Creatively converted barn in accessible rural spot

Tucked away in a woody hollow, Esgair Barn is the perfect place for a refreshing break in unspoilt Carmarthenshire. Recently converted from a barn it’s now a comfortable holiday home. There’s plenty of space here for outdoor time and fresh air whether or not attractions are open, but you should be aware it might not be quite as it was and may change again. Local attractions are beginning to open up again, and we’ll provide details of cafes/ restaurants offering take-away services when you are here via our social media. Whether you’re planning an energising itinerary of hiking or biking or just want to get away from it all you’ll be happy here. Fans of trees, hills, rivers, castles, beaches, wool and even gin will not be disappointed. You are welcomed into the barn through the large porch with plenty of space for wet coats and boots, and somewhere to sit while you prise them off. The living room The living room is a grand double-height room with sofas and a big table and banquette to seat you all in comfort. The windows look out over the fields and stream to one side, and a small gravelled private patio on the other. There’s a wood-burning stove to keep you extra cosy, and some good old-fashioned board games and jigsaws in case it rains. We’ll be dividing up the games/ books/ extras we provide and swapping them between guests so you can still enjoy them. TV provided but you’ll be too busy watching the birds and squirrels. The kitchen Food can be a big feature of a holiday, so we’ve stuffed the kitchen with everything we could think of to help you whip up a feast (or heat up a pizza). You’ll find: • A range oven • A microwave • Plenty of pots, pans and utensils including baking equipment • Lots of crockery and serving dishes • A fridge freezer • A dishwasher • A washer/dryer and airer There’s also a sofa and stools so you can keep the chef(s) company while they cook. We've reduced the equipment available slightly to enable us to clean it all thoroughly between guests, and taken out things like salt, pepper, sugar and oil, but if you are short of anything please let us know. Bedrooms Bedroom 1, downstairs, with a huge superking bed and easy access to wet room next door. Wardrobe and large chest of drawers for all your gubbins. This used to be where the donkey slept but is now ideal for grandparents. Can also be made up as twin beds on request. Bedroom 2, twin beds with skylight for watching the stars. Features desk from the now sadly closed village school. Can also be made up as superking on request. Bedroom 3, comfortable kingsize bed, wardrobe and chest of drawers. Everything you need for a good night’s sleep. Challenge you to find something to hang on all the pegs! Bedroom 4, cast iron kingsize bed, wardrobe, chest of drawers and a woolly friend. En-suite shower room. Bathrooms There’s a large wet room on the ground floor with toilet, sink and walk-in shower with seat. It has underfloor heating and a heated towel rail. There’s a retro-style family bathroom upstairs with a bath, toilet, sink and heated towel rail. There’s an en-suite shower room off one of the upstairs bedrooms with toilet, sink, electric shower and heated towel rail. We’ve had fun decorating the barn with characterful furniture and décor, and been inspired by all the talented artists and crafts people living locally. We’ve included locally produced items where we can. Guest access The barn is in the middle of our land, which you are welcome to explore and picnic in. There is a little-used footpath right outside the barn and spectacular views of the Brecon Beacons from the top field. There are trees to climb and a shallow stream (behind a gate). There’s a bonfire area in one field if you get the urge to toast marshmallows, and we can supply suitable wood. Please note that the barn is recently finished and we’re still perfecting the landscaping! It gets really dark at night, and if it’s clear you can see the Milky Way. We have a pet alpaca whose bedroom is close to the barn. He is sociable and curious but please note that he can be a bit nibbly and he’s not totally keen on men. Please treat him carefully and with respect and ask if you would like to be introduced. Also, we do sometimes host sheep from a neighbouring farm, so it’s really important to close gates behind you. Interaction with guests Our house is opposite the barn, across a courtyard. We live here with our two cats and an elderly gentleman alpaca. We’re happy to chat and offer advice at a safe distance, but if you prefer to be left to your own devices that’s fine too. We love exploring the area and can provide recommendations for places to visit and good places to get takeaway locally if restaurants and cafes remain closed. OTHER THINGS TO NOTE Family friendly The barn is ideal for family gatherings with plenty of room to eat together, sit, chat, play games and have fun. Esgair Barn is a great place for kids. They can paddle in the (shallow) stream, climb trees, listen out for the resident tawny owls, and see the Milky Way. We can provide a highchair, stair gates and travel cot on request. Our daughter can provide her own recommendations for outings that meet her approval and the best places for ice cream (there are lots). There is a ground-floor bedroom and bathroom for anyone who struggles with stairs so you can bring the great grandparents too. Although we’re keen for you to relax and enjoy yourselves while staying with us, we’re sorry but we can’t accept bookings from rowdy hen or stag groups. More sedate groups welcome. Walkers and cyclists welcome The barn is located on a public footpath and Carmarthenshire has lots of fabulous places to explore on foot. We’re also close to mountain bike trails and the route of the Tour of Britain. There is a large porch with space for wet coats and muddy boots, a lockable bike store, and a bath to soak in on your return. Things to bring • For your safety (and ours) we are now asking that guests bring towels and pillows with them. We provide all other bedding, tea towels, dish cloths and cleaning products, and a few dishwasher tablets and loo rolls to get you started. • Waterproofs: Sometimes it rains in Wales, believe it or not. Even in summer. Wellies: Esgair Barn is down a track and surrounded by fields. There will be mud. Even in summer. • Vests: the barn is cosy with underfloor heating and a wood burner, but it is colder out West than you might be used to at home. Even in summer. • Cash: There are cashpoints locally, but never quite where/when you need them. • Toiletries: we are not on mains drainage so please use biodegradable/ environmentally friendly shampoos/shower gels if possible. Cleaning and Covid-19 You are able to check in using our key safe and we'll send you the code and our manual in advance of your arrival. We are updating our cleaning procedure to include ventilating, disinfecting and steam cleaning, and we'll be keeping at least a 48 hour gap between bookings. We’ll be removing consumables like salt/pepper/sugar/oil, and dividing up the games/ books we provide and swapping them between guests so you can still enjoy them. For your safety (and ours) we are now asking that guests bring towels and pillows with them. We will ask you to strip the beds on leaving and put all rubbish in the bins outside. To fulfil the Government’s requirement for Test and Trace in the event of any infection, we’ll need you to supply contact details for all guests to include their name, address, telephone number and email address prior to arrival. Contact details stored in relation to Covid-19 NHS Test and Trace will be stored for six months and will not be used for any other purpose. Technology and data There is reasonable 3G/4G signal on Vodafone and EE. Please note that it can be affected by the weather! We have signal on our phones if you forgot to cancel the milk at home and get really stuck. Wifi internet is included. We have an internet-enabled FreeSat TV so you can log in to your Netflix account if you wish. Bluetooth speaker provided. Radio signal is poor (the downside of being surrounded by beautiful trees!). Water and the environment Esgair Barn is not on mains drainage and the sewage and waste water is treated by a dedicated biodigester unit before being fed into the stream. Please don’t flush anything other than wee, poo and paper, and use biodegradable/ environmentally friendly shampoos/shower gels if possible. We'll provide environmentally friendly disinfectant in case you need it. The barn is heated using an air-source heat pump with underfloor heating, and powered by solar panels and a green energy electricity supplier. Please use the recycling and compost bins provided. The wood burner We’ll supply enough dry wood to get you started and can provide top ups for a reasonable additional cost. Dogs and pets We live here with our two cats and elderly gentleman alpaca, and often have sheep grazing the fields, so we’re really sorry but no pets are allowed, not even small ones!