Large holiday cottages South Wales: where to base your group
Twenty-one of our 25 self catering properties sit west of Swansea, on a coast of limestone cliffs with a sandy beach round every headland. In 1956 it became the UK's first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The rest are near Abergavenny in the Brecon Beacons and in the Vale of Glamorgan. Most sleep eight. Book two holiday homes close by and a group of 16 can still eat together every night.
Port Eynon, Horton and Overton
This sandy corner of south Gower has the Ship Inn, a small shop and the coast path to Rhossili. Eight of our cottages are here.
- Beachfront Cottage for 8 in Port Eynon has the sand on its doorstep and a sea view balcony
- Period House for 8 in Port Eynon is up the hill in Overton, with five bedrooms and a wood burner
- Two four-bedroom places sit in Horton, a short walk along the sand
See all our large holiday cottages in Port Eynon.
Mumbles, Langland and Caswell
Pick Mumbles for a special occasion where nobody wants to drive after dinner. Pubs and restaurants line the seafront below Oystermouth Castle.
- Spacious 5-Bedroom House in Mumbles sleeps 10 at Limeslade, with four bathrooms
- Spacious 4-Bedroom House in Mumbles is on the seafront, with four en-suite bedrooms
- The houses at Caswell and Blackpill both give eight guests four bathrooms
Our page of large holiday cottages in Mumbles has the full list.
Penmaen, Southgate and Three Cliffs
Walkers, this is your patch. Three Cliffs is about 1.5 miles from Penmaen and Nicholaston, and the Pennard cliffs run east from Southgate.
- Spacious Lodge for 9 in Penmaen sleeps nine, with a wood burner and parking for two cars
- Large House for 8 in Southgate has three bathrooms and a big garden
Llangennith, Llanmadoc and Llanrhidian
Surfers head for Llangennith. Llanmadoc is quieter, with woodland paths to Whiteford Sands, and our largest cottage sits by the salt marsh outside Llanrhidian.
- Large Hall for 15 in Llanrhidian sleeps 15 in eight bedrooms, with three living spaces, so a family reunion can spread out
- Detached Architect-Designed Lodge for 8 in Llangennith has an upside-down layout close to the surf
- Traditional Longhouse for 8 in Llanmadoc has a barbecue courtyard and the pub a walk away
Three of these share our page of large holiday cottages in Gower.
Abergavenny and the Brecon Beacons
Rather have mountain views? Abergavenny is a market town in the Usk valley, ringed by the Sugar Loaf and the Skirrid on the edge of the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park.
- Maes Y Berllan Barn is a 17th-century barn for 10 with an enclosed garden
- Pentre Court Cottage sleeps eight, with a fire pit and a walk into town
The Vale of Glamorgan and Cardiff
Want the Welsh capital and the countryside in one trip? Look east.
- Llwynhelig House, near Cowbridge, sleeps 12 in six bedrooms, with a heated outdoor pool shared with other estate guests from May to October
- Barn for 8 in Barry is two apartments in a barn conversion with a games room, 9 miles from Cardiff
The biggest homes compared
| Property | Area | Sleeps | Bedrooms | Bathrooms | Dogs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Large Hall for 15 in Llanrhidian | North coast | 15 | 8 | 4 | Yes |
| Llwynhelig House | Near Cowbridge | 12 | 6 | 5 | No |
| Spacious 5-Bedroom House in Mumbles | Limeslade | 10 | 5 | 4 | Yes |
| Maes Y Berllan Barn | Abergavenny | 10 | 4 | 4 | Yes |
| Spacious Lodge for 9 in Penmaen | Penmaen | 9 | 4 | 2 | Yes |
| Cottage for 8 in Penmaen | Nicholaston | 8 | 4 | 4 | Yes |
What are the best days out for a big group?
The first six are each within half an hour of our Gower homes. Try a new beach every day! The last three suit a stay near Abergavenny or Cowbridge.
Rhossili Bay and Worm's Head
Three miles of sand with sea views from Rhossili Down, cared for by the National Trust. The Worm's Head causeway opens for about two and a half hours either side of low tide.
Three Cliffs Bay and Pennard Castle
Walk down from Penmaen church for the famous views and the ruined castle. Don't swim near the cliffs at high tide, as the currents are strong.
Oxwich Bay
Long, sheltered and easy for small children.
Mumbles pier and promenade
Hire bikes for the flat seafront path, then chips on the sea wall.
Surf lessons at Llangennith
A group lesson is the best laugh going for family and friends together. Book ahead in summer.
Whiteford Sands
Walk through the pinewoods to a wild beach and a cast-iron lighthouse.
The Sugar Loaf
A steady climb from the car parks above Abergavenny. From the top you can see across the Black Mountains.
Big Pit at Blaenavon
Entry to Big Pit National Coal Museum is free, and former miners take you underground. It's close to Abergavenny, too.
Cardiff Castle and Mermaid Quay
A rainy day in the city works for every age.
Tips for groups of 10 to 15
Getting there and getting around
The M4 crosses South Wales, and trains from London Paddington reach Swansea in around three hours. Then you'll want cars, as buses don't run late and many cottages park only two.
When to go, and dogs on the beach
The large holiday cottages South Wales families book for August go first, so book early. Or come in September, when the sea is warmest and the coastal paths are quiet. Short breaks of three or four nights are easiest outside the school holidays.
- From 1 May to 30 September dogs are banned from Bracelet Bay, Limeslade, Rotherslade, Langland, Caswell and the eastern end of Port Eynon beach
- Rhossili, Three Cliffs, Oxwich, Llangennith and Whiteford take dogs all year
- Do the big food shop on the way in, as local shops are small
- Book taxis back from Mumbles in advance on a Saturday night
Want more group accommodation? Our big group houses in Pembrokeshire are an hour or so further west, and the UK destinations guide covers more holiday accommodation across the country.