Hafod y Llyn Cottage

Hafod y Llyn is a large stone cottage in the heart of the Snowdonia National Park. It stands on the top of a hill with fine views of the Manod and Rhinog mountain ranges. Nestled in 30 acres of privately owned woodland in the hills above the village of Maentwrog, it has a long open verandah with chairs to enjoy the views.

The woodland is a mixture of ancient oak, pasture and young broadleaved trees, with hundreds more acres beyond as well as managed forestry. There are superb walks from the front door, along a network of paths and tracks which take you through woodland, hills and lakes. It is an excellent area for walking, bird watching, mountain bike riding and swimming.

ACCESS: Hafod cottage is two-thirds of a mile from the road along a private track, in a highly scenic and secluded position. The track is steep, rough and narrow in places. While passable to all normal cars (not low slung sports models) it may not suit unconfident drivers. It is not suitable for vehicles wider/longer than a standard transit van.

Hafod y Llyn Cottage	Kitchen
Living room	Bedroom

The cottage has been sympathetically renovated and furnished. It has carpeted, wooden and slate floors throughout. It is surrounded by a large area of unfenced private garden with a table and chairs for eating outside.

Hafod y Llyn cottage is heated DURING APRIL-MAY & SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER by an oil fired rayburn in the kitchen (which provides hot water and central heating) and a woodburning stove in the living room. DURING JULY & AUGUST the cottage is heated by a woodburning stove in the living room which heats a radiator in one double bedroom and hall, with electric heaters in the bathroom and kitchen. Hot water is heated by electricity.

WOODLAND PASTURE scheme with cows grazing our 30 acres of land. The garden around the cottage is fenced to keep the cows out. It is important to keep the gates closed. You may meet the cows on the track. The hope is to create a more diverse habitat for wildlife at Hafod.

Hafod cottage verandah		View from verandah

"We love coming to Hafod y Llyn. It's a magical place hidden away from everything. The cottage is comfortable and homely. The views from the terrace are amazing. You can sit  and gaze across the hills beyond and listen to the hoot of the steam trains in the distance. There is great local walking all around the house and so much to do nearby. Its perfect being near both the mountains and the sea." K Godfrey

"As a London family, we love to escape to the green spaces of North Wales, and you couldn't find a more secluded and peaceful spot than Hafod y Llyn, which has been our regular holiday location for a number of years. Sitting on the sunny verandah, nothing comes between you and the spectacular view, except (if you get up early enough) the occasional owl swooping home from a night's hunting. The cottage is comfortably and tastefully furnished, and beautifully decorated with Noelle's artworks. I've found it a creative space in which to think and write (parts of my last book were written there), while my children love to roam the beautiful surrounding woodland. Castles, mountains and beaches are all within easy reach, as is the fascinating slate-mining town of Blaenau Ffestiniog, which you can get to on the steam train. Hafod y Llyn even has its own station: a platform standing alone in the middle of the woods, like something from Narnia, where, thrillingly, you stick out your arm to make the steam engine screech to a halt just for you. The house is also well equipped with family games and books for the inevitable rainy days. It's a place for magical experiences, and our hearts rise every time we cross the threshold." H. Hackett