I’ll never forget the drive down to Narberth in mid-autumn – that crisp October weekend when the Pembrokeshire leaves were turning all shades of gold and amber, like nature’s own fireworks display. We’d piled into the car from Cardiff, me navigating with my trusty phone (which, predictably, lost signal just past Tenby), and the kids buzzing with excitement about beach walks and cream teas. But about halfway there, disaster struck: a rogue flock of sheep decided our narrow lane was their personal catwalk, causing a 20-minute standoff with a farmer in wellies who looked more amused than annoyed. “First time in Wales, eh?” he chuckled, waving us on. By the time we rolled up, hearts racing a bit from the delay, I was already picturing cosy firesides and steaming mugs of tea.

Pulling into the ample off-road parking – enough space for a small army, which was a godsend with our overloaded boot – my first impressions were spot on. This delightful house and annex right in the heart of Narberth felt like a warm hug after the chill wind. Stepping inside, the spacious kitchen welcomed us with its fully equipped setup, perfect for rustling up hearty stews with the autumn veg we’d grabbed from a nearby farm shop. Next door, the utility room had everything: washing machine, tumble dryer, dishwasher, and a massive fridge/freezer, so no one was faffing about with laundry in the drizzle. It flowed straight into the dining room, table set for sixteen – ideal for our group of eight, though we joked it could host the whole village if the harvest festival spilled over.

That seasonal magic shaped every moment. Mornings started with mist rolling off the fields, so we’d wander the five-minute stroll to Narberth’s high street for fresh pasties from the bakery, the air thick with woodsmoke from chimneys. Afternoons meant bracing coastal walks along the cliffs at Amroth Beach, just a couple of miles away – the sea crashing under a slate-grey sky, waves whipped up by the autumn gales, but nothing a good waterproof couldn’t handle. We’d return windswept and starving, piling into the kitchen for pumpkin soup (inspired by the Halloween lanterns popping up everywhere) or roasting local lamb around that epic dining table, laughter echoing as stories flew.

One evening, as the sun dipped early, painting the sky in fiery oranges, we lit the fire in the lounge and played board games till late. The annex gave the teens their own space – a cheeky retreat from us “oldies” – while our well-behaved labrador sprawled by the hearth, tail thumping contentedly. It was pure bliss, that golden hour glow filtering through the windows, reminding me how autumn strips things back to what matters: good food, daft mishaps, and faces you love.

Looking back, I had a quiet moment of self-reflection on the last morning, sipping coffee as leaves swirled outside. In the rush of daily life, I forget how a place like this, wrapped in Pembrokeshire’s autumn embrace, recharges the soul. No wonder we’re already booking next year – spring cherry blossoms, perhaps? If you’re after a memorable escape, this is it.