Riverside Keep

Make yourself a cup of tea and take it outside to your private riverside terrace, where the sound of the water cascading along the rocky riverbed and the many birds that visit it is all you need to feel content. Part of a small complex of cottages, around a central courtyard, it's set in an estate boasting more than a hundred acres of land – including hillside meadows, woodland and streams.

The building you'll be calling home was once part of the home farm for the impressive Plas Cilybebyll Estate and was most likely stables and grooms' quarters – although some of its stone features hark back to the estate's noble history. Dive into its fascinating past and you'll spot links to the descendants of the ancient Welsh kings, the Norman invasion, Iolo Morgannwg and more. You'll even find an arrow slit in the lounge and another in the ground floor wet room wall.

Cleverly converted and architect designed, this home uses green energy and is insulated with sheep's wool. It's a surprisingly modern and comfortable home for a small family or a couple of friends here to make the most of its idyllic rural setting. By day, explore the farm thanks to a trail that starts at your door, visiting cattle and spotting wildlife as you go. If you're a keen cyclist, you're within striking distance of the Afan Forest and Bike Park Wales, with safe storage for your equipment.

Just an eight-minute drive from the town of Pontardawe and less than half an hour from Swansea, you'll feel as though this fairytale setting is tucked well away from the rest of the world.

Home truths:
*There's private parking on the farmyard right outside your cottage
*The TV comes with Freesat and 150 channels
*You'll have good wi-fi, a good phone signal and laptop-friendly workspace at the table
*Pets aren't allowed at this particular home but are welcome at other cottages on the site
*If you're here on a cycling trip, there's secure bike storage and somewhere to wash your gear