ONE of the last unaltered examples of a classic Pembrokeshire cottage has been left to the National Trust after its owner died.

The Grade II listed building is near to the coast in St Davids and was home to the late Mr Glyn Griffiths, who had lived in it since childhood.

In his bequest to the National Trust, Mr Griffiths wished that his beloved home be restored to its former glory and its character preserved.

The ‘two up two down’ traditional lime-washed cottage has been unaltered since it was built in the late 1700s and its photo has featured in several publications celebrating the special character of the Pembrokeshire landscape.

Jonathan Hughes, the National Trust's general manager for Pembrokeshire, said: “We’re delighted that Mr Griffiths has chosen the National Trust to safeguard his cottage and we know it holds a special place in the hearts of many people. The restoration work planned will preserve the layout as far as possible to provide simple accommodation, whilst retaining the spirit and charm of the traditional Pembrokeshire cottage.”

The cottage and range of outbuildings are in a very poor state of repair and in need of substantial consolidation and conservation work. Funding from the National Trust’s Neptune Coastline Campaign – set up almost 50 years ago to raise money to protect our coastal heritage - will be made available to do this.

In order to allow as many people as possible to enjoy this special place, it is planned to let the cottage as a National Trust holiday cottage, with regular open days each year for visitors to see the restoration work.

For regular updates on the Trust's progress visit its blog at www.ntnorthpembs.wordpress.com