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  • Brithgwm Canol - North Wales - 991591 - photo 1
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Brithgwm Canol

(Ref. 991591)

Brithdir near Dolgellau, North Wales & Snowdonia Show on map

4.0

Sykes rating

  • 6 Guests

  • 2 Bedrooms

  • 1 Bathroom

  • Pets Yes

Features

  • Off road parking
  • Ground floor bedroom
  • Garden / Patio
  • Washing machine
  • Broadband / WiFi

Reviews & Ratings

Accuracy of the listing
Cleanliness
Comfort
Facilities and Maintenance
  • All reviews
  • no (18)
  • cottage (12)
  • off (9)
  • water (9)
  • property (9)
  • really (8)

22 Customer Reviews

  • "We loved to stay in the middle of woods The property was well cleaned and hade ..."

    We loved to stay in the middle of woods The property was well cleaned and hade everything we needed Internet ,tv, shower and heating worked perfectly I have nothing to say We really enjoyed our stay Thank you

    Reviewed by Renata13.3Oct 2023

  • "This is a lovely cosy cottage with everything you need, but the water comes from a stream and is brown."

    This is because of nearby logging and heavy rain, this also made the otherwise good forest track to the cottage very muddy. There are lovely walks from the cottage. The cakes and wine were much appreciated.

    Reviewed by Malcolm9.2Sep 2023

  • "This is a hard review to write because the property really is a hidden gem - with one major flaw."

    Firstly you can see alot of thought and money has gone into the transformation of this old farm building to make your stay comfortable and homely. You really are in the middle of the woods. The biggest let down with this property is the water supply. The supply is taken from water flowing off the mountains - which is fine except the inadequate filtration supply meaning the water is brown and sediment still comes through the system. You would be foolish to drink this water or even cook with it which is annoying considering you are 5 miles ish from the nearest shop. So after arriving at the property and seeing the state of the water we had to get back in the car and go and get bottled water to drink and cook with. The thermostatic shower is also nearly always freezing cold even though there is a lpg boiler to supply heating and hot water. I changed the filter in the filtration system which made no difference what so ever in cleaning up the water. Whilst how the water to the property is supplied is fine it needs a much better filtration system than the tiny and wholly inadequate system that's currently fitted. The only other issue that spoiled things for us during our stay is that currently there is alot of logging going on in the forest meaning lorries chainsaws and heavy equipment noise from early morning until late spoiling the peace and tranquility. Also resulting in the roads to the property being a complete mud bath to drive through. Also the advertised sauna shed was padlocked and no combination supplied to unlock it. They also give you a basket of logs for the fire but no kindling or firelighters - so another trip to the shops! I don't normally write reviews but this property was too disappointing not to.

    Thank you for your feedback, We have asked our property manager to install an improved water filtration system going forward. Kind regards Property Owner

    Reviewed by Shaun9.2Aug 2023

  • "It is really a unique place and it was fun to stay in the middle of the woods, far away from the town."

    A little bit of "back to nature", combined with the necessary comfort. However, during our stay we had always brown water, not usable for cooking or drinking, so we had to buy our own gallons of drinking water. The last two days we had no warm water either. We informed the maintenance guy, a very friendly man, but he couldn't help immediately. There are still a few points than can be improved, but it is amazing what the owner did with the place. (It used to be a house for sheep!...). So, if you're looking for a very quiet, peaceful place with beautiful landscapes and walking routes just around the corner, this is the place. And the town of Dangellau is just a few minutes drive.

    Reviewed by Carl8.3Jul 2023

  • "A wonderful property in a lovely setting, saw lots of different birds around the cottage and a few deer passed by early in the morning."

    The only negative with the property is the sofa isn’t very comfortable. Also due to the property being in a forest where the trees were being felled this did disturb the peace and quiet some of the days as it was close by and they worked quite late on in the evening. Despite this we still have a great holiday, partly due to the warm sunny weather which was nice and also being able to sit outside. I would certainly consider booking this property again as it’s a great place to get away from it all.

    Reviewed by Louise12.5May 2023

  • "I had a weeks wonderful stay at this cottage."

    Previous reviews made me a bit unsure what to expect but I’m so glad I went ahead with the booking. Wi-Fi, TV and water working perfectly and had no issues throughout the week. The welcome basket with goodies was a really nice touch. Also had a bookcase with books, games and walks around the area if you were unsure where to go and explore. Outside was stunning, really off grid with nothing but privacy. My pup Alfie loved being able to run around freely without having to worry about him running off. Even tho, be aware a couple of sheep might turn up but that was only one day out of a week. Was a nice surprise coming downstairs and a sheep was pressing his face against the door window haha. Forest and lovely evening strolls just by the cottage and I even took some nice sunset photos. I genuinely do not have anything bad to say about this place and are pretty certain this cottage will be booked again next year.

    Reviewed by Evelina13.3May 2023

  • "Beautiful location of the property."

    We haven't had any hot water in the bathroom. TV doesn't work and there is no WiFi.

    Reviewed by Ewelina6.7Dec 2022

  • "We asked for remote due to our dog not liking fireworks and we got it."

    We could not find the cottage due to no sign on the first gate we had to ask a local lady. The cottage was very clean and well equipped and warm with the gas central heating. We did not drink the water due to it been brown even our dog would not drink it went and bought bottles of water.dont think the filter in the bathroom had been changed or was working. The woodburner was good and nice and cosy. The sauna needs taking off the details as its got a padlock on so you can't use it.The bedroom had a door to the outside but this had a drop lock and a padlock on the outside a big fire risk if you can't get to the main door and the windows are too small to get out.The owner has said its still a work in progress and when everything is done to 100% will be great place to stay.

    Reviewed by Mark10.0Nov 2022

  • "Absolutely loved the place - comfortable, off grid and peaceful."

    Reviewed by Alex11.7Jul 2022

  • "We chose this accommodation for it's isolation and solitude, and we found it here."

    Just what the Doctor ordered. We particularly liked the 'upside down' configuration of the cottage, as it meant cool bedrooms in the middle of a heatwave. Could not have been better.

    Reviewed by Stephen13.3Jul 2022

  • "Dont bother booking this cottage, Wifi does not work, contacted owner, couldnt help, still not fixed when I left In this cottage Wifi is your TV, radio, and communication Sykes would only say that they would contact owner, so no help there."

    With such a useless answer from Sykes, dont think they are a very good company to do business with

    Reviewed by Phil6.7Jun 2022

  • "This place is not for everyone…."

    .but it is ideal for many. The downside for us No freezer or even a fridge ice box…..we take all our food frozen, side dishes the lot ….we have no interest in, and we are normally too tired and stinky (mountain runners) to bother with eating out and have no wish to visit a supermarket…..after all we are on holiday. This made it difficult this week as we found out last minute after our food had been purchased ready to take with us that there was no freezer. There is space for a freezer which would be more useful than the pointless sauna!! Sleeping arrangements ……well this gets a bit Goldilocks and the three bears……..nothing is great, you take your pick or get creative. The main mattress is a marshmallow disaster. Off grid…….this is all very well done and I would expect no real problems with the set up at this cottage. The generator came on for half an hour late one evening to top up the batteries (service engineers that visited earlier that day had probably drained the batteries testing things)..Bit noisy but brief. There are instructions should anything go wrong, very basic things, easy fixes .. anything more call Andy. The grounds….so looking through the previous reviews I think some context is needed. First the cottage is in a commercial forest with rough but reasonable forest access tracks. If you are precious about your vehicle go somewhere else. You need to lock the gates on entry and exit ( sheep need to stay safe ). At present it is largely clear felled so to many (townies) it may look a bit bleak. But in perspective if the trees were there it would be very dark and gloomy and the mountain views are lovely, not from the cottage. The immediate surrounds would benefit from a bit of a tidy up (there are builders material bags, old car batteries and various untidy bits around .It is a work in progress but how about hiding this stuff away in the unused poly tunnel. Take some pride in your property. It is in a natural (ish) environment so if you prefer smooth concrete and paved areas or flower beds think again. Also if you bring children and are the type of parent that hurry your child away from an over keen sparrow then again maybe it is not for you. The sheep live here and around the cottage .. so maybe your best shoes will not be a good idea either. The generator is not caged away or fenced off and as per the cottage booklet instructions keep the children away, also be warned there is a natural pond down a steep bank by the cottage, unfenced! Some stern warnings to your children may be needed or go elsewhere . • No mobile reception! But who cares you are on holiday. • Wifi intermittent but improvements pending apparently. • TV was not working but again who cares ,take a laptop and hope for the best. All the above aside it is great place with wildlife all round if you take time to look, not a soul for at least a mile. We did not use the car all week. Dog owners - make sure you've got your dog covered for ticks. Tick removers are invaluable, for you and your dog. Otherwise we really had a really nice week and enjoyed ourselves. Even the aircraft flying over the house (Mach Loop) didn't phase us, what a sight!

    Reviewed by Helen8.3May 2022

  • "Great place, really remote feel which is exactly what we wanted, but not to the point of being inconvenient."

    Off-grid place, which you have to work with, but pretty simple. If you like outdoors then we think you'll like this place. If you like 5 star hotels, then you might not.

    Reviewed by Scott13.3Apr 2022

  • "Had a fantastic week staying in this isolated cottage The only disappointments ..."

    Had a fantastic week staying in this isolated cottage The only disappointments were there was no freezer not even an ice box in fridge so needed to go shopping and the wifi signal is poor not good enough for films Apart from these two niggles the property is well equipped, comfy and warm

    Reviewed by Phil11.7Apr 2022

  • "Upstairs was just beautiful, and so homely and warm and looking out on to the woods was a treat."

    Downstairs i can't help but feel needs a little love. The main bedroom had a bit of a stale smell (so we slept in the bunk beds), and the bathroom needs a bit of an overhaul. The mattress in main bedroom also is just awful. The TV didn't work - and neither did the sauna. We rang the maintenance guy but it was a saturday and we really didn't want to drag him out 15 miles to us. It wasn't end of the world, but we both need to keep abreast of the news and we were not able. The actual lodge was stunning - the stone cottage, the bench outside - all charming. The woods are lovely too but again, there is a bit of a sadness too it - as the trees are planted to be used as renewables. The landscape is half trees whilst the other half of it is like the apocalypse has hit. You cannot easily walk in the woodland for this reason. The fire is a wonderful touch, and the painting hanging above just has so much atmosphere! Great selection of books too, and there are plenty of beaches and areas to explore a short drive away. We never have a bad holiday because we always love to explore, but i doubt we would book the cottage again because of the downstairs, the tv situation (although not end of the world by any means) and the sauna (it would of been nice to have relaxed with that sort of facility after trekking or climbing all day).

    I'm sorry the sauna wasn't working while you were there. We have an electrician looking into what the issue is. Due the remoteness of the cottage our internet connection is very slow and at times this can affect the TV download speeds. We have recently taken delivery of kit for a high speed satellite based internet connection (Starlink) which we hope to have up and running soon. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Rebecca10.0Apr 2022

  • "We wanted to stay somewhere that was away from any likely fireworks due to our dog Zelda being very sensitive to them and we got exactly what we were looking for."

    The off grid nature of the property was fantatic and the access to the local area was brilliant. Would definitely recommend to anyone wanting to get away from the general hustle and bustle of life. We will be back.

    Reviewed by Stuart13.3Nov 2021

  • "The track on the way in is not suitable for normal cars as the loggers trucks leave dirt, rubble and big dents in the track."

    So we did struggle and damage the car using the track. Would be nice if you could get into the log shed to get logs for the fire. Apart from that it is a fantastic little hideaway from the world.

    Reviewed by Jennifer6.3Oct 2021

  • "Great isolated location."

    Low suspension vehicles be careful of the terrain leading to the cottage. If you are lucky to catch good weather you may wish to take your own comfy camping chairs for sitting outside however there is a picnic bench if not.

    Reviewed by Lorna5.8Sep 2021

  • "We specifically asked questions, before departure, about the sofa bed and it's appropriateness for two adults sleeping on it for an entire week."

    We were advised it was of good quality and so proceeded with the booking based on this advice. However we decided on day two that it was so uncomfortable, the mattress so thin, that we instead slept on the floor. The bed in the main bedroom felt so soft it was akin to a water bed so no proper respite here too. Sheets on both beds the wrong size. Kids beds perfect! Aside from the issues with the beds we loved this property but sadly.will not return unless both beds are replaced, sleep is a pretty important aspect of a holiday.

    Reviewed by Joanna5.0Aug 2021

  • "Like everyone else we wanted to escape and treat ourselves to a break unlike what we’ve ever done before; to find out what it would be like to live off the grid for a couple of weeks and would we consider something similar?"

    Location for us was perfect, exactly what we wanted. It felt in the middle of nowhere and not too far from somewhere; It felt exciting, we felt alone. The cottage itself felt homely, beautifully decorated, relaxing, we felt at home straight away. Surroundings are safe, we felt very comfortable allowing our daughter to adventure out and about exploring on her own, she loves nature and of course the huge trampoline. There were also some lovely books both for adult and child readers and games to fill the time on a rainy day. During our two weeks stay we witness local farming life, a shepherd was guiding his flock of sheep with the help of two border collies, they passed the house and continued up hill. On a random climb some fighter jets and planes were out on a practice run. The cottage is just on the Mach Loop, but don’t worry, its not a daily occurrence. You can find out more online. Eco Friendly The cottage generates its power from several solar panels and a water hydro system and a generator backup. For us it completed the whole experience and we absolutely loved it. Wildlife A pair of Ospreys were always close by, dragon flies, a deer, and bats…at night in your car switch headlights to full beam and watch the bats feast on the moths! This was my personal fav. We will be back.

    Reviewed by Richard6.7Aug 2021

  • "Fantastic holiday cottage loved the eco-sustainable facilities."

    The location was perfect to get away with the kids lots of places to roam and explore. The discovery of the tree swing was of great delight. Lots of birds to watch from the upper window. Track leading to cottage was not great, future guests please be mindful of the off road access especially when fully loaded with a family, cases and food for a week’s break. The road could be a result of the forest being cut / managed with large machinery churning up the track but small rocks and branches scrapped underside of car.

    Reviewed by Kate6.7Jul 2021

  • "The property is misrepresented on your website."

    1. This is an off grid property, no where on the website description does it say this. You have no phone service / this has to be clearly mentioned. 2. Access to this property is through a timber yard. It is a dangerous track with working large machinery and trucks. You feel very unsafe every time you have to go down this road. This is the only access to the property. It is not suitable for some cars. The track is full of debris. 3. The grounds of the property has sharp stones full of weeds and animal droppings. It has not been cleaned or looks in any way where you would want to sit outside. A polytunnel full of weeds on the grounds. The barbeque was dirty and broken. The side of the property has a big drop to a dense forest. You cannot walk in this forest, specially not with young children. 4. The TV/Wifi is intermittent, it keeps cutting out. It cannot be advertised as having these facilities. It is on and off and you cannot actually watch anything. 5. The view from the property itself is almost non existent we were fooled by the picture, but this is actually taken from the top of the hill and the property is in a lower position within the trees. So this is again a dissapointment. The top of the hill is again a climb up not for everyone. 6. The water is from the stream, we were not sure if this was okay to drink, it is a slightly reddish colour. 7. No blinds in the windows, this would have been nice specially upstairs where there are windows in the roof which for someone sleeping there means daylight coming through from early in the morning. 8. We really just wanted to leave from the moment we arrived, we tried to enjoy it but it was just a question of trying to enjoy it inspite of all of this. We complained to Sykes on the first day but there was no response from them.

    Reviewed by Vaishali1.7Jul 2021

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Summary

  • 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 inc. 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

The 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.

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About the location

DOLGELLAU

Fairbourne 9.3 miles; Barmouth 10 miles; Aberdovey 23.2 miles.

This small, beautiful market town is located in the heart of southern Eryri (Snowdonia), between the imposing Cader Idris mountain range and the sea. It’s a superb base for a holiday - perfect for combining the many outdoor pursuits on offer in Eryri (Snowdonia) with relaxing days out on the soft sandy beaches of Barmouth, Fairbourne and Aberdovey. The town itself offers a good selection of shops, five pubs and a wine bar, along with a number of excellent restaurants, cafes and two bakeries, that produce fresh bread and cakes each day. Dolgellau is home to over 200 listed buildings, allegedly the highest concentration in the whole of Wales, and the town is also a designated 'cycle break centre' boasting a range of dedicated cycle routes all around the area. Close by is the Coed y Brenin mountain bike trail and this location is ideal for quiet outdoor recreation with superb scenery, mountains, forests, waterfalls, castles and beaches all close to hand.

View more holiday cottages in Dolgellau