Pembrokeshire has castles, small towns, old buildings. There are also 275 miles of coastal path past cliffs and sandy beaches. Ferryman’s is in the Daucleddau Estuary, a maritime park of dramatic scenery and a sanctuary for wading birds, otters and seals. Ten miles from Pembroke, a small town with magnificent castle, the empty estuary remains wide at Slebech. Here was a crossing point, commandery, hospitalry, and mediaeval religious house helping pilgrims on their way.

Ferryman’s, on an ancient site, is built of stone and 18th century brick at the waters edge. Behind the house are the gardens of Slebech Hall. The drive is about 1.5 miles long. After you pass the big house, stables, Holy Island and a ruined church, you park the car and walk the last yards along the water’s edge . The countryside is stunning, wild and of sweeping landscape. From the windows one looks south across an empty estuary lined by oaks. The setting for this house is incomparable. Locally, there is lots to see and do, including castle visits, fine eating, a tour of the tiny cathedral city of St Davids or visits to cliff or beach. Local sports include golf, cycling, canoeing. The house is a comfortable and relaxing retreat. Though you may not wish to leave Slebech, it is ideally placed for touring around Pembrokeshire.

Ferryman’s Cottage is comfortable and has been simply decorated. The small hall leads to the kitchen which looks along the yew tree walk below the terraced gardens of Slebech. The kitchen has microwave, low fridge, dishwasher, electric hob and stove. The bathroom with airing cupboard is also off the hall and has a power shower over the bath The sitting room has comfortable sofa & armchair, Welsh Dresser, and a fine mid Victorian working fireplace. The floor has the original black and red tiles with rugs. The table in the window looks over the lake. Flat screen TV & CD player. The two south facing bedrooms, which are reached from a slate floored corridor, have windows looking down the estuary. The double bedroom keeps the old hob grate, filled with pinecones, between the original deep cupboards. The second bedroom has another hob grate and blue painted wide plank floors with rugs, antique furniture and twin beds.

Steep stone stairs go down to the utility room with chest freezer, oil fired boiler, drying facilities and unused kitchen range. More steps then go through the lean-to down to the foreshore. Here is a large grassy play area, and garden furniture but the deep water is not far away. Three times a month the water comes right up to the steps. Ferryman’s is private and set between the sea and the formal gardens. Although only a few hundred yards from other buildings, it feels remote. There is plenty of space to walk and wander. Private parking is a short walk from the house. Oil-fired central heating. Laundry room in stable yard. Free wood. Barbecue. Dogs welcome by arrangement.