The owners of a unique holiday on a Mid Wales hill farm are doing their bit to introduce children from towns and cities to the wonders of the countryside.
Ty Gwyn Farm is tucked away in the rolling hills of the old county of Radnorshire – now part of the huge county of Powys – just over two miles from the Victorian spa town of Llandrindod Wells.
The farm offers holidays in The Straw Cottage, which, as the name suggest is built of straw, has no electricity and is surrounded by its own two acres on the farm. The cottage provides an escape from today’s technology driven world.
Whilst the cottage offers a great romantic break or a place for recharging batteries for adults, for children it means a place where they can run free and explore.
“I would like to think that in our own small way we can introduce children to the countryside and help them learn about the animals and plants around them,” explains Margot Porter, of Ty Gwyn Farm. “We hope they will find out that some of the real simple pleasures of life are more exciting and interesting than the virtual world on their mobile ‘phone or tablet.
“A recent study by Natural England shows that an increasingly large proportion of children in England are losing touch with nature. The study found that one in nine children has not visited a natural environment in the past year.
“I hope that here in Wales more of our children experience the freedom of exploring the countryside but it is a sad fact of life that so many children don’t have the great outdoors as their playground.
“It has been most rewarding and sometimes surprising to see how much the children enjoy just being at the cottage, pond dipping and building dens – we have had some great dens built!
“Sometimes they can start by being a bit nervous but by the end of their stay, their parents can’t get them away! In fact one dad told me that there was no point taking the children out as they kept asking when they could go back to the farm!”
In the cottage there are books to identify birds and flowers and children are encouraged to have a go at some of the ‘20 Things to do at The Straw Cottage’ that Margot has suggested.
Making a wild art painting out of leaves and flowers, watching the stars in a dark sky, rolling down a hill, making a daisy chain or grass trumpet, bird watching, making a campfire and roast marshmallows under parental supervision are just a few. One of the most popular things is a treasure hunt with clues laid out around the two acres of the cottage.
Children love the freedom and absence of cars, while adults love the peace, the very comfortable accommodation, reading, walking, sitting outside or, on chilly evenings, sitting by the woodburner with a glass of wine and a book.
To celebrate ‘Wales Year of Adventure’, Ty Gwyn Farm has a special deal for guests who book a three or four night break in the Straw Cottage in April and May. They are offered a half price three or four night break in the Granary Cottage, a four star self-catering cottage in the courtyard, at the same time or on different dates in April and May, excluding Easter week and May Bank Holidays.
The offer is ideal if families want to bring the children and have somewhere for the grandparents to stay. Visit www.tygwynfarm.co.uk for more information, call Margot on Tel: 01597 822665 or email margot@tygwynfarm.co.uk
Picture captions:
A selection of pictures of The Straw Cottage and visitors enjoying themselves.
Ends
Ty Gwyn Farm is 130 acre farm in Mid Wales. Holiday accommodation includes:
The Straw Cottage, sleeps four in two bedrooms, separate bathroom with flushing WC and hot shower. Large sitting room with comfortable sofas, woodburner. No electric. Candles, lanterns, solar, wind up lights. Gas oven, hot water. Set in 2 acres of open woodland, meadow and stream.
The Granary Cottage, four star self-catering converted granary in courtyard, sleeps four in two en-suite bedrooms.
Country courses include gundog training weekends, dry stone walling courses and walking through history days.
A Cruck Barn meeting room for hire with projector, screen, wifi, small kitchen and two WCs.
Short breaks in The Straw Cottage are from £362 to £480, weeks from £518 to £770. The cottage is available all year round.
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