Two musicians have created the ultimate luxury retreat in Wales with huge glass windows to make the most of the incredible views over one of the finest wildlife reserves in the country. Located on the banks of the Afon Teifi with a front row seat overlooking the Teifi Marshes Nature Reserve, the Glasshouse is a wildlife lover’s dream near Cardigan.
Unbelievably, this modern glass-fronted building started life as a humble dilapidated cottage. But it's now been transformed into a contemporary sanctuary by classical musicians Tim and Kat. The retreat, which comes complete with a hot tub, wood burner, free standing bath and even a Nespresso coffee machine, can sleep up to 10 people for a smidge under £4,000 per week.
The showstopper feature is undoubtedly the floor-to-wall apex glass window which looks right over the marshlands, the enormous skies and the meandering estuary. To stay there is to "feel like you're in a David Attenborough documentary every day", said owner Kat. Birds, fish and otters are regular sights while the place comes with a small hidden lagoon, its own slipway and a "secret bench" amongst the willows - the perfect spot for otter spying.
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The house was originally the water bailiff´s cottage where he would watch out for illegal salmon poaching and there are still the odd signs of his work, with a giant winch for pulling in the boats. Kat said: "We saw a chance to renovate a dilapidated house with jungle-like, overgrown gardens and a lake in an unbelievably magical situation."
It's the perfect spot to go river swimming, canoeing, stand-up paddle-boarding or just simply sit next to the water and enjoy the view, whether at sunrise or sunset. And the magical high street of Cardigan itself isn't far away - a town home to artists and artisans, creatives and mavericks and streets lined with independent cafes, craft shops and galleries.
Outside might be the selling point but inside, no detail has been left ignored by the couple. The wooden floors throughout are even made from reclaimed trees which were cut down from the garden.
There's a large modern kitchen equipped with two Neff ovens, induction hob, coffee machine and everything else you'd expect from somewhere quite so exceptional. A welcome hamper of local produce adds an extra special luxurious touch.
If the thought of wild swimming isn't quite your cup of tea, jump in the hot tub instead. Or spend a serene morning moment watching birds soar over the water before a riotous family breakfast of jam-laden crumpets and steaming pots of coffee on the bespoke dining table. When day turns to night, you can retreat to one of five indulgent bedrooms spread over the ground and first floors.
The Glasshouse - surrounded by two and a half acres of woodlands and its own stream, lake and marshlands - is a true celebration of nature. The Teifi marshes are a site of scientific interest and have one of the largest expanses of reedbeds. The nature reserve is managed by the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales and there's plenty to learn about it all and its population of kingfisher, herons, otters and even a herd of water buffalo, which are used to keep pools free of vegetation.
Whether you want to hunker down in winter or run wild in the summer, the Glasshouse is the perfect spot to escape, to be carried away by the rhythm of the Afon Teifi and reconnect to nature.
