Welcome to Hael Farm Cottages. We hope you have an enjoyable stay . You can rest assured that we will do everything we can to ensure that it is.
Our manual has had to move online because of strict COVID-19 regulations, but our friendly, hands-on approach is still very much 'in person'!
The manual is intended to guide you through your stay and make sure that you have all the necessary information about the facilities in the cottage, things to do and where to go in the Gower and what to look out for while you are here.
If the answer is not in here, then all you have to do is ask us.
Jon and Julie
The barbecue area is available for guests. We no longer provide a barbecue because of the difficulty of cleaning it after each use. Guests are advised to provide their own disposable barbecue, which we will dispose of after use.
Please place the barbecue on the bricks provided to avoid cracking the slate
The barbecue area is lit up at night by a light mounted on the wall of the cottage fitted with a motion sensor.
The garden table and chairs placed on the lawn in front of the cottage can be moved up onto the lit patio area for your meal.
The cushions for the chairs are stowed in the airing cupboard in the main bathroom.
If the table umbrella is not in place please ask for it.
Walking
There are many fabulous walks on the Gower, and one of the finest is down Hael Lane to Pwlldu beach. This can be muddy at times, so we have provided a boot box to store your muddy boots and a scrubbing brush to clean them with. These are located outside the entrance door.
Bikes and cycling
If you fancy a cycle ride along the cliffs of Eastcliff and Westcliff we have a selection of bikes for your use, free of charge. If you want to borrow them please ask.
Fresh Herbs
We have a herb garden with mint, sage, rosemary, thyme, bay leaf, etc in front of the main house on the left hand side. Please feel free to take what you need for your cooking.
Luggage storage
Suitcases and holdalls can be either stored on the top of wardrobes or in the left hand cupboard of the utility area.
Door Locks
The entrance, patio, and balcony doors are all locked in the same way, by lifting the handle sharply upwards and turning the key clockwise.
Cot and stair gate
Located at the left hand end of the utility cupboard
Ironing Board
Located in the utility area between the washing machine and tumble dryer
Buses
There is a local bus service into Swansea going from outside the coffee shop on the roundabout at the top of the road. Buses go at 25 minutes to the hour, but check the timetable posted at the bus stop.
Just a few things to be mindful of with children:
- Mind the steps
- Some upstairs windows open fully
- Cot, high chair and stair gate are provided
- The wood burner gets very hot
- There may be guests with cars next door
- The cords on blinds can be a hazard for toddlers
- Orange/EE is the only mobile network with reception in Port Eynon
- In emergency use the phones in the Ship or Smugglers Haunt. There is a pay phone by the car park.
If in doubt ask.
Jon’s Phones 07976258433/01792 232797
If you enjoyed your stay at Hael Farm Cottage, Oxwich View Cottage, Port Eynon Beach Cottage, or Ivy Cottage and would like to recommend it to a friend or member of your family please do so and get a gift voucher (£50 for weekly lets and £25 for weekend and mid week breaks) in the form of cash for you or a discount for the guests you recommend. The choice is yours.
All you have to do to collect your gift is e-mail me the name and contact details of the party you are recommending the cottages to, or alternatively get them to claim the gift by reference to yourselves.
Don’t forget if you come back to either cottage you can claim a 7.5% discount off the standard price.
If you have a real emergency use the emergency services, but let us know as well, perhaps we can help.
If you have a minor emergency here are the local points of contact:
Doctor: The Gower Medical Practice. Tel 01792 390413. Nearest surgery at Pennard. Directions: From Hael Farm Cottage go back through the village, past the Golf Club and on for ¼ mile. Turn right into Pennard Primary School/ Gower Medical Practice. The chemist is located next to the surgery.
Dentist: We use the Belgrave Dental Centre in Walter Rd. Tel: 473881 Please ask and we will arrange an appointment.
Vet: St James Veterinary Group. Nearest clinic is in the Mayals, which is the tree lined road leading from the Mumbles road, which you came along from Swansea. Tel 01792 403600
Coastguard: Tel 366534
Mountain Rescue: Tel 474256
Any other minor emergencies: Please ask us, we normally have a solution.
There is a first aid kit under the sink.
ATMs: The nearest free to use machines are in Mumbles.
Post Office: There is a post office in the village of Southgate, located in Pennard Stores on the roundabout
Taxi: Oyster Cabs
Cycle Repair: Wheelies.Located in the Uplands area of Swansea. Tel 472612
- Strip beds used of duvet covers, sheets and pillowcases and place in bath together with used towels
- Separate rubbish into green, pink and black bags on departure. Bins located outside back door of Hael Farm.
- Turn off heating and hot water by ensuring the indicators on the timer are set to “off” and the red immersion button is in the off position
- Empty dishwasher and put all crockery and glassware away
- Check all drawers to make sure you haven’t left anything behind
- Make sure you have your i-pod, mobile phone and any other personal equipment with you when you go.
- Please leave the cottage in the condition in which you found it
- Make a note of anything not entirely to your satisfaction on the sheet (Message for Guests) in the online pack together with any suggestions that could have improved your experience.
- Have a safe journey home and we hope you enjoyed your stay. If you did make a note to book for next year and enjoy a 7.5% discount!!!!!!!!!!!!
The cottage is equipped with 2 hard wired smoke alarms. In the event that one or both are activated or a fire is discovered evacuate the building immediately and notify the proprietors. Do not stop to gather any belongings. Assemble in the farm yard well away from the buildings and any danger from the fire.
There are 5 evacuation routes, 2 of which are at first floor level. The entrance door is first resort and nearest for the single bedroom. The 2 front bedrooms have patio doors, where the keys must always be left to facilitate a quick exit. As a last resort there is exit over the living area balconies, but be aware there is a drop onto the patio of approximately 12 feet.
There is a fire blanket in the kitchen area, but this is only suitable for small scale fires and in general the first priority must be evacuation of all persons.
“Many, many thanks for such a comfortable stay. Your cottage is so comfy.....we’ll definitely return” (Gail, Paul, Chorley and Kinley from Shropshire)
“We had a very happy stay, v. Relaxing and comfortable. The cottage is superbly equipped & furnished & in a very lovely setting...close to village, coast and walks. Very may extras provided such as welcome basket.....much appreciated. Will recommend to friends............and hope to return sometime” (Lesley and David from Warwickshire)
“What a beautiful home from home. The efforts you have gone to make the cottage so comfortable means we were able to concentrate on enjoying the Gower and having a lovely holiday.” (Hannah, Kate, Jo, and Lucy from Surrey)
“ We have had a very relaxing break, in a wonderful cottage. Jon and Julie are very kind and helpful, and have done the cottage up to a very high standard. It is a lovely location, with great walks and beaches” (Graham and Tina from London)
“1st time on Gower, what a place!! Our visit enhanced by the great accommodation. We will be booking again. (John and Sue from Worcester)
“.........We will definitely return and tell all our friends about this superb cottage” (Wendy & John Davies from Vale of Glamorgan and Laura, Andrew & Will Ritchie from Edenbridge)
“Many thanks for a great week. The location is amazing, the beaches are wonderful, and the accommodation was the best ever and so comfortable. Thank you. (Deb, Andrew, Elle, Danielle, & Keira”
“Definitely will return to Gower and would recommend your house. It has been a wonderful few days.” (Ellen, Joely, Lesley and Jenny.....the Essex girls)
“What a lovely cottage! It is great to be near the sea and to walk along the coast. Thank you for your welcome and providing maps and guides to help us plan our stay. (Debbie, Don, Sam and Emily from Derby)
“Jon and Julie were very welcoming and made our stay extra special. Jon was so kind to our little boy and Jack” (Beckie, Andy, Lyn, Dave from Somerset)
“Many thanks for a wonderful stay. The house is beautiful and we could happily live here. Great walks with dogs..........we will definitely be back.” (Angela, Colin, Sophia and Dan)
The cottage is approached from the farm yard, with parking immediately adjacent to the cottage. Access to the entrance has been raised to a level just under the door threshold. The cottage has the living accommodation on the first floor, and disabled visitors should ensure they are able to climb standard stairs or have the assistance to do so. The bathrooms and bedrooms are all on the ground floor at the same level, and the 2 front bedrooms have patio doors with a threshold step of 125mm. There are no special mobility or sensory aids provided in the cottage, and a disabled visitor would have to be capable of coping with a standard environment.
The living area is open plan, and is accessed by the stairway, which could be a falling hazard. The lounge area has 2+3 settees, coffee table, TV, DVD and PS2, and a log burner, which gets very hot when lit.
The well equipped kitchen has an electric hob and oven
Light switches and power points are accessible throughout, and wireless broadband is provided. Mobile phone reception is variable (Vodafone and O2 good, orange poor)
The Guest manual contains details of asll the local services and amenities.
We hope you found the cottage spotlessly clean when you arrived. We would appreciate if you could leave it in the same condition. There are a vacuum, brush, mop and bucket provided together with cleaning materials
Before leaving please strip all beds used and put all used towels in the bath.
Leave a note of any breakages. You will not normally be charged for these, but we do need to know so they can be replaced for the benefit of the next guests.
Waste collections are on Friday, early morning and you need to put out rubbish bags provided on Thursday evening. Swansea City Council collect pink (plastic), black (mixed unsorted waste) bags and food waste (green containers) one week and green bags (glass, paper and card, and metal tins) the alternate week. The sheet indicates which week you are in.
Thank you for your help
Foul Waste is pumped from Hael Farm up to the public sewer. The pump can only handle human waste and toilet tissue. Please DO NOT put anything else down the loo. This includes nappies, sanitary products of any description, cosmetic materials and face wipes.
The call out fee for clearing the blocked pump is £200
Sky TV
- Turn on the television with the top right red button by using the black Toshiba remote.
- Whilst the television is coming on keep on pressing the TV guide button.
- Then it should come up with a menu of all the different programs you can choose from. Select the program you require.
For DVD player
- Turn on television with the top right red button by using the black Toshiba remote.
- Turn on the DVD player with the top right red button by using the Technika remote, you will know when it is on because you should see a green light.
- Then when they are both on use the Toshiba remote to turn to the write channel There is a button on the right hand side of the 0 it is a circle with a arrow going through it.
- When you have pressed the button it should come up with a channel menu, select the number 2 and the DVD that you want to watch should appear
We carry full Public Liability insurance to protect our guests and a copy of the policy is available for scrutiny.
However we do not cover guests’ personal property and effects for theft, loss, or damage in whatever form and however caused.
You should check your own household policy to ensure you are covered for personal possessions away from the home, and if you are not then you need to take out a holiday/travel policy as you would if you were going abroad.
We sincerely hope that the need to make a Claim does not arise, but we do advise you to ensure that you have the appropriate insurance cover during your stay with us.
Pets are welcome by arrangement. Please observe the following:
- Keep pets out of bedrooms and off the beds
- Keep pets off the seats
- If there is an accident or your pet causes any damage please let us know before you leave.
- Pick up all pooh in a plastic bag. You are responsible for disposal in one of the purpose designed bins provided by the local authority
- Pet Supplement: £40 for week, £25 for part week
Since October 2016 Swansea City Council will not take waste in mixed waste bags for landfill if the bag contains waste that can be recycled. Therefore we are all obliged to separate waste into plastic (pink bags) and tins, glass, and paper/cardboard separately into green bags. Compostable waste must be put in the green bins provided.
There are 5 bins provided for your use, each labelled.
Use your bin in the cottage for general waste, and when full transfer the bag to the “mixed” waste bin outside. The remaining bins are marked for plastic (in pink bags), glass, paper and card, and metal.
The Local Authority collects on Friday, usually around 9am, collecting pink and black bags one week and green bags the next. You can always check what the neighbours have put out to see which is your week.
Please ensure you put out your correct rubbish bags for collection.
Collected dog mess should not be put out in the bins, but must be disposed of in the special local authority bins located around the village
Thank you for your co-operation
The utility area is housed behind the pine doors running on from the kitchen units. From the left there is a dishwasher, fridge, freezer, tumble dryer and washing machine. Also located in this area are the cot and mattress (if required), seat cushions for the patio chairs, and bins which we would ask you to separate your waste into. The plastic boxes should be used for plastic and bottles. Paper and cardboard can be put into carrier bags, and organic waste can be put into the green box under the sink. Once full transfer this to the bigger green container outside the entrance door. If you fill them before the end of your stay, just let us know and we will dispose of the waste for you.
The local authority collect bins on Fridays. Please leave all your waste outside the door on Thursday evening. I will transport it to the top of the lane
Manufacturer’s operating instructions for each appliance are in this manual.
If you prefer to dry clothes outside and the weather is suitable there is a rotary washing line for guest’s use behind the cottage
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