Mums do travel

Travel with and without teens

  • Home
  • Destination
    • UK
      • London
      • Kent
      • Northern Ireland
      • Wales
      • Elsewhere
    • Europe
      • Austria
      • Croatia
      • France
      • Gibraltar
      • Greece
      • Hungary
      • Italy
      • Netherlands
      • Norway
      • Portugal
      • Russia
      • Spain
      • Turkey
    • North America
      • USA
      • Canada
      • Carribean
      • Costa Rica
    • Africa
      • South Africa
      • Tunisia
    • Asia
      • Thailand
      • Bali
      • Singapore
    • Australia
  • Inspiration
    • Things to do in…
    • Things to do in London…
    • Where to stay
    • Language learning
    • Family travel interviews
    • The journey
    • Recipes
  • Published in
  • About
  • Contact
  • Travel shop
Home / Type of trip / Coast / Holiday cottage by the beach in Wales

Holiday cottage by the beach in Wales

April 12, 2015 by Gretta Schifano 23 Comments

Breakfast at Slade Cottage. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Breakfast at Slade Cottage. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Arrival

I turned off the engine, stepped out of the car and walked carefully down the concrete slope towards the gate. I heard a clunk as my daughter locked the car from the inside. It was after 9 o’clock on a March evening and it was so dark that it was difficult for me to see where I was walking. I thought of the pile of torches which were sitting in a cupboard back home. It hadn’t occurred to me to bring a torch when we’d set off in daylight four hours earlier. We were in a remote part of Wales and a few miles back a road closure had forced us to give up on the printed directions that we’d been following. The sat nav had directed us on an alternative cross-country route populated with sleeping sheep and had then delighted in telling us that we’d reached our destination when we clearly hadn’t. My daughter and her friend were spooked. We were in a farmyard, we were surrounded by buildings and I wasn’t sure if we were in the right place or not. None of the three of us had a mobile phone signal.

Slade Cottage

We were looking for the cottage where we were due to stay the night. We were heading to Cardiff University’s open day first thing the following morning but before that we had to find Slade Cottage on the Dunraven Estate at Southerndown on the Glamorgan Heritage Coast. Quality Cottages had invited me to review one of their properties in Wales and had suggested Slade Cottage as a good option for Cardiff as it’s about 30-minutes’ drive away from the Welsh capital.

I managed to find my way to the high, wooden gate without slipping over. After a few tries I opened the gate and saw a detached, two storey cottage. The lights were on in the porch and the keys were in the front door as I’d been told that they would be. I relaxed. We’d found Slade Cottage.

Inside Slade Cottage

Inside the cottage it was cosy and warm. The central heating was on and the AGA in the kitchen was toasty. The girls headed straight for the fridge in the homely kitchen and discovered a feast: Quality Cottages had kindly arranged for the owners to leave us some food as we were arriving so late. I popped a dish of cannelloni into the AGA to cook while we went to explore the cottage.

The cottage is quite old-fashioned but in a comfortable, homely way. Downstairs besides the porch area and the kitchen we found a twin bedroom, a modern bathroom with a walk-in shower and a large sitting room with an open fire laid with kindling and ready to light. There’s also a wide conservatory across the back of the house but we didn’t find that until the next morning. Upstairs we found four bedrooms and another bathroom. The upstairs bathroom is a little dated, but fine. There were pretty vases of fresh spring flowers in each of the bedrooms.

Fresh spring flowers at Slade Cottage. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Fresh spring flowers at Slade Cottage. Copyright Gretta Schifano

The beds were made up with white bedding and there were white towels at the foot of each one. The girls chose to sleep in the twin room upstairs and I opted for one of the doubles. I liked its exposed wooden floorboards, Arts & Crafts style furniture and shelf full of battered, vintage books.

Slade Cottage double bedroom. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Slade Cottage double bedroom. Copyright Gretta Schifano

We washed down our cannelloni with some sparkling elderflower fizz which had been left for us in the kitchen. In the hall we found a visitors book which was full of happy comments left by previous guests.

Slade Cottage visitors book

Slade Cottage visitors book

We also found some information about the nearby Heritage Coast Path and about tractor rides and guided farm walks at the organic farm on the estate.

The garden

That night the cottage was very quiet and my wooden bed was extremely comfortable, if somewhat creaky, and I slept well. I woke up the next morning to birdsong from outside and I could see through the curtains that it was a sunny day. When I opened the curtains I saw a clear blue sky and a beautiful green garden sloping away from the cottage into woodland.

Slade Cottage garden. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Slade Cottage garden. Copyright Gretta Schifano

The beach

We breakfasted quickly and then pulled on our coats and boots to walk to the beach before setting off for Cardiff. We weren’t sure exactly where the beach was and we couldn’t find a map in the cottage but we knew from the Quality Cottages website and from the visitors book in the hall that it was very close by. We went out through the conservatory to the garden and followed the path leading away from the cottage through spring flowers and trees. As my welly boots crunched along the path I looked down and saw that I was walking on white seashells. At the bottom of the garden we followed the path up a steep slope. From the top of the slope we could see the sea and a few minutes after leaving the cottage we were walking on Southerndown beach in the early morning sun.

Southerndown Beach. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Southerndown Beach. Copyright Gretta Schifano

The verdict

Slade Cottage is in a beautiful coastal location and is a quirky, homely, and welcoming place to stay.

The lowdown

Slade Cottage sleeps eight people and you’re welcome to take your dog to stay there with you. The cottage is available to rent all year round at a cost of between £630 and £1895 per week via Quality Cottages. There’s another holiday rental cottage next door which sleeps five people. Quality Cottages is a family business which specialises in holiday rental cottages in beautiful areas of Wales.



Disclosure: We stayed at Slade Cottage as guests of Quality Cottages for one night for the purposes of this review. All opinions are my own.

SaveSave

SaveSave

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related

Categories: Coast, Room reports, Wales, Where to stay
Tags: holiday cottages, Quality Cottages, self-catering cottages

About Gretta Schifano

I'm a freelance journalist and blogger specialising in family travel with teenagers, trips when parents manage to travel without their kids, and 50+ travel. I also write about vegetarian travel, parenting teenagers, adoption, SEN, ADHD and anxiety. My work's been published by the Financial Times, Guardian, Independent, National Geographic Traveller, Lonely Planet and others. I've lived and worked in Italy and Spain and am now based in rural south-east England with my husband, adoptive and birth kids and our dog. I previously worked as a social action radio producer for the BBC.

Facebook - Twitter - Google+

Subscribe to posts by email?

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

Comments

  1. Amanda says

    May 6, 2015 at 11:44 am

    Oh wow, this look perfectly idyllic! I really must do Wales again, I’ve been for so long, and never with the children.
    Amanda recently posted…Lindeman’s Red Wine, Pea and Wild Mushroom RisottoMy Profile

    Reply
  2. Mari says

    April 27, 2015 at 11:18 am

    What a gorgeous cottage, I like the quirky and the homely feel as you feel instantly at home. My twins would adore being that close to a beach too.
    I also love the fact the owners thought to supply a dinner and breakfast on request as that made your ‘settling in’ so much easier.
    Thanks for linking to #TimeTraveller
    Mari recently posted…Time Traveller: The Travel Bloggers LinkyMy Profile

    Reply
  3. chickenruby says

    April 26, 2015 at 8:38 am

    I only got as far as the first picture before I felt the need to comment on what a lovely breakfast, i did read to the end though
    chickenruby recently posted…My Sunday Photo – Week 17My Profile

    Reply
  4. Emma says

    April 25, 2015 at 10:30 am

    I love Wales, they do this kind of thing so very well. And the food! I always put on around 15 stone (slight exaggeration) after a stay there! This place sounds wonderful! I love your photos too! #timetravellers
    Emma recently posted…Raspberry & Almond CakeMy Profile

    Reply
  5. Nell@PigeonPairandMe.com says

    April 23, 2015 at 7:17 pm

    What a beautiful-looking place. Always nice to wake up to surprises like woods and a beach!
    Nell@PigeonPairandMe.com recently posted…Children’s Summer theatre in LondonMy Profile

    Reply
  6. Clare Nicholas says

    April 20, 2015 at 9:54 pm

    I love reading through visitors books.
    Not keen on arriving in the dark though
    Clare Nicholas recently posted…WIN A FORMULA 1 RACE EXPERIENCE FOR TWO AT LETS RACE!My Profile

    Reply
  7. Nayna Kanabar says

    April 19, 2015 at 8:26 pm

    What a lovely place to visit, pity you could not spend longer there.
    Nayna Kanabar recently posted…Mango and Coconut SmoothieMy Profile

    Reply
  8. Michelle says

    April 17, 2015 at 8:15 pm

    What a beautiful place, I’d love to go to Wales in the warmer weather xx

    Reply
  9. Carolynne @ Mummy Endeavours says

    April 16, 2015 at 10:52 am

    Sounds and looks lovely. I keep meaning to book little UK stays like this as I think it would be great for the kids to get away for a weekend x
    Carolynne @ Mummy Endeavours recently posted…Mermaids and PiratesMy Profile

    Reply
  10. Ryan Costello says

    April 16, 2015 at 9:26 am

    Wales is so underrated as a destination. We’ve stayed in cottages a few times. Looks lovely!
    Ryan Costello recently posted…Wordless WednesdayMy Profile

    Reply
  11. Jaime Oliver says

    April 15, 2015 at 11:02 pm

    oh wow what a beach it looks like a stunning location and the cottage is certainly somewhere we would book 🙂
    Jaime Oliver recently posted…The Backfiring Naughty StepMy Profile

    Reply
  12. Kara says

    April 15, 2015 at 6:04 am

    Wales is on our to do list this year and I have bookmarked as it looks stunning

    Reply
  13. Globalmouse says

    April 14, 2015 at 1:12 pm

    What a sweet cottage – I love the touches of the Spring flowers and food in the fridge and how amazing to have that beach so close by.
    Globalmouse recently posted…We like to read – “London Calls!” by Gabby Dawnay and Alex BarrowMy Profile

    Reply
  14. Sonya Cisco says

    April 14, 2015 at 9:48 am

    Bar the spider in the bath (shudders!) it looks like a gorgeous place for a break!
    Sonya Cisco recently posted…Things That Are Better With CakeMy Profile

    Reply
  15. Jen aka Muminthemadhouse says

    April 14, 2015 at 9:17 am

    I love places that you can go as the whole family and our dogs is part of that family too
    Jen aka Muminthemadhouse recently posted…M&M Cookies – Cooking with kidsMy Profile

    Reply
  16. winny says

    April 14, 2015 at 8:02 am

    its really lovely place and so clean! i do really like it

    Reply
  17. Rachel says

    April 13, 2015 at 8:42 pm

    Wales is somewhere I would love to see more of x
    Rachel recently posted…Cohorted April Beauty BoxMy Profile

    Reply
  18. Emma says

    April 13, 2015 at 7:39 pm

    oh that all sounds lovely, you are good getting up for a walk first thing though.
    Emma recently posted…My Spa break at Whittlebury Hall ReviewMy Profile

    Reply
  19. Louisa says

    April 13, 2015 at 7:06 pm

    It looks like a lovely cottage. We stayed in a cottage in Wales a few years ago and it was great to have a base to explore from. We would certainly rent a cottage again in the future.
    Louisa recently posted…Laser tag at Hatton Adventure WorldMy Profile

    Reply
  20. Ickle Pickle says

    April 13, 2015 at 7:04 pm

    Oh what a lovely cottage! We are lucky to live in West Wales – this part of Wales looks gorgeous too x
    Ickle Pickle recently posted…Mummy’s Summer WardrobeMy Profile

    Reply
  21. Sarah Bailey says

    April 13, 2015 at 2:25 pm

    What a gorgeous looking place to get a break away – I adore Wales as well such a beautiful country. x
    Sarah Bailey recently posted…Blogging Tips: PhotographyMy Profile

    Reply
  22. Erica Price says

    April 13, 2015 at 1:54 pm

    It does sound lovely. We keep thinking about creating some time to explore this part of Wales and a cottage base is always good. I like the sound of this one: comfortable and homely.

    Reply
  23. mama syder says

    April 13, 2015 at 10:39 am

    It looks and sounds like a lovely place to stay. I love Wales, haven’t been for years and keep promising myself a break there x

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

Search site

Follow me!

Email: gretta at mumsdotravel dot com
Follow me on FacebookFollow me on Google+Follow me on TwitterFollow me on InstagramFollow me on YouTubeFollow me on PinterestFollow me on Bloglovin

You'd like posts by email?

Booking.com

Most popular posts:

  • Where to find Mary Poppins film locations in London
    Where to find Mary Poppins film locations in London
  • How to pack for an 8 kg luggage allowance
    How to pack for an 8 kg luggage allowance
  • Thailand with teenagers: a two-week summer itinerary
    Thailand with teenagers: a two-week summer itinerary
  • What to do when your teenager doesn't want to go on your family holiday
    What to do when your teenager doesn't want to go on your family holiday
  • Itinerary for a three-night Berlin sightseeing trip with a teenager
    Itinerary for a three-night Berlin sightseeing trip with a teenager
  • 5-night itinerary for Northern Tunisia
    5-night itinerary for Northern Tunisia
  • 8 great family holidays for football fans
    8 great family holidays for football fans
  • Hotel review: Amari Watergate, Bangkok, Thailand
    Hotel review: Amari Watergate, Bangkok, Thailand
  • Jane Austen tour: the places where she lived and wrote
    Jane Austen tour: the places where she lived and wrote
  • Hotel review: The Tongsai Bay, Koh Samui, Thailand
    Hotel review: The Tongsai Bay, Koh Samui, Thailand

Recent Posts

  • How to apply for Italian citizenship: everything we’ve done so far
  • How to explore London’s top attractions from home
  • Amsterdam virtual museum & gallery tours
  • Introducing Armchair Travels
  • How to explore Florence, Italy, from home

About

  • About
  • Published in
  • Contact

Disclosure

This is a personal blog written and edited by me, Gretta Schifano. Sometimes I’m given products or sent on trips to review, but I always make this clear and give my honest opinion. See my About page for full details.

Copyright © Mums do travel 2019
Header by Suzanne Barton
Website by
Callia Web

Sign up for my free newsletter:
Subscribe to the Mums do travel mailing list... it's FREE!
You'll receive family travel news, offers and competitions. Once you sign up you can download my tips for saving money on family travel.
Your information will *never* be shared or sold to a 3rd party.
Sign up for my free newsletter: