Farming family has nation’s toughest school run

A farming family from Ceredigion has been deemed to have the country’s “most extreme school run”, after a national search by car firm Skoda.

The Jones family, who live near Tregaron, were awarded the title having encountered everything from fallen trees, black ice and broken-down lorries on their journey.

Although it’s only three miles to the school in the village of Pontrhydfendigaid, it’s a route that takes them through remote and dramatic terrain – tiny, twisting lanes, steep hills and a tendency to flood within a few hours after heavy rain.

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More than once, dad William has had to use his chainsaw to help remove fallen trees blocking the route.

The house sits even sits in its own micro-climate, so rainy weather at the school sometimes becomes snow by the time they get home.

From left: Esme, Sarah, Ifan and William Jones © Barry Hayden

“You never know what you’re going to face,” said mum Sarah of the journey to the primary school with seven-year-old Esme and nine-year-old Ifan.

“A typical school run might only take 10 to 15 minutes each way, but it can vary from day to day, depending on the weather and in winter you never know what you’re going to encounter.

“The challenging school run is a small price to say for where we live, though,” she added.

“I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. It’s so picturesque and there’s a great sense of freedom and open space living here.”

Skoda used the family’s school run to put its new large SUV, the Kodiaq, through its paces in the UK for the first time.

“I’ve put it on my Christmas list – but I’m not sure if I’ve been good enough for Santa to bring me one,” joked Sarah.

Watch the Skoda video on the Jonses.