The Choirmaster in Mumbles, Swansea

The Choirmaster Self-Catering

Situated in the quiet Welsh village of Gowerton, this home has the air of a grand country hotel from the outside – an impression helped by the large grounds and pristine white facade. However, step behind the front door and you'll find somewhere full of homely charm, albeit with some top-notch amenities.

There are a wealth of sociable spaces, from the rather grand dining table next to a bay window and a snooker room to the sort of huge sleek kitchen that was simply made for entertaining. The host's predilection for chandeliers adds some pizzazz to the lounge and bedrooms, while the egg-shaped freestanding bathtub will be welcomed by those who love nothing more than a long soak.

If the weather forecast makes for happy reading while you're here, there are plenty of spaces to sit out on the terrace, as well as large lawns for playing. Once the sun starts to go down, why not retire to the hot tub with a glass of something ice-cold in hand?

When you're ready to see a little more of the local area, Gower Area of Oustanding Natural Beauty starts in under ten minutes' drive from the home and offers plenty of beaches, castles and unspoilt countryside. An alternative option is the city of Swansea, which only takes twenty minutes to reach in the car.

Home truths:
*There's plenty of room to park on the driveway
*Your host can provide a travel cot and high chair for free upon request
*If you require the pullout bed for a tenth guest, you need to inform the host beforehand
*The home is spread over two floors and there are no bedrooms on the ground level
*One well-behaved dog is welcome to accompany you during your stay and there's a secure dog run
*All the fireplaces are decorational