Tal y Gaer Cottage

Why you'll love staying here

Tal y Gaer Cottage is a traditional white-washed farmhouse nestled at the foot of Garn Faw, a rocky volcanic outcrop near the tiny hamlet of Trefasser. Set on a beef smallholding, the cottage enjoys magnificent sea views stretching from Strumble Head to St Davids Head, with the Pembrokeshire Coast Path right on its doorstep.

The house has been thoughtfully converted to retain many original features while offering modern comfort. Throughout, you’ll find an appealing mix of furniture, artwork, and decorative pieces inspired by the farm and the local area.

At the heart of the home is the welcoming sitting room, furnished with plenty of comfortable seating and antique pine pieces. Period features, including timber beams, exposed brickwork, and thick lime-washed walls, add character and charm. The highlight of the room is the large inglenook fireplace, which houses a cosy wood-burning stove and an original Welsh settle, the perfect place to curl up with a good book and a glass of wine. For quieter moments, there is also a snug at the foot of the stairs, complete with a charming reading desk, books, and local information, or you can retreat to the sunny conservatory, an ideal spot for morning coffee and planning the day’s adventures.

The designated chef will love the spacious galley-style country kitchen, with cream shaker-style cabinets and a slate floor that complement the farmhouse’s rustic character. It is well equipped with modern integrated appliances and everything needed for preparing meals. The owners also leave a generous welcome hamper of local produce, perfect for adding a delicious regional touch to your home-cooked dishes.

Adjacent to the kitchen is a large dining room with a beamed ceiling, an ornamental cast-iron fireplace, and a window seat offering delightful views across farmland to the sea. A small selection of board games encourages families to enjoy a friendly competition after dinner.

Completing the ground floor is a contemporary bathroom with floor-to-ceiling tiles and a pine colour-washed ceiling, offering the choice of a relaxing bath or a refreshing shower.

Upstairs are two beautifully presented bedrooms, both designed with comfort in mind. Each room has original wide pine floorboards and vaulted wooden ceilings, with beds dressed in high-quality linens and soft Welsh blankets to ensure a peaceful night’s sleep.

Outside, a large lawned garden with mature shrubs wraps around the cottage, providing plenty of space for children to play and dogs to run around. A patio with a stone table, benches and a barbecue is a delightful spot for a leisurely lunch, from where you can soak up the sea views and watch cattle grazing in the nearby fields.

The harbour town of Fishguard is just a short drive away and offers a fantastic range of independent shops, galleries, and restaurants. Walk up to Fishguard Fort to see its four beautifully restored cannons and the former ammunition storehouse, and to enjoy incredible views across the surrounding coastline. History buffs will also appreciate the Last Invasion Tapestry, housed in Fishguard Town Hall, which depicts the last ever invasion of mainland Britain, when a French force landed three miles west of the town in 1797.

Fishguard also offers a choice of beaches. Goodwick Sands, a popular stretch of sand and shingle with a small promenade and shallow waters ideal for paddling, is a family favourite. If you’re lucky, you may spot seals bobbing in the bay, or even a dolphin or basking shark out to sea.

Just outside the town centre lies Dyffryn Fernant Garden, a stunning six-acre modern garden that has evolved beautifully within its ancient landscape. It has several distinct areas, including the flamboyant Front Garden with its seasonal container planting, the atmospheric Bog Garden anchored by a striking obelisk, and Nicky’s Field, a geometric display of ornamental grasses leading towards a tranquil pond.

No visit to this part of Pembrokeshire is complete without a trip to Ramsey Island, around half an hour’s drive from Tal y Gaer Cottage. The RSPB reserve is reached by boat from nearby St Davids and boasts dramatic cliffs that provide nesting sites for seabirds such as kittiwakes, fulmars, shags, razorbills, and puffins, as well as flocks of choughs, ravens, and jackdaws. The island is also an important breeding site for grey seals, with around 400 pups born each autumn along its secluded coves.