A £180,000 loan from the Development Bank of Wales has helped deliver a new eco-friendly tourism development overlooking the River Teifi in Cardigan, supporting sustainable tourism and strengthening the local visitor economy in Ceredigion.
The challenge
After relocating to Cardigan in January 2022, husband-and-wife team Tim and Julia Percival set out to create a small-scale, nature-led tourism destination that reflected the landscape and ecology of the Teifi Marshes. Their ambition was to deliver high-quality visitor accommodation that would be environmentally responsible, accessible and rooted in the local economy.
While the majority of the construction was self-funded, additional finance was required to complete key elements of the development and bring the project fully into operation following the granting of planning consent in 2023.
Development Bank of Wales support
The Development Bank of Wales provided a £180,000 loan through its Wales Tourism Fund, helping to fund the completion of the Seren loft apartment along with the final stages of hard landscaping and guest facilities.
The Wales Tourism Fund is designed to support stand-out tourism projects that add value to rural and local economies across Wales, enabling sustainable growth in the visitor sector.
The outcome
Fronteifi Nature Lodges opened in autumn 2025, offering high-quality, accessible and environmentally responsible accommodation designed to support the local visitor economy. The development includes two five-star timber-framed lodges, landscaped grounds, guest pathways and supporting facilities.
Sustainability has been central to the project. The lodges incorporate a wide range of green technologies including photovoltaic panels, EV charging points, air source heat pumps, sheep wool insulation, eco stoves and sedum roofs. Recycled materials from original buildings have been reused, and more than 35 new trees have been planted to enhance biodiversity and reduce carbon impact.
Accessibility was also a key consideration, with level access throughout, step-free entrances and level-access showers, ensuring the accommodation is inclusive and welcoming to a wide range of visitors.
Wider tourism Impact
The development aligns with Ceredigion County Council’s priorities for sustainable tourism and was supported in part by a £50,000 Cynnal y Cardi grant delivered through the Shared Prosperity Fund. By working with local tradespeople and suppliers, the project has embedded social value into its delivery while helping to attract visitors to West Wales year-round.
What the business said
“The support from the Development Bank has enabled us to complete the final phase of the project and stay true to our environmental and community principles. We’re proud to have worked with so many fantastic local businesses and to be creating a place where guests can experience the incredible natural environment of the Teifi Valley.”
Julia Percival, Co-Founder of Fronteifi Nature Lodges, said:
What the Development Bank of Wales said
“This project demonstrates how targeted tourism funding can support high-quality, sustainable visitor accommodation that benefits local communities and the wider rural economy.”
David Knight, Investment Executive, Development Bank of Wales
