from the living room to the next floor. The first bedroom is furnished with a double brass-bed and has a stunning view of the river. The bathroom has a bath and modern shower. The second bedroom can be set up either as twin-bedded room or as a double. It also has fabulous views. The cottage is reached via a short, steep footpath. The house has central heating throughout. In the house, there is a TV and DVD, radio, CD player and IPOD dock (speakers). Smoking is not permitted inside. . If you require the TV and DVD, please let us know beforehand so we can set it up. Where to go and what to doThe information below is intended to give you a taster of the area. More detailed information and recommendations will be available at the cottage. BeachesLess than a mile away is Poppit sands, a vast expanse of sand where even on the hottest day, it never feels crowded. This gently-shelving beach with it’s small waves and beautiful sand-dunes is perfect for small children and has life-guards on duty. Dog walkers are also catered for with a large part of the beach designated specially for them. Adventurers and those craving privacy can scramble round the rocks from Poppit to Pen-y-bryn with its picturesque boat house and pier. Sand-yachting enthusiasts, kite-flyers and riders can often be seen. Another favourite is picture-perfect Mwnt. Approached down a steep narrow lane, Mwnt is a small cove with cliffs forming a back-drop to the beach which is reached via a flight of steps. At the top of the cliffs, there is a tiny white-washed church dating from the 6th century, often surrounded by grazing sheep. These just give you a taster – there are so many idyllic beaches to visit that you will be spoilt for choice!Pubs and restaurantsThe Ferry Inn in St. Dogmaels is a five minute walk from the cottage. It has spectacular views over the Teifi river and is popular for its Sunday lunches. The Webley Inn just before Poppit Sands has great views over the rills and dykes as the estuary reaches the sea. Other recommended pubs are the Black Lion in Cardigan, a good choice for light lunch snacks. In Cardigan, the XXX is an Indian restaurant on a boat which has sweeping views up the river towards St. Dogmaels. The Shed at Porthgain is a fish-restaurant which has won rave reviews across the UK and is one of the best fish-restaurants in Wales. More details and recommendations are available at the cottage.Theatre/ArtsTheatre Mwldan in Cardigan is a thriving arts-centre with international performers appearing there. It also has a cinema, an art-gallery, tourist information and a cafe. There is another excellent art-gallery in Cardigan which displays the works of local artists. During the summer, there are open-air Shakespeare productions in St. Dogmaels abbey. On the August bank holiday weekend, local artists throw open their doors to visitors which can be a really fun way of exploring the county. Other highlights include Cardigan Food and Wine festival, Barley Saturday, Cardigan Fair, St. Dogmaels medieval day and many more. The local tourist information will give the latest information.Sports/Activities Riders are well catered for with options for riding on beaches, in the mountains or in the countryside. Short-term licenses can be bought from the post office for those interested in fishing on the Teifi for salmon, trout, or the local fish knows as sewin. There are also trips for those who want to go out sea-fishing. There are ample opportunies for cycling. A fantastic trip is along the old railway line from Cardian, through the Wildlife Park, alongside the Teifi river to the nearby village of Cilgerran with its celebrated castle and pubs. A local company organises canoeing trips along the Teifi river. For those looking for a real adrenaline rush, a local company organises coasteering trips where in effect participants throw themselves off cliffs into the sea! Other activities include learning to surf. Kayaking trips are also arranged along the Teifi from Cardigan Wildlife Centre.History/CultureImposing Cilgerran castle which looms over a deeply-wooded gorge is well worth a visit. There are also free tours of Cardigan castle which given an interesting insight into life in the town in earlier times. Children really enjoy Henllys Iron Age fort where they are encouraged to re-enact how life would have been at that time. Wildlife/NatureSt. Dogmaels is the starting point for the 200-mile stunning Pembrokeshire coast path walk. Depending on the time of year you will see a huge variety of wildflowers and birds. Seals can often be seen basking and it is not unusual to spot porpoises. The only thing you won’t see much of is other people! A well-organised bus shuttle service means you can work from A to B and then be delivered back to your start point. Along the way, you will reach beaches that can only be accessed by foot and outstanding scenery.Cardigan wildlife park is another excellent site for viewing wildlife. It is very much geared for the visitor and has a modern, glass-fronted café which also acts as an information centre. There are hides to watch the animals and birds from and a network of paths for cyclists and walkers to enjoy. The Preseli mountains offer some dramatic scenery and give sweeping views across the county. Cenarth Falls is a local beauty-spot with walks running alongside the river.Apart from the obvious highlights mentioned above, this area abounds with opportunities for woodland walks, walks along river-banks, country-lanes, idyllic villages such as Nevern with it’s church and bridge etc. etc…Further AfieldTenby is a very pretty town worth a visit in itself but what makes the place unmissable is the boat trip over to the monastery on nearby Caldy Island. St. Davids is a pretty town with a beautiful cathedral (don’t miss the restaurant which has recently won accolades in the national press).Aberglasney (country house)Royal Botanical Gardens of WalesLlanachaeron (country house)