Bryn Eglur

Restored from ruin in conjunction with Under the Thatch, near Trelech in Carmarthenshire
Guests: 4       Wifi: not available       Pets? Pets welcome (more than 3 contact us upon booking), fee applies

Bryn Eglur

more about Bryn Eglur

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about the property

Restored from a ruin in conjunction with Under the Thatch by master craftsman /designer Dorian Bowen.

Bryn Eglur is a classic Under the Thatch cottage, and one of our best known properties. It is one of the best rustic cottage interiors in the UK.

With access to a dozen acres of green pasture, in a completely peaceful location, this is a real 'step back in time' escape in the heart of the hills of Carmarthenshire, West Wales, yet easily accessed from the M4 at Carmarthen and only 11 miles (16-minute drive) from the coast at Laugharne. The detached cottage has one of the best surviving traditional Welsh cottage interiors (built in 1755) and is furnished with Welsh country antiques. Stay here for peaceful days in the countryside or head to a choice of beaches and fantastic coastal walks, and attractive small market towns.

If you enjoy a sense of rural seclusion, and genuine country interiors restored to a high specification then you will LOVE Bryn Eglur. There really is nowhere else like it to rent in Wales, and it's under 2 miles from Trelech with shop and country pub.

Fel welwyd yng nghylchgrawn ' World of Interiors', Bryn Eglur yw un o'r bythynnod mwyaf dymunol a thraddodiadol yng Nghymru. Wedi ei leoli mewn 12 erw o borfeydd gwelltog, lawr lon breifat, dyma le 'gwbl ddi-ar-ffordd' i ddianc, yng nghalon bryniau Sir Gaerfyrddin , ond o fewn cyrraedd rhwydd i'r M4 yng Nghaerfyrddin. Mae tu fewn y bwthyn wedi ei addurno'n draddodiadol Gymraeg (adeiladwyd yn 1755) ac wedi'i ddodrefnu drwyddo a dodrefn hynafol.  Allan o gannoedd o fythynnod traddodiadol Cymraeg mae gan hwn rhai o'r ystafelloedd mewnol mwyaf hanesyddol yng Nghymru, ac mae wedi cael ei bortreadu ar nifer o raglennu teledu ac mewn cylchgronnau.

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latest review

Gorgeous cottage, a great place to study and work. I was able to hotspot from my phone from the bedroom (giffgaff, 1-2 bars of 4G), signal pretty good over the rest of the house (3G). Very well stocke...

2024

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good to know

arrival at
15:00
depart by
10:00
guests
4
pets
pets welcome (more than 3 contact us upon booking)
bed layout
Master Double, Double

facilities at Bryn Eglur

bathroom
bath
general
farm or rural location
open fire / woodburner
infants
young children welcome

map - location

in detail

No wifi broadband internet but we found a reasonable 4G signal in most of the house on the EE network.

Kitchen: Rayburn stove (solid fuel) that runs hot water and underfloor heating to the ground floor. Fridge-freezer and hob and electric oven. Microwave, toaster. Filter coffee machine for ground coffee and stove-top espresso maker. Doors to outside.

Dining room in the former parlour with antique Welsh oak dresser, longcase clock etc. Some nice Georgian pieces. A nice, peaceful room to write in.

Cegin Fawr is the main room of the house (literally the 'Great Kitchen'). Working inglenook with genuine Victorian cast-iron range. Welsh stick chairs, settles and an Ercol sofa and chair.

Bathroom (ground floor) in former dairy with contemporary roll-top bath and modern designer fittings, heated towel rail.

Main bedroom with antique cast iron double bed and other country antiques, lovely views. Electric radiator. The antique bed is 6" narrower than a modern double.

Second bedroom with double Welsh box-bed (sleeps 2). One of the best beds we have on our books, but note it is slightly shorter and narrower than a modern bed and therefore not suitable for, say, two tall adults. This room is entered from the main bedroom.

Gardens front and rear and fields on all four sides are yours to explore.

local area

  • Trelech - pub, shop - 2 miles
  • Cenarth waterfalls - 5 miles
  • Dylan Thomas' Boathouse - See his writing 'hut, favourite pub - 15 miles
  • The National Botanic Garden of Wales - 20 miles
  • National Woollen Museum - History of weaving /spinning in Wales - 6 mins.
  • Aberporth beach  - 25 mins.
  • New Quay beach (dolphin boat trips)
  • Newcastle Emlyn (castle, food) - 15 mins.

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customer reviews for Bryn Eglur

Gorgeous cottage, a great place to study and work. I was able to hotspot from my phone from the bedroom (giffgaff, 1-2 bars of 4G), signal pretty good over the rest of the house (3G). Very well stocked kitchen with sharp knives. Appliances easy to use. Really comfy bed with soft bedsheets & feather duvet

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2024

We cannot recommend Bryn Eglur enough. From the moment we arrived, we felt so at home in this beautiful cottage. Dorian has created a very special place indeed, and the attention to detail is wonderful. We had some fantastic day trips, visited the beautiful Pembrokeshire coastline and many amazing castles, but our most favourite thing to do was to return to the cottage and spend our evenings relaxing in front of the fire. Thank you Dorian, we hope to return soon.

- Jen M,
2023

It was just perfect!

- Jan L,
2023

Absolutely beautiful cottage surrounded by gorgeous gardens and fields which you approach down a long track. The surrounding countryside is fantastic with lots of walks, spectacular beaches and waterfalls. We were a family of four. The cottage has been carefully decorated to preserve many period features and is stunning. My two teenage daughters found their beautiful box bed a little short. The house was well equipped and has a large kitchen. We thoroughly enjoyed staying there and had a great holiday.

- Tanya T,
2022

The guest book is full - with many guests passing through. We are delighted to have been one of them to experience a truly wonderful slice of Welsh history. If you are of a slightly bigger build, be aware the beds are small. Location makes it easily accessible to different coastlines. The kitchen is equipped with basic wares, and is looking a little tired. We would highly recommend a stay here.

- Joanna M,
2022

Very special cottage in a beautiful part of Wales. We loved our short stay and were so lucky with the weather. The cottage was cosy and comfortable and so beautifully refurbished using the perfect balance of original features and furnishings and modern comforts. No WiFi was a real treat!

- Kate B,
2022

What a wonderful, peaceful house! We thoroughly enjoyed our much needed weekend away. Heaven. Thank you . (PS. the guest book is full.)

- Sisi J,
2022

We much enjoyed our stay in Carmarthenshire. The renovation / restoration of the cottage is in itself amazing. It certainly meant that one thought about what life had been like over the many years that the cottage has been occupied. The lack of a TV and the internet definitely improved the experience. Going forward I realise that I will need to aim for properties with a shower as struggling into and particularly out of a deep bath wasn`t easy although it did lead to a joint fit of serious giggles on one occasion when I really wasn`t sure that I wasn`t going to be calling the fire brigade to extricate me. One definite improvement we would have liked would have been outside seating areas to catch the morning and evening sun as that can be one of the most enjoyable parts of being out in a lovely very quiet piece of countryside.

- Adrian northall ,
2021

The house and gardens are truly idyllic. We loved the pared down simplicity of the furnishings and the feeling that you were stepping back in time. The only small suggestion I could give for improving this beautiful place is to have some outdoor seating so you could eat or drink outside in your peaceful haven. ( we picnicking on a blanket instead !)

- Alison B,
2021

Wonderful stay at this beautiful restored cottage. The attention to detail is amazing . Unforgettable stay for our Wedding Anniversary.

- Karin M,
2020

The cottage was great, it really transported us to another time. It felt like part holiday part living archeology excursion! The owner has performed a service to the national and restoring the cottage. The only thing that could have been better was there was no fire lighters or newspaper when we arrived in the evening, so the first night was cold. Dave

- David gillett ,
2019

This is a lovely place to stay. The nights are black and there's nothing but birdsong to be heard, a very beautiful place and so tranquil. Welcomed by Mrs Jones, the cat, evenings sat in front of the wood burner, what a beautiful place to unwind. Some good food locally too, although nowhere is too local to this peaceful place :-)

- Phillip F,
2019

Simply wonderful - the definitive way to repair your cottage. Thanks Dorian for the opportunity to stay at Bryn Eglur. The reality far surpassed the expectations built up from many years of seeing the cottage in the media. Centrally placed for West Wales attractions, though my daughter (Keira, 11) would happily have stayed all day at the cottage in the company of Mrs Jones (your cat) - and Keira never mentioned the absence of a TV once! Thanks to Greg, too, for UTT collecting all these gems together in one place.

- Roger Y,
2019

Excellent. Just as the photographs showed. No negative comments

- Gordon whittaker W,
2019

Lovely cottage, beautifully restored and furnished.

- John B,
2018

Bryn Eglur is as atmospheric as described, a really evocative recreation of a simple Welsh cottage (albeit with a lovely deep bath, lots of hot water, and a big airy kitchen - all beyond the wildest dreams of its original tenants). Dorian is rightly very proud of it, Bryn Eglur is a real labour of love, knowledge and affection. We found it very comfortable and so nice not to be surrounded by random modern stuff and clutter - it is beautifully furnished. The location is fantastic, close to both north and south Pembrokeshire coasts, but it's almost a shame to spend time away from the cottage. Not least, of course, as we had a thing going on with Mrs Jones, the absolutely delightful and well-mannered house cat, who we fell in love with. She is the spirit of the place, definitely. Thank you Dorian, we hope to return. Nicola and Mac

- Nicola K,
2018

We had a lovely time at the cottage,at first we found it a bit dark but then grew to love and appreciate it. It is probably my favorite cottage and cant wait to return . I think the only negative was that i found the bedroom to warm but my partner found it just right .We met Dorian and he was very helpful . We were also lucky enough to meet mrs jones and she appreciated her evening feed. We found the cottage very clean and comfortable ..it was so nice to come back after a day of sight seeing and put a blanket out in the garden ..pure bliss .ten out of ten ,,will recommend to friends and family

- David D,
2018

What a magical place for a solitary retreat! And the icing on the cake a visit from the worlds most affectionate cat. :)

- Vicky M,
2018

This charming cottage was quite magnificent. My husband and I spent an idyllic 3 nights enjoying the tranquillity provided in comfortable surroundings enjoying the beautiful Welsh antiques the property houses. We also had the good fortune to meet Dorian, the owner, whose hospitality and kindness were second to none and enjoyed a coffee and an interesting and informative chat on where he had sourced such antiquities. It was very much appreciated and an extra special touch. Thank you Dorian, hope to see you again soon. xx

- Linda P,
2017

We really enjoyed our stay at Bryn Eglur. The cottage is beautifully kept and restored very authentically. It's within good distance to do lots of trips out to local castles / attractions such as Newcastle Emlyn, Laugharne and Tenby, as well as lovely stretches of Welsh coastlines. It also comes with a friendly cat, Mrs Jones, who was a big hit with our two daughters!

- Amy R,
2017

We all really enjoyed our time at Bryn Eglur. The cottage was everything we had hoped for and the surrounding coast and country beautiful. We didnt want to leave, especially after spending the week with the wonderful, Mrs Jones.

- Christopher W,
2017

I've wanted to stay at Bryn Eglur for years after seeing it on tv and in country living magazine - it's careful resurrection is a credit to Dorian. It is the perfect house - with a peaceful calm which is unique. It is simple and without fuss so may not suit those who want all of 21 century conveniences but for us it was perfect - a beautiful taste of history - with hot baths too!

- Amy F,
2017

excellent, charming tranquil and in excellent taste

- Kate W,
2017

Wow, Bryn Eglur is absolutely stunning & just so magical. We had such a wonderful cosy relaxed stay in this beautiful cottage with everything we needed in such a gorgeous location. We were so sad at having to leave, but will be back again for sure (we wanted to stay forever) Dorian and Catrin were so lovely & welcoming & made everything perfect. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you xx

- Yvonne H,
2017

We visited this delightful cottage for my birthday in November. The location was just perfect and we certainly had the "get away from it all" experience we were looking for. I would advise that you arrive with enough provisions as the cottage is some distance from the shops. The setting is idyllic and we had a lovely walk across the back field to see the cows. The cottage is just as the website describes it. We loved the wood burner and the lounge was so cozy. There was even a resident moggy called Mrs Jones. We explored the local area and I would highly recommend Carmarthen for the ships and the best fish and chips are to be found at Morgan's Chip shop in the town. We had a fantastic day at Carreg Cennen Castle which is a must see. We wouldn't hesitate in recommending this wonderful cottage for a romantic and peaceful getaway in the most amazing setting.

- Helen B,
2016

We had a lovely time. Cottage was quaint and traditional. Modern kitchen, fairly well equipped. Enjoyed cosying by the fire.

- Kathy dyke ,
2016

An incredible experience which has already left us with the most happy memories. We have enjoyed this part of Wales very much, it's many, many sandy beaches, interesting places to visit, the sunshine !. But most of all the feeling of 'coming home' to Bryn Eglur each day, the cottage waiting for us set in its secluded location away from the everyday norm. Just perfect. Our two young children (4 & 7) adapted as is they never knew another existence, happy to invent old fashioned play without the necessity of modern day gadgets, they drew, read, investigated the extensive grounds, made scrap books - loved the resident cat 'Mrs Jones' and nannied her will love an affection, leaving us parents to enjoy a glass (or two) and read undisturbed. Bryan Eglur offers a time warp break - do your homework, go prepared (jumper, hat, slippers anytime of year) and you will be sure to enjoy. This has surpassed our expectations and the cottage is a triumph, testimony to the owner, the lovely Dorian, who appeared to greet us shortly after arrival and ensured we were comfortable. 10/10.

- Gary L,
2016

Bryn Eglur We hadn't actually planned to come to Carmarthenshire. In fact, we hadn't actually planned to rent a cottage at all. We have our own eighteenth century dilapidated cottage which we are currently renovating. However, one evening we were on the internet, searching out images of cottage fireplaces and chanced upon photos of Bryn Eglur. The pictures very much resonated with what we are trying to create here in our own home, and the thought surfaced: why not spend a week at Bryn Eglur soaking in the atmosphere and seeing how someone else's vision became a reality? Bryn Eglur offers the chance to slip back in time to a quieter, calmer world. The house itself is tucked away from the road in a fold of the Carmarthenshire landscape. If you didn't know it was there, you would probably never stumble upon it. The bumpy lane to the cottage inevitably slows you down even before you arrive, and you are lavishly compensated for the change of pace by wild flowers in the hedgerows and the red kite overhead. Even when you have parked the car, the cottage still remains hidden. You need to step carefully down the narrow stony path through the bushes, then round the corner before you actually stand at the front of the whitewashed stone house. In all the excitement of arrival it is easy to overlook the beautiful plank doors and the neat cottage windows with their Georgian panes. Once the front door opens, you step back in time, onto rugged slate-flagged floors, between wooden partitions under low beamed ceilings. The rooms are furnished with pieces of dark rustic furniture, all polished with use, while the windows allow glimpses of greenery and flowers. The well-lit whitewashed bathroom where the warm stone floors offer instant pleasure is a delightful compromise with the needs of the modern world. A restored barn beside the main building houses the spacious kitchen. Up the creaky wooden steps we went to sleep rather too well under a soft duvet on a comfy iron-framed bed. For Meg, our young bull terrier, the gardens and grounds were perfect. She had lawns for games, undergrowth to explore, a pond to drink from, foxy scents to sniff, places to bask in the sun and, at the other side of the field, cows to watch. She quickly adapted to the new house-rules, and felt that getting in the car to leave Bryn Eglur was a very bad idea. On the whole, we tended to agree, and as we were blessed with a week of warm sunshine, we too found our secluded sunbathing spots. We are definitely planning to come back to Carmarthenshire, now that we appreciate what it has to offer. It would be very tempting to return to Bryn Eglur once our own restoration project has moved on. And as for the cottage fireplace, the ingle-nook is very charming, but it just won't work in our own home. We are going to have to keep looking, so this evening it's back to the internet!

- Adrian D,
2016

This is the most wonderful cottage, set in the most beautiful countryside. The owner, Dorian, was very welcoming and the cottage exceeded our expectations in every way - we will be booking to stay there again!

- Steve D,
2016

The cottage was beautifully simple and simply beautiful. Ideal escape from modern life in a wonderfully restored cottage.

- Simon edwards ,
2016

We had a lovely time at Bryn Eglur, the cottage was perfect. It was like stepping back in time with the addition of some hidden modern comforts like underfloor heating. Quiet and peaceful, a perfect place to relax and unwind. We enjoyed a lovely walk along the costal path near Llangranog and visited the waterfalls at Cenarth. Friendly local pubs like the Nags Head at Abercych served great food at reasonable prices.

- Jackie walsh ,
2016

Staying at Bryn Eglur is a magical experience: it really is like being given the keys to one of the cottages in St Fagan's welsh folk museum. We enjoyed

- Susan O,
2015

"This is a must see cottage". The attention to detail leaves you spending your time wandering around admiring the amount of effort that has been put into it. It has a wonderful back garden with beautiful countryside surrounding it and woods at one end. The stars were incredible at night and we had such a peaceful time we will definitely be back there again!

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2015

"Thank you for a warm and cosy winter break- fantastic. The sunshine even paid a visit and we saw loads of Buzzards & red kites over the cottage. A holiday we wont forget !" ~ Claire & Simon from Shropshire

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2014

"I adore Welsh Vernacular buildings and furniture, so this cottage has been a wonderful place to stay for a week. My wife summed it up when she told people back home 'its like living in one of those buildings in St Fagan's museum of rural life'! A lovely quiet and remote cottage which has been brought back to life, well done ! " ~ Andrew & Diane Gadd

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2014

"When we asked whether this beautiful home would be suitable for a honeymoon we were assured that it was, but we never expected anything as fabulous as this. The effort made in the renovation was really worth it - the cottage is a permanent reminder of the past days, without losing any of the luxury of modern times. The bedrooms are cosy and we both enjoyed the longest lie-ins for over a year! This has simply been one of the best holidays ever !" ~ Rebecca & Brian who honeymooned .

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2014