Turning a Gower Farm into a Dog-Friendly Retreat

When we first drove down to Rhossili in 2021, we knew we’d found something special. Ranked among the best beaches in the world, it was just two miles from the farm we were about to buy. The setting, right on the Wales Coast Path and close to a string of other dog-friendly beaches, felt perfect for the kind of tourism business we had in mind.

Pitton Cross Farm already had strong tourism roots – the farmhouse had been a holiday let for more than 20 years, and the neighbouring caravan and campsite was well established. What we saw was the opportunity to build on that heritage and create something that would appeal to a growing market: dog-friendly accommodation designed with the needs of dog owners in mind.

We’re a beagle family – I’ve rescued six over the years – so we understand what makes a stay truly dog friendly. It’s more than allowing pets; it’s about secure outdoor spaces, thoughtful touches, and an environment where dogs are genuinely welcome. That understanding has shaped every part of our plans.

Heritage is just as important to us. The barns we’re converting each have their own story, and we’ve been fortunate to work with the Button family, who farmed here for generations, to bring that history into our designs. Nanna’s Bakehouse, for example, is inspired by Nanna Button, and across the site we’re drawing on the character of the farm’s past to create something distinctive and memorable.

At the moment we offer the farmhouse, which sleeps eight, plus two completed barn conversions. Four more units are on the way, each with its own theme, from the Old Saddleback Barn to the Tractor Shed. My background in hospitality – including 20 years with brands like Marriott and Hilton – has taught me how design and theming can make a place stand out. We want our accommodation to be clean, inviting and practical, but also to offer those small, Instagrammable moments that guests remember and share.

When we first started, we self-financed as much as possible. But working on one building at a time would have left us operating as a construction site for years. We didn’t want that for our guests, neighbours or ourselves. That’s when we began looking into funding options through Business Wales and Swansea Council’s regular tourism updates.

We were successful in securing the maximum £10,000 from the council’s Tourism Support Fund, and through further conversations we were introduced to the Wales Tourism Investment Fund (WTIF) from the Development Bank of Wales. The grant, coupled with the £200,000 loan from the WTIF, has enabled us to move ahead far faster, aiming to complete the project in two years instead of five. It’s given us the breathing space to finish the main construction work while keeping the business running.

A big part of what we’re building here is about contributing to the local economy. We work with Welsh suppliers wherever we can, from locally sourced milk to coffee roasted by the Welsh Coffee Company, which we’ve branded as our own Beagle Brew House blend for guests. Our signage is made in North Wales, our linen is supplied by a Cardiff-based laundry, and our welcome boxes are filled with Welsh products.

That local focus extends to the experiences we recommend to our guests. If someone is celebrating a special occasion, we’ll point them towards caterers like The Gower Deli in Southgate or The Lookout in Rhossili. For events, we’ve brought in local entertainment providers and are already thinking about future possibilities, like pop-up coffee shops and post-wedding barbecues in the fields.

Tourism works best when it spreads its benefits. Every guest we welcome has the potential to support not just us, but the restaurants, activity providers, and shops nearby. That multiplier effect is huge – and it’s why collaboration with local businesses is central to what we do.

Our aim is to create accommodation that celebrates Gower’s heritage, meets the needs of modern travellers, and strengthens the network of businesses that make Swansea Bay such a memorable destination. With the right partnerships and support, we’re getting there much faster than we thought possible and we’re proud to be part of a community that’s growing together.

Sam talks about this and more in the Meet the Funder podcast episode Scaling Tourism in Wales – The Power of Strategic Investment. Listen to the podcast here.