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Ystrad Meurig, Ceredigion

Hawthorn Cottage

Hawthorn Cottage under restoration, looking out onto the duck pond on the Hafod Estate, Ceredigion
Hawthorn Cottage under restoration, looking out onto the duck pond on the Hafod Estate, Ceredigion | © National Trust/Mike Henton
Hawthorn Cottage, Ceredigion
The Hafod Estate, home to Hawthorn Cottage, Ceredigion

Hawthorn Cottage

This traditional estate-worker’s cottage is full of Welsh character. It’s on the Hafod Estate with trails from the gate leading to waterfalls, gardens and spectacular views.

Grid of 21 images
Hawthorn Cottage, Ceredigion
The Hafod Estate, home to Hawthorn Cottage, Ceredigion
Hawthorn Cottage under restoration, looking out onto the duck pond on the Hafod Estate, Ceredigion
The restoration of Hawthorn Cottage, Ceredigion
The restoration of Hawthorn Cottage, Ceredigion
The restoration of Hawthorn Cottage, Ceredigion
One of the rooms under restoration at Hawthorn Cottage, Ceredigion
One of the rooms under restoration at Hawthorn Cottage, Ceredigion
The stairs under restoration at Hawthorn Cottage, Ceredigion
One of the upstairs rooms under restoration at Hawthorn Cottage, Ceredigion
One of the upstairs rooms under restoration at Hawthorn Cottage, Ceredigion
Hawthorn Cottage under restoration, Ceredigion
The Hafod Estate, home to Hawthorn Cottage, Ceredigion
The Hafod Estate, home to Hawthorn Cottage, Ceredigion
The Hafod Estate, home to Hawthorn Cottage, Ceredigion
The Hafod Estate, home to Hawthorn Cottage, Ceredigion
A waterfall on the Hafod Estate, home to Hawthorn Cottage, Ceredigion
The Hafod Estate, home to Hawthorn Cottage, Ceredigion
The Hafod Estate, home to Hawthorn Cottage, Ceredigion
The Hafod Estate, home to Hawthorn Cottage, Ceredigion
Hawthorn Cottage under restoration, looking out onto the duck pond on the Hafod Estate, Ceredigion

© National Trust/Mike Henton

This traditional estate-worker’s cottage is full of Welsh character. It’s on the Hafod Estate with trails from the gate leading to waterfalls, gardens and spectacular views.

At a glance

Guests
6
Bedrooms
3
Number of dogs welcome
2
Reference
013047
Acorn rating

About Hawthorn Cottage

Described in the 17th century as ‘a neat house… in a picturesque spot’, Hawthorn Cottage is a simple Georgian home with lots of original features. It’s on the Hafod Estate, one of Europe’s finest landscapes in the ‘picturesque’ style, with trails that look wild but were carefully designed to unveil a kaleidoscope of sights and experiences for the gentry who visited the estate. The Lady’s Walk passes Hawthorn’s front gate before eventually leading to Mrs Johne’s Flower Garden and views into the valley; loop onto circular routes to see Peiran Falls, Mossy Seat Falls and other restored bridges and features. The Johnes family created Hafod estate as their own paradise in the 1700s, and while their mansion is long gone, their church survived and now houses an exhibition about Hafod’s history.

The rubble stone cottage is tucked into the edge of the woods and overlooks a pond. Inside, it will be traditional and homely. We are restoring the shutters and panelling and conserving the slate and wood floors. There will be a woodburner in the inglenook fireplace, and carved furniture, wool rugs, watercolours and local ceramics all in keeping with Hawthorn’s past. The money you spend on your holiday helps us restore and care for special places like this.

Hafod is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and rich in wildlife. You might see otters or a kingfisher down by the river. Roe deer and hares live in the woodland; look out for the elusive pine marten.

The valley is about 40 minutes from the coast at Aberystwyth, passing through the Cambrian Mountains and the wild mid-Wales landscape. The Devil’s Bridge, with its famous waterfalls, is just four miles from Hafod; a restored steam train ride sets off from here at certain times of the year.

Layout

Ground floor: Sitting and dining room with woodburner and television. Toilet. Steps up to kitchen. Kitchen leads to double bedroom with en-suite shower room. 

First floor: Double bedroom. Twin bedroom. Bathroom with shower over bath.

Outdoor space

Enclosed garden wrapping round cottage. Front garden looks onto the Lady’s Walk and duckpond. Table and chairs.

Features and facilities

  • Cot & high chair, available
  • Fridge, available
  • Dishwasher, available
  • Tumble dryer, available
  • Television, available
  • WiFi, not available
  • Garden, available
  • Microwave, available
  • Freezer, available
  • Washing machine, available
  • Telephone, not available
  • DVD, available
  • Open fire / wood burner, available
  • BBQ, not available

Location

Accessibility

Cottage is a five-minute walk from parking spaces, along a gravel path which slopes down. There are benches and handrails along the way. Luggage trolley is provided. Steps between some rooms on ground floor. Enclosed internal staircase with door at top and bottom. Garden is fenced but opposite large pond beyond the gate. The edge of the pond can be hard to spot. We are waiting for a full accessibility guide and photos for this cottage. Accessibility questions? Email holiday.enquiries@nationaltrust.org.uk or call us on 0344 800 2070.

More information

Restoration: Hawthorn Cottage is currently under restoration. We will add new photos of both the exterior and the newly-finished interior once the restoration is complete. 

Parking: Two spaces, a five-minute walk from the cottage. A luggage trolley is provided as it's not possible to get cars any closer to drop off. 

Heating: The cottage is heated with electric radiators. 

Offers: Guests will benefit from a late Sunday checkout of 4pm at this cottage.

Please note: The cottage is next to a pond, which is outside the garden fence but accessible through the gate. The edge of the pond can be difficult to spot in places, so please supervise children and dogs.

Sheep graze on the parkland around the cottage. Please keep dogs on leads when in the parkland, and don't leave them unattended in the garden.

Your top three questions answered

Visitor viewing the Bedford Monument at Hafod, Ceredigion
Place
Place

Hafod Estate 

One of the finest examples of a Picturesque landscape in Europe | Un o’r enghreifftiau gorau o dirwedd pictiwresg yn Ewrop

Ystrad Meurig, Ceredigion

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