Mountain Mystique

This is the kind of home you need when your mind, body and soul are feeling a little tired. It’s a 200-year-old stone farmhouse nestled in a valley amid the dramatic hills of Snowdonia and 25 acres of ancient woodland. This award-winning home (mentioned by House & Garden and Home & Antiques) will pull you way off the grid, allowing for a tranquil escape for those wanting to get back in touch with the slow pace of nature. Staying here, you can breathe freely and rest easy, away from the hum of electronics and the stress of the modern world. There’s magic here, from the natural spring that provides the water, to the ancient trees that stand sentinel around the property.

You’ll wake up in a comfortable bed feeling deeply rested after the kind of sleep you can only get in the countryside, where the night is darker and quieter than city-dwellers can imagine. The farmhouse overlooks Cader Idris, and there are magnificent views from almost every angle – stay awhile in bed, sipping a cuppa and drinking in the vista. The farmhouse is cosy in a rustic way, with original slate floors and exposed beams, and with ambient warmth provided by the inglenook open fire, the wood burner and the Aga – you’ll want to pack your warmest woollies for cold weather. Truly off-grid, you'll find no mod cons here, but the electricity from the solar panels provides soft, atmospheric lighting in the table lamps. Bathrooms are lit by candles or battery- operated lanterns.

Your host is at hand to welcome you and ensure you make the most of your stay here, with a welcome gift, a house manual, and a recommended list of essentials, fun things to do, and restaurants to visit. You might spend your day hiking the National Trust Cregganan lakes (a twenty-minute drive away) or bird-watching in the nearby RSPB woodland. Active types will be in their element here, with white water rafting, wild swimming and sailing in Lake Bala all within a short drive from your door. Mountain bikers can head fifteen minutes to Coed y Brenin for scenic off-beaten tracks and traditional pubs. There are also beaches to explore in Barmouth, where you can choose to paddle board or sit back and relax on the sand. Pick up supplies in the market town of Dolgellau for a heart-warming dinner back home or stop off at a pub for a bite to eat in the evening, then make your way back along the track for an evening of stargazing around the fire pit. It’s the perfect way to end a day in the countryside.

Home truths:
*The home is unsuitable for infants under 2
*Due to the remote location, you'll need a car – the nearest bus stop is a 20 minute walk, and 5 minute drive away
*This is a low-tech home with no central heating and limited electricity
*The water supply comes directly from mountain steams so bring bottled water – tap water is not for drinking here
*You’ll need to use a wood-burning stove to generate hot water in one of the bathrooms
*Wifi and phone signal is limited
*The home is accessible via a rough unpaved track, which may not be suitable for low-slung vehicles
*You’ll have access to the entire property apart from the large barn behind the house
*A footpath runs through the garden – it's seldom used but you may spot walkers