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Bron Olau

(Ref. 956213)

Maentwrog, North Wales & Snowdonia Show on map

4.7

Sykes rating

  • 2 Guests

  • 1 Bedroom

  • 1 Bathroom

  • Pets Yes

Features

  • Open fire
  • Garden / Patio
  • Washing machine
  • Broadband / WiFi

Reviews & Ratings

Accuracy of the listing
Cleanliness
Comfort
Facilities and Maintenance
  • All reviews
  • cottage (47)
  • lovely (22)
  • beautiful (21)
  • stay (17)
  • everything (16)
  • walks (15)

58 Customer Reviews

  • "I adore the cottage and it's location, been here several times , and always look forward to coming back"

    Its always a pleasure to have you stay with us and thank you for the feedback. The cottage is special and glad you enjoy it when you visit. Hope to see you again soon. Property Owner

    Reviewed by NigelMar 2024

  • "Lovely little cottage with a nice sized garden had everything we needed had a"

    Reviewed by DarrenFeb 2024

  • "Lovely little cottage with central heating and log burner, situated in an ideal location especially for going on lovely walks with a dog."

    It wouldn’t suit those that are not to clever on their feet due to uphill walk to entrance and the steps inside cottage. Really cosy and extremely warm would defo book it again

    Reviewed by StevenDec 2023

  • "Beautiful property."

    Very cosy in the winter. Everything was there that you needed and the little extras such as washing up liquid and toilet rolls were really appreciated. Very close to everything and the scenery was stunning. Only down side was the road which was very scary in the dark plus taking the recycling down a steep slope and step. However, I certainly recommend this cottage as it was fab for us and our little pugs

    Reviewed by LouiseNov 2023

  • "My wife and I had a lovely holiday at Bron Olau, the cottage was warm and cozy, full of charm and the Land Lady, was fantastic for example, nothing was too much trouble, for her."

    She really went the extra mile to make us welcome. This was our second visit to the property this year and it wont be the last, as we are already planning our return trip for next year. Highly Recommended David

    Thank you very much David. It was a pleasure to have back at Bron Olau again. Property Owner

    Reviewed by DavidOct 2023

  • "Very busy road"

    Reviewed by LauraSep 2023

  • "Bron Olau was as expected by the good reviews."

    The cottage was small quirky & comfortable, it was well equipped with a lovely garden which our two little dogs loved pottering around in. Opposite the cottage there is a lovely walk along a stream tumbling over rocks which you can hear at night from the open bedroom window as it was a hot week which was a bonus. No holiday cottage is perfect but there is nothing I feel that needs specific comment & it is a credit to the owners who obviously care about their guests which sadly is not always the case. We will certainly want to book it again. Neil & Sally Bath somerset.

    Reviewed by Sally/NeilSep 2023

  • "A quaint cottage with lots of character."

    Fully equipped tiny kitchen, large boot/entrance hallway. Pretty bedroom. Reasonable garden size although not fully dog escape proof. Busy road during day but quiet at night. Downstairs bathroom/toilet only. Very narrow steps on stairs, There is a country lane beyond the parking area to walk dogs. Close to places of interest. We liked Harlech castle and their local beach. The beach stretched for miles. Half for dogs. Lots of dog friendly cafes, pubs etc.

    Reviewed by PamelaAug 2023

  • "The cottage had many quirky and character elements, which added to its charm."

    Steps are steep and the bathroom is downstairs with the bedroom upstairs, but if you want to stay where the owner cares about you as customers, is considerate and welcoming then you can chose nothing better. The cottage has everything that you need for two people, towels were lovely and soft, bed so comfy and our dog Archie loved every minute of our stay. The reason we marked maintenance lower was because the garden was overgrown and Archie came in covered in a range of weeds, and seeds! Thank you Bron Olau The reason we voted for not recommending Sykes as agents is that they only care about getting the money and not about how to ensure you have the greatest holiday.

    Thanks for your lovely comments, we are glad you enjoyed your stay. Sorry about the garden, after the best possible growing season you stayed when we were awaiting a replacement power mower! It wil be with the gardener this week. Property Owner

    Reviewed by ElizabethJul 2023

  • "Beautiful, quirky cottage with fabulous gardens and patios allowing us to sit in the sun the whole day if we wished to."

    Great location for getting to beaches or the mountains and forests. Lots to see and do . You do need to be firm on your legs to navigate the slope to cottage and steps. We loved the whole experience.

    Reviewed by SarahJun 2023

  • "Shame about the road."

    Surprised it’s a 60mph road considering its residential. Woken early by traffic but aside from that, would definitely stay again.

    We have successfully campaigned for a reduction in the speed limit and thankfully it's coming down to 40 mph soon; The house is only one of a few either side of the rural road so the residents have had to make the case. The usual background sound is that of the waterfall. So glad you will come back to visit us . Property Owner

    Reviewed by AndreaMay 2023

  • "Hi, it was a wonderful little cottage and beautiful garden ,well look after , very clean and had everything we needed , just booked to return next year Thank u so much Keith christine and Jack the dog ."

    Reviewed by KeithApr 2023

  • "What a beautiful property, we loved everything about our stay."

    Location is great, cottage is kitted out with everything you could need. Cannot fault. Thank you so much.

    Reviewed by LucyFeb 2023

  • "Another fabulous stay at Bron Olau, can’t wait to return!"

    Reviewed by JayneFeb 2023

  • "We really enjoyed our stay at Bron Olau."

    What a beautiful place. The little cottage had everything we needed to relax and enjoy a cosy holiday in Wales. The cottage is situated in a beautiful place and is close enough to the local amenities (5 min drive). Lots of great walks close by and wonderful scenery. Thank you. Just a couple of things to feedback, we didn't see the paragraph in the welcome booklet regarding bins, so failed to put the recycling out on Tuesday, when we did take the bins out, we found that the recycling which read 'glass only' contained mixed recycling, I did try sorting it out, but some cans were frozen to the box. Sorry for any inconvenience caused.

    Not a problem, thanks for letting us know. Glad you enjoyed your stay and hope to welcome you back. Property Owner

    Reviewed by ChianiDec 2022

  • "We had an absolutely lovely 3 night stay at Bron Olau."

    A stunning little Welsh cottage, with the perfect mix of traditional and modern, we were comfy, warm and well rested throughout our stay. We called the owner 48 hours before our trip for key codes as directed and he was friendly and eager to share information about the stunning local area and walks, which was very kind indeed. The cottage was well equipped with all things that we needed and more. The garden area and seating was a really nice extra, with our stay being in November we didn’t think we would get to sit out, but the weather was unusually warm and we sat out two evening watching bats and birds fly by as the sun went down. We hope to return again in the future, the area is just beautiful and so central to a lot of the areas and walks we like to visit. The only down point to the cottage is that we didn’t want to leave! Highly recommended, thank you.

    Reviewed by BeckyNov 2022

  • "Wow what a beautiful place, the cottage was just the cutest and homely thing I have ever seen."

    Bed lovely to sleep on, all we need wrapped up in this tucked away beauty. Only 1 thing please put in your list of things to do ( if able) visiting Snowdon. We did it last minute and it took my breath away as did all of the scenery surrounding this beautiful cottage. I felt grounded and switched off which i have not done in a long time. I cant wait to come back......I didn't want to leave.

    Reviewed by AngelaOct 2022

  • "Lovely rural cottage which is set back from a main road with fast moving traffic, and the steep driveway onto this road is the on a bend so care must be taken when leaving."

    The pathway up to the house is inclined but manageable with care. The house did have a smell of the heating oil on arrival which we became used to during the week, but it did remain. Better instructions for the oven/grill would be useful. The Smart TV in the bedroom did not have any service due to Wi-Fi issues, and the Wi-Fi was temperamental often dropping out.

    Thanks for the feedback Niall. I'm getting the feed to the boiler checked as I type and I'm going to order a new router from our broadband supplier. Glad you still enjoyed your stay and be assured I'm on to the issues having been made aware of them. Property Owner

    Reviewed by NiallSep 2022

  • "Cottage was lovely, the bed was comfortable which is important and the sofas and chairs."

    The stairs was narrow but we didn’t have a problem with that. The parking wasn’t ideal and the path leading to the house was steep and probably dangerous in icy conditions but we didn’t have a problem. There was a wasps nest in the roof and wasps were coming in from the front door so we had to be careful not to leave this open and also keep the bedroom windows shut, we did leave a note informing the cleaning people of this. We would be happy to stay again .

    Reviewed by PaulSep 2022

  • "We had the very best time."

    The cottage and garden are beautiful and exactly as described, the walks around the area are also beautiful. Would highly recommend!

    Reviewed by JayneAug 2022

  • "Lovely cottage so cosy and comfortable garden a real delight area fantastic very relaxing"

    Reviewed by AdrianJun 2022

  • "We had a great stay, the cottage was perfect for us!"

    The cottage had everything we needed, and the sofa was so comfortable after a day hiking! The walk over the mountain to the pub was beautiful, and the trek up to the reservoir. It's a great base for exploring North Wales, we need to come back for the bits we didn't manage to fit in this time.

    Reviewed by TraceyMay 2022

  • "We had an amazing 4 nights in this beautiful one bed cottage."

    It was a real gem. Loved the little detail of making it a very cozy and romantic atmosphere. My two doggies settled into the cottage well as it was really doggy friendly. The garden was beautiful we had lovely sit outs as a family. The attention to detail about everything from furniture to the layout of the house was really great. On a rainy day there was plenty things to do indoors from board games to movies etc. The walks around the cottage were amazing too. We will definitely recommend Bron Olau and we will visit again during summer time.

    Reviewed by GangaApr 2022

  • "I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at Bron Olau."

    The garden was filled with birdsong and the views were magnificent. There were many walks just on the doorstep into the mountains or along valleys with mossy boulder strew streams and waterfalls. Bedroom was comfortable and clean for a good night's sleep, as were the sitting room, kitchen and bathroom. It is close to a major road, though set back up a rise, so there is some traffic noise. Loading and offloading was made easier by the kind use of a neighbour's parking space, but people with walking difficulties might struggle even so. There are some awkward steps inside the house to watch out for and large people may find one doorway and the stairs a bit narrow. I am 6ft 2 and had to duck quite a lot! I don't use induction hobs or ovens as the instructions for each model are always different and far too complicated. Also the owner has no cups with handles that I could find. But all in all a very rejuvenating stay.

    Reviewed by MarkApr 2022

  • "Stayed in this cottage a few times and loved it, the cottage is cosy, comfortable."

    Unfortunately this time there was a planned powercut, the owner did respond to my email straight away but i could only do this once i was out of the cottage and able to get signal, as the Wifi obviously didnt work, the powercut whilst really inconvenient wasnt such a problem, the not knowing and been able to plan around it, was !! Snow showers outside, so a hot shower, breakfast & coffee were definitely needed before the power was actually cut for 8 hours.

    Thanks for your comments Anita, sorry we missed the power work notification and for your inconvenience. I'm going to ensure I find out when future work is planned and in the diary for our guests information. Property Owner

    Reviewed by AnitaMar 2022

  • "Loved this cottage, really cosy and welcoming and had everything we could have needed!"

    Host James was helpful and welcoming, would stay here again!

    Thanks Karen, hope you can come back again soon. Property Owner

    Reviewed by KarenMar 2022

  • "A beautiful property and perfect base to explore the area."

    The owner was very friendly and helpful.

    Thanks for your lovely comments. We hope the weather calmed down and you got to experience the zip wire! Property Owner

    Reviewed by KathrynFeb 2022

  • "Couldn’t have wished for a better setting sat amongst the hills, perfect little retreat couldn’t have been more welcoming for a few days of exploring what’s on the doorstep."

    The cottage is situated on a main road which gives you direct access to everything in each direction whether it being the coast or the peaks of snowdon. Highly recommend this venue, we shall be returning at some point. Mr kill.

    Thanks for your feedback and so glad you enjoyed Bron Olau. We look forward to welcoming you back again. Property Owner

    Reviewed by GlenFeb 2022

  • "Lovely cottage great for a couples get away!"

    Thank you Olivia, we're so glad you enjoyed your stay. Hope to see you again soon. Property Owner

    Reviewed by OliviaJan 2022

  • "A beautiful little cottage in an absolutely stunning location."

    Perfectly situated for so many scenic walks, some of them right on your doorstep. The cottage was very comfortable and had everything we needed. We would definitely recommend a stay here!

    Thanks for your comments Katie, it is really good to know that you both enjoyed the cottage and what it has to offer. Hope to have you back in the future. Property Owner

    Reviewed by KatieDec 2021

  • "A beautiful cosy cottage situated in the perfect place in Snowdonia for lots of adventures for us, our 2 dogs and bikes."

    Warming up next to the fire after a day out was ideal, we had a very relaxing break here :) It is quite near to a main road but you can't hear the cars over the sound of the river once you're inside - we highly recommend the river walk to the forest that's just over the road. It's stunning! Many thanks for a great stay!

    So glad you enjoyed your stay at the cottage guys, and thanks for your feedback. We think it is a special place too! Property Owner

    Reviewed by SamiNov 2021

  • "We really enjoyed our stay in a lovely area."

    The cottage is sweet and comfortable and has a great garden. Some small things could be improved to make this an even better stay, such as a welcome pack on arrival, more glasses in the kitchen and fizzing the bathroom door lock so that it shuts. Saying that, the kitchen is very well kitted out and the bedroom is superb with a very comfortable bed. Overall, we had a lovely week and a terrific stay.

    Reviewed by RichardAug 2021

  • "The cottage was so clean which made me happy to cook there after previous holiday cottages not having the cleanest of kitchens."

    Comfortable and very pleasant!

    Reviewed by JanetMay 2021

  • "The Cottage was in a beautiful part of Wales, with walks on the doorstep."

    The neighbours were friendly and gave some good recommendations for places to visit and good local eateries. A perfect base for our break away.

    Reviewed by LaurenceMay 2021

  • "A beautiful cottage set in a stuuning location."

    Very well equipped, everything you need for a self contained holiday. The cottage is characterful and charming. Not too far from all major tourist destinations. Highly recommended.

    Reviewed by JasonOct 2020

  • "Just back from a wonderful and relaxing week in this beautiful cosy cottage."

    James the owner was very friendly and helpful. The cottage is set in beautiful surroundings. The garden is amazing and we were lucky to have nice weather to be able to sit outside and enjoy it. Wonderful walks from the door and we enjoyed the waterfall over the road. It was lovely waking up every morning to the view of the trees and sound of the waterfall. Cottage is in a good position for visiting all the glorious wonders Snowdonia has to offer. We will definitely be returning in the future.

    Reviewed by StephenAug 2020

  • "A very well equipped cottage in a good location for local walks."

    Also close to Snowdon for the more ambitious who want more challenging routes than the tourist ttrek. The cottage contained lots of bits and pieces that one might need, like selotape and spare batteries.

    Reviewed by TonyJul 2020

  • "The cottage was fantastic, walks were great, weather was pretty good, would love to come back again one day."

    Karen and Ric

    Reviewed by CedricMar 2020

  • "Everything"

    Reviewed by SarahFeb 2020

  • "Had a really relaxing holiday The cottage had an old fashioned charm and character , the wood burner was just lovely on the cold winter nights."

    We enjoyed mulled wine and enjoyed chilling and watching movies after some lovely long walks. It was a great location to explore all the area had to offer, we were spoilt for choice as there is so much to do here. The scenery was breath taking, every day different but so memorable.

    Reviewed by DebbieNov 2019

  • "A delightful cottage."

    So cosy and lovely and warm . One of the best we have stayed in . Would definitely return . A real romantic hideaway.

    Reviewed by VickiOct 2019

  • "Lovely cottage for a cosy break."

    Only thing that could be improved is the difficulty in parking.

    Reviewed by JoannaOct 2019

  • "It was quiet tranquil as we expected"

    Reviewed by BrianSep 2019

  • "A lovely cottage hidden away in the foothills close to Blaneau Ffestiniog."

    As the listing says access is up a footpath but don't let this put you off as the marginal inconvenience is more than made up for with the cottage itself. It is very comfortable and well-equipped and proved the perfect base from which to tackle parts of the Welsh Coast Path. Thoroughly recommended.

    Reviewed by PeterJul 2019

  • "A nice cottage in a lovely part of North Wales."

    Close to the mountains and the sea.

    Reviewed by WilliamJun 2019

  • "Beautiful cottage set it a great location for beautiful walks."

    The only issue is parking, we were lucky enough to be able to use a drive way for next door (with their permission) the lay-by that the cottage advises to use is on a very fast road. Saying that we would be very happy to rent the same property again.

    Reviewed by ClaireApr 2019

  • "Very peaceful beautiful cosy cottage."

    ideal location. well equipped. fantastic

    Reviewed by DionneSep 2018

  • "Bron Olau was the perfect little hideaway in Snowdonia, was well equipped with everything we needed, would definitely recommend if your wanting a little hideaway in Snowdonia."

    Reviewed by AndrewSep 2018

  • "Sykes were brilliant at booking and keeping in touch until our holiday."

    The week before they sent us a “things to do on your holiday “ email which was useful. The cottage was just as described. Very happy, will definitely use them again and would recommend them.

    Reviewed by AnneSep 2018

  • "Great location lovely cottage so much to do"

    Reviewed by MarkJul 2018

  • "We were not familiar with the area, and went looking for the telephone box that marked the lay by we were to look out for."

    The phone box had been removed but fortunately we found a local who could help us identify the house. Bron Olau is well set up and quiet, and owner James made a special trip to fix up a blockage in the septic system which was much appreciated.

    Reviewed by LeighJul 2018

  • "As soon as we walked in we had that feeling you get, the home from home feeling ."

    Just perfect for a week exploring a little bit of beautiful north Wales x

    Reviewed by HelenMay 2018

  • "Gorgeous cottage in a great location for walks and attractions."

    Log stove was perfect for the snow. Lovely visit and would highly recommend. Dog had a great time to.

    Reviewed by RebeccaMar 2018

  • "Well organized."

    The cottage was ideal. The owners very helpful.

    Reviewed by JohnMar 2018

  • "Kathryn was most helpful to speak to prior to the holiday."

    The cottage is adorable, beautifully clean and has everything you need to stay in, relax, cook and dine. We were there during the snow at the end of February and it was just perfect. The garden is fantastic, the local woods are beautiful for walking and lots to see and do in the area. We cannot wait to return. Thank you.

    Reviewed by HarrietFeb 2018

  • "Overall, fantastic little cottage in a great area for scenery and walks."

    The cottage has everything you could want for a relaxing stay. Would recommend to anyone who wants a country break.

    Reviewed by PaulFeb 2018

  • "Absolutely loved this cottage had a lovely stay, even though it was December we still enjoyed beautiful views."

    The cottage was cosy clean and just beautiful. We would definitely look to going back here maybe in the summer time. As another review said the road is a bit scary but wouldn’t put us off. Thank you

    Reviewed by JoanneDec 2017

  • "Wonderful place to stay ."

    Access bit scary as have to walk down main road for 50 yards but worth it .

    Reviewed by LorraineSep 2017

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Summary

  • One kingsize bedroom with Smart TV
  • Ground floor bathroom with bath, shower over, basin and WC
  • Kitchen
  • Sitting room with dining area and woodburning stove
  • Boot/Sun room.
  • Oil central heating with woodburning stove
  • Electric oven and induction hob, microwave, fridge & freezer and washing machine
  • 2 x Smart TVs with Freeview and Netflix, CD, WiFi, selection of books, games and CDs
  • Power, fuel and starter pack for stove inc. in rent
  • Bed linen and towels inc. in rent
  • Off road parking on first come, first served basis is in a near-by layby
  • Enclosed front patio with furniture and lawned garden with furniture
  • Two well-behaved dogs welcome
  • Sorry, no smoking
  • Shops 3 miles, pub 2.2 miles
  • Note: There are four internal steps and a narrow and low doorway from the kitchen to the boot/sun room and bathroom
  • Note: The bedroom is open to the stairs
  • Note: The footpath leading to the cottage is approximately 25 yards long(please note there is a slight incline to the footpath leading to the property)
  • Note: Whilst the garden is enclosed it is not secure, dogs must be supervised at all times as sheep are often roaming free in the woods
  • Note: Adults only, babes in arms welcome but not suitable for toddlers or children
  • Please note: This property can only accept dogs, it cannot accept cats or other pets.

The property

Maentwrog 2.2 miles.

This charming semi-detached cottage is neatly tucked away and nestled amongst some lovely woodland and scenery.

Situated in an elevated position in a semi-rural location in the little hamlet, known as Rhyd y Sarn, which is almost half-way between the pretty little village of Maentrwog and the larger historic slate mining town of Blaenau Ffestiniog.

There is no vehicle access and parking is just 50 yards away in a layby.

Ascend along a public footpath and this little hidden gem will be revealed.

Bron Olau is the perfect romantic get away from it all retreat and is a great base for a couple from which to explore this beautiful part of North Wales and the Snowdonia National Park.

Oozing charm and character, Bron Olau dates back some 200 years and boasts some wonderful features such as exposed stone, exposed beams, purlins, slate flooring and an impressive inglenook fireplace in the sitting room with a warming wood burning stove, ideal for a cosy evening in.

A modern, well-appointed kitchen and bathroom will ensure you will enjoy all the comforts of home and a spacious sun room will allow you to offload your outdoor gear.

The characterful king size bedroom boasts high ceilings and stripped wood floorboards.

The garden is a lovely feature and is mature and well stocked with a wonderful woodland backdrop, various seating areas means you can sit and relax after a day walking in the mountains, enjoy the tranquil and peaceful setting with a glass of your favourite tipple and with very little light pollution, what a great way to end the day, star gazing long into the night.

There is so much to do here; you will never have long enough to discover everything on offer.

As well as some wonderful walks from the door, Blaenau Ffestiniog is fast becoming the adrenaline capital of Wales, offering a unique range of adventures, Zip World Titan and Caverns, Bounce Below and Llechwedd slate caverns, all worth a visit.

For something a little more leisurely you can get the Ffestiniog narrow gauge steam railway to the lovely harbour town of Porthmadog, stay here to do a spot of shopping or you can hop on the Welsh Highland Railway across to Beddgelert and Caernarfon, with its majestic Medieval Castle.

Just a short drive away you will discover miles and miles of sandy beaches and dunes.

There is so much on offer to keep you busy in the Snowdonia National Park, you will just have to come back to fit it all in!

Everything is within easy reach of this homely cottage which can be enjoyed any time of the year.

View on map

About the location

MAENTWROG

Tan y Bwlch 0.5 miles; Blaenau Ffestiniog 3 miles; Penrhyndeudraeth 4 miles; Porthmadog 7 miles.

Maentwrog is a village and community in the Welsh county of Gwynedd, lying in the Vale of Ffestiniog just below Blaenau Ffestiniog, within the Snowdonia National Park. The River Dwyryd runs alongside the village, on the periphery and adds to the picturesque environment. The village has its own highly regarded traditional inn, the Grapes Hotel, well known for its food and atmosphere and the Oakeley Arms is also nearby. The scenic area around Maentwrog has many public footpaths plus the beauty spot of Plas Tan Y Bwlch and the Ffestiniog Steam Railway are also within a few miles. Nearby Plas Tan y Bwlch, substantially rebuilt during the 19th century by the Oakeley family on the site of a first house probably built in the early 17th century, overlooks the village. Plas Tan y Bwlch has its own halt - Plas Halt - on the Ffestiniog Railway, and nearby Tan-y-Bwlch railway station is the railway's principal intermediate station. Maentwrog means Twrog's stone and according to legend, a giant known as Twrog hurled a boulder from the top of a hill down into the settlement, destroying a pagan altar. This stone is said to be the one located in St Twrog's Church courtyard. It is said that if one rubs this boulder one is fated to return to the village in the future. The village settlement expanded in the 19th century to house workers from local slate mines. Within the village community is the imposing Plas Tan y Bwlch, home of the Snowdonia National Park Study Centre and former residence of the Oakeley family. A superb base from which to discover the Snowdonia National Park and all of North Wales.

This property offers the following short breaks:

  • Winter
  • Off-season
  • Last minute
  • Christmas