Drws Gobaith-West is a charming semi-detached stone cottage, set down a lane in the heart of the Dowrog Common Nature Reserve, a SSSI area, renowned for its rare flora and fauna, on the outskirts of the tiny City of St Davids. Dating back to 1860, it replaced a Ty Unnos* the remains of which can still be seen in the garden. Built with the lovely local blue stone it has been renovated to create a welcoming ‘home from home’ holiday cottage. Its well-equipped fitted kitchen with dining space leads to a cosy sitting room, the wood burning stove is perfect for those chillier evenings. Stairs lead up to the 3 welcoming bedrooms and the bathroom. From the cottage and garden enjoy the far reaching rural views over the common and countryside. The extensive natural un-enclosed garden bordered by a stream with mature trees, shrubs and lawns gives plenty of space for children to play and for adults to relax, dine alfresco and marvel at the tranquillity.The name means “Door of Hope”, so called for being on one of the Pilgrims' routes to St Davids and the spot from which the Cathedral could first be sighted; the Bronze Age standing stone, Maen Dewi, to the rear of the cottage, was an important marker on their journey. Set within the Pembrokeshire National Park, it is ideal for exploring the St Davids peninsula. Perfect for walkers and cycling enthusiasts, footpaths and routes abound. It is a bird and wildlife lovers paradise with regular sightings of Buzzards, Kestrels, Sparrow Hawks, Hen Harrier, Barn Owls, Fieldfare and Snipe. The tiny City of St Davids is only 1.5 miles away, with it majestic Cathedral and National Trust Bishops Palace, there are a range of restaurants, pubs, shops and galleries to wander. Whitesands is the closest beach, voted one of the best beaches in the world, it is popular with families and surfers, both professional and beginners alike. Other beaches and coves nearby to explore include Porthgain, Abereiddy and the Blue Lagoon, Caerfai and Solva. Take to the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path to really appreciate this coastline’s rugged beauty, or head up one of the nearby hills, the views and magnificent sunsets are worth the climb. A boat trip from St Justinians or round to Ramsey Island is sure to be a highlight, marvel at the seal pups on the beaches in September.A truly special holiday cottage, whatever the season.*Ty unnos or one night house- an old Welsh tradition that if a house could be built over night on common ground then the freehold for it was theirs.No cot and highchair provided, you are welcome to bring your own.*SSSI - Site of Special Scientific Interest.Care needed - unfenced water in garden's pond and streams.Additional information about the flora and fauna of Dowrog Commons in which Drws Golbaith-West is situated Dowrog CommonDowrog Common is an extensive tract of wet and dry heath with pools and fen, in the upper reaches of the River Alun. The area was known as Tir Pererinion (Pilgrims Land) and was a gift to the church from Rhys ap Tewdwr King of Deheubarth in 1091 ‘for the use of pilgrims making their devotions at St Davids’, as a place of sanctuary.Wildlife on the DowrogDowrog Common sustains rare wildlife, both flora and fauna and has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) since 1954.The majority of the common is managed by the Wales Wildlife Trust. This diverse site supports over 350 species of flowering plants.The wet heath supports Western Gorse, Heathers, Cross-leaved Heath, Lesser Butterfly Orchid, Heath Spotted-orchids. Purple Moor Grass, Common Fleabane and Hemp-agrimony can be found on the riverside marsh and fen, along with Grey Willow. Many rare oceanic heath and marsh plants occur on the reserve, including Yellow Centaury, Pale Dog-violet, Wavy St. John’s Wort, Three-lobed Crowfoot and Pilwort. There are several small pools colonised by Bog Pondweed and Marsh St. John’s Wort.To the western end of the reserve lies Dowrog Pool, a seasonal pond. The pool is surrounded by a swamp of Reedmace, Water Horsetail, Marsh Cinquefoil and Bogbean. The pool is fed by the leat, (a manmade watercourse) that passes alongside Drws Gobaith-West.The common supports a diverse and interesting range of invertebrates including the Marsh Fritillary butterfly, Scarlet Tiger moth, Small Red Damselfly, Hairy Dragonfly and Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly. Rare flies include Colobaea bifasciella and C. distinct and notable beetles include Bradycellus collaris and Galerucella calmarfensis.In April and May you will have a good chance of hearing a cuckoo. At night you may glimpse a barn owl. In the summer adders, Vipera berus can be spotted. They can bite if alarmed or disturbed.Wintering wildfowl and birds of prey proliferate on the Common. Hen Harrier roost on the common, and Short-eared Owl and Merlin are regular winter visitors. Bewick’s and Whooper Swans, Teal, Wigeon, Shoveler and Mallard can be seen in winter along with Snipe, Water Rail, Coot and Moorhen, particularly around Dowrog Pool. The wetland areas also support breeding Grasshopper Warbler, Reed Bunting and Sedge Warbler. In late spring the cuckoo may be heard having migrated back from Africa.Otters regularly visit the site and Water Shrews have also been recorded.Cattle from neighbouring farms or Welsh Mountain Ponies are sometimes grazed on the common.
