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Canllefaes cottages are surrounded by fields at the end of our own private lane, about 250 metres from the A487 Cardigan to Aberaeron road, just outside the village of Penparc. This location is ideal for exploring the mountains, beaches and countryside of this beautiful part of West Wales.
Canllefaes Ganol was a farmstead that has existed in some form since the 12th century. The ancient buildings have been tastefully converted into attractive cottages, with great care taken to preserve and enhance the beams, stonework and traditional features..
The cottages range in size sleeping from two people in a one bedroom cottage to eight people in a four-bedroom cottage. Two of the cottages have been designed for people with mobility problems. An outdoor heated swimming pool is available from May to September, weather permitting.
This area is steeped in history and Canllefaes has been recorded as part of it.
The name Canllefaes (pronounced KAN-KLEV-ICE) is derived from Cant Llevas or Cant Llevarvas which, we are told, is translated as "The hundred cries on the field" - a battle or war cry.
In 1136 The Welsh led by Gruffydd ap Rhys ap Tewdwr defeated the Normans at the battle of Crug Mawr here at Penparc, The Normans fled back to Pembrokeshire across the old wooden bridge at Cardigan in such numbers that they caused it to collapse.
In 1165 Lord Rhys ap Gruffydd confirmed the lands north of the road to Blaenporth, including Canllefaes, as part of the estate of the Priory at Cardigan.
In 1538 the Priory estate was transferred to Sir William Cavendish and then became the home of Thomas Philipps and his heirs. We have not yet discovered when Canllefaes was sold from the estate.
In 1808 an historian called Merrick wrote that a druidical monument called Llech yr ast (Bitches Stone) stands in a field called Cant Llevas.
The Ordinance Survey map of 1834 shows Cen-llyfas with a building layout very much as it is today.
From the 1841 and 1851 Census we know that Mrs Mary Makeig, a widow aged 65 farmed 57 acres at Canllevas or Canllevaes; and so, through various families of farmers, to 1977 when John and Sue Leigh bought the farmhouse and buildings together with the remaining 3 acres and started converting the rather neglected buildings into their home and the cottages.
In April 2006 Robert and Lynne Mansfield, together with their six children, Amy, Georgia, Sadie, Ruth, Joseph and Benjamin moved into Canllefaes from Oldham near Manchester to start a new life in this beautiful place.
The cottages have been converted with great care to preserve and enhance the beams, stonework and traditional character of the original buildings.They are all graded 5 Star by the Wales Tourist Board. Two cottages are designed for people with mobility problems
Our outdoor swimming pool is open between May and September, weather permitting. The pool is totally solar heated during warm sunny weather, with a backup boiler for cooler spells.
The pool surroundings have been landscaped with stone terraces, ideal for lazing or sunbathing after your swim. With safety in mind, a wall encloses the area, and the entrance gate is locked at night.
The gardens provide plenty of space in which to relax, play, barbecue and picnic. Much love and hard work have gone into the landscaping and planting of the gardens which have received coveted "Wales in Bloom" awards.
A childrens' play area with a boat sand pit, swings and play house is situated below the cottages. A coin operated laundry is available 24 hours a day.
There is ample parking for cars close to the cottages.
Tel 01239 613712
www.canllefaes.com
Ceredigion self catering holiday cottages