Pool, hot tubs, gardens and grounds
Wander the manicured two acres that roll out towards the coast and the deep blue beyond. Chill with gin out in the courtyard or on the glass-balustraded terrace. Wield your croquet hammers on the immaculate lawn.
Dive into the 8.5-metre indoor pool heated to a toasty 29 degrees or opt for a dip in warmer water with the indoor hot tub. Bubble and boil in the two outdoor courtyard hot-tubs and watch the dark skies come alive at night. Convince yourself leaving will be easy.
Living spaces
The communal space here rises up above you like the Grand Central rail terminal. Impossibly beautiful light fittings hang above you like the stars that illuminate the Carmarthenshire’s dark skies. Hardwood flooring, exposed stone and arched windows create a natural, neutral beauty.
There are spots in this cathedral-like space to soak up the warmth from the woodburner, to gather on high stools around the breakfast bar, or around the long tables for cards and games. But you might prefer the cinema room, with its big sofas, 58” smart TV or just to sit and stream on the superfast broadband or bag the Bluetooth.
Looking for bragging rights? You’ll find them in the games area, with its pool table, darts and retro arcade games machine. Recover in the mezzanine sitting room with its glass balustrade looking out over the action below. Wave across at the kids in their own balustraded, bean-bagged play area complete with 58” TV.
Cooking and dining
Room at the table? Just a bit. Two chunks of oak sit in the main kitchen/diner, seating up to 32. Line up on the long benches and farmhouse chairs to sip your wine and butter your bread. Cook on the double-oven range cooker, electric oven and six-burner gas hob. Or get the pros in – call up Strawberry Shortcake Dining or Lime Grove Grazing.
Facilities abound. Stock up your two American-style fridge/freezers from Wright’s Food Emporium and chill a bottle of white from Cambio Wines. Two microwaves serve as handy foot soldiers and you’ve two dishwashers to do the dirty work when you’re done. Put your feet up and savour the taste of freshly ground coffee.
Coastal air irresistible? Head out to the terrace to eat under the seaside skies with the charcoal barbie doing its stuff and a chilled beer or two on hand. Pop out to The Red The Red Lion for home-cooked Sunday lunch, or scampi with chips and sticky-toffee pudding.
Tuck in to delicious steaks, burgers and cocktails at Dexter’s in Carmarthen. Get curious about New Curiosity, for Moroccan spiced three-bean chilli or Welsh goats’ cheese, beetroot and caramelised onion tartlet. Or get Indian, Pizza and Chinese delivered to your door from Taj Mahal, Mario’s and Golden Dragon.
Bedrooms
In the main barn, pick from 12 big, beautiful bedrooms with dressing areas and French-door access to the courtyard for al-fresco breakfast on the terrace. You’ll sleep like the rocks that ring Ferryside Beach.
Let’s start on the ground floor of the west wing. Bedroom one is a twin en-suite with wetroom, while bedroom two is a kingsize en-suite with shower over the bath. Bedroom three is a family room with superking bed, en-suite with shower over bath and built-in bunk. Keep the kids happy with the 42” TV.
Onto the west wing’s first floor. Bedrooms four and five are kingsize en-suites with showers over the bath, while bedroom six is a family en-suite with TV, superking bed and built-in singles. The ground floor of the east wing comes with a wetroom twin, a kingsize with shower over bath and a family superking en-suite with TV and built-in bunks.
On the first floor, the east wing offers a twin, a king and a family room with superking and built-in singles. All rooms are en-suites with showers over the bath.
Larger group? Take over the whole estate by adding both 3-bedroomed West Cottage and East Cottage sleeping an additional 16 friends or family.
Children welcome
Courtyard Barns doesn’t just welcome children. It positively embraces them with open arms, entices them into the swimming pool, dries them off and tucks them into bed at night. But let’s pause by that pool. Heated to 29 degrees, it’s 8.5 metres long and 3.2 wide. Leap in, lark about, lose a few hours.
But the fun just keeps on coming. Towel yourself down and head up to the games room. Pick from pool, darts or retro arcade games machine. Running out of energy yet? Maybe chill your beans with a gentle game of croquet on the manicured lawns? Or just bag a book from the shelf and head out to the courtyard.
Beyond the yard, you’ve two acres of greenery in which to explore, hide, seek and find. Back inside, the cinema room beckons with its 58” smart TV and superfast fibre broadband. For a choice of viewing, you’ve another 58” TV in the mezzanine play area. Grab a beanbag and be entertained.
Family bedrooms here also come with TVs, bunks or built-in singles, and an instant French-door escape hatch to the courtyard. Cots and highchairs stand at the ready and books and DVDs are ready to be raided. Let the fun begin.
What people say
Life’s a beach in West Wales
Pick from great beaches at Saundersfoot, Llansteffan and dune-rich Pembrey. Blast clay pigeons at The Big Shoot, play a round at Glyn Abbey Golf Course, walk the Wales Coast Path, or show your mind, body and soul some love at Monks Premier Spa. Wear the kids out at Folly Farm and Oakwood Theme Park.
