Hen Ffermdy

The thing that no one tells you about 'living the dream' is that it's hard work. Take beautiful Hen Ffermdy, a gorgeous country B&B on the edge of the Preseli Hills, close to the stunning North Pembrokeshire coastline and path: the name, in English, means 'Old Farmhouse', and where others saw an abandoned stone building (parts dating back to the 16th century) that had lain derelict for fifty years, Adrian and Sue saw their dream home and set about lovingly renovating the house, millpond, woods and gardens. Now there are three luxurious guest rooms available, with almost all the work done by the owners, from stonework to upholstery. They've planted a thousand trees to turn the former agricultural land into a wild wood, while the serene millpond – with its encroaching trees and rushes – forms a stunning foreground scene for wide-eyed visitors.

It really is a delight, and Adrian and Sue love sharing their dream with guests. They're well travelled, and know the local area intimately too, so they can point you towards the best walks and activities – anything from cliff-jumping to mushroom foraging. There are two great beaches a couple of miles away reached via a National Trust woodland walk (beautiful in spring, rich in bluebells and wild garlic), while cosy pubs, fish and chips, and fine dining are all on their radar too.

None of that, of course, would be half as good if the accommodation wasn't up to scratch, but you need have no worries on that score. 'Barney' is a standard-sized room – the king-size bed can also be made up as twins on request – with a private bathroom across the hall; 'Brinley' and the larger 'Mabel' are king-sized and en-suite, both with stunning views over the millpond. 'Mabel' also has a seating area, window seating and a separate bath in the en-suite. Decor is harmonious country-chic, with attractive furniture; bathrooms are lovely and light. There's superfast WiFi, smart TVs, and underfloor heating, plus games, books and DVDs in the comfortable guest lounge. Look out of the window and you might see swallows, barn owls, buzzards, dragonflies, or the rustle in the woods of something larger. Breakfast is a big old country affair, served until 9:30am, so no need for an enforced early start.

Dreams, of course, have a way of developing, so the other dilapidated buildings on the farm's five acres are also in Adrian and Sue's sights – perhaps in the not-too-distant future you'll be able to stay in one of the renovated cowsheds as a whole holiday let, or even the old mill itself. But for now, you can enjoy a luxurious bed and a home-cooked farmhouse breakfast in idyllic surroundings, thankful that someone else has done all the hard work.