History of Ivy Court Cottages
Until the late 1960's the tiny Pembrokeshire village of Llys-y-Fran was largely unknown. It consisted of a few houses, three farms and a Celtic church on a ridge of land overlooking the deep valley of the river Syfynwy.
In 1971 - with the completion of the 100 ft. high dam - a 200 acre lake was created and a country park formed within the surrounding woods and pastureland. Llys-y-Fran Reservoir Country Park soon became a popular location for anglers, cyclists, walkers, or visitors who simply enjoy the tranquillity of the park.
The whereabouts of the original village, tucked away at the end of a narrow cul-de-sac, remained a secret to all but a few. Although no dwellings or buildings were submerged beneath the deep waters of the lake, the loss of land severely effected the village farms: remaining land was sold off, and farmhouses and outbuildings became redundant.
Within a few years, as slates began to slip from the roofs, it seemed that most of the village would be reclaimed by crows - the original inhabitants from whom the Welsh name is derived (Llys-y-Fran translated literally means "court of the crows"). The threat of dereliction was averted when the farmhouse and buildings of Ivy House were purchased along with the adjoining Lower House. The outcome of more than twenty years of restoration and innovation is Ivy Court - an enchanting cottage holiday retreat.
As others see us
The gardens, which have been created in the former farmyards, have twice been awarded the "Wales in Bloom Landscaping Trophy". The judges praised "the use of the natural lie of the land to create terraces, well maintained lawns, mellow stone-walled courtyards, and traditional herbaceous borders within high well-trimmed hedges"
Ivy Court was chosen by the Wales Tourist Board as a photo location. Pictures of Ivy Court and the cottage interiors appeared (and still appear) regularly on magazine covers and in feature articles.
Thames Television's "Wish you were here..." programme included Ivy Court in a feature on Pembrokeshire as an example of "self Catering of the highest standard".
Travel writers and journalist have been generous in their praise of Ivy Court: "Ivy Court was my home for the next few days...the verdict was excellent!"
Muriel Bolger, British Tourist Authority "Wales Close to You" magazine.
"The workaday world seems far away from this cluster of stone cottages which nestle on the edge of Llys-y-Fran Country Park..."
Bryn Frank, The Good Holiday Cottage Guide.
"Ivy Court is the perfect base for families and couples who want to explore Pembrokeshire or stay at "home" and enjoy the quiet life!"
Susan Marshall, Bristol Evening Post.
But the greatest commendations for Ivy Court come from the many visitors who have stayed here. Mr. Budden of Oxford summed it up on his second day: "You've got a little piece of heaven here...put me down for next year!"