WHEN Dylan and Catrin Jones bought Pantcefn Farm in Llanarth in 2019, they had a few ideas as to how they'd make the most of their new farming venture over time.
However, when Covid hit wedding videographer Dylan suddenly saw his primary source of business disappear.
It was this that spurred the couple on to pursue holiday letting, using lockdown to turn part of their farm into a luxury glamping destination.
Over the course of 12 months, the pair worked alongside various local tradesmen to bring their vision to life.
They wanted the farm surroundings to be a part of the pods, positioning them amongst the picturesque setting and next to a natural pond, even using the fleece from their alpacas as insulation.
Both Piglet Pod and The Rusty Boathouse have hot tubs for guests to enjoy, as well as king sized beds and large Smart TVs.
Since the pods opened in 2021, they have generated 65 bookings per year on average, with 2022 generating 95 bookings alone.
The money generated from the pods will help the pair extend their holiday let portfolio at Pantcefn Farm.
Dylan and Catrin already have planning permission for a further three pods and the farm also has existing cottages and buildings that are now derelict, which the couple plan to redevelop in the future.
“Starting and growing our holiday letting portfolio has been a dream come true for us,” said Catrin.
“We have loved meeting likeminded people who love exploring the UK through unique staycations.
“I would really encourage anyone thinking about diversifying their farmland to introduce holiday lets to just go for it, but my one piece of advice is to really make sure your property stands out.
“We decided to let with Sykes Holiday Cottages as we felt they had the best reach through the country for potential guests.
"Our local Sykes representative is so helpful, and we know that if we have any queries, they are there to support us.”
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