The Three Spaniels' Shepherd Hut

“You do occasionally see a tractor driving past,” explains The Three Spaniels’ owner Miranda apologetically. “And you can see a house.” She’s right; you can – if you squint and look really, really hard among the glorious Welsh countryside that spreads out in front of the site’s lone shepherd’s hut. Beyond the little fenced garden and past the field grazed by Miranda’s beloved horse, Rufus, you might just about spot the chimney pot of a cottage half a mile down the valley. For most glamping guests though, this level of what passes for traffic and urbanisation in West Wales, keeps the place just the right side of remote.

Having said that, although there’s just the one shepherd’s hut on this new site for the moment, you are not completely isolated. The Three Spaniels is Miranda and husband Dave’s pet project and they’ve parked the hut up in a sheltered position that’s not too far from the house they live in on their 26-acre farm. You’ll share this ample space with them, their spaniels (of course), chickens, horses and the sheep which graze on site. A hedge separates you from the farm buildings and ensures privacy but you are never too far away if you want to ask this enthusiastic couple for local information.

Before moving here, Dave and Miranda had been holidaying in Wales for years. They’ve canoed, coasteered and caravanned all around the area so they’re well equipped to point you in the right direction. They can tell you where to eat fish and chips with a chance of seeing dolphins (New Quay), where to find some challenging MTB routes (Brechfa Forest) and where to go for a decent Sunday roast (The Gwarcefal in Prengwyn). But be warned; although it’s not too far from much that makes Wales such a great destination, it’s not close either. The nearest shop is four miles away, the nearest place to paddle out in to the River Teifi – a further eight and the coast – a 20-minute drive.

If you don’t fancy exploiting the surprisingly easy connections, The Three Spaniels works just as well as a retreat. Couples can cosy up in the self-contained shepherd’s hut which has its own shower and loo as well as a seating area which converts in to a double bed. The underfloor heating, heated towel rail and simple kitchenette make winter stays just as appealing as summer ones when you can take advantage of the garden, barbecue and a beautiful, bubbling hot tub where you can soak away the evening hours. A brazier for campfires means stargazing is a year-round on-site activity along with walking the dog in the extensive grounds. With a name like The Three Spaniels, you might have guessed that at this glamping getaway, dogs are welcome too.