A great-value shepherd's hut with stunning sea views, on the coast of Snowdonia National Park (sleeps 2)
Space & setting.
*Brand new*
Alongside 74 miles of breathtaking Welsh coastline, this gorgeous wee hideaway is tucked away on a hilltop in a quiet corner of the sprawling Llanfendigaid Estate, and is brilliant value for a romantic retreat or solo escape. With a Shaker-style kitchen and colourful lounge warmed by a woodburner, it’s pure pocket-size farmhouse chic — but the best part is its bedside window, which frames idyllic scenes of grazing sheep and spectacular sunsets over the sea. Elsewhere on the estate there’s a shared indoor pool, and a pretty little beach is a short 20-minute stroll away should you fancy a more invigorating swim. This area is all about rugged coastal walks and magnificent empty beaches, so bring walking boots to explore; Snowdonia’s mountains beckon, too. And after dark, night times are extra special; you’re in a Dark Sky Reserve and can stargaze through the skylight above your bed.
Getting here: drive, or train to Tywyn then taxi (10 mins)
“Gareth’s dad is from Tywyn and his nan lived here until she was 105, so Gareth was brought here for every summer holiday. Now we are living in Cheshire and sadly Gareth’s dad is no longer with us, we wanted a reason to keep coming back to this place we both love. When we saw Llanfendigaid on the market, we jumped at the opportunity to buy it. We are shaping it in a way that is sympathetic to the history but also bringing it up-to-date so that the infrastructure is sound for many years to come. Between us we are keen environmentalists, love the outdoors and interiors.” Owners, Lisa and Gareth
They love
“When the cows wander up to the hut to say hello.”
We love
Waking up to sea views, ever changing according to the weather.
You may not love
Limited phone signal. You’ll need a car to get to shops, pubs etc. Sorry, no dogs.
Sustainability.
Ground-source heat pumps, eco-friendly materials used in the renovations, and the owners upcycle and repurpose where possible.
Surrounds.
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Sunset from the Hut by Adell Explores -
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Tal-y-llyn Lake by Chris Williams -
Aberdyfi Beach © Visit Snowdonia -
Tal-y-llyn © Visit Mid Wales -
Harlech Castle © Valeryegorov -
Snowdonia © Neil Mark Thomas via Unsplash -
Cardigan Bay © Danny Thomas via Unsplash
- The estate is right on the coast in Cardigan Bay, a long sweeping arc which joins the Llyn peninsula in the north with Pembrokeshire in the south, and is fringed by amazing empty beaches.
- Walk the Wales Coastal Path in either direction keeping an eye out for wild dolphins and seals, then loop back over the hills to return to the estate.
- Or simply stroll down to Tonfanau Beach and explore the caves (20 mins from the door); can you find the one with a tunnel back to the estate?
- You’re staying within Snowdonia National Park (now officially called Eryri National Park) with its 9 mountain ranges, 15 peaks over 3,000 feet and 23 miles of sweeping coastline. Use your cosy hut as a base to explore the lakes, rivers and icy waterfalls.
- Swim at Tal-y-llyn, a stunning ribbon lake circled by a walking trail, with plenty of entry spots for dipping. Afterwards, go for lunch at the Ty’n Y Cornel Hotel (20 mins’ drive).
- On fair-weather days, swim in the estate’s indoor pool or head into Tywyn, which has a traditional independent cinema
- Take the steam train to Harlech Castle, a World Heritage Site entered via a ‘floating’ footbridge. On the way back get off at Barmouth for an hour to wander around the seaside town’s quirky shops and eat mussels overlooking the sea.
- We love Aberdovey’s white-sand beach and the Aberdyfi Ice Cream Company serves the best ice cream ever. Take a boat trip from the harbour or go kayaking out into Cardigan Bay.
- Visit the market town of Machynlleth for quirky antique shops, cosy café’s and a Museum of Modern Art.
Specifics.
- Shepherd’s hut in the grounds of The Llanfendigaid Estate (6 cottages onsite in total, sleeping 38 max)
- Secluded on a quiet hilltop
- Open-plan, warmed by a woodburner
- Double bed that tucks into the wall over a seating area
- Bathroom with electric shower; toiletries provided
- Small but well-equipped kitchen including fridge, microwave oven, induction hob, kettle and cafetière; basics provided
- Outdoor table, chairs and lounge seating with BBQ
- No phone signal but good WiFi
- The owners are available by WhatsApp; there’s also a full-time housekeeper on site
- Shared access to indoor heated swimming pool
- Drive to shops, pubs and restaurants (10-15 mins)
- Local bike hire
- Booking conditions: Sorry, no pets
- Remember to pack: pool towels and swimsuits, wellies/walking boots
Book your stay.
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