A cosy countryside escape at Gablebach Cottage, Black Mountain Escape…

Living in Cardiff, I love having everything on my doorstep - but sometimes I really feel the pull to escape for a couple of days and embrace a slower pace of life. Somewhere peaceful, cosy, and not too far from home. Our long weekend at Gablebach Cottage, Black Mountain Escapes, was exactly that. 

Set right on the edge of Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons National Park), Gablebach is a beautifully restored 17th-century stable and grooms loft, now a boutique cottage for two. 

From the moment you step inside, it genuinely feels like stepping back in time, in the best possible way. Every room has been thoughtfully styled with vintage and antique pieces, and the level of care and attention to detail is so clear. It feels nostalgic, romantic and wonderfully inviting. 

Settle in & switch off… 

Gablebach is tucked away in a wonderfully private spot, facing the village green, overlooking the Tywi River, with far-reaching views across the valley. You really do feel like you’re in your own little bubble.  

As you approach, you can see there are tables and chairs right in front of the cottage (we had a bit too much rain during our stay to make the most of it, but I can easily picture wrapping up warm and chatting away here on a mild Autumn night, or soaking up the sun if you visit in summer). There’s also an outdoor tub around the back which felt very luxurious. The cottage is pet-friendly too, and there’s plenty of parking - always a bonus. 

Inside, the lounge is the heart of this home away from home. We grabbed a takeaway on our second night (picked up a tasty local Chinese from nearby Llandovery – more on this place later!), lit the fire, poured a glass of red and just sank into the Chesterfield sofa with our TV show (they have plenty of streaming services etc). We were lucky to stay while the Christmas decorations were still up too, which really was the icing on the cake and made it feel even more special. The aga in the kitchen also helps keep things cosy, as it gently radiates warmth throughout the cottage.  

The magic is in the details

As I kept saying to my boyfriend, there are so many little details everywhere to notice and admire and it all comes together so well, you’ll find yourself constantly noticing something new and thinking “oh I love that”. Many of the pieces have real history behind them, which adds so much character - like the Welsh dresser that belonged to Ruth’s grandmother, and the old gramophone that spent years in Tiger Bay. I read about this in Ruth’s (our lovely host) blog and loved learning the stories behind these treasures, it really makes a difference staying somewhere that’s been lived in and loved for generations. 

Heading upstairs - long soaks & slow mornings

As you can see, the bedroom is stunning! The 1920s French bed with its carved wood details feels straight out of a period film, dressed in silk and velvet bedding, plus antique furniture dotted around the room - you can tell how much care has gone into every corner of the cottage. 

I spent a bit of time on our last morning in the beautiful roll-top bath with a book (there’s a brilliant bookcase with loads of interesting reads if you forget to bring your own), just switching off completely. Everything felt cosy, warm and thoughtfully done! Stunning shower too.

Where to eat, explore & while away an afternoon

Despite feeling wonderfully secluded, there’s lots to do nearby for when you fancy heading out! 

On our first night we went to one of the local pubs for food. Just a couple of minutes’ drive away is Y Castell, a lovingly restored 18th-century Georgian coaching inn. It filled up quickly with locals (always a good sign, right!) and had a lush atmosphere with a quiet buzz. Food was very good too, saw that they use fresh, local ingredients and you could definitely tell. 

The market towns of Llandeilo and Llandovery are both only about five miles away in either direction of the cottage and definitely worth a visit (especially Llandeilo which we preferred!). I absolutely love just having pretty much nothing to do and taking my time popping into small independent shops (particularly as we visited over the festive period and I hadn’t quite finished all my shopping). 

Llandeilo was ideal for this - Heavenly Chocolate Emporium was a personal favourite and I picked up a few bits for Christmas while I was there. 

We also had brunch at Lolfa, which was hands down one of the best brunches I’ve had all year – absolutely delicious and if we stayed longer I’d have gone back for lunch there.

Llandovery has a great selection of pubs and a really friendly, local feel. We spent less time here but enjoyed pints at The Bear Inn & The Kings’ Head Inn, then grabbed a takeaway and headed home. 

As I mentioned before it was a pretty rainy few days but that didn’t bother us, though if we were there again we would have loved to do more proper walking as there’s so much nearby. Llyn y Fan Fach, with its Lady of the Lake legend, and the dramatic landscapes of Mynydd Du (Black Mountain) are both close by and ideal for nature lovers. 

I’d personally also love to visit Dolaucothi Mines which were closed for the season, the only known Roman gold mine in Britain. Set in the wooded hills overlooking the Cothi Valley, it’s such a unique bit of Welsh history, with daily tours available. 

There are also plenty of scenic walks in the area, whether you want something gentle or a bit more adventurous. Click here for a whole list of things to do that they’ve got up on their website.

A retreat you just have to experience for yourself!

If you’re looking for a proper break this year – whether that’s a romantic getaway, a reset weekend or just an excuse to do absolutely nothing – I can’t recommend it enough. It’s clear how much love and thought Ruth has poured into the cottage. It’s the kind of retreat that makes you want to put your phone down and just be present – you leave feeling rested, reset, and a little reluctant to return to real life. (They book up fast, so I recommend booking early if you want to experience it with the festive magic like we did too!). 

Keep up with Black Mountain Escapes over on Instagram or book online here.

[Invited stay, honest thoughts]