Writer's/Artist's Retreat: Y Cwtch Holiday Cottage, home of author Judith Arnopp.

As a writer I am very fortunate to live in a rural area, far from people and the distractions that go with them. One of the most common remarks I have from my fellow writers is, ‘How lucky you are to be able to write full time and in such an idyllic spot.”

Although we advertise the annexe for holidays it has only just recently occurred to us that it would make a pleasant ‘private retreat’ for writers or artists who don’t have the luxury of such surroundings every day. So we are expanding our marketing to include creative artists of all genres.

Our home used to house six people but now the children have fledged, it is sanctuary to just two of us. On finding ourselves rattling around inside we decided to offer it as a holiday base to like-minded people, authors, artists, walkers, and wildlife enthusiasts.

Y Cwtch (Welsh for hug) provides comfortable and competitively priced accommodation. Adjacent to the farmhouse Y Cwtch comprises of one double and one single bedroom with room for a travel cot. There is a newly fitted bathroom, a dual aspect sitting room and full equipped kitchen and separate utility.

Guests have full use of a private enclosed garden and are also welcome to make use of our own pretty, private grounds, although they should be aware of the possibility of bumping into us mowing or clipping. Visitors are welcome to help with the weeding should they desire to do so.

The meadows, that face south-west, are fed by a pretty rambling stream which is teeming with wildlife. In the past the fields have been home to a range of livestock but these days just provide refuge for wildlife and a couple of elderly Welsh mountain ponies.

There are plenty of lovely spots to sit with a picnic while you write, or dream, or plot, all within sight of Llanwnni Mountain which, while it may not be the highest peak in the world, has been our personal companion for many happy years. It sleeps in the opposite valley, watching but not commenting on all that takes place below.

Y Cwtch itself lies in a pretty valley just outside the farming community of Cwrtnewydd, a short drive from the market town of Lampeter, the fabulous coastline and Newcastle Emlyn, with its many antique shops.

It is still possible to access the historic past in Wales. There are sites ranging from ancient burial mounds, iron age hillforts, early medieval churches and castles, Tudor manor houses, 19th century stately homes and woollen mills. Many sites are admission free and it is perfectly possible to find yourself completely alone in a medieval castle within sight and sound of the sea. Perfect for absorbing the atmosphere and mind set of ‘those who lived before.’

West Wales is famous for its beaches, castles and ancient churches and is within an easy drive of Pembrokeshire, Brecon and North Wales, if you can tear yourself away from Ceredigion.

For more information please visit our website: http://welshholidays.webs.com/ or find us on facebook https://www.facebook.com/welshholiday