Guests say
Brithgwm Canol is a charming, secluded cottage nestled in the woods, offering guests a unique off-grid experience with abundant wildlife and tranquillity. While some guests encountered issues with water quality and access roads, the property's remote setting, cosy atmosphere, and eco-friendly approach have been highly appreciated. The upside-down configuration provides cool bedrooms and lovely views, and the welcome basket was a delightful touch.
The property generally receives high praise for cleanliness, with guests finding it well-cleaned and comfortable. However, there were isolated mentions of a stale smell in the main bedroom and some unwashed crockery, which slightly affected the overall perception.
The location is highly valued for its remote feel, peacefulness, and proximity to nature, with guests enjoying the wildlife and quiet surroundings. The downside is the challenging access via a forest track, which can be difficult for some vehicles.
Comfort levels are mixed, with many guests enjoying the homely feel and warm setting. However, there are concerns about the quality of the mattresses and sofa, and some discomfort due to the lack of a freezer and issues with the water supply.
Facilities are appreciated when working correctly, such as the shower and Wi-Fi, but there are reports of maintenance issues like non-working TVs, a locked sauna, and intermittent Wi-Fi. The eco-friendly setup is a highlight, though it comes with its own set of challenges.
The welcome basket with goodies is a thoughtful gesture that guests have enjoyed. It's worth noting that such gifts, while appreciated, may not be a consistent offering for all stays.
About this property
Brithgwm Canol is something special. Tucked away down a secluded forestry road just outside the popular North Wales town of Dolgellau (4.2 miles) in the village of Brithdir is Brithgwm Canol.
Nestled in several hundred acres of forest, this tranquil eco-friendly reverse-level barn conversion is ideal for a couple or small family looking to escape to an isolated and off-grid get away from everyday life.
The property boasts magnificent views over the surrounding forest, woodlands and over to the sheep farms and mountains across the valley, while being conveniently located within the Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park.
Stepping into the dwelling, climb the stairs up to the first floor where you will find a spacious open-plan living area, home to a kitchen, a dining area and a sitting area and complete with beautiful exposed stone walls and plenty of light coming through the Velux windows.
Prepare your tasty meals in the kitchen area, here you will find a gas oven and hob the chef of the group will be proud to use, as well as a handy washing machine to freshen your clothes.
Enjoy your meal as a group before unleashing your competitive side with a board game at the dinner table.
From here, snuggle up with your loved ones with the woodburning stove ablaze, as you relax and unwind in front of the Smart TV.
As the evening draws to a close, head back down to the sleeping quarters on the ground floor; the property offers a master bedroom with a plush double bed and characterful exposed stone walls, and a bunk room, perfect for the younger members of your group.
The couch in the upstairs living area also contains a pull-out double bed should this be needed.
Guests will also benefit from a ground-floor shower room where you can prepare for the day ahead, featuring a walk-in shower, a basin, a WC and a toasty heated towel rail.
The outside space at this peaceful retreat is certain to entice you; you will find a trampoline and tree swing to keep your younger guests occupied as well as a barbecue and dining seating, perfect for al fresco dining in the summer evenings.
The real gemstone feature of this dwelling is the breath-taking location which can be seen from each window in the house and admired in full from outside.
Outside the barn, a cascading stream from which the cottage draws its clean water provides a tranquil sound while the birds in the surrounding woodlands cheep away through the trees. Take a stroll up the hill and enjoy a picnic in the forest while looking out over to the distant mountains, in a truly rural escape. If you are lucky, you might even have the friendly local sheep and lambs visit you while you are there!
If you don't fancy cooking, the nearby town of Dolgellau has a range of eateries for you to enjoy throughout your stay including the Cross Foxes Bar and Grill, offering breakfast lunch and dinner, the Michelin star rated Mawddach Restaurant a Welsh and Italian pizza restaurant or perhaps try Tafarn Y Gader for delicious tapas.
For days out while at the property a scenic drive will take you to Cymer Abbey, the ruins of a medieval abbey, still standing with its sturdy and ancient arches.
Explorers will enjoy a day at King Arthur's Labyrinth, underground caves and guided tours tying in history with adventure.
Why not spend the day at Bala lake, a popular tourist destination and ideal location for trying your hand at kayaking, fresh water swimming and many other watersports while the surrounding lakeside makes for a peaceful walking and cycling route for all ages and abilities.
This wonderful area of Wales is also home to Dolgoch Waterfall, which is another short but scenic drive from the property and offers a trio of cascading waters forming a delightful walking route through nature.
Branching further afield, take a trip to Little Italy & Portmeirion for a fascinating day out in the colourful town, you won't believe you are still in Wales!
This property is also perfect for hiking and outdoor enthusiasts with multiple famous walks (such as The Mary Jones Walk or The Cross Britain Way) passing the property driveway. There is world class mountain biking at Coed Y Brenin (11 miles), climbing at Cader Idris (7 miles) and surfing at Barmouth beach (14 miles). The spectacular Mach Loop is also a mere 5 miles away.
For a relaxing holiday, away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life you in an idyllic countryside setting choose Brithgwm Canol.
The popular town of Dolgellau rests in the heart of southern Eryri (Snowdonia), and is known for its ideal location between mountains and coast, perfect for avid walkers, cyclists and adventurers alike. Spend your days venturing out and about the Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park, or take a trip to the luscious sandy beaches of Barmouth and Aberdovey where you will find plenty of pubs, restaurants and café. The town itself offers an array of shops, five pubs, a wine bar and plenty of eateries.
Accommodation
Eco friendly off grid property, Reverse-level, Two bedrooms: 1 x ground-floor double, 1 x ground-floor bunk.
Shower room with walk-in shower, basin, heated towel rail and WC.
First-floor open-plan living space with kitchen, dining area and sitting area with woodburning stove and sofa bed
Gas central heating with woodburning stove.
Gas oven and hob, fridge, washing machine, Smart TV, Netflix, Apple TV, selection of books and games.
Bed linen and towels included in rent.
Ample off-road parking.
Garden with patio, furniture, barbecue, trampoline and access to surrounding fields and woodland.
Pet-friendly.
Sorry, no smoking.
Given the secluded nature of the property there is limited phone reception, however WiFi & is available.
Shop 3.2 miles, pub 3 miles.
Note: Bunk room is only suitable for children.
Note: Due to the sloping eaves in the living area, care must be taken.
Note: The WiFi has been replaced by a new Starlink satellite based internet connection offering 180mb/sec connection speeds, the TV now connects to this internet connection and streams high quality services from internet based tv providers such as AppleTV/Netflix if guests want to sign in to their own accounts.
Nearby points of interest
- Centre for Alternative Technology
Reviews (31)
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Julie
An outside light would be helpful or a torch in the cottage , the garden could do with cutting back so it could be used to it's full potential. We loved our stay here and would definitely return in the better weather.
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David
We had a really peaceful week - the house is comfortable, with an excellent shower & fast wi-fi.
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Sam
We were absolutely captivated by Brithgwm Canol. Itâs clear that a great deal of love and effort has gone into making this off-grid retreat a true paradise. We left with a sense of envy that this is someoneâs second home and deep admiration for the skills involved in creating such a secluded and beautiful space. That said, Iâd like to offer some constructive feedback on areas where we feel thereâs room for improvement to enhance the overall experience: Shower Safety - A non-slip mat in the shower would be a helpful addition to prevent any accidents. Towels - Unfortunately, the towels provided were not as clean as expected, with some of them smelling damp. Improved cleanliness here would make a big difference. Smell of Damp - There was a noticeable damp smell in the property, which detracted from the otherwise cosy atmosphere. Kitchen Roll - It would have been convenient to have some kitchen roll available in the kitchen for general use. Television - The television felt outdated and could benefit from an upgrade to something more modern. Freezer - The lack of freezer capabilities was a bit inconvenient, especially for longer stays. Cleanliness - The overall cleanliness of towels, bedding, and crockery could be improved. We found some of these items were not up to standard. Signage - There was no sign on the first gate, which made finding the property a bit challenging initially. Spice Rack - The spice rack had congealed spices, which should be refreshed regularly. Firewood - We found only five sticks of kindling and no extra logs underneath the cupboard behind the fire, as stated in the information book. We share this feedback with the intention of helping to maintain and even improve the high standards we know Sykes Cottages aims for. Despite these small issues, we had a truly memorable stay, and we appreciate the unique charm of Brithgwm Canol. Thank you for providing such a wonderful getaway, and we hope to return in the future. Best regards, Sam