The Bothy - cottage details

The holiday cottage is situated within a 10 acre small holding that has several small fields grazed by two horses and two childrens ponies. One of the fields has recently been planted with native woodland trees. The farm was originally part of the Vaynol Estate owned by Thomas Assheton Smith, who was the 3rd largest landowner in Gwynedd and worked the slate quarry in Dinorwic above Llanberis.  

A slate path leads from the car parking area to the front door taking you directly into the sitting room. The original small windows have been preserved. However the open plan design and the addition of roof windows increase the natural light which in illuminates the natural shades of the lime plaster and larch wood floor. The stable door can be left half opened when the weather permits. On cool nights you can light the wood stove and draw up the futon settee  (which can convert into a double bed) and single seat nearer and toast your toes by the fire. The cottage is furnished simply and is enhanced by hand made willow baskets and home made rugs. The Freeview TV with DVD are discreetly hidden away in the cupboard and can be easily lifted out to place on the dresser for viewing. If you prefer to listen to music you might bring CDs for the stereo radio player and there is a separate Bluetooth speaker to connect to your phone or ipad. Wi fi is available.  

From the corner of the sitting room alternate tread stairs lead up to the low ceilinged crog loft. There is an original ships' banister rope (from Lassie of Chester, a Morcombe Bay Prawner).  Sleep under the eaves in low double bed, handmade out of oak and, if you leave the roof window blind open on a clear night you will have a fine view of the stars!

From the opposite corner of the sitting room you can enter the shower room and toilet by going down a couple of stone steps. The washbasin is set within a Victorian marble topped washstand - but don't worry, there is running water! A wooden towel rail and an old washing dolly continue the antique theme. There is electric under floor heating, both here and under the slate floor in the kitchen.

 To the left of the chimney breast you enter the "L" shaped kitchen.The table is tucked in a corner, which opens to a galley where you will find a gas cooker, microwave, fridge (with integral freezer), toaster, kettle and sandwich maker. The cupboards and work surface were custom made from ash and cherry wood. While doing the dishes in traditional Belfast sink, you can look out through the gable end windows onto the slate and cobbled courtyard, and the view beyond over Anglesey. 

In former times the shed outside the back may have been the pig sty and the "Ty Bach"/outside toilet (literally "Little house") but now it is handy for visitors to put bikes in or hang wet coats to drip! The wood, coal and outside furniture and small barrel BBQ are stored here for your use.

The first basket of wood and bucket of coal are provided free and there is an honesty box if you need refills for the living room stove. Electricity and gas are included in the rental fee.

 The courtyard can be quite a suntrap and a pleasant place to relax while enjoying a cool glass of wine well into a summer's evening, watching the sun setting.  The BBQ makes a good small fire pit to sit around if it gets cooler. Next to the courtyard there is a vegetable garden. If you wander a little further down there is a small pond that has just been re- established. Dont be alarmed to find a horse's nose over the wall! They are friendly but Please do not feed them.

If you fancy a small five minute stroll then go up to the top of the track and through a kissing gate on the to the right on the opposite side. Continuing upwards will take you to a small knoll. There is a surprising 360 view on a clear day from this vantage point. To the north lies Parys Mountain on Anglesey, north east is the Great Orme in LLandudno, the Carneddau in the east, round to Llanberis pass and Snowdon in the south then westwards down to the LLeyn Pennisula then over the sea to Holyhead mountain on Anglesey in the west. You may be interested to know that you are standing on the site of a Romano British Hillfort, (Pen Y Gaer) 

As well as horses the owner has a cat, who may well come and say hello, and friendly German Shepherd called Shanti (she is not allowed to wander around freely as there are sheep and cattle in the neighbouring fields). Visitors dogs are not encouraged but may stay by prior arrangment.

Your privacy is very much respected when you are in residence but you may be aware of activities going on around, especially the horses and ponies passing by when being led between fields or being fed in the winter. 

There are security video cameras on the farm.

Smoking is not permitted anywhere on the property.

Towels and bed linen are provided.