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The Ballroom Flat is on the first floor and has a double bedroom an open plan living room/kitchen with a full sized, comfortable double sofa bed, which is fully equipped and includes laundry facilities, entrance hall and bathroom with bath and over head in bath shower. Bed linen, towels and all utilities are included. The television has Freeview and a DVD player. There is a free DVD library in reception
The Manor Apartment sleeps 6 – 8. Situated on the ground floor from reception or via it’s own front door the apartment is over 2000 square feet in size and includes some of the original reception rooms of the manor. The accommodation is spacious, gracious and unique. It includes a very large living room with direct access to the gardens there is a music centre and freeview TV and DVD player and comfortable sofas and chairs. There is a wood panelled dining hall. 2 bathrooms (1 en suite) plus a walk in shower room. There is also a fully equipped kitchen including laundry facilities and finally a snug/2nd living room that has a full sized double sofa bed thus creating a third bedroom if required.
The master bedroom has a super king and a single bed, a walk in dressing room and an en suite bathroom. Bedroom 2 can be made up as a twin, double, triple or quad.
Again all bed linen towels and utilities are included in the price.
Wheelchair access from reception plus the walk in shower is fitted with seat and wall bar.
Both apartments come with bed linen and towels, Freeview TV DVDs and there is a free DVD library in reception
Lying just 12 miles west of Wales’ capital city, Cardiff and a few miles from the impressive Heritage Coast with it’s many beaches, coves and cliff walks. The bustling, Roman market town of Cowbridge is 1 mile down the road and offers many small shops, tearooms, pubs and restaurants.
Crossways Manor is a beautiful country manor with a central cupola providing natural light over the winding oak staircase within. Wood panelling, hand carved oak entrance hall ceiling and Flemish brass chandelier, a spectacular entry to a truly impressive building. Set in countryside with over 6 acres of private grounds.
Amenities include the gardens, sun terrace, BBQ, tennis court, table tennis, pool table and outdoor seating. There are 2 pubs within an easy stroll both of which serve food.
Activities abound and the Vale of Glamorgan is ideally located for easy access to the Brecon Beacons National Park, the coast, Cardiff, Golf courses including Celtic Manor the home of Ryder Cup 2010, horse riding on the beaches or in the countryside. Hiking and walking, cycling from extreme to family days out, shop ‘til you drop, sea sports, castles and history or just a peaceful locations for a relaxing stay.
We have a great facility for golfers, walkers, cyclists: Secure lock up storage for your equipment and a drying room for those wet clothes and boots.
No smoking in the house and apartments although guests are welcome to smoke in the gardens.
Well behaved pets are welcome, but not to be left alone in the accommodation
Great for family fun, a quiet getaway or a romantic break..
This remarkable building is steeped in history and hosts, John and Mandy Davies, are more than willing to tell you the ‘story’ of the manor. Crossways Manor is also a comfortable family home and retains an atmosphere of welcome and comfort
Crossways Manor and estate dates back to about 1640. However over the intervening years much of the huge estate grounds have been sold off leaving a very comfortable and private 6 acres. The Manor house itself has had a variety of conversion, renovations and add-ons thus creating the house that you see today.
There is much information in the house on its evolution. A piece of more recent history involved a local ship owner in the days when Cardiff was the largest coal exporting docks in the world.
In 1921 Owen Williams completed a labour of love having spent the previous four years completely reconstructing an old Tudor house into the wonderful mansion that exists today - 'Crossways House'.
Owen Williams was a very successful ship owner who, with his brother Watkin Williams, owned one of the many shipping companies that prospered out of the port of Cardiff at the end of the 18th and early part of the 19th centuries. At the height of their business success they had built up a fleet of 22 ships and traded as the "The Golden Cross Line" which travelled all over the world trading in coal, grain, wood, textiles and fresh food.
In 1917, at the age of 55, Owen Williams fell in love with Margaret the 17 year old daughter of Mr Daniel Thomas a mining engineer and manager of Pwllgwaun Colliery near Pontypridd. In that year, Owen Williams purchased this large and beautiful Tudor house in the Vale of Glamorgan and then spent the next 4 years totally renovating and extending the house into the magnificent mansion of Crossways House. In the rebuilding he and Margaret built many new and interesting features including a magnificent 40' ballroom, the beautiful oak carved ceiling in the entrance hall with impressive panelled walls and hand carved staircase.
To set their seal on the property they had their joint initials (O & M W) carved in stone, together with the completion date of the building work, above the archway at the front of the house which can still clearly be seen today as one walks around the property.
Unfortunately, for Owen Williams his happiness was not to last long. The 1920's saw an end to Cardiff's great post war boom and freight rates began to tumble. In 1919,brother Watkin retired from the business but Owen embarked upon a shipping innovation that was to play a major part in his eventual demise. In that year, Owen Williams invested in the new technology of diesel powered engines. He commissioned the building of two large ships using these engines at a time when more prudent owners were reducing their fleets. Inevitably, the cost of maintaining and running these ships was considerably above their projected figures and both were never to become economic propositions.
At the same time, his wife Margaret fell in love with a visiting Indian prince who had stayed at Crossways. The prince, Sir Ranjitsinhji Vivhaji, the Maharajah of Nawanager and Margaret returned to his native India in 1924. In that year, Owen had to sell Crossways and all his prized possessions to fund his mounting debts and to keep his shipping company solvent. The house wasn't sold immediately, due to Margaret's reluctance to sign the papers as joint owner, although it's contents were disbursed. It was eventually purchased in 1928 by the Cardiff Hospital Committee and was used as an orthopaedic children's hospital until 1964 when it was purchased by a Mr Ean Pugh and re-established as a private residence.
During the 1970's Mr Pugh converted part of the old house into private apartments which were leased and eventually sold by his successor Mr Michael Davies in the 1980's. In 1995, Mrs Anne Paterson who had in turn purchased the property from Michael Davies converted part of the remaining house into a Guest House.
Today's owners, John and Mandy Davies, are continuing to run Crossways as their family home as well as a Guest House with the object of extending the business through the provision of additional rooms and facilities as well as restoring some of the old and original features of this grand mansion.
Lying just 12 miles west of Wales' capital city, Cardiff and a few miles from the impressive Heritage Coast with it's many beaches, coves and cliff walks. The bustling, Roman market town of Cowbridge is 1 mile down the road and offers many small shops, tearooms, pubs and restaurants.
Activities abound and the Vale of Glamorgan is ideally located for easy access to the Brecon Beacons National Park, the coast, Cardiff, Golf courses including Celtic Manor the home of Ryder Cup 2010, horse riding on the beaches or in the countryside. Hiking and walking, cycling from extreme to family days out, shop till you drop, sea sports, castles and history or just a peaceful locations for a relaxing stay.
We have a great facility for golfers, walkers, cyclists: Secure lock up storage for your equipment and a drying room for those wet clothes and boots.
Welcome to Wales a land of legend, of fire-breathing dragons, powerful wizards and ferocious giants. Follow in the footsteps of King Arthur and Merlin and step into a mystical and timeless land. Here are old ruins, ancient stone relics and old pubs and places to explore. All with their own strange tales to tell and the real ancestors of ancient Britain to tell them.
It is impossible to include all the places of interest in the area. So we offer you here a small sample of what is around. Many brochures are available in reception for you to peruse and keep.
The spectacular local coastline boasts wonderful views, sea walks and many lovely beaches
The wonderful Heritage Coastline is a few minutes drive away. A coastline that you could never become tired of. The Bristol Channel boasts the 2nd highest tidal drop in the world (after the Bay of Fundy in Nova Scotia) These massive tides change the landscape of the beaches in a profound and startling manner. The cliffs are dramatic and the geology of the rock face provides a kaleidoscope of colours to this coastline . Whether you enjoy sandy beaches, cliff walks, coves or bays the Heritage Coast is a must to visit.
Cardiff (only 25 mins. away) offers exceptional and extensive shopping facility including John Lewis, House of Fraser, and all the main High street stores as well as many individual shops tucked away in the delightful Victoriam arcades. Not to forget the bustling indoor market
15 mins. drive away from Crossways Manor is McArthur Glen an outlet shopping centre, offering designer brands at discounted prices.
Cowbridge is 1 mile down the road and is a delightful roman market town and has many small independent shops offering everything from designer fashion to nuts and bolts.
Penarth is a Victorian Seaside town with a splendid pier that has recently been renovated. Galleries, shops and restaurants.
We have many wonderful National Parks in South Wales and only a short drive away.
Within 30 minutes you can be in the Brecon Beacons National Park. Climb it's highest peak on Pen y Fan. Wander it's woodland trails and discover a myriad of waterfalls. and fast moving, crystal clear streams and brooks. Relax , Walk, Hike, Cycle or simply relax over lunch and enjoy the spectacular views.
There are many beautiful gardens in the area as well as the National Botanic Gardens of Wales which are only an hour's drive away.
Dyffryn Gardens a few miles down the road has beautifully maintained grounds providing a stunning setting for the house. Visitor centre and caf & eacute;.
Roath park in Cardiff, is an oasis in the northern part of the city. A lovely lake to amble around, boats to hire, a playground for the children, gardens and conservatory & hellip;a stress free venue.
Bute Park occupies a huge area of the centre of the city of Cardiff. You will be amazed, as you wander through it's many acres, watching students playing Frisbee, families picnicking, and the elderly strolling, that you are in the heart of this vibrant capital city. Central Park eat your heart out !!!
Physic Gardens in Cowbridge: this recent addition to our parks provides a fascinating insight into the medicinal uses of plants, and a calm oasis in which to relax.
Wander the woodlands and why not throw in a visit to Castell Coch or Caerphilly castle while you are there.
Crossways Manor boasts a great storage and drying facility for walkers hikers golfers and cyclists. Leave those wet clothes and boots in a secure and warm drying room. Also those beloved clubs or bikes are safe as houses in our secure lock-up.
Golf: It is said that there are more golf courses within daily reach than in any other part of the UK. Play Celtic Manor the home of the Ryder cup 2010, or Southern Down a wonderful links course. Cottrell park is a friendly venue with 2 18 hole courses, Royal Porthcawl, The Vale & hellip; the list is endless.
Walking: Amble the coastline along the shore or the cliff tops. Meander through the fields following one of many signed routes. Hike to the top of Pen y Fan the highest peak in the Brecon Beacons or simply stroll down to Cowbridge and have a cup of tea in one of the cafes.
Cycling: The myriad of quiet country lanes provide excellent routes for a sightseeing cycle of the Vale. Or take to the Taff Trail and cycle for miles away from the traffic and daily hustle and bustle. Great cycling for all ages. And don't forget, for those more intrepid, that more challenging and even extreme cycling is alive and well in the Afan Forest Park and Cwm Carn.
Tel 01446 773171
www.crosswayshouse.co.uk
Vale of Glamorgan self catering holiday cottages