SALAD DAYS
MUDEFORD TO PEMBROKESHIRE
Salad Days is an original Mudeford beach hut that’s been relocated to a hilltop location in Pembrokeshire. Freshly renovated, it’s got a new outdoor kitchen and shower, leaving the inside free for sleeping, sitting and enjoying the oddly mesmeric view of the Teifi estuary. You won’t see anybody and nobody will see you.
HISTORY
In the 1950’s my grandfather (The Prof) built a small beach hut on Mudeford Sandbank in Dorset. He called it Salad Days. Over the next few decades my dad (George) extended it, mended it, loved it. I (Tom) was ten days old when I first stayed in Salad Days, and spent every half term and summer holiday thereafter. It’s where I grew up, and where I took my kids the minute the sun first came out for them.
In 2005, the decision was taken to build a shiny new hut. Instead of demolishing it, George took the old one apart, bit by bit, stuck it on his trailer and heaved it back to the family farm in St Dogmaels, Pembrokeshire. He rebuilt Salad Days, this time on top of a hill. When George died in 2022, we moved up to Pembrokeshire to run the farm, and so started the next chapter in the life of this famous beach hut.
today
Our farm is a 15 acre smallholding on the edge of St Dogmaels in Pembrokeshire. We’ve got an enviable range of hills, and Salad Days sits proudly atop the one with the best view of the estuary and surrounding countryside.
Moving to Pembrokeshire from London was a big decision for us. Being so far from friends, family and my kids wasn’t an easy decision to make. We’ve renovated and modernised Salad Days to lure our friends to come and visit, and to give the kids somewhere to hang out when they come to stay.
STAYING HERE
We’re open to having friendly visitors stay in Salad Days, but need to manage your expectations if you do – it is just a humble beach hut after all. However, we have insulated the hut and installed central heating, electricity, and an outdoor privy. The kitchen will allow you to BBQ or cook with pans. A sizeable fridge will keep your food and wine nicely chilled. Have a good look at all the photos in the gallery and drop us a line if it looks like somewhere you’d like to try out.
local area
Just like it’s original Mudeford home, Salad Days sits in an area surrounded by water. St Dogmaels is our bit of coastal paradise, marking the start of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path with its famous cliff walks and Blue Flag beaches. The Times listed the village in their “15 best under the radar places to live by the sea”, which probably means it won’t be our secret for too long. But that’s ok.
As well as the beaches, coves and Europe’s largest pod of dolphins, we are a stones throw from the quietly buzzing cultural hot spot of Cardigan. The town is built on the River Teifi and hosts concerts in the historic castle grounds. You can devour pizzas in the renowned Pizza Tipi and sip an Old Fashioned whilst watching the boats chug by. We now even have a Michelin starred restaurant (Yr Hen Printworks).
If you get bored with the 50 beaches along the Pembrokeshire coastline, you can wander inland and explore the Preseli Mountains and stumble in and then out of some of Wales’ cosiest pubs. You’ll struggle not to eat well and drink well. And in Salad Days, sleep well.
getting here
St Dogmaels is a couple of hours from Cardiff, and four hours from Heathrow. On a good day. Drive to the end of the M4 and then follow signs for Carmarthen and then on to Cardigan on the A484. St Dogmaels is a village a couple of miles west of Cardigan. Salad Days is located at a farm called Brynderwen, at the top of the village.
Full address is BRYNDERWEN, CWMINS, ST DOGMAELS, PEMBROKESHIRE SA43 3HF
the ladz
We have two dogs, Spud and Punk. Both labradors, both adorable, both stupid. So if you were wondering whether dogs are allowed to stay in Salad Days, the answer is a resounding yes. They'll be very welcome. No extra charge or any of that nonsense. We'll just provide a dog bed and treats. Lots and lots of treats.