Martyn’s thoughts on Ffynonwen:
This is a tough one to write up, there’s almost too much to describe, so the details are provided to give something of an overview. If it’s of interest you need to see it, but what of my opinion:
Well, what can I say, so much potential for all sorts of things.
I think in my mind’s eye, I see this being run by a family as a small country hotel or guest house serving good food, most of which is produced on its own land. But then again…..
The outbuildings would be absolutely great as craft workshops and a craft outlet and of course you’d need to have a coffee shop / somewhere to buy lunch.
I’d also put aside a ½ acre or so as a CCCL caravan site for 5 tourers and a few tents, giving another outlet for produce from the smallholding, and there is plenty of room to create a small shower / toilet block in one of the outbuildings. For more on this, visit www.caravanclub.co.uk and choose ‘about us’ and there is a section on running a site.
The main building would very easily split to provide accommodation for 2 families enabling them to pool resources and buy together. I personally think you could do this with rooms left over to let. And what about converting some of the outbuildings to holiday accommodation, even a camping barn?
With two families there’s still enough land to create two viable smallholdings, and why not put fish in the bigger pond? The young orchard, extended with soft fruit, would facilitate home the making of jams and chutneys, always popular.
If you don’t need all of the land, then why not create another use for it? What about a driving range for local golfers or perhaps somewhere to cater for local archers? With the coast only a mile away, then this might be a great base for a specialist holiday centre offering activities on land and sea. The kayaking and surfing is pretty good round here, so is the sea fishing come to that, and then there are the dolphins, seals and red kites, the walking …… Get a Land Rover and start getting those holiday makers out into the Welsh countryside. But don’t forget, you might need planning permission first!