Getting the keys
When you book Pen y Cae, we will send you a confirmation email, which will contain details of where you can pick up the keys. These keys will let you open the forest barrier (see below) and get into the cottage. The keys are located on the road between Five Ways and Pen y Cae.
Where we are
Pen y Cae is located in the Mynydd Du forest, about 10 miles from Abergavenny or Crickhowell. The nearest village is Llanfihangel Crucorney.
Access to the property is from the road up the Grwyne Fawr valley. This road is a No Through Road, so you will only be coming from one direction. At the start of the valley at Five Ways, you’ll go past a grey painted telephone box, and continue for about 4 miles (it seems further if you’re not used to our local roads). You will then be at the gate into the forest (What3Words ///writings.seagulls.hikes OS SO256265) See upper map.
Here you will need to unlock the barrier and cross the river, locking the barrier behind you. Follow the forest road along the river until you reach a junction where you will take the right hand road. Continue through the forest, past a couple of fields and you will arrive at a wider part of the forest road :(What3Words ///prevented.tonal.rezoning OS SO265258) This is one of the official parking spaces.
Pen Y Cae cottage is about 200yds up the grassy track on your left. See picture. (What3Words :///text.spider.flotation OS SO266260). In dry weather you should be able to drive up to the building to unload your supplies etc.
Alternatively, you can park in the NRW Car Park at Cadwgan (OS SO267251) and walk up the forest road (0.75 mile) through the barrier to the left as you look from the bridge. See lower map.
Instructions on where to park
Our lease allows for a maximum of two vehicles in the forest, so please ensure that you have everything you need in this number of vehicles. The main parking place is at What3Words ///prevented.tonal.rezoning OS SO265258. However if the ground is dry you may be able to take a maximum of one vehicle up to the cottage. Please do not attempt this if the ground is wet as the track will be easily damaged and this may affect the return of your security deposit. In theory the two black squares on the plan below are parking places, however the lower left one should be at the wide point where the Pen y Cae track deviates from the forest road. Also, if you use the space outside the cottage, please ensure you do not block the track as it is often used by forestry workers and farmers.
Looking after the keys
Each group should nominate a ‘key guardian’ and that person should ensure the keys are with them at all times and not allowed to be used by any other person. Please note that the padlocks on the doors can be locked without the keys so please ensure that the keys are outside the building before locking up.
When you leave, please remember to put the keys back in the lockbox, where you found them.
Pen Y Cae 