Review: Bryn Parc in Mumbles – a Home from Home holiday cottage
Earlier this month we were invited to stay in a beautiful holiday cottage in Mumbles on Swansea Bay. Bryn Parc is one of 250 properties that can be rented through Home from Home – a holiday letting agent that specialises in luxury self-catering properties which make perfect bases for exploring this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
To say I was a tiny bit excited when I popped online to check out our pad for our weekend in Wales was an understatement. Bryn Parc ticked all the boxes on my perfect holiday home checklist. It looked full of character without being dated, it had lovely large living spaces and was in a great location.
When we arrived in South West Wales after a three hour journey from Devon I was not disappointed. It was well past the Tin Box girls’ bedtime. So we quickly settled them down in the twin bedroom at the top of the stairs and set about quietly exploring our home from home for the next few days.
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Staying at Bryn Parc in Mumbles
The write up about Bryn Parc says it ‘sleeps eight comfortably’. With four double bedrooms, two of which were ensuite, and a small playroom with sofa bed, there’s definitely scope for accommodating more guests. There’s also two large dining tables – one in the kitchen and another in a dining room – and two separate sitting areas. It struck me as the perfect arrangement to give children and adults their own spaces to eat and socialise together – great if you’re travelling with family or friends.
I had serious kitchen envy throughout our stay. The extension is double height with large windows and French patio doors out into the garden, making it light and airy. At the same time it was toasty warm thanks to the aga. I marvelled at the amount of kitchen equipment available for us to use. I’m pretty sure we could have found the necessary pots, pans and dishes to cook up any meal we wanted had it not been for the fact we were eating out each night.
The kitchen also came stocked with tea towels, kitchen towel, washing liquid and powder.
The decor was modern with lots of curiosities to catch the eye and make each room unique, without over-cluttering it. Each dresser and shelf was also home to books of all genres. There was certainly plenty to browse during the evenings or on a quiet day in-between visiting the local beaches, pottering around the independent shops in Mumbles or walking along the Gower coastline.
There’s parking for two cars down the side of the house and permit parking on the road outside. The property is also on a bus route that takes you into Swansea.
Family-friendly features
Bryn Parc has been set up as a family home with all the equipment you could possibly need for a break with young and older kids. In the pantry we found a highchair, baby bouncer, toddler cutlery and plastic plates. There were board games, DVDs and a wide screen TV in the second lounge and soft toys in the small playroom upstairs. We also used the property’s travel cot for Tin Box Baby and found a baby bath.
Outside, the main garden area was enclosed by a picket fence so that dogs and children could be contained. I loved the Gaudi-inpsired garden bench that reminded me of our stay in Barcelona earlier this year.
Finishing touches
We were greeted with a welcome hamper packed with goodies including prosecco, chocolates and artesian olive bread. Yum! There was also tea and coffee which was a life saver as I’d forgotten to pack any hot drinks. Rookie mistake!
Something I really liked about this cottage were all the hand written notes about the place. They were there to help you navigate the facilities and the local area but weren’t intrusive or designed to make you feel like you mustn’t touch.
Tin Box Dog was also made to feel at home with dog bowls for her to use and a special doggy chair that she was allowed to sit in (not that she is allowed on furniture at home) and throws to make her a bed or put over the sofas.
Things to do in Mumbles and Gower
Our welcome pack came with loads of suggestions of things to do in the area. In Mumbles there’s Oystermouth Castle, the Pier, plenty of independent shops and crazy golf on the seafront. If you like nature walks, there’s Mumbles Hill Local Nature Reserve.
We were also at the eastern end of the Gower Peninsular – Britain’s first designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It’s a haven for beach, photography and water sports fans with epic coastal views and miles of sand. Inland there are family attractions like the Gower Heritage Centre, and Perriswood Archery and Falconry Centre. The owners had pinned plenty of their personal recommendations to a map in the kitchen.
For a taster of what we got up to during our stay check out my overview of our weekend and the YouTube video below. Or if beaches are your thing then take a look at these great ones on the Gower peninsular.
Final thoughts on Bryn Parc in Mumbles
I fell head over heels in love with this holiday cottage. It was not only beautifully kept, it also felt homely thanks to the personal touches left by the owners. They’ve obviously learnt from experience what makes a good holiday home for families and put it into practice. I also loved the fact that dogs were very welcome. Then there was the space! The four of us were rattling around in the place during our weekend stay, so I wouldn’t hesitate to book it for a break with family or friends. I have thought about this a lot but have found it very hard to be critical of Bryn Parc. It really did feel like a home from home.
If you’d like to find out more about Bryn Parc and other Home from Home properties in Mumbles, Gower and Swansea Bay visit the website: www.homefromhome.co.uk
Disclosure: we were given free accommodation at Bryn Parc as part of a press trip arranged by Visit Swansea Bay. I was not asked to write a post specifically about our holiday cottage but wanted to because we loved it.
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There has clearly been a lot of thought put into the practicality and the atmosphere of this holiday home. Particularly love the clear labelling!
Tania @ Larger Family Life recently posted…A is for ‘Adventure’, ‘Abseil’, ‘ArcelorMittal Orbit’ and ‘Aargh! I’m really going to do this!’
Claire it looks so lovely, I am so fussy about style and decor when traveling but I love the feel of this cottage x
Sarah Christie recently posted…4 Great Places To Spend Christmas
I was thinking you might like it while we were there…and ‘how would Sarah photograph this’ 😉
No wonder you fell head over heels in love with this cottage Claire! What a stunning property. I have kitchen envy too and I LOVE that mosaic bench in the garden! #MondayEscapes
Lisa recently posted…A splashtastic day at Siam Park, The Water Kingdom, Tenerife
Two of my favourite features as well!
Well, talk about ticking a few boxes here – Wales is lovely so a trip there – tick, and a holiday cottage with more home comforts than you can think of – tick! AND it’s dog friendly … TICK! What a fabulous holiday you clearly had and what a fabulous touch to give you a welcome pack. I can see why you wanted to write a review on this place so much, thank you for showing us this fabulous place and providing all the information. #MondayEscapes
Glad you liked it Angie. It definitely was a boxing ticking kind of stay!
That looks like a nice place to stay. 🙂 #MondayEscapes
Mandy recently posted…Seine River Cruise
It really was. We loved it!
I love the little touches and the mix of styles: I have always thought architecture should put together the best from different parts of the word and that comfy interior and colourful garden seems to do just that! Thanks for the recommendation, I’ll definitely keep this in mind
Marta recently posted…A local mum’s guide to the best things to do in Liverpool with kids
You’re welcome Marta. The house and garden certainly reflects the owners’ own travels
You had me at Luxury Self catering before I even got to outstanding natural beauty – looks like you found a real winner there with so many added extras
The extras really were the icing on the cake 🙂
Wow! Saw the video and the area is fantastic (specially the coastal walk and the beach). I like the little touches you found on your “home” away from home. I would love to arrive to a place and find nice things to eat and drink! #MondayEscapes
Ruth recently posted…2016: Year in Review
That really was a lovely touch after a long journey!
This looks a perfect place for a getaway! I love the fact it is dog friendly too! The house looks fantastic and like they covered every eventuality – I am a sucker for a welcome pack and this was a really good one! And that map?! Genius idea! #MondayEscapes
Tracy McConnachie Collins recently posted…Diary of a travel blogger – the early years!
The welcome pack was lovely, especially as it had tea! I’d have been a mess in the morning without it 🙂
how lovely!! That’s so pretty.
I’ve got rather fussy about my holiday cottages over the years but this one would definitely tick all the right boxes from my perspective. I love personal recommendations about places to visit (I always hunt out the visitor book when I first arrive) so the map and tags are a great idea. #Mondayescapes
Christine recently posted…Scaring myself at Zip World caverns, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Gwynedd
It ticked a lot of my boxes too. It was great that there were so many lovely touches
This sounds so homey! We usually stay in hotels but the kids are getting big enough that it would be nice to be able to give them their own space (and us, too!) so I need to start looking into staying in rental properties. Bryn Parc looks so charming. And I love that it comes equipped with baby things so you’re able to leave some things at home. #mondayescapes
Allison recently posted…Wonderland Express: A Magical World at the Chicago Botanic Garden
Yes, having your own space is so important when you’re on holiday and with each other 24/7. That’s one of the main attractions of holiday cottages for us.
This looks like a wonderful home from home! I could definitely see myself chilling out on that sofa! Great to find somewhere which accommodates children and animals. Plus, I love the bench too! #mondayescapes
Elizabeth -Wander Mum recently posted…6 Amazing Destinations To Visit In Winter
The bench was such a fun feature. I can imagine lounging on it during the summer with a glass of wine 🙂
It looks beautiful, Clare, and i can see why you fell in love with it. I love the map with the luggage tags, what a great idea. #mondayescapes.
There were so many lovely touches like this throughout the property. It was a great place to stay.
Wow it looks beautiful and so peaceful. It’s looks huge too. Plus I want that mosaic outdoor bench – gorgeous!
Everyone loves the bench! It was made by the owners’ father so is totally unique 🙂
Wow this looks like a fabulous home from home. I would love to stay here with my boys, it looks so ideal. They have obviously really considered what families need. The play area is fab! #MondayEscapes
There were so many features that we hadn’t seen in other holiday cottages. It really was vert family friendly
What a fantastic place Claire! And it sounds like the ideal place to take young kids too with all the baby and toddler paraphernalia available to borrow. We went to Pembrokeshire last year and absolutely loved it so I’d love to go back and explore the Swansea Bay area. #mondayescapes
Jo Addison recently posted…Cruising With A 3 Year Old And A 13 Month Old Baby
It’s a lovely part of the world to visit and having a greta place to stay makes it all so easy. We hardly had to pack any baby gear!
Love places like this for a relaxing family trip away. Loved the pins in the map idea -much more interactive than a guide book!
Coral-Way too much luggage recently posted…Have you found your happy place ?
They are great fun, right! Just one of the lovely features in this house
This place looks absolutely lovely, I love it’s sense of style and the “Gaudi” bench is stunning. #mondayescapes
Phoebe | Lou Messugo recently posted…Sunday Photo – 11 December 2016
It is beautiful, right?!
The interior design is lovely! I adore the handwritten notes on the map, so thoughtful.
Absolutely, there were so many thoughtful notes around the house that helped us navigate everything there was for us to use and do.
I’d have kitchen envy too lol #mondayescapes
Wandermust mummy recently posted…Great Middle Eastern Hotels 2016 Round-up!
LOL! It really was beautiful 🙂
Wow what an adorable little cottage! I love all the little notes and travel suggestions the host left you, as well as the Gaudi inspired bench! #MondayEscapes
Lolo recently posted…Strasbourg is THE “City of Christmas”
There were so many lovely features. It was a fab place to stay.
This sounds like a really lovely cottage to stay in, we are a family of 5 and often go away with the grandparents and struggle to find accomodation big enough for us all, I might check this one out! #Treidandtested
It would definitely be big enough. And there’s separate areas for adults and children in the evening if you like to do your own things.
This really does look fabulous – I love all the extra personal touches and the helpful notes. And that bench – wow!
ps – I had already submitted my copy for the BritMums round-up on self-catering properties but managed to nip back in this morning and add yours.
Trish @ Mum’s Gone To recently posted…Booking holidays is stressful
It’s a truly lovely place to stay. Thanks so much for the add to the round up!
Oh wow, this looks the perfect place for a family holiday. Especially if you have both kids and dogs. Looks really spacious and its great you get some of the essentials for the kids (highchair etc). Nothing worse than having to pack everything to take away with you!
Sam – Travelling With Our Kids recently posted…Costings for our Family Holiday to Holland
I know, we seriously cut down on the amount of kiddie kit in the back of the car thanks to Bryn Parc being so well stocked!