Gower farmhouse secures £200,000 investment to expand holiday accommodation offering
Gower farmhouse secures £200,000 investment to expand holiday accommodation offering
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A vibrant and dog-friendly holiday destination on the Gower Peninsula is expanding its accommodation offering thanks to a £200,000 loan from the Development Bank of Wales through the Wales Tourism Investment Fund.
Pitton Cross Farm, a 12-acre site boasting sea views just two miles from the iconic Rhossili Beach, is set to create six themed barn conversions on-site to meet growing demand. The owners, Sam Birdsell, Jason Manley and Rhydian Manley, purchased the farm in October 2021 and have since been steadily transforming it into a popular visitor destination.
Already offering flexible short stays in a fully renovated farmhouse, the team launched the first of their themed units, Beagle Barn, a colourful, dog-friendly space inspired by their shared love of beagles. With dogs Remy, Ramsay, Shelby, and Mr Finley forming the unofficial canine welcoming committee, the barn quickly became a hit among fellow pet lovers.
Now, with the backing of the Development Bank, work is underway to convert five additional outbuildings into themed accommodation. The new units, Nanna’s Bakehouse, Bampi Button’s Stables, Old Saddleback Barn and Milkshake Barn, will incorporate quirky and nostalgic design elements that celebrate the site’s rural heritage and the legacy of the Button family, who previously farmed the land. A £10,000 grant from Swansea Council’s Tourism Support Fund is also supporting the project.
Additional site enhancements will include new dog-washing and wetsuit-cleaning facilities, and countryside seating areas to make the most of the scenic surroundings along the Wales Coastal Path.
“This investment has allowed us to move forward much faster than we ever could have on our own,” said Sam Birdsell, co-owner.
“If we’d had to self-fund and build in stages, our guests would have arrived to a construction site for years. Instead, we now have the confidence to develop a truly memorable destination, rooted in local heritage and landscape.”
“We’ve always wanted to offer something different—something fun and meaningful. Being based in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and an International Dark Sky Community is something we celebrate through everything we do.”
David Knight, Investment Executive at the Development Bank of Wales, praised the business: “Pitton Cross Farm is a fantastic example of how a tourism business can combine character, convenience, and creativity. Their themed accommodation, thoughtful touches, and passion for the local area set them apart.”
The Wales Tourism Investment Fund, backed by Welsh Government, offers loans from £100,000 to £5 million with long repayment terms, helping tourism businesses grow sustainably.
Cllr Robert Francis-Davies, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Investment, Regeneration, Events and Tourism, added: “Tourism in Swansea generated a record £658 million for the local economy last year and supports over 5,400 jobs. Projects like Pitton Cross Farm show how strategic investment, through collaborations like ours with the Development Bank of Wales, can help drive even more value from the Gower’s unique natural and cultural appeal.”
