20 cottage stays donated to Operation Recuperation appeal

We’ve received a fantastic response to our appeal to give frontline healthcare workers a free holiday in beautiful South West Wales.

Since we announced our support for the UK-wide Operation Recuperation campaign, our generous cottage owners have stepped forward to donate not one, not two – but 20 self-catering breaks here in St Brides Bay.

Like us, our property owners are eager to show their gratitude to the healthcare heroes who are risking their lives to keep us safe during the coronavirus pandemic.

Free cottage holidays for healthcare heroes

The response means 20 nominated healthcare staff will be treated to a well-deserved holiday with St Brides Bay Cottages in St Davids, Solva, Newgale or Porthgain, after the COVID-19 crisis is over.

Rachel Sherwood, who launched Operation Recuperation, described the gifting of 20 holiday-home stays by our property owners as “utterly wonderful”.

She said: “We’re so thankful to all the cottage owners. The fact they’ve all been so generous in very challenging times speaks volumes.”

Chance to enjoy the Pembrokeshire air

Among the owners to come forward is Sheila Morgan, who, together with her husband Chris, owns The Anchorage, a two-bedroom apartment in Solva.

Sheila said: “As a retired nurse with medical staff in the family, I can fully appreciate the strains and stresses all NHS staff are going through at present. Thank you all for your sterling work. Hopefully, the peace, quiet and Pembrokeshire air will aid recuperation.”

Debbie and Patrick Bowie-Moore, the owners of five-bedroom holiday home Mount Pleasant, in Solva, said: “The healthcare workers have offered their all, and it’s our privilege to give a family – who may have been kept apart – the opportunity to stay in Mount Pleasant as a massive thank you.”

Family on the NHS frontline

Simon Baker is donating a stay at Cefn y Mor, his four-bedroom property in Solva. He said: “We have family members on the frontline of the NHS, and know what risks they are taking, and what effort they are putting into saving lives. Our only effort is to stay at home and avoid infection. A small price to pay.”

Jim and Maureen Dale, whose three-bedroom holiday let, May Cottage, is situated on a grade II-listed farm, near St Davids, said: “Rarely do we get an opportunity to say thank you to the staff at the NHS – we tend to take the service so much for granted. Now the chips are down and there they all are, on the frontline looking after us all. Thank you all at the NHS.”

Watermill and log cabin stays

David and Judith James, who are offering a free stay at their converted watermill, Melin Llanrhian, near Porthgain, said: “We’re delighted to be able to support Operation Recuperation as a very small thank you to everyone in the NHS who has worked so hard in such challenging circumstances.”

Another property being offered is Strumble Lodge, an idyllic log cabin, near Porthgain, owned by John and Annie King. John said: “We don’t know where we would all be without our dedicated health workers in this crisis, working tirelessly to care for patients and save lives. This is our chance to repay them, to show them our grateful thanks, and hopefully to give them something to look forward to.”

And Julia and Will Williams, who own Ty Peggie, a two-bedroom bungalow in Solva, added: “We’re honoured to be able to participate in Operation Recuperation. The NHS deserve every ounce of kindness we’re able to offer.”

Find out more

Operation Recuperation is collecting donations – in room nights and cash – to give free stays to frontline healthcare staff, once the virus restrictions have been lifted.

To stay up-to-date on the progress of the initiative, follow the St Brides Bay Cottages team on Instagram @stbridesbaycottages and Facebook @StBridesBayCottages
And look out for the hashtag #operationrecuperation

Or, to find out more about our fantastic portfolio of high-quality holiday lets, contact us on or 01437 720027.

Finally, a massive thank you to you – our guests and cottage owners – for your unceasing support in these challenging times.

Stay safe!