Is Cwtch The New Hygge?

We get it, you’re over Hygge. It was fun to make your home cosy with an extra fluffy rug or two for a while but now we’re looking for a little something extra. We’re taking the staycation approach to lifestyle trends this season, replacing hygge and Lagom with a classic cwtch. For those unfamiliar, a cwtch (pronounced ‘kutch’) is a warm Welsh cuddle, or a cubbyhole for safe storage, so before you make your home more cwtch-friendly, a little trip to Carmarthenshire might be on the cards to ensure you get it just right.

How To Cwtch In Carmarthenshire

Carmarthenshire, in south west Wales, is selling itself as the ‘capital of cosy’ with a host of winter breaks offering warmth and wellness. Think wholesome outdoor pursuits with accommodation designed for hibernation. Check out three of Discover Carmarthenshire’s cwtch-friendly breaks below, and check out Cwtch up in Carmarthenshire for more ideas.

A cwtch under the stars

How about a stargazing break in the Cambrian Mountains – home to some of the darkest skies in the UK? Take in the 50-mile Astro Driving Trail which tours the very best Dark Sky Discovery Sites such as the breath taking Llyn Brianne Reservoir. Stay at Brynglas Cottage in the village of Rhandirmwyn, a cute 19th century stone cottage full of period charm and a roaring fire to warm up in front of after your explorations. By day, walk to the waterfall at Cwm Rhaeadr then linger over steaming Welsh cawl (a cwtch in a bowl) at the nearby Neuadd Arms, or sample some Welsh ales and cider at your local, The Royal Oak Inn.

A coastal cwtch

Explore the Carmarthenshire coast at Pendine by joining Craig Evans, master of all things coastal foraging as he hunts for clams, cockles, sea vegetables and more on one of his wild-food courses. At the end, he will cook up your finds over a handmade candle stove on the beach taking shelter in one of the many caves. Cosy! Check in for the night at Brown’s Hotel in Laugharne, beloved by Wales’s favourite poet Dylan Thomas, and snuggle up in your Welsh wool bed. The next day, explore the haunting ruins of Laugharne Castle, tuck into tapas at The Ferryman Deli and walk a section of the Wales Coast Path, stopping along the way for waterside afternoon tea at the Dylan Thomas Boathouse.

An artisanal cwtch

Learn about textile-making and buy Welsh blankets at the National Wool Museum, then head into Newcastle Emlyn to browse its antiques and bric-a-brac shops. From there, there is a 3.5-mile walk up the river, past deep pools and weeping willows, to the cascading Cenarth Falls. Enjoy a cream tea at Tŷ Te Cenarth and visit the Coracle Centre to find out about another local practice, moonlight salmon fishing in handmade boats, before your return walk. Nantgronw Cottage makes for the perfect home away from home, but make sure you take a short detour to Caws Cenarth for their artisan cheeses to enjoy by the wood-burner.

Can’t get away right now? Better bring the Cwtch trend home and find the nearest Welsh person for a squeeze. They really are the best huggers.

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Photo by Wil Stewart