No, we haven’t jetted off to sunnier climes but instead are minutes from Carmarthen staying in the grand and luxurious Ty Penbryn.
The house in Llangynor sleeps 24 and is a modern interpretation of the original Georgian property that stood in this spot lived in by Sir Lewis Morris.
The new Ty Penbryn retains the original charm of the former manor house and had recreated and reused its original features.
However, it benefits from the modern conveniences of insulation and underfloor heating. Not to mention a cinema, swimming pool and leisure suite, games room music room and outdoor playpark.
Current owners Ben and Hannah bought the property in 2021.
Together they have transformed the property into a fun and family-friendly holiday let, perfect for large family gatherings and corporate events.
Hannah is studying interior design and has applied her creative and quirky touch to the Georgian wing of the house.
Furniture has been sourced from local antique dealers and second-hand markets and each room is decorated in its own unique way; one in deepest blue with gold accents and peacock lamps, another in painted stripes with an Indian carved four poster bed and mirrored furniture.
At the top of the gallery is a stained-glass chandelier shipped in from the States with twelve illuminated parrots, a nod to Sir Lewis Morris’ collection of taxidermy birds in the original Ty Penbryn.
In the name of family fun, the entrance hall below the gallery can be used as a dance floor, with a discreetly installed disco ball, juke box and karaoke machine, sitting alongside suits of armour.
The walls of the house are adorned with a mixture of reproduction and original art from different schools and styles.
The light is luscious spilling in from double aspect windows that look out onto manicured lawns and gardens that spill into fields right down to the River Towy.
The accommodation consists of a Victorian wing, Georgian wing and an adapted annex with wet room and wheelchair access.
We are in a cosy ensuite twin room in the Victorian wing, decorated in off white with dark accents, a hint of tasselled chintz and a couple of Monet repros. Here we enjoy perfectly comfortable beds squishy pillows, a TV, ceiling fan and a short trip to the kitchen and dining areas.
Sitting in the room in the spring sunlight, birdsong fills the air and there is a real feeling of peace and tranquillity, despite our proximity to the centre of Carmarthen; we are close enough to walk into the centre and near to the train station but it feels like we have got away from it all.
The original Ty Penbryn became derelict after its roof blew off in a storm in the 1950s.
The builder who rebuilt it recreated the grand entrance way and gallery, using Welsh Oak and exactly replicating the detailing on the staircase.
The original wood, marble and slate fireplaces were remade at two thirds of their original size.
Elsewhere original features were salvaged where possible; there are original boards on the dining room floor, ceiling mouldings in the library and animal bells when you come in.
Ben and Hannah have added all the bells and whistles to the property, giving consideration to what a large family or group would enjoy here.
They have created a second floor in the property, going into the attic to make a cinema room with tiered seating in proper comfy sofas and a super-sized screen. There’s also an office tucked under the eaves if you do have to work while on holiday.
The other addition that they have made to the property is the leisure wing, housing a pool, jacuzzi, a sauna and a steam room as well as heated loungers. Above the changing rooms there is a mezzanine floor with comfy seating, a soft play corner, a large TV and a ping pong table.
The house caters well for children as well as adults, possibly because Ben and Hannah have a little one of their own. There are coat pegs at child height, a soft play in the leisure suite, all manner of pool toys and inflatables, colourful ukeleles in the music room and little mouse stickers in communal areas for kids to find and assemble a mystery word.
Outside there is a small children’s play park and a multi sports pitch that can be floodlit at night as well as a barbeque, pizza oven and enormous outside seating area.
Ty Penbryn is looked after by Finest Retreats who run a concierge service and can arrange bespoke experiences such as murder mystery evenings, wine tastings with a local vineyard and catering.
In the evening, we dine on tender steak topped with picked mushrooms, broccoli and dauphinoise potatoes, laid on by local bespoke catering company Strawberry Shortcake.
Between the main and dessert, we learn a murder has taken place just down the road from the manor.
We find out that Lady Virginia’s husband had been murdered in the grounds of Carmarthen Castle; she is one of the suspects along with her good friend Victor and the local GP.
During a delicious dessert and coffee, we try and solve the murder, questioning each suspect, expertly played and improvised by actors from Welsh murder mystery company Dying to Meet You.
I won’t tell you who dunnit but can reveal that I was one of only three in our party to guess correctly.
The murder mystery made dinner into a diverting experience, broke the ice among our group of strangers and lasted for exactly the right amount of time.
After this we end up in the music room with new friend Jo singing Britpop on the guitar, before retiring to the movie theatre for a bit of late-night viewing.
The next morning, I am up bright and early in the spring sunshine and have a swim before breakfast. Happiness is an empty swimming pool with sunshine glistening in the depths and plenty of space and time to plod up and down.
Appetite worked up, I sit down to a sumptuous breakfast spread, again by Strawberry Shortcake, before soaking up said spring sunshine on a superbly comfortable sun lounger.
Later we stroll down the Roman road into Carmarthen to drink coffee and boba tea on sunny squares.
The afternoon is spent in the pool, jacuzzi, sauna and steam room and after a spectacular sunset we head to the cinema for some 90s movie nostalgia.
A quick swim before breakfast the following day and it’s time to head home, rested, replenished and ready for more.
Ty Penbryn costs from £5,688 per week. If you grab your 23 closest friends and split the costs, that is a bargainous £237 for the week.
Even split between five families or booked for a party or corporate event, Ty Pembryn is the perfect place for a week of luxurious living as lord or lady of the manor.
For more information visit finestretreats.co.uk/rentals/house-llangunnor-ty-penbryn, linked above.
