North Wales – The right place at the right time

Pick the perfect cottage for your next North Wales adventure and have the best activities right on your doorstep. No more excuses, it’s time to try something new…

With the guys and gals at Extreme North Wales bringing Wales to the rest of the World, or rather the rest of the World to Wales; we’ve teamed up with them to give you the low down on where to put your head for the night!

Feel like a fish out of water?

Let’s get you back in the big blue with a beach, or lakeside, cottage in North Wales.

For watersports galore, beach barbeques and sundowners in the local, for starters go for Rhosneigr on Anglesey.  A picturesque beach, good surf and a nice little selection of bars, restaurants and shops; you’ll have everything you could ever need here – from paddleboard hire and kite-surfing tuition to buckets and spades.

Make the most of the uninterrupted sea views at Dunes (sleeps 8/9) – the perfect beach base (pictured below)!

uninterrupted sea views at Dunes (sleeps 8/9) - the perfect beach base
uninterrupted sea views at Dunes (sleeps 8/9) – the perfect beach base

If you’re a larger group why not book Warrenside (sleeps 10) with similarly spectacular views and direct access to the beach, or for something more contemporary try 1 Y Bonc (sleeps 6) with it’s open plan, luxury living space upstairs, complete with balcony overlooking Rhosneigr and the beach.

Click here to see all of our North Wales cottages with seaviews.

Sticking with two wheels?

If you’re after a two-wheeled adventure then North Wales will have you grinning from ear-to-ear. With the Snowdonia mountain range, dramatic coastal paths and plenty of trail laced forests you’ll be wanting to come back for more from the second you arrive!

Coed Y Brenin, close to Dolgellau, is the UK’s first dedicated mountain bike trail centre with routes for all ages and abilities – you won’t be disappointed.

Coed Y Brenin, close to Dolgellau, is the UK’s first dedicated mountain bike trail centre with routes for all ages and abilities – you won’t be disappointed. Likewise, Betws-Y-Coed, an alpine village deep in the Welsh hills is home to some famous and very popular routes, including the Marin and Penmachno trails. You’ll also find some less challenging routes taking in local lakes and sights for those less experienced. Beddgelert also has an abundance of cycling trails, generally less challenging than the above and more suited to beginners or those looking for a relaxing day pedaling.

Here are our favourite cottages for a mountain biking holiday, all located close to the above:

Taliesin, sleeping 7, with it’s sweeping views over the Mawddach Estuary and Cadair Idris mountain is a firm favourite with our regulars and won’t disappoint (pictured below).

Taliesin, sleeping 7, with it’s sweeping views over the Mawddach Estuary and Cadair Idris mountain
Taliesin, sleeping 7, with it’s sweeping views over the Mawddach Estuary and Cadair Idris mountain

If you fancy something a little quirkier then how about Yr Hen Ysgol (The Old School)? This converted school house is full of character and comes complete with a somewhat magical garden – the ideal place to relax after a day in the saddle.

Why not treat yourselves to a little luxury and stay in (well, next door to!) a Castle? Harlech Castle’s newly renovated apartments each sleeping 2 (pictured below), have everything you could need from a comfy bed, luxurious linen, fantastic bathrooms and sweeping views over Harlech, the coast and of course the Castle itself:

Harlech Castle’s newly renovated apartments each sleeping 2
Harlech Castle’s newly renovated apartments each sleeping 2

Best of Both Worlds

The unique thing about North Wales is that wherever you base yourself, you can be playing in the waves one day and conquering mountain peaks the next.  But if you really want the best mix of water & mountains possible, then we have it covered. Llanberis, in the heart of Snowdonia, and sat right at the base of Snowdon itself, is blessed with a huge lake, complete with lagoons; so you can take a refreshing dip after a good hike in the hills. Call into Surf Lines along the shore to hire SUPs, kayaks and wetsuits.

Llwyn Bedw is the quintessential Welsh-stone cottage located just outside of the village itself.

Llwyn Bedw is the quintessential Welsh-stone cottage located just outside of the village itself. Here you’ll be able to enjoy the blissful peace and stunning scenery of Snowdonia, and still take advantage of the atmospheric pubs down the road. Being a mountaineer’s paradise; you can expect no nonsense, character pubs complete with muddy boots, open fires and plenty of heroic mountaineering escapades illustrated across the walls.

Looking for rustic charm? Pantlleni (pictured below) is the cottage for you. Located up a small, bumpy lane this traditional cottage has fantastic views over Llyn (lake) Gwynant. With double and twin bedrooms, an open fire and no TV; you can enjoy the company and the surroundings with no distractions. What’s more, you’re not far at all from ZipWorld in Blaenau Ffestiniog.

Looking for rustic charm? Pantlleni is the cottage for you
Looking for rustic charm? Pantlleni is the cottage for you

For other options have a look at these cottages, all within easy reach of both mountains and sea/lakes.

Surfing in a valley,  flying above a quarry!

North Wales is undoubtedly now the UK’s home of adventure and arguably also one of Europe’s top adventure destinations thanks to attractions like ZipWorld (Europe’s longest and the World’s fastest zip line) sending you high above Bethesda’s famous slate quarries, Surf Snowdonia (the World’s first inland wave lagoon) and Bounce Below (an underground network of giant trampolines and slides in and old mine).

Book a Snowdonia holiday cottage as your base, and you will be just minutes from all of these.

With over 300 cottages throughout North Wales, we’re confident we can find you the ideal cottage
With over 300 cottages throughout North Wales, we’re confident we can find you the ideal cottage

With over 300 cottages throughout North Wales, we’re confident we can find you the ideal cottage for whatever you want to do during your stay; whether that’s cycling, surfing, climbing or just good old relaxing!
Come and explore, try something new, scare yourself… you won’t regret it.

Written by Olu Peyrasse, from Menai Holiday Cottages