Like many people fortunate enough to have some outside space, we’ve really relished the opportunity we’ve had during the last year to use this as a focus - particularly when we’ve struggled with the loss of our usual routines and working patterns.

We’ve been working on the gardens and outside areas around each of the cottages, and have spent many enjoyable days clearing and improving the area behind Wharfinger’s Cottage to reveal the terraced levels of the garden and create new seating areas from which to enjoy both the views and the immediate space.

We’ve done some severe pruning of many of the long established shrubs, and we’ve planted hundreds of bulbs which we’ve enjoyed this spring and we know our customers will love to see. Always mindful of the need to complement the surroundings of the cottages, we think we've created spaces which don't look too manicured.

Another task which has engaged us, is maintenance work on our car parking areas. We've been tediously removing vegetation that’s occurred simply through lack of use, and replacing fencing along the driveway - not an easy task given the angle of some of it!

Both Incline Cottage and Wharfinger’s Cottage have had their external walls repainted; Wharfinger’s can no longer be referred to as ‘the white cottage’, and I think people are getting used to the slightly softer creamy colour it is now.

We’ve recently purchased firepits for all three cottages – made locally at a forge in Raglan – which we’re sure will be a feature our guests will love.

Always looking at ways to make the cottages as comfortable and stylish as possible, we’ve had new cushions made, and some of the lovely antique chairs have been re-upholstered over the winter. Each cottage also has additional cosy Welsh wool blankets made by Melin Tregwynt to make them feel extra special.

Which cottage is your favourite: Dry Dock, Incline or Wharfinger's ?