Guests say
Cyfannedd Uchaf is a well-loved cottage praised for its stunning, remote location offering peace, tranquility, and breathtaking views. Guests enjoyed the well-equipped property, dog-friendly space, and the opportunity for outdoor activities and family gatherings. The unique charm of the surrounding nature and wildlife added to the memorable experience, despite some concerns over maintenance and cleanliness.
Most guests found the cottage to be clean and comfortable. However, there were a few reports of cleanliness issues, such as the need for a deeper clean and finding items like an old apple core and a toothpick. These instances suggest room for improvement in this area.
The location is consistently lauded for its stunning views and serene, remote setting. Guests appreciated the proximity to nature and outdoor activities, with the only minor drawback being the distance to local amenities and the beach.
The cottage is described as warm, cozy, and accommodating for large groups and families. The presence of an accessible bathroom and well-equipped rooms contributed to the comfort. Some guests mentioned issues with beds and a lack of maintenance, slightly detracting from the overall comfort.
Facilities like the sauna, secure garden for dogs, and well-equipped kitchen were highlights. However, there were comments about broken chairs, a missing TV, and a need for maintenance, indicating that while the facilities are generally good, there is a need for attention and upkeep.
Guests mentioned the thoughtful touch of supplies left by the owners, which was appreciated. It is important to note that such gestures enhance the experience but may vary and are not guaranteed for every stay.
About this property
Situated in it's own beautiful private grounds, surrounded by spectacular scenery, this pet-friendly, spacious Welsh farmhouse combines modern comforts with traditional character.
Powered by a wind turbine and solar panels, Cyfannedd Uchaf is a traditional remote stone farmhouse, with modern fixtures and fittings whilst retaining it’s homely character with exposed beams, stone walls and a welcoming wood burning stove. Located above Arthog, a quiet spot in Snowdonia National Park, the farmhouse is surrounded by breath-taking scenery with sweeping views of Cader Idris mountain, Barmouth estuary and the Llyn Peninsula. The peaceful and tranquil location will appeal to many; walkers, photographers and wildlife lovers can leave the front door and either take the ridge up to the mountain or walk down the steep hill to the beach at Fairbourne or cross Barmouth Bridge to visit the town and beach. Barmouth, only 3 miles away, has a picturesque harbour and a good choice of shops, pubs and restaurants. Local attractions include Fairbourne miniature railway and Cregennan Lakes. Please be aware that while wheelchair accessible as a building, guests have to pass through six farm gates on their way up the seven mile road from Dolgellau. Therefore, this property is geared more towards groups that appreciate quiet separation from society.
Sleeping up to 13, with large social and eating spaces, this comfortable pet-friendly property is ideal for extended family or groups of friends to spend relaxing and quality time together with walks and fine views. The ground floor of the property is full of character and spacious areas for relaxed, sociable gatherings. The cosy living room features original beams, lots of seating and a wood burner set inside a feature inglenook fireplace. The light-filled, modern kitchen offers spectacular sea estuary and mountain views, the perfect backdrop for any gathering. A further small living area with a kitchenette, sofa and kitchen table offers additional, usable space. Next to this, a flexible double/twin bedroom and an accessible, walk in shower room and toilet with a small living area and an en-suite is situated on the ground floor along with a further bathroom and a utility room. The first floor houses five further bedrooms, four of which have en-suite bathrooms, and the master bedroom with picturesque views.
Outside, a 10-person sauna, along with a changing room and shower, is a wonderful place to relax with a large picture window overlooking the estuary and sea and the lake is great for wild swimming. A remarkable hand-made picnic table designed and built by a local artist with charcoal barbeque, fire pit and incredible views is just the place to gather and talk about your adventures.
Please bear in mind that this property is half way up a mountain, and that whilst there are more gentle walks on the level commanding excellent views, the descent to Fairbourne beach and Barmouth is a quite steep three-mile walk.
Size: Sleeps 13 in 6 bedrooms.
Beds: 2 king size, 2 x double, 3 x single (2 singles are zip & link), 1 x bunk beds
Rooms: Ground floor: Living room, kitchen / diner, small living room with kitchenette, twin bedroom (zip & link) with ensuite, bathroom and utility. Upstairs: 4 ensuite bedrooms and a single room.
Kitchen and utilities: Modern fitted kitchen with range cooker, microwave, fridge, freezer, dishwasher. Washing machine and tumble dryer.
Entertainment: TVs in living room and bedroom. Wifi available.
Outside: Stunning views to estuary and peninsular. Large hand-made table and seats for 13 to enjoy the stunning views out to the estuary and peninsula. Charcoal BBQ and a fire pit. Large wood-fired sauna around 100m down the steep hill (capacity for up to 8-10 people) with 2.5m picture window and extraordinary views across the lake, estuary and sea. Changing room and cold shower also available. There is a lake around 250m down the steep hill on our land that is available for walks and wild swimming. Please note that there is a separate cabin near the property with its own access just out of sight that is sometimes occupied.
General: Central heating, electricity and a basket of wood is provided. Bed linen, towels and hairdryers provided.
Pets: Up to 3 dogs welcome, at a charge of £25.00 per pet, per week. Please ensure dogs are on leads around surrounding areas of the property as we are surrounded by working farms with sheep, particularly in the Spring and Summer when lambs are around.
No smoking inside the property.
Parking: Private parking for 6 cars.
Notes: You may need to pay an Accidental Damage Deposit or Accidental Damage Deposit Waiver for this property. Where applicable we will contact you in good time before your holiday with further details and to take payment.
Nearby points of interest
- Centre for Alternative Technology
Reviews (20)
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Mrs Smith
Wow, missing the cottage already. Set in a stunning location with plenty of room for 9 of us (should have been 11 but parents had to pull out last minute) including two 11 year old boys and two girls (13 and 14 years). We really made the most of this homely cottage finding it well equipped, we did baking (we used the breadmaker too), games, sauna, lake swimming, fires and barbecue plus lovely walks from the property. No need for the tv (kids didn't miss it). It was a comfortable stay and we couldn't get enough of the views even with the changing weather. The eco-credentials were a real bonus and we can see the owner cares about the impact on the wonderful Welsh countryside. We were lucky to meet the owner Paul who gave us some great tips on walks and obviously has a passion for the place. Wish we stayed longer and hope to bring the kids back for Cader Idris. Just what we all needed. Did see hares but sadly didn't see polecats!
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Mr Snell
The cottage has positives and negatives. On the plus side, then the view across to Barmouth is one of the best we have experienced from a holiday cottage - and we have been to many. Our party of 10 from 3 generations ranges in age from 5 to 70, so we are looking for space, facilities, cleanliness and comfort. The living and bedroom arrangements were just as described and met all our requirements. Pots and pans in the kitchen were of perfect size for large group cooking. We had a great holiday. Having said that, there were a number of disappointments that we would not expect, especially given the price bracket for this property, and our comments should be taken with that in mind. Firstly, although only renovated a couple of years ago, many aspects of the house are already looking tired, as though little time and effort has been spent on upkeep. Some shower fittings and cubicles needed attention. A blind was completely missing on one bedroom window, and in the kitchen area the curtains would not meet in the middle. On arrival, the house appeared only to have had a speedy cleanup since the previous guests and really it is in need of a deep clean, which would remove the mould around some of the showers, windows, walls,etc. We should mention we found hairs in one shower - not acceptable. In general there is unwanted clutter in certain areas of the house which would benefit from tidying up and/or removing. The TV seen in the photos in the small living area was missing. More seriously, we were very surprised on our first day to find that someone appeared to be living in a summer house/studio at the bottom of the 'garden', visible from the main property. This was just not on, as we were expecting the privacy intimated in the website description and photos. Indeed, it appeared that decking was being added outside the summer house (we had to move our car from what we thought was our own private area to enable a van to deliver wood) and this work continued for several days. We have young children and an anxious dog in our party, and were not expecting that other unknown people would be sharing the 'garden' with us. Nor that the master bedroom could be viewed by such people from outside without the curtains pulled, when we expected to be looking out onto open uninhabited hillside. We don't know what is going on here but we should have been notified of this change. We cannot comment on using the sauna, although beware that it is through a gate downhill and across a field and to us did not look inviting. It would have been more sensible to have it closer to the house or provide a games room. The house has considerable potential should the owner attend to it. Nevertheless our holiday was enjoyable overall but we are unlikely to return here.
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Mr Whyte
An amazing house in an outstandingly beautiful location. I have never seen better views. I loved the natural garden and seeing hare and pole cats.