The cottage and converted outbuildings have been here for many years. The original building is believed to be a ‘Ty un nos’, ‘a house built in one night’. The cottages are set in the centre of 5 acres of grounds, which 20 years ago, were developed along organic/ permaculture lines. This has created a very special environment nature to thrive.

Sustainability

Maen-Offeiriad is located in the Pembrokeshire National Park. Our ambition is to make the small holding as eco friendly as we possibly can. We recognise that we have a long way to go but each year we will try and reduce our carbon footprint and increase the biodiversity of the smallholding, To this end…

• Biomass wood fires fuelled from our own stock or local sustainable log source.
• Planting Willow and Ash and Alder trees for coppicing.
• Private bore hole water filtered and sterilised with UV light and tested by the National Park.
• Low energy lighting installed.
• Green electricity provided by Ecotricity.
• Gas powered instant boilers for hot water.
• Line dry laundry when possible.
• When we have to tumble dry we use a Bosch Ecologixx 7 Tumble drier (uses 40% less energy than ‘A’ Rated).
• Waste water fed to Septic tank waste then willow bed.
• Dual flush toilets installed.
• Upgraded building insulation.
• Wormery and composts for green waste recycling.
• Eco cleaning products used throughout cottages/laundry.
• Encourage visitors to shop in the wide selection of local shops/restaurants and provide lots of local information in the cottages
• Organic Veg can be delivered for your holiday (please ask for details).
• Local Bike hire available with delivery to the cottage.

Recycling

We encourage guests to recycle all paper, glass, cans, card and we compost kitchen waste on site.

Biodiversity

Previous owners of the smallholding have developed along the permaculture lines, with compost toilets, polytunnel, living grass roof, willow coppice,fruit trees etc. Our plan is to ensure we minimise our carbon footprint, and conserve the habitat we now care for. We are surrounded by a wealth of wild flowers, butterflies, bees, birds, bats, frogs, toads, Palmate newts, mosses, lichens etc and will continue to develop and nurture this. Log piles and twig piles have been left to create habitats for wildlife.

Livestock

We have several breeds of chicken -Bantams, Buff Orpington’s and Leghorns (lay blue eggs).  We’re hoping the girls will be laying sufficient eggs to allow us to sell them to our guests.  We’ve also got a selection of ducks – all hatched out under a chicken!  They are all housed within an electric fence enclosure which should hopefully keep the foxes away.