AbbeyCroft & The RoundHouse Home from Home

Wish you were here?……. Well you could be , due to late cancellation we have 5 nights available to be beside the seaside (9-14 August 2024) pm for further information or via our website message service www.theroundhouse.info

Due to late cancellation we now have up to 2 week’s available at the beginning of July

Shap in Cumbria - gateway to the lake district
4bedrooms sleeps 8 (up to 3 dogs permitted)
Enclosed rear garden (4.5foot stone wall & 4foot rail fences)
House is mostly carpeted apart from hard flooring by back door and into the kitchen diner (&bathrooms)
Dogs permitted on furniture if guest brings throws.
Dog flap in door to garden from the kitchen( up to Collie sized)
Family bathroom plus en suite shower
Parking for up to 4 cars

Further house info available at www.abbeycroft.info
We also book through Airbnb,Vrbo and Tripadvisor Rentals

We have a last minute cancellation at AbbeyCroft- first 2 weeks of July
Cumbria/Eden valley - 4 bedrooms, en-suite shower & family bathroom (sleeps8+an infant) - dogs welcome.
We are listed on Airbnb,Vrbo and Tripadvisor rentals - but PM for special deals

Spring is finally springing- and there may be an end in sight to the seemingly incessant rain! So when we are out and about one of our favourite places to pop into is The Sloop at Porthgain - this is a fantastic place in all weathers - roaring log fires when you want to get in out of the weather … and lovely outdoor terraces for those glorious sunny days - but whatever the weather there is a warm welcome and delicious food and beer!

If you are looking for a break in August we only have one week left up here in beautiful Cumbria (from Sunday 25th Aug) - there is so much to do and see up here , from beautiful walks, canyoning and more outdoor activities than you can shake a stick at …to gentle steamer cruises on Ullswater and Windermere, afternoon teas in lovely cafes and of course lots of dog and family friendly pubs!
So if you are looking for a relaxed dog friendly self catering barn visit us at www.abbeycroft.info

Time to think about visiting beautiful Goodwick to watch the Tour of Pembrokeshire cycle event 2024 - The RoundHouse is a great base to watch the infamous Stop and Call hill climb (500ft climb in 1.8miles!)

Exciting that the earlybird tickets have now gone - what hasn't yet gone is the space in The RoundHouse for the days around this fantastic event in June-
The RoundHouse is the ideal base for this event- sleeping up to 12 people in 5 en-suite rooms, secure indoor storage for cycles, off road parking for 4 cars and only 3 mins walk from the start/ finish area on the Parrog! - The Rose & Crown, Hope & Anchor and the Glendower pubs are just across the road for celebrations or commiserations - or just relax in our own courtyard garden.

we would also make a great spot if your family member is taking part in the tour of Pembrokeshire on 27th April as we are only 15 miles from St Davids start line and we sited with a great view up the well known Stop and Call hill climb

🌟 Exciting Announcement! 🌟

It seems like all the early bird slots have flown away in the blink of an eye! But don't worry, you still have a chance to grab your spot in this incredible event. Entries are filling up at lightning speed, so make sure to secure your place on that start line!

We know you don't want to miss out on all the fun, so click the link below to sign up before it's too late. Trust us, you won't regret joining this unforgettable experience!

👉 www.challenge-wales.com

What an amazing event to have ‘front row’ seats for - Goodwick bay was treated to the a a most amazing show from our rare visitor a humpback whale 🐳 and at the same time a pod of dolphins 😍 - all just happening in the bay below the house , our balcony and sea side telescope were in a perfect position to watch this !

Days like today are EXACTLY why you should visit the Lake District at this time of year. The scenery around Grassmere is stunning , and with the ice on the lake the reflections of the fells were spectacular. Now time for an evening curled up with the dogs in front of a roaring fire x

Just outside Fishguard below Dinas Mountain is the beautiful Gwaun Valley - it’s a lovely place to walk and has an unusual tradition of Hen Galan

A true Welsh celebration
Hen Galan
In a small wooded valley near Fishguard, the inhabitants of Cwm Gwaun are getting ready for their annual New Year celebrations on the 13th of January.

No, they’re not two weeks late – they still run according to the old Julian Calendar.

The Julian calendar was abolished controversially in 1752 and replaced with the Gregorian calendar, which was approved by Pope Gregory XIII nearly 200 years earlier. But the people of the Gwaun Valley resisted the change.

In true Welsh tradition, the children go from door to door singing and are given ‘Calennig’ in return: sweets or money.

Another odd tradition is that of The Mari Lwyd or Grey Mare - a decorated horses head on a pole , carried around from door to door !

In the Dyffryn Arms, or Bessie’s infamous front room pub which has been in the same family since 1840, revellers gather to share a tipple, and the locals cook a large meal for the family. Traditionally Hen Galan was a bigger celebration than Christmas, so turkey or goose was the regular table offering.

Another great place to find out more is the community run pub Tafarn Sinc at Rosebush where local beers can be sampled!

New year new adventures- our fabulous local independent festival is back at lovely Lowther Castle on 1-4th August 2024 - now festivals are fantastic, but sometimes the sleeping arrangements can be a bit less than perfect - so how about staying with us in Shap - only 10 mins drive away and you get all the peace and quiet you need to recharge before heading back to enjoy more of the festival on your own terms! We still have this week free!

Another new year and here is a photo from the new year fireworks over Fishguard!
Bookings are now open for all of 2024 , but interest is already strong around the main holidays - but there are loads of events worth visiting this lovely area to experience
April 27th 2024 - the tour of Pembrokeshire cycle routes- we are perfectly positioned to watch the timed hill climb at Stop and Call!
May brings the StDavids Cathedral festival - just a short drive down the beautiful ciast from here - also we have the Fishguard folk festival and soap box derby!
June 9th brings the Challenge Wales triathlon back to Goodwick - it is quite a spectacle.
July is time to get on the water with the Round Table Raft race and the Fishguard Bay Ocean Race (a major downwind race) starting in Goodwick and ending in Newport.
August attention turns to music with the renowned Aberjazz festival and Fishguard music festivals
And if that wasn’t enough October and November bring the new Foid and Drink festivals - celebrating our fantastic local food and creative chefs.
Alongside all these we always have beautiful coastline and countryside to explore
A year of feasting for all the senses!

Busy morning In beautiful Goodwick , MS Maud visiting for the day as a stop on her round Britain cruise- Stena Europe loading before heading out to Ireland , and our lifeboat standing ready for anything!
Next weekend is due to be even busier with the challenge wales triathlon and a visit from MS the World which is here for 3 days

just enjoyed a fantastic view of the tour of Pembrokeshire as they came past the house and hit ‘the big climb’ up Stop and Call hill , musical accompaniment by Pembrokeshire’s own community Samba band!

Listen to your soundscape - we don’t rent this house out x but for us Portugal is ‘cicadas, dogs chickens and goats with the occasional chuckle from a gecko’ …. AbbeyCroft is sheep , breezes and air, whilst The RoundHouse is waves , ship horns and clean sea winds

One year ago we had what seemed like the worlds largest pile of insulation ready to be used … but we had just had our windows installed to frame the gorgeous view!

Lovely Sunday and it really feels like spring , warm breeze, great run on the beach for the doggos, lovely take out coffee from Sand & Stone Kitchen , then home to plant up our patio pots (great plants from Newbridge Nursery and plant Centre) and then relax - the terrace is a totally sheltered sun trap - bliss x
&stonekitchen

Sorry haven’t posted for a while ! Just got back from a visit to do a bit of DIY and take down our Christmas Decs before our guests visit at the end of the week .
Had a fabulous walk at yesterday down from the castle via the avenue of trees to the river - cascades pouring from the hills - damp but gorgeous. Then even better as we were going through the woods came across three deer browsing on early shoots - never seen them before so we felt so lucky - dogs not so much as we immediately put them on lead to keep them close …. But they were already mostly ‘run out ‘ from ball chasing!
As always at this time of year the weather is variable - not at all cold but damp when we woke on Monday to gorgeous sunshine - snow in the distance on Blencathra (left photo) then today at lunchtime just escaped flooding on the M6!!


www.abbeycroft.info

We currently have early and late season offers in place for NHS, Forces and under occupancy email me for further info [email protected]

Happy New Year to guests past , present and future.
Our family pooches love new year as it means a trip to the Lake District to drop the decs at AbbeyCroft , then a new years blast at the beach as we do the same at the RoundHouse in Pembrokeshire… for them it’s not about the journey and all about the destination!

May 2023 be happy and healthy for you all
Best wishes
Sarah & Ed (Brackenslack ltd)

So what is your vibe for a short break or holiday?
A traditional stone barn in Cumbria with farmhouse kitchen and log burner or contemporary open plan beach house style overlooking the bay in Pembrokeshire?
We can look at special offers for autumn/ winter breaks especially for under occupancy .. or why not gather the family for a sneaky weekend away ?
www.abbeycroft.info or www.theroundhouse.info

We are nearing the end of the summer holidays - but both Cumbria and the North Pembrokeshire coast are great places to visit ‘out of season’ - we are offering under occupancy discounts at both properties out of season , just contact us for further information


www.abbeycroft.info

www.theroundhouse.info

Flying visit to our coastal retreat this last couple of days. Wherever we go we can break a drought- especially if I try to get on with a bit of laundry! It was so very nearly dry when the drizzle returned , it just needed a light airing! But the sheets smelt wonderful-

After a mizzly sort of day the hot drizzle cleared and we got out for a walk on the beach , the doggos love it! Got a bit of laundry out on the line and now before cooking tea I’m enjoying sitting in the window seat Abe looking over the bay , it’s high tide so loads of people out swimming, in boats and paddle boarding- even a power boat pulling a banana!
Lucky guests this weekend get the Fishguard and Goodwick Carnival x
www.theroundhouse.info

. Finally ready to book guests - loads to discover behind the door

And it was a good day , accounts done , dogs walked and new patio furniture and bbq all now ready for use !

I love the view from our bedroom- when I lift the blind I always wonder what the Cumbrian weather will bring … today I have hopes for!

Not a bad view to end the weekend