WELCOME AND INFORMATION
Welcome to Upper Calffield Barn! We really want you to enjoy your stay and make the most of every moment so please read this information.
If anything is broken or missing or if the accommodation is in any way unsatisfactory, please let Sean know immediately on 07871 634098 so that he can do something about it. And if you break something, please let me know so that it can be replaced for the next guests.
We do ask that you check out promptly so that we can get the barn ready for the next guests. Check in is after 3-30 p.m. and check out is at 10-30 a.m. If it’s not peak season and we do not have outgoing or incoming guests
we can give an hour or so’s leeway so please check with Sean. Please text him your estimated time of arrival on 07871 634098 and don’t worry, you can arrive as late as you like – he will leave the door open and the lights on if necessary.
PROBLEMS
In the first place call Sean, the caretaker, on 07871 634098 as he is on site. If he can’t help, contact me on margaretkinlay@yahoo.com or 07968 028031.
SAFETY ASPECTS and CHILDREN
ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY – WITHYBUSH HOSPITAL Turn right out of the drive here, right again and follow the road to the end. You will emerge on the main Fishguard road. Turn right, drive past the garage and Vincent Davies. Carry onto the roundabout and go straight across – the hospital is on the right after the industrial estate.
AIDS FOR THE ELDERLY/INCAPACITATED
The main bathroom has a walk in shower with a grab rail. We have a few things which might be helpful e.g. a shower stool, a toilet frame and a step. Let us know if you would like them.
DOCTOR: Winch Lane Surgery 01437 762333
FIRE
Please remember this is a no smoking property. New safety regulations in rental properties stipulate that there should be no candles and
no naked flames. Any electric heaters must always plugged into the electric points, not to extension leads. They should always be switched off if you go out and should never be left on overnight. See also comments on woodburning stove (below)
FIREGUARD
Please let us know if you require a fireguard to put around the woodburner to make it safe for children.
FIRE EXTINGUISHER
The Fire extinguisher is in the entrance porch. It is multi purpose so can be used for electrical fires too.
HIGH CHAIR, TRAVEL COT, BABY BATH: please tell us of your needs in advance. Please note we do not supply cot linen.
SHETLAND PONIES
Our three Shetland ponies are called Tiny (the largest one, female), Ernie and Dylan, her foals. They are all very good natured and, like all horses, love to get treats such as a carrot or small piece of bread BUT I would ask you to be
restrained about this as if they come to expect it they can get a bit demanding and nippy. Tiny is very greedy so she will try to shove the others out of the way. Please ensure that if you feed any horse you teach children to place the food in the palm of their flat hand! We also have visiting ponies so please use your common sense and stay away from them. If you do go into the field the country code says PLEASE LEAVE THE GATE SHUT. Also it makes sense to give horses a wide berth – particularly around the back of them as horses can kick.
WOOD BURNERS
In winter we supply the first basket of logs for your use and you can buy more logs and kindling from the garage on the main Fishguard road, Tesco or Homebase. Sometimes Sean has sufficient logs to sell them to you at cost – please ask him. Please keep the doors closed when it is alight to prevent sparks escaping.
INFORMATION ABOUT THE BARN
BARBEQUE on terrace in season – if it’s not there and you want one let us know.
BEDLINEN AND TOWELS
The beds will be freshly made up for you and we supply bath towels and a couple of hand towels. If you are staying longer than a week we change towels weekly and bedlinen weekly on request. Please let us know your requirements. We don’t supply cot linen or beach towels but if you forget beach towels ask Sean as he may have some old towels you can use.
Please make sure that you wash all suntan lotion off before using the sheets and towels as we are sometimes unable to remove the stains.
CAR PARKING
Please park in the spaces allocated next to the entrance of the barn.
CENTRAL HEATING
The central heating is set to come on twice a day and the water is on constant. All showers are all electric so independent – see showers below. The boiler and central heating controls are in the cupboard in the entrance porch so if you need the heating on for longer periods you can change the clock.
COOKER
Strangely the design is such that the oven doesn’t work unless the clock is set – the instructions are in the drawer in the utility room.
DISHWASHER
The dishwasher is in the kitchen, fairly simple to use, instruction leaflet if needed in the drawer in the utility room.
DVD LIBRARY
We have quite an extensive DVD library. If you would like to borrow any just let Sean know and he will bring you a selection.
ELECTRIC CARS
We do not have a charging point for electric cars and I am sorry but we cannot allow guests to use the domestic electricity supply to charge cars. We have been informed that this is a safety issue and could invalidate our insurance. However, we do have charging points in the area and you can find a map of these at www.zap-map.com/live/.
ELECTRICITY AND OIL
The barn is fitted with a smart meter and oil gauge and readings are taken before and after your stay. Total usage exceeding £7-50 per night for short stay guests may be charged at cost; guests receiving long stay discount may be charged at cost and invoiced fortnightly.
ELECTRIC SHOWERS
The switch outside the door must be on for the shower to work. HAIRDRYER – in the master bedroom wardrobe.
INTERNET – wireless – password is on the back of the router in the porch (UQbH9HqNR9TLM9) – it is fibre optic so it should be a decent speed
RUBBISH and RECYCLING – PLEASE HELP!
The rubbish is collected EVERY THREE WEEKS which is a real headache for us, particularly in season. Also, the rubbish men are very pernickety and if anything is put into the household waste which should be recycled they refuse to take it – and vice versa. We would therefore be very grateful for your cooperation.
Please place your rubbish in black bags and place the tied bags in the wooden locker at the entrance to the property.
Outside the kitchen door is a blue bag for cardboard, a red bag for plastic bottles, tins and food containers and a blue box for paper. Rubbish collection is on Thursdays so please put the bags by the gate on Wednesday evening.
Thanks for your help!
SOFABED
The smaller sofa is a sofabed. We don’t normally supply bedlinen so if you do need it, please let us know in advance.
TELEVISION
It is a SMART TV and has pay BBTV so there are many channels. Switch on the TV using the TV remote control then use the other remote.
WASHING MACHINE in the shower room in the entrance porch.
BEACHES AND COASTAL PATHS
The coastal path is magnificent and it is well worth walking part of it e.g. from Newgale to Solva. There is the Puffin Bus for walkers – check the timetable. We have so many wonderful beaches in Pembrokeshire – here are just a few:
BARAFUNDLE BAY
Has been voted one of the top 25 beaches in the world – stunning but a steep walk to get to it so only for walkers.
BLUE LAGOON (Abereiddi Beach)
Literally, that. Famous for rock diving competitions– but strictly for risk takers and the tiny little road to get there is horrendously busy in season.
BROADHAVEN
A really beautiful and huge sandy beach – follow the signs to Dale then to Broadhaven.
DRUIDSTONE BEACH
Only accessible by foot or horseback (see riding leaflet in pack) but beautiful and the only place where children can spend hours finding Fools Gold (iron pyrite). It also has a waterfall down the side of the cliff when there has been rain. Lovely.
FRESHWATER EAST AND WEST
Vast sandy beach with dunes, used to film the Bill Nighy film “Their Finest” and the scene in Harry Potter where Dobby died – and the Shell House – and the Robin Hood film with Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchette. There is a plaque in memory of Dobby which says “Here lies Dobby, a free elf…”
LITTLEHAVEN
A charming village, good pubs and restaurants and a gorgeous sandy beach when the tide is out. The roads weren’t built for cars so can be a bit of an obstacle course in season.
MANORBIER
Manorbier Beach is gorgeous and you can combine with visiting Manorbier Castle.
MARLOES
A truly spectacular sandy beach with views of Skomer Island. You park in the National Trust carpark then it’s a 15 to 20 minute walk down to the beach. It’s well worth the walk but it’s not for the infirm. And take a picnic – though there is also a little café near the car park.
NEWGALE
Newgale is probably the nearest beach, only 15 minutes drive. When the tide is out it is an immense stretch of sand so impossible to get crowded. Please note that from the main car park there is a pebble area to walk over before you get to the sand – so it’s difficult for older people! Easiest way to get there is on the St Davids Road from Haverfordwest. There is a quicker and more scenic route if you turn right out of the house then left into Camrose itself then left again signposted Roch and Keeston (use sat nav)
NEWPORT BEACH
Great beach and the car park is right next to the beach so good for people who aren’t very mobile.
SAUNDERSFOOT
Lovely beach, used to be a fishing village and now very popular for boating. Can be very difficult to park in the summer!
TENBY
Very popular since Victorian times, a great holiday spot with a very attractive front. Three beaches, plenty of shops and restaurants. The smaller beaches can be a bit over run in season. You can do boat trips to Caldey Island from there. The centre is pedestrian only in summer.
WHITESANDS BEACH
Follow the signs from St Davids. A gorgeous beach but the approach road (a small lane) can get busy in season.
THINGS TO DO AND SEE
ALPACAS
If you like alpacas there is an alpaca farm and visitors centre near Newgale – Sweet Home Alpaca 07367 219738.
BOAT TRIPS
There are some marvellous boat trips out to the islands in season. Ramsey and Skomer are a must for seals and puffins. May and June are the best time. There are also trips to Caldey Island (monastery) from Tenby. There are many different options but go to www.pembrokeshire-islands.co.uk to see a range. Skomer day trips (see the puffins in breeding season – late May/June) depart from Martin’s Haven near Marloes (telephone
01646 603109/603110). For the Thousand Islands expedition going to Ramsey Island see www.thousandislands.co.uk 01437 721721/721686 The RSPB allow a limited number of visitors to visit Ramsey Island each year. If you would like to do that you will need to book in advance.
CARN MEINI
In the Preselli Mountains where the blue stones came from for Stonehenge. There is a fantastic view from the rocky outcrop from which they were taken and when the stones are chipped they are clearly blue. Recent architectural excavations have revealed that this was the original site of Stonehenge and
that all the stones were moved – the subject of a recent BBC programme.
CASTLES
This part of Wales has a wealth of castles – for me, Pembroke Castle where Henry VII was born is the most impressive. Picton Castle is worth a visit to look around the house and the beautiful gardens. Carew Castle has a lovely circular walk around it – and see comments about the Cresselly Arms.
Manorbier is another wonderful Norman castle.
CATHEDRAL
Even if you are not religious St David’s Cathedral is worth a look, it is so incongruous to see a magnificent cathedral in such a small village (sorry, city!). Thanks to the cathedral St David’s is the smallest city in the UK. It has the body of St David, the patron saint of Wales.
CHURCH
Sunday services are held at the church in Camrose village (please check sign for times) and also at St David’s Cathedral which is very splendid with wonderful music.
CINEMA
Palace Cinema, Haverfordwest 01437 767675
Torch Cinema Milford Haven 01646 695267
CYCLING
Llys-y-Fran Cycle Trail
Llys-y-Fran is a 350 acre country park set in Pembrokeshire; the main focus of the park is a reservoir and 100 ft high dam. There is a family trail (1.5 miles) and a more challenging mountain bike trail (6.5 miles). Cycles can be hired from the visitor centre and permits are available at £1 per bike.
DOG WALKING
We don’t normally allow dogs in the barn after a bad experience with the wood flooring but we sometimes make exceptions for repeat visitors with small dogs.
The beaches in Pembrokeshire are vast and there is lots of space for dog walking – even though many have restricted areas in season e.g. Newgale and Whitesands.
Plumstone Mountain is great for dog walking (see next page) and you could walk your dog in the field by the river – as you walk over the bridge coming from Upper Calffield you will see that there are steps down to the field on the left.
DYLAN THOMAS
A visit to Laugharne is well worthwhile for fans of Dylan Thomas. You can see the boat house where he is said to have written Under Milk Wood. There are some great pubs and restaurants in the town too.
FISHING Sea fishing trips are available from St Davids – go to www.bluesharkuk.com (01437 721721)
PAA Fishing permits are required for Western and Eastern Cleddau. All waters of the Pembrokeshire Anglers Association are available to visiting anglers on daily or weekly permits. These visiting permits along with excellent advice about when and where to fish, can be obtained from County Sports, 3 Old Bridge, Haverfordwest SA61 2EZ (tel: 01437 763740)
FOLLY FARM – younger children absolutely love it! Much more than just farm animals, they have lions and monkeys etc. as well. They also have an indoor fun fair. My granddaughter likes the penguins…
GIN TASTING
Cinammon Grove Farm and Distillery has a Gin Barn for tasting but it’s only open on certain days so please call or book online. Their premium gin won a Great Taste Award and they do everything from Cucumber and Mint, Orange, Pepper, Sloe and Vanilla and of course, pink! By appointment only, call 07496 906309.
GO KARTING 01437 769555
West Wales Karting is at the county showground in Haverfordwest – only ten minutes from the house – ideal in wet weather!
GOLF
Haverfordwest Golf Club accepts day visitors.
HORSERIDING
We recommend the local riding school – Bowlings at Rudbaxton which is only ten minutes away. They have an indoor arena for novices. 01437 741599
INDOOR PLAY FOR CHILDREN
If it’s bad weather we have Merlin’s indoor playground five minutes away – by the garage next to Vincent Davies store. Also Hangar 5 for indoor trampolines on the other side of the road. Hangar 5 is excellent – absolutely massive, my grandkids love it. See details overleaf.
PLUMSTONE MOUNTAIN
Very atmospheric, rocky outcrop with great views and wild ponies etc. Good for picnics. Turn right out of the house on the Croesgoch road (B2330) and drive for about ten minutes – you will pass a sign for Treffgarne on your right and the road will climb. Slow down and you will see a sign for a bridle path on your left – you can drive up there to Plumstone Mountain.
SAILING LESSONS
Learn to sail at Dale on the estuary – or go cockling there!
SKATE BOARDING
There is an outdoor skateboarding park in Haverfordwest – by the council office near the river
SWIMMING POOL/LEISURE CENTRE
If the sea is a little bracing for you Haverfordwest has a good leisure centre with a pool, sauna, gym and spin bike studio.
Haverfordwest Leisure Centre, St Thomas Green 01437 776676
Out of season you can also buy entrance to Bluestone Leisure Park with a super pool with lots of water slides etc.
TAXIS – they change all the time but here are some to try:
Preseli Taxis – 24 hours – 01437 764050
Rocky’s Taxis 01437 890891
Hugh’s Taxis 07944 279571
There is also taxi rank at Haverfordwest railway station and one in the centre of Haverfordwest
THEME PARK: For theme park devotees we have OAKWOOD www.oakwoodthemepark.co.uk
TRAMPOLINING
Hangar 5, 5 minutes away is an old aircraft hangar with a huge variety of trampolines, a blessing on wet days and fantastic fun for kids and adults alike. Recommend you book in advance!
Hangar 5: enquiries@hangar5.wales 01437 700555
VETERINARY PRACTICE
The Fenton Veterinary Practice 01437 762806
WILD LAKES SA62 8AB
For wild swimming, wake boarding, bouldering and an aqua park for the children during the summer holidays only. There is also a café. About 30 minutes away.
SHOPPING and BROWSING
HAVERFORDWEST
The best way to get to Haverfordwest is to turn left out of the drive, past the pub and carry on a couple of miles till you reach the roundabout. Turn left then right at the next roundabout. You can park in the car park (turn left at the bottom of the hill and double back and turn left).
Haverfordwest is an old market town with new shops alongside the river. The old centre has suffered from the new retail estate (Marks and Spencer, TK Max, Next, Boots, Homebase etc on the two retail estates next to the hospital. You can get to this by turning left again at the Morrisons roundabout, going past the hospital and then turning left). There are still plenty of little shops on the road by the square (on right after bridge). Vincent Davies is a really good department store opposite the airport – it has everything from furniture to pets to garden equipment to jewellery and gifts. Highly recommended for browsing! It also has a cafe with views of the Preselli Mountains.
Fishguard
A large village but home to the ferry crossings to Ireland – and you can even do a day trip!
Little Haven
Sweet little seaside village with lovely pubs and good restaurants. See The Swan Inn.
Narbeth
A charming bohemian village with lots of lovely independent shops to browse. There is a very popular Spanish tapas bar/delicatessen there – great for lunch. See Ultra Comida.
Newport
A pretty village with great restaurants and beaches (follow coast beyond Fishguard)
Neyland Marina – wander amongst the boats and see The Bar at Neyland
Porthgain
This was the centre of slate mining and the harbour was built to export the slate. There is a lovely walk above Porthgain with great views and you can see the ruins of the old buildings. Go up the steps at the end of the quai – and you can walk to the Blue Lagoon. The pub at Porthgain, The Sloop is unprepossessing from outside but is quaint and cosy inside – and The Shed does great seafood. It did delicious take away fish and chips during Lockdown.
Solva
A delightful little fishing village with lovely pubs and a beautiful coastal walk up the hill to the side of the car park. See 35 Main Street under cafés. Don’t miss Windows on Wales – looks like a little shop but when you go in, it’s not!
St Davids (resting place of the patron saint of Wales) A visit to the cathedral and a walk around the town is a must. There are also some really good restaurants – including the Cathedral Refectory.
SUPERMARKETS
Haverfordwest is well served for supermarkets with a Morrisons, Tesco Extra, Aldi and Lidl as well as Wilkinson. Also, a Marks and Spencer food hall for great ready made food on holiday.
When you get to the first roundabout as described above you will see LIDL (a brand new huge LIDL!) up the hill on the right but you get to it by taking the St Davids road. If you turn left instead Morrisons (recommended) is on the left at the next roundabout. Wilkinsons is on your right.
Aldi is up towards the station and Tesco Extra is at the top of the town. At the Morrisons roundabout turn right then take the right hand filter into Haverfordwest. Go up the hill past the library and you will bear left. Turn right at the traffic lights and that will take you up to Tesco.
BUTCHER
If you want really good meat I recommend Prendergast Butchers (instead of turning right into Marks and Spencer turn left at the roundabout signposted Prendergast). Great quality and locally sourced. Won Best Butcher in Wales award.
EATING OUT
If you visit any of the places below please let me know your experiences (good or bad) so I can update the pack.
CAFES
35 Main Street, Solva does everything from full meals to cakes to icecream. It is a sweet café/restaurant by the stream and next to the car park. By day a café, great for cappuccinos and homemade cake/icecream or for lovely lunches such as dressed crab and chip, it is also open as a restaurant some evenings in season.
Sands Café in Newgale does great breakfasts and cakes.
Mamgu Welshcakes in Solva – has a wide range of different flavour Welshcakes and good coffee so a must if you are a fan of Welshcakes.
I have had glowing reports about the café above Marloes beach – apparently it has great views and good food.
There are some good cafes in Haverfordwest itself – when you turn right into the high street instead of going up the hill, turn left into Quay street and there are a couple.
Ocean at Broadhaven has a café part (with great ice-cream!) as well as a restaurant
Ultra Comida – deli/tapas etc is a very popular lunch spot in Narbeth. Very highly rated – 01834 861491
The Georges in Haverfordwest does really good lunches – book ahead! PUBS
Ye Olde Inne opposite is good and welcoming. The new owners are not doing food so far, though.
The Swan at Littlehaven is a favourite – it’s situated right next to the beach and is a little gem, in summer or winter. It doesn’t do meals, though, just delicious snacky bits and pieces.
There are some good pubs in Solva e.g. Harbour Master and The Ship. The Cambrian is more of a restaurant – see below.
I also like The Sloop in Porthgain – great food and very atmospheric! 01348 831449
The Corner Piece Inn at Rudbaxton – 01437 742185, said to be good for Sunday lunch
I’ve had good reports about The Rising Sun – about ten minutes away on the main road between Haverfordwest and Newgale. Good standard pub food. Book first.
The Glen in Haverfordwest is a good “go to” – it’s large so there are plenty of tables and the food is decent and good value, especially at lunch.
Tafarn Sinc (the Zinc Tavern) in the Preselli Hills is unique and historic – see Good Pub Guide (Rosebush SA66 7QU)
The Old Point House, Angle Village is a gastropub owned and run by Jonathan Williams who is a previous winner of the BBC Food and Farming Awards and famous for his use of seafood and laverbread (Welsh seaweed).
The Cresselly Arms at Cresswell Quay (near Carew Castle) featured in the Bill Nighy film Their Finest – interesting because it is a period piece. As a condition of their lease from the local lord of the manor they have not been allowed to change it since the 1940s – and they are not allowed to serve food. It is set on the quayside which has stepping stones over the river – which children love!
The Carew Inn has glowing reviews and has a beer garden with views of Carew Castle . 01646 651 267.
The Lost Coins next to the Premier Inn on the roundabout at Haverfordwest is good for families and it’s a Marstons chain pub so you know what you are getting.
Stackpole Inn is a charming pub near the coast – and the lighthouse at Stackpole. Food is more restaurant than pub – book in advance on 01646 672324.
St Bride’s Inn in Littlehaven is a lovely old pub in a very picturesque fishing village. Good for Sunday lunch. 01437 781266
The Wolfe Inn, Wolfscastle is extremely popular so book in advance, even out of season. More restaurant than pub. Very good for steaks and for Sunday lunch. The profiteroles are epic! 01437 741668
RESTAURANTS
The Bar at Neyland Marina gets good reviews especially for its seafood – and great views so ask for a table by the windows. A word of warning though, the staircase to go up to it is not suitable for the infirm. You need to book: 01646 602 550
Bella Roma – recently opened Italian restaurant in Haverfordwest, already has lots of fans.
Blas (means taste in Welsh) at the Twy y Felin hotel near St Davids is upscale, I’ve heard good reports. Must book in advance. (01437 720404)
The Cambrian at Solva – looks like a pub outside but is a restaurant with a previous Cwtch chef now in residence. Recommended – again must book in advance.
If you want somewhere special and are happy to travel (19 miles, about 30 minutes!) Lan Y Mor (meaning on the beach) has taken one of the award winning chefs from The Grove. Great food, atmosphere and setting. You absolutely have to book ahead in season 01834 810800
JT at the Abergwaun Hotel in Fishguard recently got a rave review from Gryff Rhys Jones
The George’s in Haverfordwest is very popular – rather bohemian and I’m told the food is good, with vegetables from their own allotments. Café rather than restaurant hours –Tues to Fri 10 am to 5-30 pm and Saturday 10am to 11 pm so please check and book – telephone 01437 766683
The Grove Hotel at Narbeth is a place that celebs tend to stay when filming in Pembrokeshire e.g. Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett while filming Robin Hood and the cast of Harry Potter. They have 2 restaurants, one very upscale and award winning so not cheap e.g. their “tasting menu”!
For the adventurous The Grub Kitchen which serves normal food as well as insects (I promise, I’m serious!) is at Lower Harglodd Farm St Davids (SA62 6BX) –open Tuesday to Sunday in the summer holidays. Call first on 07986 698169.
Martha’s Vineyard, Milford Marina at Milford Haven, restaurant and bar on the waterfront 01646 697083
Newport has got some great places to eat including Llys Meddyg (Doctor’s Court in English!) offer tremendous food, all locally sourced ,Tides Kitchen and Wine Bar and The Golden Lion pub. The Canteen does homemade pizzas and salads.
I like Ocean at Broadhaven – on the front so some tables overlook the beach and the sea. A good all-rounder as has a café part for coffee, cake, wonderful icecream and a restaurant with good locally caught fish.
If you like fish The Shed, a seafood bistro and wine bar at Porthgain is excellent 01348 831518
St David’s Gin and Kitchen – all locally sourced food, the shell fish coming from the shell fish farms off the coast of St David’s – and their own gin!
The Druidstone Hotel is in a spectacular location on the cliff top with their own private access down the cliff to Druidstone Beach. The bar is only open to residents and club members but if they are not too busy they accept bookings in the restaurant from non residents. Worth a shot!
TAKE – AWAY
If you like seafood and want to treat yourself I recommend Mrs Will the Fish – fantastic seafood platters (crab and lobster). You order in advance and pick up from her home in Solva. Wonderful.
Telephone 01437 721571 or message her on Facebook.
FISH AND CHIPS (eat in or take away)
Something’s Cooking, award winning fish and chips at Letterston. I’ve had excellent reports about the fish and chip shop in Prendergast (take the turning marked Prendergast at the roundabout near M&S, Next etc
Chinese: Mr Wong in Haverfordwest ( they also do fish and chips) – and they deliver 01437 760197 and Brothers House in Prendergast 01437 767498 which is the nearest.
Indian – there are lots of Indian restaurants in Haverfordwest. The Taj Mahal is very good (01437 764573) – I’ve also heard some good reports about Dial a Curry which does what it says on the tin (01437 765060)