Frequently Asked Questions

One Cat Farm is in a secluded wooded valley near Aberaeron in Ceredigion, West Wales.  We are five minutes by car from Aberaeron harbour and the Cardigan Bay coastline.

We will send you full directions when you book. You can also see our location here 

• We are a small family-run business with just four cabins, so you can expect a friendly, personal service from the moment you book until the day you check out.
• We designed and built all four cabins ourselves. Each one is unique and has been carefully designed to be comfortable, practical and connected to the outdoors.
• The cabins are set within a three-acre nature reserve near Aberaeron, in Ceredigion, West Wales. We created the nature reserve after buying the land in 2013, and continue to restore and manage it for wildlife. With only four cabins spread across the site, guests have plenty of space and privacy.
• We are located just five minutes from Aberaeron and the Cardigan Bay coast, with numerous beaches within a half hours drive and the wilderness of the Cambrian mountains half an hour inland.
• Nature and being outdoors is part of everyday life at One Cat Farm- Outdoor kitchens and covered living areas encourage guests to spend as much time outdoors as possible.  Depending on the season, you may see red kites, herons, dragonflies, frogs, toads, water-voles and otters.  We also see slow worms, polecats, weasels and numerous bird species including a peregrine falcon, nesting swallows in the summer and starlings in the winter.
• Our secluded valley is peaceful, with no busy roads nearby. Nights are dark, quiet and ideal for stargazing- We are in a dark sky sky discovery site (Milky Way class). this means that on a clear night, you can see the milky way with the naked eye.
• There is a natural swimming pond on site, together with a jetty, rowing boat and opportunities for pond dipping.
• Sustainability is central to how we run One Cat Farm. The cabins are highly insulated, heated using renewable energy and built from locally sourced timber where possible. Our carbon footprint is no more than 3.3 kg CO₂e per cabin per night, compared with a UK accommodation average of 10.4 kg CO₂e.
• Our friendly rescue cats are part of the farm and may stop by to say hello.

Each cabin combines a cosy, insulated indoor sleeping space with a covered outdoor kitchen and living area, so you can enjoy being outside in every season:

• A double bed with hotel-quality bedding, feather pillows and a sprung mattress with an orthopaedic topper.
• A comfortable seating area (or full-size single beds for family bookings).
• Electric heating (from renewable energy), blackout curtains, lighting, power sockets and a fan for warmer weather.
• Books, board games and local information.
• A covered outdoor kitchen/living area with dining space, lounge chairs, a gas hob, fridge with small freezer compartment, sink, toaster, cookware, crockery and utensils.
• Outdoor dining area.
• A private outdoor space with a hammock, camp chairs, fire pit and campfire cooking equipment.
• A private bathroom located a short walk from the cabin- less than a minute.

For a comprehensive list of what is in the cabins please click here

The cabins are well equipped, so you only need to bring a few essentials.

We recommend:

• Warm layers – even in summer, evenings can be cool.
• Waterproof clothing – the Welsh weather can be unpredictable.
• Beach towels or swim robes – our towels are for use at the cabins and bathrooms only.
• Wellies or sturdy shoes – especially if you plan to explore the surrounding countryside.
• Slippers and easy-to-slip-on shoes for walking to your private bathroom.
• A torch – The site is intentionally free from outdoor lighting to protect wildlife and preserve the dark skies for stargazing.
• Food for self-catering – each cabin has a gas hob but no oven, so please don’t bring food that needs baking. Or you can prebook a Glamp Gourmet meal kit to be here when you arrive.
• We do not have wifi on site and we suggest that you take the opportunity to embrace this chance to switch off from the world. But if you would like music/films or podcasts during your stay then we recommend downloading them before you arrive. 

Each cabin includes:

• Bed linen and bath towels.
• A generous basket of firewood, kindling and eco firelighters on arrival (additional baskets are available to purchase).
• Tea, rapeseed oil, dried herbs, salt and pepper.
• Washing-up liquid, tea towels, cleaning cloths and eco cleaning products.
• Eco-friendly hand soap, shampoo, conditioner and body wash.
• Toilet paper and bathroom essentials.
• Matches for the gas hob and fire pit.

• Yes, you can swim in the swimming pond,  We have been swimming  here for the last ten years but we do not get the water tested as it is being constantly filled from external sources (springs).  We would suggest wearing some foot protection- the pool is clay lined with the occasional sharp rock. Swimming is done at your own risk. The ponds are fenced off for children’s safety.
• There is also a rowing boat for guest’s use. 
• We provide pond dipping equipment for nature lovers 
• The ponds are brimming with wildlife 
• Life vests are provided for small children. 

We have a 2-night minimum stay.

We do not offer-1 night breaks for 2 reasons.  Experience has shown us that it takes guests a minimum of 48 hours to switch off and truly reap the benefits of a stay here.  The most regular feedback we hear is “next time i’m booking for longer!”  It is really important to us that people leave their cabin feeling rested and refreshed because ultimately this is our reason for being here.

The second reason we don’t offer 1-night breaks is because a one night break does not cover our overheads, so it is not feasible for us to offer them.

Our arrival and departure days are Mondays/ Wednesday’s/ Fridays (with the option to check out on Sundays in term time).  During school holidays and over bank holidays our arrival and departure days are Mondays and Fridays.  If you select your preferred dates on the booking page, it will show the options available for your stay.

In quiet periods we may offer alternative arrival and departure days as a last minute option you can email jessie@onecatfarm.com or WhatsApp 07970719192. 

To protect the tranquillity and the wildlife on site, we do not accept bookings for more than 2 cabins. If you would like to book 2 cabins, please contact us in advance jessie@onecatfarm.com or WhatsApp +447970719192.

Our check in times are between 5-8pm.  We are not able to offer early check-ins during school holidays.  In quieter seasons we may be able to- let us know you’d like an early check-in if possible and we will message you on the day, if we finish early. 

Changeover days are usually very busy and we all work our socks off starting at 8am to do admin, hence our latest check in is 8pm because at that point we have usually had a very long day.  Later check -ins are available but we ask for a £30 fee to cover our time.

No check-ins after 11pm.  Due to the nature of the site, we have found that self check-ins do not work. So please plan your time carefully.

Check out is before 10am on the morning of departure (or 12.30pm for the optional late Sunday checkouts) so that we can prepare for incoming guests.

Turn left after driving through our gateway and head down the track to the car park. Please close the gate to keep children in and local livestock out.  You can call us on the radio in the reception area and we will come to greet you, explain how things work and answer any questions, before pointing you to your cabin and leaving you in peace during your stay.

The cabins have identical facilities but each one is styled slightly differently.  You can see more here.  Some regular guests enjoy changing cabins each time they stay, but other people have a firm favourite that they prefer to stick to each time they visit.

The cabins are self catering but you have the option to pre-book a Glamp Gourmet meal kit to be waiting when you arrive and leave all the shopping to someone else.  We’ve tried and tested these kits and they are really good! 

If you prefer to be self sufficient there is a small supermarket, good bakery, a deli and whole-food shop a 5-minute drive away.  Click here for our suggested places to shop & eat out. 

Definitely!  We encourage you to.  We have also provided campfire cooking equipment if you would like to cook over the fire.  Collect your basket of firewood each day and sit back and watch the stars.

Please use the fire pit and don’t leave your fire unattended- the cabins are wood after all.  On rare occasions, in periods of hot and dry weather, for safety, we may need to restrict or ask guests not to have open fires. 

We supply a tripod, a barbecue, a large stew pot and everything else you might need for cooking over the fire. Please don’t bring barbecues (disposable or otherwise) or cooking stoves with you, these can be dangerous and due to a previous incident are now strictly forbidden on site.

Each cabin can accommodate a maximum of 2 adults and 3 children.

Yes, there is an electric heater in your cabin so you will always be cosy indoors. Electricity on site is powered by renewable energy so this is the most eco friendly way for us to heat the cabins.  It also means that when you arrive your cabin will be warm, if you go out for the day it will be snug when you get back and when you wake up in the morning there is no fiddling with a wood burning stove to get warm.

Yes, the cabins have electric lighting and sockets throughout. We use a 100% renewable energy supplier and hope, in future to install solar panels and batteries to generate our own supply.

Yes, we are open all year and winter is a really nice time to come because it is quiet.  If you are after a tranquil, solo retreat then this is a perfect time to have the beaches and hills to yourself. We built the cabins ourselves and stuffed them with insulation to keep them warm in winter and cool in summer. They also have double glazing and electric heating.  There is also a hot water bottle and thick wool blanket to reassure you.  Outdoors you can sit round the campfire and keep your bottom warm on a fleece blanket.  It probably goes without saying but we definitely recommend warm outdoor clothes and good waterproof shoes for winter stays.

We don’t provide wifi.  Partly because we hope that guests will embrace the opportunity to switch off and unplug and partly because we live in the sticks and couldn’t provide it even if we wanted to due to insufficient broadband infrastructure. Depending on your network, you may get some 4G coverage, most people do, but please don’t rely on it. Out and about in the local area there is generally good coverage.  If you are worried about being contacted whilst you are away then please feel free to give our number to friends or family who might need to get hold of you urgently.

Each cabin has its own private bathroom a short walk from the cabin. There is a flushing toilet, hot shower and wash basin.  Click here for more info

Dogs -Well behaved, friendly dogs are welcome to stay in The Hide cabin.  We ask that they are kept off the beds and soft furnishings and are kept on a lead at all times when outdoors.  This is because we have several cats on site who are scared of dogs, and this is their home.  We are also encouraging the local wildlife to regenerate and even the best behaved dogs find it hard to resist sniffing around in the undergrowth which can disturb nesting birds and small mammals.  We are also surrounded by working farmland and farmers who see dogs off their leads will not be happy.  During your stay it is worth noting that most of the local beaches are dog friendly and there are plenty of walks from the door and further afield that your dog will love. We provide a towel and water bowl but please bring your pets bedding and anything else they might need with you.

Cats– Cats that are accustomed to travelling are also welcome to stay in the Hide cabin.  We would recommend keeping them on a harness whilst you are here because if they decide to go exploring they could be a while. If you are bringing your cat with you then we apologise that our booking system does not have a cat option, you will need to add them on as a dog and make a note to let us know that you are bringing your cat.  Please don’t tell your cat that you need to do this, they might not ever live down the humiliation. Please bring everything that they might need for their stay with you.

• You can add on a bottle of Prosecco (or non alcoholic sparkling wine) and some Organic Chocolate Brownies to be waiting for you in your cabin.
• The Woodfired baths are an experience that you will remember years to come. 
• Glamp Gourmet meal kits take the stress out of thinking about meals and shopping before you arrive. 
• We can add in a hand written card by a local artist- please let us know the message when you book.  
• A Japanese Shiatsu Massage with Susan who lives next door to us  This is a lovely experience and a real treat for someone who might need pampering a little. You can add this option onto your stay when you book.
• We are also happy to help facilitate any little surprises you might like to treat your loved one if we can. Previous guests have had items sent ahead so that we can put them in the cabin on arrival day. Just drop us a line to jessie@onecatfarm.com.

The site is car free so please park in the car park.  Your cabin is a short walk from here.  We provide a wheelbarrow to transport your luggage and to carry firewood baskets and water containers.

Your stay price includes parking for one average size vehicle. If you plan to bring more than one car or have a bigger than average vehicle (eg bigger than a Ford Transit) please advise us in advance of your stay.  There is limited parking on site.

Yes,  there is a charger in the carpark. It is not a fast charger and you will need to bring the car’s adaptor for a 3-pin plug with you.  We use a 100% renewable energy provider. There is a charge for this service- please let us know how many KWh you used when you check out. . There are also several chargers in Aberaeron town which is a 5 minute drive away.

We are in wild rural Wales which doesn’t have the best public transport links.  But, if you are an intrepid soul up for a bit of an adventure then it is possible to get here using public transport and many guests have done so over the years.  Aberystwyth and Carmarthen are our closest train stations.  You will then need to catch the T1 bus (which runs hourly between the 2 stations) to the end of our lane. From there it is a 10 minute walk along a quiet country lane to the cabins.  If you give us advance notice then we may be able to collect you from the bus stop.

Once you are here, if you bring provisions then you can hibernate for a few days or explore the site and the walks from the cabins. You can walk to the coastline and Aberaeron town which is 4 miles from us along footpaths.  There is also acres of National trust land to roam on a short walk away.  If you want to go further afield then you can catch the bus from the end of our lane.  For shopping, we’d suggest getting a supermarket order delivered or you can catch the bus to Aberaeron where there is a small supermarket, a really good deli/ bakery and a whole food shop.  Please do feel free to drop us a line if you’d like to discuss coming without a car jessie@onecatfarm.com.

To maintain the peace and privacy of other guests, we do not allow drones to be used on site.

Our outdoor bath experience is set away in a private space and available to pre-book for one evening during your stay, subject to availability. The baths are filled with fresh water for each use and we do not use any chemicals in the water.  We light the fire and get them all ready for you to jump in at the agreed time.

Due to their popularity and to give everyone the chance to use them,  guests cannot pre-book the baths for more than one night of their stay.  If you would like to use them more than once let us know and if they are free during your stay then we will let you know.

If you’d like to pay for your stay in instalments then let us know.  We’re really happy for you do this so long as the full balance is settled 1 month before your stay. You can pay as and when you wish- just let us know and we will generate a payment request to the amount that you wish to pay each time.