The Glynhir Estate

The Glynhir Estate The Glynhir Estate has welcomed a diverse variety of visitors to share in it's idyllic loveable charm. He didn’t end up going to Ireland!
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Offering both B&B & H/B in the Mansion House & 4 S/C cottages Glynhir offers a get-away for individuals, couples, families and groups of all ages. Glynhir is located two miles from the village of Llandybie, between the towns of Ammanford and Llandeilo, and just ten miles from the end of the M4. Its name ‘glyn hir’ means ‘long valley’ and describes the way the mansion was built on a plateau above a

seven mile long wooded gorge at the foot of the Black Mountains. Glynhir offers both B&B in the 17th century mansion and self catering accommodation in six historic cottages. There are also lots of excellent pubs and restaurants in area which we can happily recommend. The Mansion

For over 35 years, Katy and Carole Jenkins have been welcoming guests to Glynhir Mansion, a place of large rooms, comfy beds and delicious supper smells. Originally built during the mid 1600s, the mansion is now Georgian fronted with a moss-covered stone & slate roof. Step in through the heavy wooden front door and up a Regency dog-leg staircase to four spacious bedrooms, simply furnished and all with garden views. There’s a cosy sitting room complete with a baby grand piano and roaring log fire, and a large conservatory that’s perfect for sunny evenings. In her typically informal and relaxed style, Katy serves nothing but home cooked dishes made with herbs, fruit and veggies from the kitchen garden and orchard. For breakfast there are eggs from the resident ducks and chickens, along with homemade jam and honey from Glynhir’s own hives, all served on crockery made by Carole in the Glynhir pottery. Leftovers are rare, much to the disappointment of the kune kune pigs! The Cottages

Clustered round the cobbled farmyard and duck pond, the six Grade II listed cottages provide self-catered accommodation. They were all once farm buildings, housing either farm workers or animals. Originally built between the 1600s and 1800’s, they have been carefully restored by the Jenkins family and they retain their mellow stonework and oak beams, although these days the wood burning stoves (firewood available for purchase) are supplemented with central heating! Inside, the decor is unfussy – in anticipation of muddy boots and children after a day out in the Carmarthenshire countryside – and all have well equipped kitchens. The Brew House (Sleeps 7)
Once used for producing the estate’s beer, the Brew House looks out on to farmyard through French doors set in the old coach arches which are adorned with clematis and roses. The sitting room is sunny and spacious but turns cosy as soon as the fire is lit. The Bailiff’s House (Sleeps 8)

This is the oldest of the cottages and once accommodated the estate bailiff and his family. Enter from the farmyard into a large open plan hallway/living room which retains the original flagstone floor. See if you can spot the old bread oven in the old kitchen! Orchard Cottage (Sleeps 5)

The most peaceful of all the old farm buildings, this cottage is set back away from the farmyard behind the stone walls of the orchard. Inside there’s a traditional cottage finish and a beautiful view out to the kitchen garden and copse of knarled fruit trees. Stable Flat (Sleeps 6)

Situated above the old smithy and carpenter’s shop, the Stable Flat used to be the stable boys’ living quarters. Climb the ancient stone steps and enter through a quirky low entrance into welcoming kitchen/dining room which overlooks the farmyard. History

There’s an illustrious history hidden in the old stone walls and ancient parkland at Glynhir – an interesting story behind almost every feature, from the crumbling dovecote to the ice house buried in the woods! The earliest records show that Glynhir was owned by a Welsh family called the Powell’s. Very little is known about them other than that Morgan and Elizabeth Powell attended and are buried at the local church. In 1770, the estate (then 420 acres) was bought by Peter Du Buisson for £3,000. A Frenchman, he had fled to England in 1685 as one of the 40,000 Huguenot Protestants seeking refuge from religious persecution at the hands of King Louis XIV. The archives describe how Peter Du Buisson was detained in Carmarthenshire by bad weather in 1770 en route to Ireland. Taking advantage of this delay to visit the surrounding countryside, he was so charmed by the beauty of Glynhir that he bought the estate there and then. After he died, Peter’s son William inherited Glynhir and his investment in agriculture (mainly growing wheat, barley, oats and hay) secured the Du Buisson reputation as an important landowning family. His wife Caroline was also active in the community, founding a girls’ school and commissioning the rebuild of two local churches. One source of speculation was the ‘cutlery works’ (or knife factory) that the family set up. Rumour had it that the factory was used to manufacture weapons which were then illegally smuggled to France during the Napoleonic Wars. The 25 foot deep ice house, which guests can still find down by the river, was supposedly used to hide contraband, arms and even French spies! Some also believed that the dovecote with its 750 nesting boxes was the means for sending treasonous messages across the Channel. While all this is generally regarded as being not much more than conjecture, there is one famous story that the historians vouch for. One summer, William Du Buisson’s two nephews stayed at Glynhir; it is said that when they were recalled to join their army unit in France, they took several carrier-pigeons back with them. Some time later, following the English victory at Waterloo, the pigeons flew home to Wales with the news of Napoleon’s defeat, making the Du Buissons some of the very first people to hear of it. Apparently, Caroline Du Buisson then rode at once to London with the intention of buying up British Government stocks which were at a low ebb, reflecting the country’s fear of defeat. When the depressed stock market finally got wind of Napoleon’s defeat, prices rose sharply and Caroline Du Buisson was able to sell her stocks at a huge profit. It is thought that the line of chestnut trees at Glynhir was planted to commemorate the battle and her financial triumph! The Glynhir estate remained in the family until it was sold by Arthur Edmund Du Buisson in 1921. It then had eight successive owners until it was bought by Mr Bill Jenkins in 1965, by which time only 240 acres remained and most of the buildings were in disrepair. In an interview with a local journalist, Bill Jenkins explained, “When we arrived, the mansion hadn’t been used for many years except for three rooms. You can imagine the state of the rest of the building.” The early years were hard but the Jenkins’ stuck to their dream, turning down offers from numerous developers along the way; one wanted to knock down the mansion and build a 200 room hotel! They went as far as selling the Glynhir Mill, and the ruins of the old knife factory with its adjoining land which were used for residential development and a golf course. For the Jenkins family, their ownership of Glynhir has never been about money. “That would be a betrayal to history,” said Bill, “I don’t look upon myself as the owner of the estate but as a keeper who will look after Glynhir and protect it for future generations.”

Sadly, Bill Jenkins died in 1992 but his wife Carole and daughter Katy have stayed true to everything Bill believed in – and Glynhir remains a place of authentic Welsh history to this day. Things to do

There is more than enough to keep you busy both at Glynhir and further afield. Whether it’s an art course or an ancient Celtic castle, a day on the beach or a spot of fishing or horse riding, you’ll find an activity for you on the estate or just a short drive away. Katy is always on hand to help you plan your stay and are happy to book trips and courses on your behalf. Things to do at Glynhir:

Art courses – various media including painting, pottery, quilting, patchwork, photography
Creative writing courses
Fishing on the river Loughor (permits required) – for brown trout and sewin
Bird Watching – Glynhir is home to red kites, buzzards, sparrow hawks, grey heron, nuthatch, wood warbler, wagtails and dippers
Walking – roam the estate’s 220 acres! Riding – Bring your horse and ride at a local stables

Things to do further afield:

Golf course – an 18 hole course 500 yards down the road
Horse riding – several excellent riding schools in the area for all abilities
The Castles of Dinefwr, Carreg Cennen, Dryslwyn and Llanstephen
Browse the shops in nearby market town of Llandeilo
Explore Carmarthenshire, ‘the garden of Wales’
- National Botanic gardens
- Lost gardens of Aberglasney
- Dinefwr Park
- Gelli Aur Country Park
Sandy beaches at the Gower and Carmarthen Bay
Walking in the spectacular Brecon Beacons
Fishing on the Towy in Llandeilo
Roman Gold Mines at Dolaucothi
Dylan Thomas’ Boat House

These are just a few ideas to get you started, but there are also steam railways, caves, livestock markets, old fashioned wool and flour mills, art galleries and craft shops and much more – just ask Katy!

15/09/2024

Compulsory purchases of land have now been completed and work on sections not started can begin in weeks

14/08/2024
13/08/2024

Llandeilo is a beautiful town today - but have you ever wondered about its history and roots? Here are ten historical facts and intriguing stories about Llandeilo...

1. Roman influence:🏺There is thought to have been a roman fort not far from present-day Llandeilo, and the land would have been considered very attractive due to the farming, the fishing, and the gold in the nearby hills.... It is very likely roman roads would have crossed the Tywi in a similar place to the current bridge. So potentially thousands of Roman footsteps have gone before us!

2. Saintly Roots: 🙏 Llandeilo is one of the oldest holy towns in Wales, flourishing from 550AD after Saint Teilo founded a church here in the early days of Christianity. The church and its large churchyard still dominates the town.

3. Welsh heroes: 🏰 Dinefwr castle was the seat of the influential rulers of the Kingdom of Deheubarth. It became a symbol of Welsh resistance against Norman and later English dominance. The so-named Robin Hood and Maid Marion of Wales (Gwenllian ferch Gruffydd with her husband Gruffydd ap Rhys) fought passionately here with the castle as their base.

4. Strategic Location: 🐟 Situated on the River Towy, Llandeilo has historically been an important crossing point, which contributed to its significance in trade and transport throughout the centuries. In fact in the medieval period, Llandeilo would probably have had competition from the nearby settlement of Dinefwr - but it is thought Llandeilo won out due to its proximity to the river.

5. The agricultural riches of the valley: 🌾The corn and produce of the fertile Tywi Valley was renowned, and landowners grew powerful and influential. In fact the Tywi Valley is dotted with manor houses and large estates that are testament to this. Corn and cheese were once sold on the ground floor of the Shire Hall.

6. The Civil War: 💥 Llandeilo saw action during the Civil War in the 17th century, with local gentry taking sides between the Royalists and Parliamentarians. Dinefwr Castle was fortified and occupied during this period.

7. The changing use of the Provisions Market: 🛒 Built in Carmarthen Street in 1838; the building has had many uses over the years including as a fire station, a slaughter house, an auction room, an operatic theatre and as a foundry.

8. 19th-Century Growth: 🚂 The arrival of the railway in the 19th century boosted Llandeilo's economy and accessibility, making it a hub for agriculture and commerce. This era saw the construction of many notable buildings in the town, with new roads being built and a surge in trade and visitors.

9. A bank for the drovers: 🐃 Drovers took herds of cattle from surrounding farms all the way to London to sell at Smithfield market. The roads were dangerous, and carrying large quantities of money put the drovers at risk of highwaymen. In Llandovery this was solved by the first Black Ox bank, where money could easily be deposited (they had their own Black Ox banknotes). Llandeilo had its own branch in Bank Terrace, which can still be seen today. The Black Ox bank later became replaced with a black horse and became Lloyds Bank.

10. The Turner bridge: 🎨 J.M.W Turner, the landscape artist, painted an older version of the bridge in 1795 in an artwork known as "Llandeilo Bridge and Dinefwr Castle". It portrayed a bridge with several arches, one of which had been destroyed in a flood and replaced with a flimsy wooden structure. In fact Llandeilo bridge has been destroyed and rebuilt so many times over the centuries by countless floods of the Tywi, until the current single-span bridge was completed in 1848.

That's it! There is a team working behind the scenes to create a new architecture and historical trail for our lovely town - so watch this space! In the meantime, for more info about our town and its history, see https://llandeilo.org/

01/08/2024

Don’t miss these Summer Events - Digwyddiadau'r haf!! 🌻🌻☀️☀️
All in or around Llandeilo.

We thought it would be helpful to compile them into one place.

Please share…..
And add any other events that you know about in the comments (we will get them added for the next update). Diolch yn fawr 😀

21/07/2024

Summer in Llandeilo - Here’s our top things to do….

🛍️Wander the unique and quirky independent shops (not a chain in sight!). Llandeilo is particularly great for interiors and antiques, arts and crafts, galleries, clothing, and gifts. Start in King Street, wander along historical Carmarthen Street, then down Rhosmaen Street; finishing up at The Works Antiques centre and The Warehouse near the train station.

🌳Take a late breakfast to Penlan Park: Pick up something tasty from Diod, Flows or Pitchfork and Provision, and head up to the Penlan Park bandstand to watch the morning sun over the rooftops towards the mountains of Bannau Brycheiniog.

🦶🏼Paddle in the Tywi: On warm summer days, park near the train station and cross the tracks at the level crossing. Take the footpath through the woods to the suspension foot bridge across the Tywi. On the other side is a good shallow pebble beach for paddling and stone skimming.

🚲Hit the pumptrack: Grab your bikes and head to the brand new track! Enjoy practicing your biking or scooter skills on this super fun track next to the playground. Afterwards head to nearby Cegin Diod for a bubble tea, or Duff Nuts for the most amazing donuts to refuel!

🦌Stroll through National Trust Dinefwr Park: See the ancient white cattle and perhaps you can spot the deer. Explore the boardwalk to the lake. Amble up to the medieval castle ramparts (with stunning views down the lush Tywi Valley), then take a tour around Newton House. Don’t miss the new Oak Yard kid’s play space new for summer 2024, with food this summer from fab local eatery Pitchford and Provision.

☕️ Soft Play and great coffee: Hidden down an unassuming side road between a Royal Mail centre and an auction room, Lolfa is a light filled café serving delicious coffee and food, and massive bonus - it has a great soft play area at the back to keep the little ones entertained!

🌻 Visit a garden: The Tywi Valley is home to some amazing places to see and visit, all less than 20mins from town including Aberglasney Garden, the National Botanic Garden of Wales, and the newly reopened Gelli Aur (Golden Grove) Country Park, and Abergwilli Museum and garden near Carmarthen.

🍲 Sample delicious food and produce - don’t miss:
⁃ Handmade chocolate and delicious ice cream in Heavenly
⁃ Yummy bakes in Pitchfork and Provision
⁃ Delicious Welsh rarebit at Diod
⁃ Charcuterie board at Flows
⁃ Milkshakes at Café Braz
⁃ Saturday night tapas at Lolfa
⁃ A cocktail in the Cawdor Hotel Mediterranean style courtyard

All serve delicious coffee ☕️.

🚃 Travel the Heart of Wales: Llandeilo is at the start of a pretty stretch of the Heart of Wales train line - jump on and travel up through beautiful mid Wales all the way to Shrewsbury for a full adventure!

Have we missed anything? Add it in the comments!

25/06/2024
25/06/2024
Growing, growing on the lush grass of Wales!
10/05/2024

Growing, growing on the lush grass of Wales!

27/04/2024
And then there were 8
17/04/2024

And then there were 8

17/04/2024

Rich in nutrients, vegetarian, vegan and native to the coast of Gower, Laverbread is a delicious local delicacy, next time you’re in Swansea Bay make sure you try some. You’ll often find it served with a full breakfast or as a starter with cockles, or you could pick some up from the market and spread it over toast at home, mmm www.visitswanseabay.com

12/04/2024
07/04/2024

William Wilkins was instrumental in saving the gardens and mansion from the brink of collapse in the late 1990s

Spruce up!
08/03/2024

Spruce up!

13/01/2024

Some communities in Wales are today, Saturday, January 13, celebrating New Year's Day. They're not just two weeks late, they simply follow the ancient tradition of Hen Galan and welcome the new year according to the old Gregorian calendar. As the tradition goes, children go from door to door singing and are given Calennig in return - sweets or money. The Mari Llwyd - a horse's head on a pole decorated with ribbons and greenery - is often paraded as well. So Blwyddyn Newydd Dda i chi gyd 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🎉

23/07/2023
Wills photos today of some of the trees in the gardens at Glynhir 🙂
29/05/2023

Wills photos today of some of the trees in the gardens at Glynhir 🙂

Wisteria hysteria 🥰
29/05/2023

Wisteria hysteria 🥰

22/02/2023

Jump in the car and head out of the city to this Carmarthen Bay village with pubs, beach and walks galore

Sunrise over Glynhir 😃
06/02/2023

Sunrise over Glynhir 😃

21/12/2022

Happy Winter Solstice!

Today is the shortest day of the year or the longest night of the year in the northern hemisphere. Spring is on its way!!

🌎-🌞- 🌝

Heulsaf y Gaeaf Hapus!

Heddiw yw diwrnod byrraf y flwyddyn neu noson hiraf y flwyddyn yn hemisffer y gogledd. Mae'r gwanwyn ar ei ffordd!!

02/11/2022

There are only 🌟30 DAYS🌟 to go until our spectacular winter light show kicks off with Luminate!

Join us in December for the BIGGEST and ✨BRIGHTEST✨ light show in west Wales!

Don’t miss out, book your tickets today - https://bit.ly/3PwU8Lt

Dim ond 🌟30 DIWRNOD🌟 sydd i fynd nes bydd ein sioe golau gaeaf syfrdanol yn cychwyn gyda Luminate!

Ymunwch â ni ym mis Rhagfyr am y sioe golau HIRAF a ✨MWYAF DISGLAIR✨ yng ngorllewin Cymru!

Peidiwch â cholli allan, archebwch eich tocynnau heddiw - https://bit.ly/3PwU8Lt

01/11/2022

Address

Glynhir Mansion, Glynhir Road
Ammanford
SA182TD

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 8:30pm
Tuesday 9am - 8:30pm
Wednesday 9am - 8:30pm
Thursday 9am - 8:30pm
Friday 9am - 8:30pm
Saturday 9am - 8:30pm
Sunday 9am - 8:30pm

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