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Unique, peaceful, luxury on the Hertitage Coastline. Explore a stunning part of the Welsh coast from carefully crafted accommodation with an infectious appreciation of local culture, history and art creating a perfect retreat for relaxation. hide has three romantic, snug Cabans, a Bugail (Shepherds) Hut and ‘Walden’ Lodge tucked between trees, bushes and wildflowers offering uninterrupted views of the wild seas. Our wish is for you to see, feel and be immersed in , with visible reminders of myths, history, poetry and art.

Tresilian Wood is the name of hide’s site with its small arboretum occupying seven and a half acres adjacent to St. Donats Castle. St Donats is a tiny village in the , just 25 minutes from the Welsh Capital. An area steeped in history

WALDEN LODGE

A journey of discovery that began in America has come full circle and found fruition on the Welsh Coastline. Walden Lodge is a hub of influences and inspiration from one continent to another, with art and craftwork whose subjects include Welsh migration, religion and poetry. The spirit of the American transcendental movement and Thoreau’s classic book ‘Walden’, that reflects on simple living close to nature, inspires the name and spirit of our lodge.

Walden sleeps 5, with two double bedrooms, one with an extra single bunk. The bright studio kitchen has dining for 5 and is fully equipped. There is a cosy space to ‘cwtch up’ beside the wood burner in the colder weather. A spacious bathroom has a large walk-in shower.

Guests enjoy sea views beyond the meadow when sitting on their terrace, sweeping seascape as far as the Quantock Hills accoss the channel. This hand-crafted lodge offers a unique stay with notes of Welsh-American connections. The Quantock hills were the home and inspiration for Samuel Taylor Coleridge over many years. Henry David Thoreau was a significant poet and philosopher in the American Transcendental movement. This movement found inspiration in the works of European Romanticism and Coleridge in particular. Thoreau spent two years living in a cabin on the shores of Walden Pond, Massachusetts. This experience provided the foundation for his most famous work ‘Walden; or, Life in the Woods’ – a book that reflects upon simple living in natural surroundings.

Commissioned artists:

 Sian O’Doherty, a textile designer based in Narbeth

 Ceyfn Burgess, his pictures from an exhibition of Welsh migration to Pennsylvania.

 Christian Ryan, designed glasswork depicting the influence of Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s work on American Transcendentalism.

• The lodge is suitable for adults or parents with teenagers (minimum age 12 years)

• Two Double bedrooms, studio Kitchen, large bathroom, covered terrace and parking

• Downstairs: Double bedroom, Kitchen/ Dinning/lounge

• Large bathroom - Walk in Shower

• Store under stairs

• Covered Terrace with seating and table

• Upstairs:

• Double Bedroom with single bunk

Facilities: Central heating and hot water Wood burner Fridge/Freezer, Fan Oven & Induction Hob, Cookware & Serving Equipment Dishwasher Fire Pit Free to use Wi-Fi Bedding Towels Hairdryers Iron and Board Price From £150 per night.

BUGAIL HUT (Shepherds Hut)

The Bugail Hut is nestled into the secluded arboretum and sheltered below a Plain tree. Snuggle up in bed with views of nature all around, you can see out but no one can see in. Unlike the traditional Shepherds hut the Bugail has large windows enabling you to be surrounded by nature with the comforts of luxury and warmth.

Bugail hut has its own little kitchen annex and charming bathroom, terrace and wood burner. You can dine beside the wood burner or on your terrace with views across the meadow.

A brief History of Shepherds Huts: ‘The first evidence of a wheeled shepherds hut is 1596. The shepherd’s hut was introduced so that shepherds could live in the pasture for extended periods of time with a haven of warmth and comparative comfort. Such huts were widely used throughout Wales and followed a similar basic design with a curved corrugated iron roof and stable door, small, high windows and cast iron wheels.The interior was usually simply furnished and was warmed by a small cast iron stove’

Commissioned artists:

 Sian O’Doherty, Blankets: a textile designer based in Narbeth

 Clare Cawte, Artwork: textile artist / felt maker & plant dyer

Facilities: Double Bed & Bedding Towels Mains Power Wood Burner Table & Chairs Wardrobe and drawers Hair Dryer

Kitchenette – Fridge/Freezer, Mini Oven & Hob, Cookware & Serving Equipment

Your own Bathroom and Hot Water Shower Private BBQ Fire Pit Free to use Wi-Fi zone within the Hide Pavilion From £90 per night.

CABANS: Dyllas, Llwynon & Merios (names of south Wales mines)

The Cabans were designed and made in Wales by Jonathan Cooke and the co- owner of hide Toms Parker. The name ‘Caban’ refers to that given to Welsh mining cabins. It seems well suited, reflecting a cultural link to the region where these small buildings provided shelter, often in remote but charming locations. Now silent, the value of such places lies in their vernacular appeal as part of the recreational enjoyment of the countryside.

Tucked between trees, bushes and wildflowers. Each sleep two guests, plenty of space with its own terrace, separate private bathroom and kitchenette. Cwtch up beside your Chilli Penguin Wood Burning Stove, sleep in a double bed with cotton sheets, duvet and Melin Tregwent’s wonderful woollen blankets and wake with the most beautiful views across the meadow towards the sea.

Commissioned artists:

 Melin Tregwent’s, Blankets: a textile designer based in West Wales

Facilities: Double Bed & Bedding Towels Mains Power Wood Burner Table & Chairs Hair Dryer

Kitchenette – Fridge/Freezer, Mini Oven & Hob, Cookware & Serving Equipment

Your own Bathroom and Hot Water Shower

Shared Pot Wash area

Private BBQ Garden Table & Chairs Fire Pit Free to use Wi-Fi zone within the Hide Pavilion From £90 per night.

THE OWNERS

Tom Parker, was born in the Bahamas in the seventies and has a business degree from Edinburgh University. The hamster wheel in London followed and before long he realised that this life was far away from his soul. With a change of environment he found his feet working with a leading green oak timber framing company, building architecturally acclaimed homes throughout the UK. Needing the coast and mountains Tom moved to Snowdonia and joined a partnership designing and making Welsh ‘Cabans’.

Paula Warren, was born in Ireland also in the seventies. Her father is Irish and her mother is from Cardiff. The family moved to Wales in the 80’s where they still live. After Art College Paula had a very varied and successful career based in London and ending up in International sport. In 2010, she returned to Wales and retraining as a Pilates teacher.

Paula and Tom met, discovered Tresilian Wood and hide was born.

The combination of Tom’s talents and expertise and Paula’s interest in the arts has created a unique Welsh retreat. But, most of all, they want their guests to feel at home. Every aspect of the site has a little story to tell, from the tulip tree in the wood, the beautiful works from local artisans and poets through to each Caban. These buildings embody ‘cwtch’, the lovely Welsh word for an affectionate hug. There’s no literal English translation, but its nearest equivalent is safe place.

“Live in each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influence of the earth.”

Henry David Thoreau

CONTACT DETAILS:

Paula Warren

Hide at St Donats

Tresilian Wood

St Donats

Vale of Glamorgan

Tel: 07766726317/ 01446 794362 www.hide.wales