Christian Holiday Apartment, Pembrokeshire

Christian Holiday Apartment, Pembrokeshire — On the Tidal Teifi Estuary

Flat 9, Glanteifion is a genuine Christian holiday apartment, Pembrokeshire, break: a ground-floor apartment with a conservatory and garden overlooking the tidal Teifi estuary, in the village of St Dogmaels. Sleeping up to six across two bedrooms and a sofa bed, it’s a comfortable base for exploring the wider Christian holidays in Wales, with a boat slipway and public pontoon directly opposite for children to catch crabs, watch the tide, or simply take in the estuary views. Cardigan, with its supermarkets, shops and restaurants, is just a mile and a half away, and St Dogmaels’ own village store, market and pub are all within easy walking distance.

St Dogmaels itself takes its name from a 6th-century Welsh saint, and the abbey ruins mentioned only in passing in most guides deserve real attention: founded around 1113 by Robert fitz Martin, who brought thirteen monks from the French monastery of Tiron, it became the only Tironensian house ever established in Wales or England, built on the site of an even older Celtic church dating back to at least 600 AD. The chronicler and clergyman Gerald of Wales visited in 1188 while recruiting support for the Third Crusade, and the abbey survived until its dissolution in 1536; its restored coach house is now a small museum telling that story in full.

A short drive north, the tiny whitewashed Church of the Holy Cross at Mwnt has stood on its clifftop, sheltered by the conical hill behind it, since the “Age of the Saints” around 410 to 700 AD, though the present building dates from the 13th century. Originally a sailors’ chapel of ease, it also served medieval pilgrims travelling between St Davids and Bardsey Island, back when two pilgrimages to St Davids were reckoned equal to one to Rome, and three to a journey all the way to Jerusalem. Its 13th-century font, carved from Preseli stone, still survives inside, and the beach below is regularly rated among the finest in Europe.

Cardigan’s own castle has its own claim to fame: rebuilt in stone around 1170 by the Welsh prince Lord Rhys, it hosted the very first Eisteddfod in 1176, a Christmas gathering of poets and musicians now recognised as the forerunner of Wales’s national festival of culture. The castle changed hands repeatedly between Welsh and Norman lords over the following centuries before falling into dereliction, and it was only restored in 2015 after years of campaigning. The castle and its riverside gardens are once again open to explore, a short walk from the flat.

Poppit Sands and Mwnt Bay are both within three miles for beach days, with further beaches at Newport, Llangrannog, Tresaith and Aberporth for those willing to travel a little further, and summer boat trips run out to Cardigan Island to spot dolphins and grey seals. St Davids Cathedral is within easy reach for a longer day out, and the Preseli Hills and Gwaun Valley offer a quieter, hillier alternative to the coast. Clergy and paid church staff receive a 10 percent discount, and the whole flat is genuinely well-suited to a relaxed, restorative week by the water.

Perfect for:

Clergy and church staff, with a 10 percent discount on any stay
History and pilgrimage interest, with St Dogmaels Abbey and Mwnt’s ancient chapel close by
Families, with crabbing off the slipway and beaches at Poppit Sands and Mwnt Bay
Birdwatchers and nature lovers, with the tidal Teifi estuary right outside the window
Walkers, with the 186-mile Pembrokeshire Coast Path beginning just outside the flat
Wildlife enthusiasts, with summer boat trips to see dolphins and seals off Cardigan Island
Longer stays exploring both the coast and the quieter Preseli Hills inland

Location

Flat 9, Glanteifion, The Moorings, St Dogmaels, Pembrokeshire SA43 3GF

How to get there:

Normally by car.

Nearest rail stations are Carmarthen, Fishguard and Aberystwyth.

Carmarthen has M4 access routes.

There are regular bus services between Cardigan and St Dogmaels, between Cardigan and Aberystwyth, and between Cardigan and Haverfordwest via Fishguard.

There is a regular ferry crossing from Fishguard (20 miles) to Ireland (Rosslare), that sometimes includes day ferry excursions.

Nearest Town:

St Dogmaels is ½ mile, Cardigan is 1½ miles, Carmarthen and Haverfordwest are 26 miles, Tenby is 32 miles, Aberystwyth is 38 miles. St Davids is 35 miles.

Facilities

The accommodation is a ground floor apartment in a striking location, It offers easy access features, but limited disabled provision.

There is a spacious lounge, a dining area that seats six, a well equipped kitchen, and a bathroom with a walk-in shower. There are two bedrooms, one double, the other with two single beds. There is also a comfortable bed settee in the lounge, so there can be sleeping provision for up to six people. A travel cot is available for use with small children.

The conservatory overlooks the tidal estuary of the River Teifi, and provides a relaxing quiet space with spectacular views all year round. The lawned garden and patio overlook the river and include outdoor furniture. Immediately opposite the flat is a boat slipway to the Teifi estuary and a public pontoon – providing opportunity for children to have fun catching the most frequently caught crabs in Wales….and plan crab races down the slipway!!

A generous car parking area to the rear has dedicated parking space for the accommodation. The apartment is all electric, including night storage heaters in all rooms – electricity costs are included in the charges.

Bedding is provided. Guests are asked to provide their own towels. An iron and a spin-dryer are provided, and there is a TV with a DVD player and a wide range of DVDs. A local BT hotspot enables wifi connectivity, and is free to existing BT customers, with short term rates available to others.