Out & About
We encourage our guests, both two and four legged to freely explore our grounds. Although a much smaller area than the original 31,000 acres, there is still plenty to enjoy and discover at Nanteos.
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Mews
The once glorious Greek style stables was built in 1837 and could house up to 18 horses and numerous carriages, along with haylofts and accommodation for the stable lads to sleep in. Part of the Mews has been converted into self-catering accommodation that sleeps 8-10 but the other side still remains as it originally was, including some of the horses names still on the stalls! In summer house martins, barns swallows and grey wagtails nest in the cracks and crevices of the outbuildings. Bats can also be swooping through the courtyard hunting for insects as night descends.
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Former Walled Garden
The former Kitchen Garden is a substantial 2.185 acres. The earliest evidence of the garden dates back to the late 17th Century and would once have produced an abundance of fruit and vegetables for the house and its many visitors. The old fountain still remains.
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Shrubbery
At the end of the walled garden, on the right- hand side, is an ornate wrought iron gate if you go through this it brings you out onto a grassed area. This was once called the Shrubbery and some of the large specimen trees still remain, including a Ginkgo, Tulip tree and Cedar of Lebanon. Walking back towards the Mansion there are two large beech trees which are thought to be among, if not the tallest beech trees in Ceredigion!
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Pet Cemetery
The Pet cemetery can be found to the side of the walled garden in the shrubbery and surrounds what is said to be the oldest Mulberry tree in Britain!
The memorial stones have been laid since the mid 19th Century and the last pets were laid to rest in the 1950s by Margaret Powell and included horses, dogs, cats and Stuart the Cockatoo. Sadly not all of the memorial stones remain.
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Labyrinth
At the far end of the shrubbery there is a stone Labyrinth and at the centre a Nanteos Cup of stone. The labyrinth was created by two local stone craftsmen using their knowledge on ancient craftsmanship and traditions. The Labyrinth is the perfect place for some peaceful reflection.
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Lovers Walk (to the Lake)
In the corner of the carpark, to the right is a small laurel archway into the woodlands and from here you can follow the Lovers Walk all the way to lake and beyond to the Gate house. As you stroll through the varied woodland you will see the old stone wall to your right hand side. This was built by the Powells and was used a division between working class and upper class. Working staff were not to be seen or heard! Many of the trees in these woodlands are veteran or ancient trees and protected by a tree preservation order. Look out for the distinctive yew tree where several paths converge.
Lake
Our lake is carpeting by a wonderful display of water lilies in the summer months and creates a habitat for many different species of bird, including mute swans, herons, canada geese, mallard ducks, little grebes, moorhens, coots and many more. On around the lake on warm days you can also see dragonflies and damselflies dancing on the breeze. Native bluebells adorn it's sunny slopes in late spring.
Nature Reserves
Although not a part of the estate itself, we are lucky to have two nearby nature reserves for our guests to enjoy, which are cared for by the Woodland Trust. Old Warren Hill is an ancient Iron Age Hillfort, located on the right hand side of the lane when leaving Nanteos, and can be access through a wooden gate past the gate house. The reserve comprises varied woodland covering the steep western slopes of Old Warren Hill. A stream running through the wooded dingle forms the western boundary. There is a large Badger sett in the ramparts of the hillfort and a wonderful display of Bluebells in spring.
Coed Penglanowen
A lovely woodland stroll through pathways and over bridges. The Nant Paith stream runs through this woodland. It has a rich diversity of mature trees and provides an excellent habitat for cavity nesting birds and all three British woodpecker species have been recorded in the past, together with nuthatches, pied flycatchers, stock doves, tawny owls, and treecreepers to name a few.
