The dedicated website www.rivercottage-snowdonia.co.uk
River cottage is in the perfect location for exploring the mountains and coast of Wales. Situated in the heart of the Snowdonia national park and half way between Betws Y Coed and Portmadog. This historic cottage is hidden away in the Vale of Ffestiniog surrounded by lush pastures, forests and contrasting high mountains with an adjoining nature reserve just waiting to be explored.
Luxurious comfort. The cottage is situated in a hamlet, not, I add, easy to find.
The cottage sleeps 8-9 In 4 double size bedrooms each with king size beds or large twin beds.
A detached cottage set in a secluded streamside setting and is situated in its own grounds of an acre with an abundance of fruit trees. Woods and mountains are all around, a nearby forestry track leads off into the wilderness and Nature reserve. There are views of the Moelwyn Mountains and spectacular views of the Vale of Ffestiniog from the cottage grounds.
‘A traditional Welsh long house by birth and dating back originally over 400 years, the profile of the original house can still be seen on the walls, is built of the finest Welsh slate granite and stone. The cottage was extended in 1830 to form the house it is today.
There are two ruins in the grounds and a fresh water stream with a small overhanging cave, quite magical, even a few fairies can be glimpsed, but only the friendly ones.
The cottage is bright and homely and is really comfortable, once seen never forgotten. Rugs and Welsh wood polished floors add to the tasteful decoration. The conservatory overlooks the gardens and the fresh water stream - this is the ‘boot room’ - where you can kick off your shoes and hang up your coat ready for a relaxing evening. The dining room with a table large enough to seat eight comfortably, has a large fuel burner set in a surround of original stonework and oak lintel to keep you warm on cooler evenings. This lovely room is the heart of the cottage and is the perfect setting to entertain the whole family or perhaps, a romantic setting for just two.
The kitchen is very well equipped with the normal equipment cooker, washing machine, a George Forman grill, slow cooker, microwave, fridge-freezer, toaster, and lot of pots and pans
The long lounge has plenty of comfortable seating for eight, with side tables and a coffee table. There is also a high table with 2 chairs at one end overlooking the garden and stream. This is a lovely room to relax in comfort with your glass of wine. It has, Tv, hifi and there is an open log fire also oiled fired central heating just to make sure your stay is warm, cosy and comfortable.
Adjoining the dining room is the ‘Small Cottage’, which is an annex to the main house. The ‘Small Cottage’ has a downstairs snug room, a shower room and toilet and a three-bedded room upstairs. It has its own front door and can be closed off from the main cottage by the door from the dining room. The snug is not self contained, just somewhere to hang out with games or DVD, has 2 sofas and TV, DVD, CD players. The snug is a little get-away to listen to music or play card or board games.
In the main part of the cottage there are three large bedrooms one of which has an en suite bathroom with a king size bed, this room has an en suite with views over looking the garden, stream and forest beyond., the second bedroom has a king size bed and the third bedroom has twin double size beds, there is a DVD-TV in this room..The 4th bedroom a twin, is upstairs from the snug in the second part of the cottage the 'small cottage'
There is also a large family bathroom in the main part. All bedrooms are tastefully decorated with a ‘cosy cottage’ feel all rooms have views to the gardens and beyond, the forest. The pillows supplied for all beds are extreamly comfortable and of 5-7 star hotel quality as are the duvets supplied. The beds are new and we have added soft deep toppers to all, luxury! All bedding supplied are allergy free. There are other pillows available, but none are feather.
- The cottage has WIFI
- A travel cot is available on request.
- Bedding and towels are supplied.
- We leave you a ‘welcome pack’, a bundle of logs with firelighters and kindling, and also a complimentary bottle of wine and possibly some of our own ‘free range’ eggs when available.
The rear garden has one of the many local streams flowing through, we must add that this accommodation is not suitable for toddlers and younger children to be left alone in the garden as the stream forms two ponds which cannot be fenced off. Young children must be supervised at all times in the grounds.
There is adequate parking for three cars with room for turning.
Shops, pubs and restaurants are approximately 5 minutes away. The Grapes inn at Maentwrog, a beautiful Grade II listed building, dates back to the 17th century, this charming inn boasts an idyllic setting in the village of Maentwrog, renowned for its home-cooked food and real ales is in very heart of Snowdonia’s National Park and The Oakley arms located again within 2 miles from the cottage is an impressive and convenient location from which to enjoy a meal or drink at the imposing Oakley Arms Hotel.
The cottage is steeped in fascinating history with a visit by, David Lloyd George, the 1st Earl of Dwyfor and Prime minister in 1916; also a well-known Welsh poet, Edward Stephen lived here in the mid-19c. The previous occupant, Peter Kitchin is a famous local artist and character and wife Jan, along with his daughter Becky who used the downstairs annex as their artists’ studio.
There are walks from the house in to the nature reserve, Blaenau Ffestiniog and Porthmadog are within easy reach.
Porthmadog is about 10 miles away and is a large town with a wide range of shops plus most major supermarkets. The picturesque harbour and sandy beaches of Borth-y-Gest is around 10 miles and the small picturesque village of Maentwrog is 2 miles and 2 miles away is Blaenau Ffestiniog with a Spar shop and a co-op super market, cafes and restaurants; more importantly is the Ffestiniog railway.
The area has the best of all worlds, within hard walking distance of mountains, forests and fishing rivers some suitable for swimming. Castles and beaches are just a 15 mins drive away. The last 10 miles of the approach to the cottage is through some of the most dramatic scenery in the world. Through the Lledr Valley, the south eastern Snowdonia mountain range and the slate quarries of Blaenau Ffestiniog, then through the Ceunant Cynfal Nature Reserve as you drop down towards the cottage.
The Bala and the Berwyn Mountains and Southern Mountain range Rhinogs, Arans and Arenigs and the Berwyns are also within an hours drive away.
The cottage is set in the Ceunant Cynfal Nature Reserve. The Cynfal waterfalls are in the wooded valley across from the cottage it leads to the picturesque Falls. There is a large pillar shaped rock above the falls that is known as Huw Llwyds pulpit, named after a 17th century wizard or preacher. The Nature Reserve is an internationally important scientific site and is a remnant of the vast woodlands that used to cover all of Wales. Many of the animals and plants (especially lichens, mosses and liverworts) found here can only survive where there are old trees and a damp atmosphere. The site and sound of the river pounding its way through the gorges is an added attraction.
To the east there is the open moorland wilderness of the Migneint, whilst to the south and west is the beautiful Vale of Ffestiniog, a deep sheltered valley of thick woodland, tumbling rivers and green meadows. Attractions near the cottage include the Rhaedr Cynfal waterfalls and the remains of the Tomen-y-Mûr Roman fort and amphitheatre.
Attractions nearby include :
The narrow gauge Ffestiniog Railway that links Blaenau Ffestiniog with Porthmadog on the coast. The Ffestiniog Railway (originally horse drawn) opened for freight traffic in 1836 and transporting the slate from source at Blaenau Ffestiniog to harbour via a 21km journey through meadows, woodlands, lakes and waterfalls within what is now the Snowdonia National Park. The ride is spectacular as the line twists and turns its way through the countryside.
The Conwy Valley Railway at 27 miles long offers one of the most beautiful rail experiences in Britain. It was constructed in 1879 and links the town with the north Wales coastal resorts . Part of the National Rail Network, it takes you via a 3 mile ( 5km ) tunnel under the Crimea Pass, alongside the banks of the turbulent river Lledr, down to the river Conwy, one of the great rivers of Wales. A breathtaking range of scenery unfolds before your eyes, from majestic crags and pastoral delights of the upper valleys to the historic castles of Dolwyddelan and Conwy, through an estuary rich in wildlife, You glimpse fairytale landscapes, ancient quarries and tracks, forests and the high peaks of Snowdonia before eventually reaching Llandudno the Queen of the Welsh resorts. And surprisingly ........the Landscape around Llan Ffestiniog come to fantastic rocky outcrops, mountains, rivers and lakes, as best as the best of Snowdonia !
Off season tariff is 495.00 per week. Winter months November, December excluding Christmas and New Year, January, Febuary and March excluding school holidays. During off season we may consider short breaks of 3-4 nights the price is 275.00 for 3 nights 375.00 for 4 nights.
Mid season is 595.00 per week March April excluding easter and half term May June excluding school breaks.
High season is 895.00 per week Easter June and July excluding school holidays
Peak season is 1100.00 half terms, school holidays and Christmas and New Year.
For any Information and for a booking form please call 01690 750212 or email cottagegifts@aol.com 10% deposit required to hold the dates the balance is payable 8 weeks prior to arrival.
