The Old Kitchen is part of Garth Farm which dates back several hundred years. It has been in co-host Edward's family since the early 1800s and its history and stories are all around. It is set against the side of Garth mountain in the old county of West Glamorgan (now part of Neath Port Talbot) and enjoys wide ranging views by day and stunning skies by night. Step out of the door onto thousands of acres of open land. Or sit on the terrace and watch the setting sun sink over the Baran mountain opposite.
The kitchen area has a 4 ring gas hob, microwave, toaster, kettle, standard sized fridge with small ice box (big enough for ice cubes, a bag of peas, a small tub of ice cream). We have tried to equip the kitchen with all the basics you might need - pans, cafetière, grater, spatula, crockery, cutlery, glasses, boards etc. In the spirit of "reduce, reuse, recycle" we have not bought all new items as we inherited plenty of crockery etc with the house. Plates and bowls may not match but they will be clean ⭐️.
Salt, pepper, some herbs and spices and a bit of cooking oil are also supplied.
There is a sofa, easy chairs and dining table and chairs.
There is underfloor heating throughout from a gas boiler that also provides instant hot water. A wood-burning stove (with airer hanging from the ceiling - ideal for drying coats etc) is set into a large, traditional style fire place. Logs are provided for your first night. You can buy more, plus kindling, from us.
There is WiFi provided by a mobile server (we hope that BT are installing fibre optic broadband in this valley sometime this year). There is a TV that currently receives terrestrial channels only.
The Old Kitchen has its own parking space and private entrance with space for boots and coats. Lockable sheds are available for bikes, or you are welcome to store them inside.
Two private residences adjoin - the House to one side connected by a conservatory, and the Cottage to the other side with sheds in between. There are large open gardens to the west which we all share, with a woodland garden, a pond and cascades.
The Old Kitchen has French doors opening onto its own patio area. Please note this is not fenced off from the shared garden.
One well behaved, vaccinated, dog is welcome. We have two dogs of our own and there are livestock and poultry on site so please be aware that visiting dogs may have to be on the lead when outdoors. There is usually an empty field available for dogs to have a run, plus the open. mountain above.
The Old Kitchen has an upstairs area that it is still to be renovated so is currently not accessible.
The Farm is located on the main A474 giving quick and easy access to supermarkets in Pontardawe. We are 20 minutes from the M4.
A 15 minute walk up Garth Mountain from your door brings breathtaking views across Bannau Brycheiniog / the Brecon Beacons as far as Pen y Fan and out to Worms Head at the end of the Gower on a clear day. There are ancient stone circles and burial mounds dotted across the mountains, as well as the remnants of the coal mining that took place in these valleys. Buzzards, red kites, ravens and goshawks swoop overhead.
As well as the Brecon Beacons, The Black Mountain and the cliffs and beaches of the Gower, the Farm is easy driving distance from Swansea, Brecon, Llandeilo, The National Botanic Gardens of Wales, Aberglasney Gardens, Dylan Thomas' Boathouse in Laugharne... Host Amanda often works in Hay-on-Wye which is only 75 minutes beautiful drive through the mountains.
We moved here 5 years ago, succeeding the previous generation of the family. We are working to restore the land and buildings of the farm - a slow process with much still to do. If you are looking for somewhere casual and comfortable in a stunning setting then do come and stay!
