About Pembrokeshire Willow Helyg Sir Benfro
Come up the lane to Plas Helyg – ‘Willow Palace’ in Welsh – and you will see turf roofed houses and rustic yurts in this unique setting for a craft workshop. In the Ecovillage of Tir-y-Gafel (also known as Lammas) Cassandra Lishman lives with her husband, 3 children and many animals. Here you can come and see her work as well as buy her finished products.
Cassandra creates willow sculptures, sculptural baskets, and traditional ‘Cyntell’ baskets. With her husband Nigel they make unusual willow screens and rustic chairs.
On her smallholding, she annually coppices then hand harvests all her own willow to create her beautiful crafts.
Using locally sourced wool as well as merino, Cassandra designs and creates wearable and affordable ‘Felt Couture’. Her products include waistcoats, hats, bags, scarves, and brooches. She also creates a small number of needle felted sculptures including dormice and angels!
As part of the Pembrokeshire Craft Trail you can visit Cassandra at work on Thursdays and Fridays 10-4 from Easter to October. At the workshop studio there is a small range of willow and felt products for sale, and in progress. Please phone if you have something particular in mind. You can also order bespoke items, or book a personal or group workshop. Workshops can be designed to suit all ages and abilities.
Cassandra also sells cards of her work, and sells plants including dye plants and medicinal herbs.
Additional Information
Open from January to December.
Opening time vary, please email or call to check availability.
Price Info:
Willow workshops and products for sale. Workshops are listed on the website.
Facilities:
- Free Admission
- Parking (free)
- Pembrokeshire Produce
- Shop
- Toilets
Accessibility
- Car parking 50 metres from the studio
- Cassandra’s studio workshop is not disabled accessible, although there are no steps
- There is a disabled accessible community building for use if you book a workshop for more than 6 people
Directions
From South Pembrokeshire (A40). Take the A478 North from Narberth towards Cardigan. About 4 miles after Glandy-Cross turn right (signposted) to Glandwr. At the village crossroads turn left. Approximately 400 metres after the bridge, the Tir-y-Gafel entrance is on the left. Go up the track and park in the car park by the large turf roofed community building. Carry on walking up hill for a few metres, then take the right hand fork. After 20 metres pass through one gateway, then turn left and walk past the willow beds towards a small brown yurt and a pink roundhouse.
From North Pembrokeshire (Cardigan), take the A478 South towards Tenby. About 2 miles after Crymych, turn left (signposted) to Glandwr. Follow directions as above.
