A restored 17th century hillside dwelling with spring-fed hot tub and enclosed garden.
The Longhouse
Sleeps 6 | 3 beds | 2 baths | enclosed garden | hot tub | wood burner | firepit | spring water
The Longhouse is a restored 17th century Welsh hillside dwelling shaped by centuries of repair, weather and occupation. Over several years we carefully restored the building using traditional materials and contemporary interventions designed to sit quietly within the landscape around it.
Thick stone walls, hand cut oak floorboards, exposed beams and deep window reveals still reflect the age and irregularity of the original building, while the spaces inside were designed for slower days shaped by weather, walking, firelight and long evenings together.
Outside, the Longhouse opens onto footpaths, dark skies and changing weather moving across the Cambrian hills. A covered outdoor space, firepit and wood-fired hot tub extend living outdoors through much of the year, even when the mountain weather turns.
Water for both the house and hot tub comes directly from a natural spring above the valley. The Longhouse uses spring water throughout.
The Building
The Longhouse began life as a medieval hillside dwelling. During the 17th century the building was substantially altered and modernised, with the addition of the large inglenook fireplace, upper floor and many of the structural elements uncovered during the recent restoration.
The restoration sought to preserve those traces wherever possible, retaining uneven surfaces, exposed timbers, original stonework and marks of earlier lives while carefully introducing contemporary elements designed to sit quietly within the original structure.
Among the details uncovered during the restoration were a series of apotropaic or “witch” marks carved into the main fireplace beam, believed to have been created historically to protect the house and its occupants.
Further details and photographs from the restoration process can be found in our Field Notes journal.
An apotropaic or “witch” mark uncovered at the Longhouse during its restoration.
Inside the Longhouse
The Longhouse sleeps up to six guests across three bedrooms, with flexible arrangements including super king-size doubles or twin rooms. The master bedroom is ensuite, alongside a separate family bathroom and downstairs WC.
Outside, an enclosed garden extends towards the hillside, with a covered outdoor space, firepit and wood-fired hot tub looking west across the valley. The garden is secure for dogs and opens directly onto surrounding footpaths and open countryside.
Living at the Longhouse
Sleeping
The Longhouse sleeps up to six guests across three bedrooms. Rooms can be arranged as either one double and four single beds, or two doubles and two singles.
One ensuite bathroom, one family bathroom and a downstairs WC. Bedding and towels are provided.
As an old building with uneven floors and open stairs, the Longhouse may not be ideally suited to toddlers.
Cooking & Gathering
The kitchen is fully equipped for longer stays, with oven, hob, microwave, fridge/freezer and warming drawer.
Meals often drift outdoors in warmer months, with cooking over the firepit and long evenings with views across the valley.
Evenings at the Longhouse tend to centre around the wood burner, board games, films and weather moving across the hills outside.
Warmth & Water
The Longhouse is centrally heated throughout, with a large wood-burning stove at its centre.
Outside, a wood-fired hot tub looks west across the hills and changing weather of the Cambrian Mountains. Water for both the tub and the house comes directly from a natural spring above the valley.
The spring has supplied the hillside for generations and remains part of the daily rhythm of the building today.
The Landscape
Footpaths & Wildlife
Guests have access to both public and private footpaths through the wider Lofftwen landscape, including meadow, wetland, scrub, heath and newly establishing woodland.
Wildlife changes constantly through the seasons. Red kites, curlew, pied flycatchers and barn owls are regularly seen around the farm, while quieter moments often reveal as much as planned walks.
A private bird hide sits within walking distance of the Longhouse.
Dark Skies & Evenings
Outdoor lighting is intentionally kept to a minimum. On clear nights the skies above Lofftwen can become exceptionally dark, particularly during winter.
Torches are strongly recommended after dusk.
For practical information about travelling here, supermarket deliveries, walking conditions, dogs, heating, water and preparing for your stay, visit the Planning Your Stay page.
