Magical off-grid farmhouse in the wilds of Snowdonia; heaven for outdoorsy folk (sleeps 6 + babies)
Space & setting.
Deep in the heart of Snowdonia National Park, surrounded by ancient Celtic forest and dry stone walls, this whimsical off-grid home hides like a secret, untouched and forgotten by the passage of time. There’s not a power line in sight, no distant drone of traffic; just birdsong and bleating ewes, verdant valley views and foxgloves swaying in the bracken-scented breeze. One can almost imagine fairies sleeping in trees or goblins hiding behind lichen-covered stones; this is a land for the imagination to run wild.
At 200 years old, the house certainly has its quirks but that makes it all the more charming to us. The old oak beams, white-washed walls, and reclaimed furniture have stories to tell, while sash windows frame distant mountain peaks. But the real beauty lies in the back-to-basics setup; purposely low-tech and self-sustained, the simplicity unlocks a magic that modernity suppresses. Set a stew to slow-cook on the Aga, send the kids into a world beyond WiFi to make dens in the forest; revel in reading while you wait for the bath to be warmed by the woodburner in the snug below. Some things take a little longer than usual, but what’s the rush? In a world where everything happens at the flick of a switch, the invitation to slow down here is a breath of fresh air. And with the craggy mountains, quiet beaches and wild moorland of North Wales all on your doorstep, there are endless opportunities for adventure.
Getting here: best to drive with provisions, but you can train to Barmouth, then taxi (15 mins)
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Sustainability.
Off-grid. Solar-powered electricity. Private water supply comes directly from the mountain streams. Heating generated by woodburners/Aga. Cesspit soak away. Recycling. Firewood for firepit available to forage from the woodlands. Seasoned wood is available for use in the woodburners.
Surrounds.
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Harlech Beach © Visit Wales -
Harlech Castle by Huw Edwards via Unsplash -
© Royal St Davids Golf Course -
Portmeirion via Unsplash -
Portmeirion by Bradley Pritchard Jones via Unsplash -
Cader Idris by Jacob Capener via Unsplash -
Snowdonia National Park by Neil Mark Thomas via Unsplash -
Snowdonia by Timothy Salter via Unsplash
- Follow an endless network of walking tracks from the front door, taking you through old gold mines, around tranquil lakes and up and over mountains.
- Snowdonia National Park offers plenty of peaks to conquer; walk and scramble to the magical lake up majestic Cader Idris (steeped in Welsh legend) or make the 3,000+ feet-climb up Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), the highest mountain in Wales and England. You’ll be rewarded with spectacular views over Snowdonia, Anglesey and Pembrokeshire, even out to Ireland on a clear day.
- Walk to the lovely local George III pub, overlooking the Mawdacch Estuary.
- Ride the Ffestiniog vintage steam train through 40 miles of Snowdonia’s breathtaking scenery.
- Bring binoculars to the nearby RSPB woodland, home to buzzards, owls, red kites and other rare birds of prey. The George III pub promises a refreshing drink and hearty meal at the end of the walk, from where you can watch estuary birds wading through the mudflats.
- Visit the world-renowned gardens of Bodnant and the Plas Brondanw
- Spend a day paddle-boarding and swimming at Harlech Beach, a 4-mile stretch of golden sand with an otherworldly backdrop of dunes and mountains, overlooked by the medieval Harlech Castle.
- Enjoy the same views with a round of golf at the internationally renowned Royal St David’s Golf course, just behind the dunes.
- Visit the Italianate-style Portmeirion, a fascinating village of pastel-coloured buildings surrounded by woodland. Take an architectural stroll past the Gothic Pavilion and Bristol Colonnade, sip coffee in cobble-stone squares and stop for an authentic gelato in the pretty plaza (40 mins’ drive).
- North Wales is an adrenaline-junkie paradise: bounce through disused mines on giant trampolines and go zip-lining over quarries at Zip World. There’s thrilling mountain biking too, plus watersports over on the coast.
Specifics.
- Off-grid farmhouse surrounded by farmland
- 4 bedrooms: 1 super-king, 1 double, 1 small double and 1 twin (sleeps max 6 + 1 baby)
- High chair and travel cot available; please bring your own travel cot bedding
- 2 bathrooms, both with clawfoot bath tub; 1 with shower head attachment (limited hot water generated by Aga/woodburner below)
- Well-equipped kitchen including oil-fired Aga, camping-style gas hob, fridge and small freezer (no electric kettle); basic supplies provided
- Table and chairs
- 2 sitting rooms (both with woodburners); snug and main sitting room
- Garden with table, chairs and BBQ
- Sorry, no pets
- Housekeeping, food shopping, babysitting and home-cooked meals available on request
- The owners and a house manager are available by phone should you need anything
- Walk to lovely local pub (20 mins)
- Drive to Dolgellau or Barmouth for shops and restaurants (15 mins); supermarkets 15 mins away
- Hire bikes in Dolgellau or Barmouth; e-bikes available from Coed y Brenin
- Please note the following:
- Children welcome, but please note, the hideaway is remote and off grid – please read the description carefully, due to the nature of the property it might not be suitable for very small children.
- Water pumped from a spring (not recommended for drinking unless boiled)
- Electricity powered by solar panels, batteries and inverter; suitable for low level lighting only (hairdryers, liquidisers, irons and other power-intensive appliances not to be used please)
- Heating generated by 2 x woodburners and the Aga; 2 baskets of logs provided (extra can be requested at cost)
- No washing machine (local laundrette 10 mins drive away)
- No WiFi or TV
- House rules: no candles or smoking in the house; no parties or events
- Booking conditions: A 4/5-night minimum stay. Winter stays on request only. No photo shoots without prior agreement.
- Remember to pack: bottled drinking water, toiletries, beach towels, slippers, torch & spare batteries, walking boots/wellies, waterproofs, swimmers, wetsuits, fishing gear
Book your stay.
30% deposit, with the balance due 8 weeks prior to stay.
Cancellations: 8+ weeks prior to stay: deposit refunded, minus a £30 processing fee.
6-8 weeks prior to stay: deposit retained, 70% balance refunded, minus a £30 processing fee.
4-6 weeks prior to stay: 50% of the total booking fee retained, 50% refunded, minus a £30 processing fee.
No refunds if booking cancelled within 4 weeks of stay.
See our full booking Ts & Cs here.
FAQs.
4pm check in. Departure time 10am. We will often let people stay longer or arrive earlier if house is ready or free, get in touch to ask.
It means you’re not connected to mains electricity. Staying here is a real adventure. Limited electricity is powered by solar panels, batteries and an inverter, so there is lighting but it’s not suitable for hairdryers etc, and there’s no TV. You need to bring bottled water with you for drinking, and hot water for showers and baths needs to be warmed via the Aga and 2 woodburners. Cooking is on and in the oil-fired Aga. The owner has holidayed here for years with small children, so it’s absolutely fine — and fantastic — for families, but won’t suit everyone. It’s pretty remote. To us, that’s the real wow of it!
Yes, there’s a lovely local pub 20 mins walk. You’ll need to drive to shops, restaurants and beaches, though there is of course wonderful walking straight from the front door.
Regrettably not.
Because the house’s resources aren’t suitable for more than 6 people. There’s 1 super-king, 1 double, 1 small double and 1 twin, and there are 2 bathrooms, so lots of room to spread out.
Still have a question?
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