Plum Lodge

Why you'll love staying here

Situated just seven miles from the market town of Lampeter, Plum is a timber eco-lodge on a working farm with beautiful views across the Aeron Valley. Cleverly designed, the octagonal lodge is constructed from Scots pines beams and upcycled materials, while sheep’s wool insulation, a turf roof, underfloor heating, and a wood burning stove keep things warm on cooler days. Ideal for a family or couple looking to explore the countryside and coast of West Wales.

Outside, the lodge benefits from a private patio complete with a barbecue and jacuzzi style hot tub. On site facilities include a games barn, a children’s play park with a pirate ship, and a wood-fired pizza oven available to hire.

The farm is managed according to organic principles using red and white clover to feed its herd of traditional Hereford cattle, flocks of black Welsh mountain and rare Llanwenog sheep, and pigs in summer. Hedgerows and field margins provide habitats for native wildflowers, insects, butterflies, birds, bats, and small mammals. Hay meadows have been restored, and over 14,000 trees have been planted to create acres of woodland which guests are welcome to explore. The owners offer guided tours along the numerous trails that run through the farm with the opportunity to meet the animals, collect fresh eggs, and spot red kites circling overhead.

There is also a shop on site where guests can buy organic beef and lamb, free-range eggs laid by the hens, knitting wool, and other goods produced on the farm.

Despite its rural location, Plum is just eight miles from the Cardigan Bay coast renowned for its sandy beaches, rugged cliffs, pretty harbour towns, and abundance of marine life such bottlenose dolphins, harbour porpoises, and grey seals. The National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth is well worth a visit with thousands of books, manuscripts, periodicals, maps, photographs, artworks, and exhibitions to browse.

Other attractions nearby include the National Trust’s Llanerchaeron, a Georgian villa designed by John Nash, with a walled garden, acres of parkland with a lake, and a historic farmyard; Dolaucothi, Britain’s only known Roman gold mine where visitors can take an underground tour and try their hand at gold panning; The Magic of Life Butterfly House home to hundreds of free-flying butterflies in a simulated rainforest environment; and Llain Activity Centre offering assault courses, climbing, orienteering, archery, coasteering, watersports, and more.

Lampeter is the UK’s smallest university town with a Neo-gothic Old Building modelled after an Oxford Quadrangle. It is also home to the Welsh Quilt Centre that houses a collection of colourful Welsh quilts, blankets, shawls, and other textiles. The town has a good range of shops including supermarkets, high street brands, and independent retailers, as well as plenty of places to eat and drink.