A £200,000 loan from the Development Bank of Wales has supported the expansion of Pitton Cross Farm, enabling the development of new themed holiday accommodation and strengthening the visitor offer on the Gower coast.
The challenge
Set on 12 acres with sea views and close to Rhossili Beach, Mewslade Bay and the Wales Coast Path, Pitton Cross Farm is well placed to attract visitors to Gower. After purchasing the site in 2021, the owners renovated the on‑site farmhouse to create high‑quality, dog‑friendly accommodation offering flexible short stays for a wide range of visitors.
Following strong demand, the business wanted to grow its tourism offer by converting existing outbuildings into distinctive, themed holiday accommodation. Delivering the project at pace was important to avoid prolonged disruption for guests and to ensure the business could capitalise quickly on growing visitor numbers.
Development Bank of Wales support
The Development Bank of Wales provided a £200,000 loan through the Wales Tourism Investment Fund to support the next phase of development at Pitton Cross Farm. The funding has enabled work to begin on the refurbishment of existing barns to create five additional themed accommodation units, alongside new on‑site facilities.
The investment also supported the creation of guest amenities including a dog wash, wetsuit wash and countryside seating areas, helping to enhance the overall visitor experience and appeal of the site.
The outcome
The expansion will see Pitton Cross Farm offer a total of six themed holiday barns, each linked to the heritage of the farm and the area. Alongside the existing farmhouse and Beagle Barn, the new units will provide a broader choice of accommodation for couples, families and groups visiting Gower.
By funding the development in one phase, the business has been able to accelerate its growth plans while avoiding a prolonged building programme that would have impacted the guest experience. The expanded offer is designed to attract visitors year‑round, support longer stays and strengthen the local tourism economy.
Wider tourism impact
Pitton Cross Farm’s development contributes to the diversification of Gower’s visitor accommodation, offering a distinctive, dog‑friendly and locally rooted tourism experience. The project builds on the area’s reputation as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and supports sustainable tourism by re‑using existing buildings and embedding local heritage into the visitor offer.
The expansion is expected to support increased visitor spend in the local economy and further establish Pitton Cross Farm as a destination in its own right, in one of Wales’s most popular tourism regions.
What the business said
Sam Birdsell, co‑owner of Pitton Cross Farm, said:
“This investment has helped us take huge steps forward with our business growth plans at a pace far faster than we could have achieved on our own. If we had funded the work in stages, guests would have been arriving to a constant building site over the next few years.
“We’ve always wanted to offer something novel and different, with our brand tied closely to the heritage of the area and the history of the farm. This development allows us to do that while improving the experience for our guests.”
What the Development Bank of Wales said
An Investment Executive at the Development Bank of Wales said:
“Pitton Cross Farm is a strong example of how tourism funding can support distinctive, high‑quality accommodation that builds on local character and heritage.
“The development will strengthen the visitor offer on Gower while helping the business grow in a way that is sustainable and well‑suited to its location.”
