National Trust - Llanerchaeron — Attraction in Ciliau Aeron

We've passed the sign for this place on the way to Aberaeron and always said we'd call in. Now today we did and wondered why we haven't been before!. Really pleasant informative staff from the reception desk to the volunteers in the house and the gardeners who all had time to talk to us. A Beautiful house all fully furnished with lots of information in each room. Felt like we could move in. Very interesting, like Downtown Abbey on a small scale. Then a gorgeous lakeside walk with so much to see, a beautiful oasis in the peace and quiet of the countryside. The walled garden was a delightful place for me as I have a large allotment and I just wanted to get in there and start digging! Fruit veg and herbs and all sorts of flowers in the beds and greenhouses all labelled with the types and names. Full of bees and so pretty! The home farm reminded me of the toy farm which I had when I was a child, all full of piggy styles and cows in barns, all types of farm implements and fascinating working things. Old Gwenni the Welsh cob hanging her head over the stable door for a scratch, the farm cat for a fuss and ducks foraging in the grass. A brilliant book shop where you browse the shelves for anything you fancy and post your money in the box. Lots of woodland walks apparently but we didnt have time to indulge as my husband had his eyes on a large piece of carrot cake in the scrumptious cafe where I had the tastiest cheese with red onion chutney toastie for a long time. A huge pot of tea accompanied it and then, as I said, the cake. Delicious! I will definitely be back! Well...

Much of the historical value derives from the indifference shown by past owners to the farm and outbuildings, which were allowed to remain unimproved and generally untouched with no attempt to demolish or renovate them. As a result it is easy to see and infer exactly where and how essential tasks were performed, often aided by advanced technology, including electricity generated by a water-wheel. The service facilities include a large laundry and linen-care room, spaces for brewing, butter and cheese making, preparation and salting or smoking of meat and fish, preservation of fruits and vegetables and a full range of crafts. The estate employed carpenters and a full-time stonemason who designed and built whole buildings as well as overseeing the construction of walls, drying platforms and other farm requisites. The estate's former tenant farmland has now mostly been sold but the house and a considerable area of farm, garden and parkland are opened to the public at for most of the year, but pre-booking is recommended, especially at busier times such as weekends and bank holidays. The Dylan Thomas Trail also...

Visiting Llanerchaeron was our second place to visit on our day out to a part of Wales we have not visited before. We parked and got a ticket for the windscreen, then off for lunch. The cafe was very busy at times, with seating inside and out, and accompanied by bullfinch. The cafe provides a good selection of food and drink, catering for most allergies. Well fed, now time to walk that lot off, but which way? We decided to walk the circular Nuthatch/Kingfisher Trail along the river, where my wife saw a kingfisher. The path was rugged, with lots of tree roots, so not suitable for buggies or bikes. I cannot comment on the other trails. Returning to the car park, we crossed the road towards the house, and we were not to be disappointed!! Walking around the lake and gardens, we saw the greatest concentration of rhododendrons outside of Surrey. They were just going over but there was plenty of colourful flowers to observe. We did not visit the house as it was...