Bwlch Y Gwynt - Self catering holiday cottage in Penmachno, Nr Betws-y-Coed, Conwy, Snowdonia, Wales - Sleeps 2-5
Bwlch y Gwynt is a delightful traditional Welsh long house, built in 1787, offering the opportunity to escape from the pressures of every day life in a beautiful tranquil location. It holds an isolated position and sits approximately 250 metres above sea level in the Snowdonia National Park and is suitable for a family holiday and equally suitable for a romantic break for couples who want to be uninterrupted and truly relax. It is also perfect for those who enjoy walking with wonderful walks directly from the front door.
The owners have now converted a near ruin into a rustic holiday cottage which offers three main rooms on the ground floor, two of which having sleeping lofts above, one of which is accessed by a ladder (see photo). The house is served by a natural spring water supply, mains electricity and two large wood burners provide the heating.
Bwlch y Gwynt is located in open countryside on the outskirts of the sleepy village of Penmachno, in Conwy County, North West Wales. The village is some four miles to the Southwest of Betws-y-Coed and on the edge of Snowdonia, lying at the heart of the valley of the River Machno, one of the upper tributaries of the River Conwy.
The cottage is on the side of a hill at the top of a quarter mile track, overlooking the Conwy Valley. By car the cottage is within easy reach of the beautiful Snowdonia mountain range and several wonderful beaches. The historic town of Conwy with its medieval castle is just half an hour away and provides great shopping, restaurants, cafes and places of historic interest. For those who enjoy walking, hiking or mountain biking, there are many miles of footpaths, cycle tracks and open country in this area to enjoy and explore. For the more adventurous there is climbing, high ropes, white water rafting and canoeing all nearby. Anglers too will not be disappointed with good salmon fishing on the river Conwy and the river Lledr, plus plenty more opportunities locally.
Betws y Coed and Llanrwst are the two nearest local towns where you can stock up on provisions and between the two you can usually find what you want or at least a close substitute! Betws y Coed is a small tourist town about ten minutes from the village of Penmachno where the cottage is located. There are several excellent stores specialising in outdoor clothing and footwear and specialist outward bound gear for the more serious climbers and walkers. The town has various pubs and hotels, a range of small shops, a leisure centre (with pool and gym), a newsagent, a post office and a cash machine. The town also boasts a motor museum. Llanrwst is a small market town about half an hour away in the car, which is better for food shopping and which also has an internet cafe. There are a couple of good butchers, a deli with a good selection of wine and alcohol, a supermarket, hardware shop, chemist, bank, cafe etc.
Bwlch Y Gwynt offers guests the opportunity to completely unwind and relax in beautiful tranquil countryside and it provides the perfect setting for enjoying some of the more basic pleasures in life like stoking up the fires over a glass of wine whilst chatting about the days adventures.
Facilities
- Horse Riding Nearby
- Open Fire
- Log Burner
- Near Pub/Restaurant
- Garden/Outside Area
- iPod Docking
- Bike Storage
- Golf Facilities Nearby
- Off-Road Parking
- DVD
- Satellite/cable TV
- Washing Machine
- Tumble Dryer
- Dishwasher
- Bath
- Cot
Accommodation and facilities comprise:
- The cottage consists of three main rooms at ground floor level and a bathroom.
- The left hand end of the building is arranged as a sitting/dining room (approximately 4.5 metres x 6 metres). The room is comfortably furnished with two sofas, a dresser, a dining room table with seating for 6 and is heated by a Villager wood burner. A television, DVD player, iPod connection and some DVDs are also provided along with a good collection of novels, reference books, maps and some games.
- The central room is arranged as a kitchen/dining room (approximately 4.5 metres x 6 metres) heated by a large Clearview wood burner. The owners spend quite a lot of time cooking when they visit so the kitchen is equipped with a good level of basic utensils as well as a number of cook books. The cooker is gas with four rings, grill and oven. There is a small domestic fridge.
- Above the kitchen is a sleeping loft furnished with a double bed and a chest of drawers. This loft is accessed by an open tread ladder (not suitable for people with limited mobility and children would need to be closely supervised).
- At the other end of the cottage the original barn has now been divided on the ground floor to provide a bedroom, (approximately 4 metres x 2.4 metres) with a single bed which also offers a pull out 'guest bed'. There is also a chest of drawers.
- Above this is the second mezzanine sleeping loft (accessed by a conventional staircase) which is furnished with a double bed, chest of drawers and airing cupboard.
- The other half of this end of the cottage has been fitted out as a utility area with dishwasher, washing machine and tumble drier (all in cupboards).
- The bathroom (approximately 2.3 metres x 2 metres) is fitted with a bath, basin and WC.
- Outside there is a small garden to the front which faces west, part of which contains a low wall which is a great spot to sit and admire the views, and into which we have built a BBQ. There is a garden table and chairs plus parasol.
Additional information: The cottage is quite remote and the track to it is about a quarter of a mile long from the road and is quite steep in places and bumpy - sports cars and very low vehicles are not advisable and four wheel drive vehicles are recommended. The water supply to the cottage is from a natural spring. Prices includes winter fuel and electricity. Travel cot, highchair and baby carrier backpack can be provided by arrangement. All beds have pillows and duvets provided. Bed linen and towels are not included but can be rented for a small additional charge. It may be possible to offer alternative changeover days and also holidays/breaks of different duration.
Map location: Please note that the map location shows the village location and not the exact location of the cottage.
Mid Season from £600
High Season from £600
Peak Season £600
Pets: No
Smoking: No
Children: Yes
Changeover Day: Flexible
Payment options:Cheque, Bank Transfer
Bedroom configuration:Sleeps 2-5 people in 3 bedrooms (2 Doubles, 1 Single with additional pull out bed)
Owner's details:
Owner: Peter & Elizabeth Huxtable click Contact Details for owner´s phone number and email address.
Bwlch Y Gwynt joined Independent Cottages in June 2008
Approximate Location of Bwlch Y Gwynt
The owner has requested that the exact location not be shown, please contact the owner for the precise location of Bwlch Y Gwynt
Reviews and Testimonials for Bwlch Y Gwynt
Comments from the Visitors' Book:
Gorgeous cottage, beautiful location (and even better in the snow!). Had a fantastic time, would love to come back. Lucy and Alex Boswell. April 2013.
We have had such a lovely time and have loved staying in your amazing cottage. Snowdon Railway, Conwy and Alpine Cafes and terrifyfing Tree Tops Adventues - all brilliant! Thank you very much for the welcoming bottle of wine - especially apt as we have wild boar in our wood at home in Herefordshire. Katherine, Will, Ann and George Ricks. May 2013.
Amazing stay! Beautiful spot, gorgeous warm comfy cottage and incredible sunshine! Wales at its best - the hottest spot in Britain! It's been an utter delight: sunny days and fireside nights Thank you. Lydia and Jules.
We had a great break here: lots of books, plenty of logs for the fire + lovely surroundings. Jane Spindler.
Thank you very much for a wonderful few days. I don't think there is anything to add: the cottage really does live up to all expectations and wishes ...and more! Andrew, Flore, Oscar and Heidi Bailey. February 2012.
Great weekend. Beautiful and well equipped house and very warm. Loved the zeppelin!!! Doh and Maurice Gannon. November 2011.
Lovely visit and what beautiful surroundings! Sadly three nights nowhere enough! Thanks very much. Tim and Fiona Andrews.
Fantastic relaxing hideaway. Beautiful setting & great biking. Feeling refreshed before the return to work. Olivia loved the hill, sheep, Llamas and pony - all very exciting. Thank you! Rachel, Simon and Olivia Davies.
Absolutely love the cottage! Had a fantastic time despite the rain! A truly magical location & will be back again in the future. Mariam and Daniel O'Neill.
I have had such a wonderful time. The weather was not quite so wonderful but gave me a perfect excuse to sit by the fire with a large glass of wine, perfect! I will definitely be back. Tara.
Bwlch y Gwynt is magical. Thank you so much for sharing it with us. We leave with our batteries recharged counting the days until we can return. We haven’t felt this relaxed for a very long time. Loved the tranquility, views, trees, garden, cosy fires and hiding away with your interesting books. And we want to take a leaf out of your book -every thing is here and easy to find. Obviously a much loved home. Laura and Andy.
A truly beautiful cottage in a perfect location. It has been so lovely to be inside and cosy whilst the wind howled outside. The cottage has everything one could wish for and more! We really felt at home here - wishing it was indeed our home! We will miss the lovey views - a magical place for true relaxation. Emma and Matthew.
A beautiful cottage with amazing attention to detail. Weather wasn't kind so we appreciated the fires and comfy beds. The Morgans.
Absolutely loved everything and fell in love with Wales again after a long absence. James and Jane Eaton.
A truly wonderful place - thank you - the kitchen is fantastic. The only problem is we don't want to go! Matt & Tessa.
What an idyllic honeymoon cottage!! Long rambling walks, lovely hot baths, gorgeous beds, cosy log burners, great BBQ, stunning sunsets - will definitely be back! Thank you. Dr and Mrs McLaren.
Had a fantastic time. -4 degrees for 1 week. Log burners were lovely. Thank you!! The Morgans, Flintshire.
Brilliant! Pure escapism. We had wind, snow, hail and sunshine. A great retreat. The Greens, Herefordshire.
