We arrived at Pontbrenmydyr Cottage on a fine spring afternoon in April. The cottage is a 17th Century Welsh Clom made from mud. It has been restored by the National Trust and is situated on the edge of the Llanerchaeron Estate in Ceridigion.

The cottage is well equipped inside with modern facilities.

The bed was very comfy though quite high for bears to climb up into!

We quite liked the unusual bear sized rocking chair.

In the living room there is a modern woodburning stove and an old bread oven.

The bathroom still has the cow stalls, and a very big bath.

The original clom cottage has a thatched roof with a corrogated iron ‘hat’ over the top. The bedroom and bathroom (originally a stable) were added later.

After unpacking we enjoyed the complimentary biscuits and tea.

We were quite tired after the journey (we visited Raglan Castle on the way) and were happy to get an early night.

I made porridge for breakfast at it is Growler’s favourite food.

After breakfast we went and sat by the stream at the end of the garden.

Growler learnt to knit while we were at Pontbrenmydyr!

He just kept going once he had got the hang of it….

About 12 hours later, when I was ready for bed, Growler finished his jumper!

We went exploring early one morning….

We found the solar water heating panels for the cottage.

Growler was also very interested in the air source heat pumps that were keeping the cottage warm.

We didn’t need to use the woodburner at all, which was a shame as we quite enjoy sitting by one but it was warm enough without it!

One of the extra buildings joining on the cottage is a very useful utility room.

I needed to wash my dungarees and also some human clothes.

The sun was shining and the washing dried very quickly on the rack in the cottage garden.

We enjoyed several lunches sat in the sunshine outside the cottage.

Growler was jolly pleased to find a chess set. He won as usual though!

The humans fed us well and we enjoyed evening meals sat at the dining table.

We went for many walks around the nearby Llanerchaeron woods, which were especially beautiful while we were there with wild garlic everywhere.

It is possible to walk to nearby Aberaeron along a footpath, which is about 2 miles away.

National Trust Llanerchaeron Estate is a ten minute walk across a field. There are lots of interesting things to see there. Growler got tired legs while were walking round so he got into the wheelchair.

We loved staying at Pontbrenmydyr Cottage and exploring some of West Wales.

For more about the cottage see: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/holidays/wales/pontbrenmydyr

Horace the Alresford Bear 3/5/2025