Pant yr Hwch Farm, Feather Down Farm, Lampeter, Wales

Described by one guest as “a little bit of heaven at the end of a farm track,” Pant yr Hwch’s farm buildings havebeen restored to their 18th-century origins using traditional materials. We farm a flock of rare-breed Badger Facesheep, and with the wooly pigs, chickens, ducks, bees, and a restored vegetable garden and orchard, are aiming to be a sustainable, self-sufficient, small farm. We don’t use artificial fertilisers or chemicals, and our animalsare free ranging and slow grown, which allows native wildlife to flourish and the farm pond to be frequented bywildfowl. Red kites also nest nearby and you’ll likely be lulled to sleep by tawny owls. The sweeping beaches of the Ceredigion Heritage Coast make wonderful day trips, and the picturesque harbour town of Aberaeron, withits arresting Georgian architecture, is nearby.

Back at the farm Ann makes tasty things for the Farm Larder usinghome-grown garden produce and nature’s hedgerow treasures. Slowly-fermented breadsare a staple to enjoy with freshly-collected eggs and home-reared bacon and sausagesfor breakfast, while homemade cakes and biscuits for afternoon tea are a specialty.

Martin and Ann Jones

Greentraveller's Insight: The Featherdown Farm Tent
The tents are big enough for up to six people – a maximum of five adults and one child up to 12 years old. Cooking & heating is provided by a cosy wood-burning stove (one crate of firewood is provided per day). There is an ample living area (45 square metres), which includes a flushing toilet and spacious, comfortable beds. Each tent includes bed and kitchen linen, the tent’s kitchen has cold running water and there are hot showers on site. 

NB. There is no electricity in the tent, lighting comes from candles in lanterns and holders - that's all part of the back-to-nature Feather Down experience!

Highlights at Pant yr Hwch Farm:

• Self sufficient, rare-breed sheep farm
• Private chicken care
• Renowned Welsh home cooking and baking
• Close to the stunning Ceredigion Heritage Coast
• Near the Brecon Beacons National Park
• Short drive to Georgian coastal town of Aberaeron

Why is this a greener holiday?

To truly minimise the environmental impact, guests are encouraged to arrive by public transport: the nearest train station is Llanwrda and from there, it is a taxi ride to the farm, see: www.traintaxi.co.uk.  Onsite the accommodation is very low impact, as the tents are effectively off-grid. There is no electricity and lighting is by candle. Heating and cooking is done on a wood-burning stove. The hot tubs are also wood burning. Much of the produce in the honesty shops is local sourced, either from the farm or other nearby suppliers. To avoid use of additional transport for the duration of their holiday, there is a wide range of low impact family activities on-site and in the surrounding area, including walking, hiking and wildlife viewing opportunities.