Notes from the host
Bryn Gwyn
Bryn Gwyn is a character semi-detached cottage which has been equipped to an excellent standard. Rated 5 star by Visit Wales, it is beautifully presented to retain a truly cosy and charming atmosphere.
Bryn Gwyn sleeps a maximum of 8 people in 4 bedrooms - two king (one with an ensuite), one twin and one bunk room. There are 2.5 bathrooms - the ensuite, a family bathroom and a ground floor WC.
Bryn Gwyn was constructed around 1900 in the beautiful coastal village of Borth-y-Gest, North Wales.
Outside, the balcony and front garden provide a glorious coastal vista across Tremadog Bay to the Snowdonia mountains beyond. All the rooms to the front of Bryn Gwyn also benefit from these unobstructed views.
Please note that the cottage may not be suitable for guests with restricted mobility. Access to the front door is via a steeply sloping path which also comprises a number of steps. There are approximately 20 steps to ascend to Bryn Gwyn (the views are more than worth the short climb!!). Parking is available on street.
Bryn Gwyn provides the ideal holiday destination from which to explore the fantastic beaches, beautiful mountains, picturesque villages, and the host of activities Northwest Wales has to offer. An excellent range of attractions awaits visitors to Bryn Gwyn, with wildlife centres, outdoor activities, train trips, historic sites, museums, fine gardens, golf and more to choose from.
In the immediate vicinity, the sands at Borth-y-Gest are of particular interest to birdwatchers as they are home to a wide variety of species of birds including oystercatchers, redshanks and curlew, as well as winter visitors such as goldeneye, great crested grebe and wigeon. Summer brings flocks of sandwich terns.
Several beautiful beaches are within easy walking distance along the well maintained coastal path leading directly from the village centre. The sea is safe to swim on a low to incoming tide.
Meanwhile the village is largely surrounded by woodland, much of it deciduous and dominated by ancient Welsh oaks. Directly to the rear of Bryn Gwyn is Parc y Borth nature reserve. Parc y Borth woods is a local nature reserve long popular with walkers and ornithologists, and among the birdlife you might be lucky to spot green woodpeckers, tawny owls and pied flycatchers. An extensive network of paths will lead you from a public footpath running alongside Bryn Gwyn through the woods to the top of a crag with extensive views of the Glaslyn and Dwyryd estuaries.
The road leading into Borth-y-Gest is a no-through road so that the roads are very quiet, being occupied by local traffic only.
A 10 minute walk to the east will take you into the popular harbour town of Porthmadog where there is a large selection of shops and restaurants. A harbour town with an impressive marina is situated on the Glaslyn Estuary. Porthmadog is rich in maritime history and in times gone by, it was a vital, busy shipping port for the international slate trade, brought down from Blaenau Ffestiniog.
Both the Welsh Highland Railway and Ffestiniog Railway can be boarded at Porthmadog.
The stunning location of the Porthmadog golf club is only one mile from Bryn Gwyn. The links golf course offers an intriguing mixture of heathlands and linksland for the discerning golfer.
The Snowdonia National Park begins a mere 2 miles from Bryn Gwyn and is a magnificent playground for those who love walking, mountain climbing or just scenery watching.
The Park covers 823 square miles of diverse landscapes. As well as being the largest National Park in Wales, Snowdonia boasts the highest mountain in Wales, and the largest natural lake in Wales, as well as a wealth of picturesque villages like Beddgelert (8miles).
Snowdonia is renowned for being a very special place for walkers with mountain peaks, lakes, forests, rivers and coastal areas. The National Park is working on developing a network of walks and more will be added every year. In addition Snowdonia National Park has a vast amount of cycling and mountain biking trails suitable for all abilities. The Park also hosts other outdoor activities such as white water rafting and climbing.
Portmeirion is a popular tourist village located just outside of Porthmadog, approximately 3 miles from Bryn Gwyn. It is Wales’ 3rd largest visitor attraction attracting 250, 000 visitors in 2009.
Portmeirion was designed and built by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis between 1925 and 1975 in the style of an Italian village, which is now is now acknowledged as a unique architectural work of art. The village is now owned by a charitable trust.
The village stands on a rugged cliff top on its own private peninsula overlooking Cardigan Bay. It is surrounded by 145 acres of sub-tropical woodlands and miles of sandy beaches. The village has always been run as a hotel, which uses the majority of the buildings as hotel rooms, together with shops, a cafe, tea-room, and restaurant.
Portmeirion has served as the location for numerous films and television shows, most famously serving as The Village in the 1960s television show The Prisoner. The show became a cult classic, and fans continue to visit Portmeirion, which hosts annual Prisoner fan conventions.
Further afield are the attractive towns of Criccieth, Beddgelert, Harlech, Pwllheli, Nefyn and Abersoch.
Access statement;
Please note that the cottages may not be suitable for guests with restricted mobility. Access to Bryn Gwyn is via an unadopted level track, which leads from the main road (Borth Road). The track is approximately 20 metres in length which leads to the base of the property boundary. Access to the front doors is then via a steeply sloping path which also comprises a number of steps. There are approximately 20 steps to ascend to Bryn Gwyn (the views are more than worth the short climb!!). Vehicular access is allowed along the unadopted track for dropping off and pick-up only - parking is not permitted. Cars must return to the main road, Borth Road, which is approximately 20 metres from the property boundary. Unrestricted parking is available on Borth Road.
