Bryn Eithin

Penygroes 2.5 miles.

Bryn Eithin is a traditional Welsh long cottage resting near Penygroes, Gwynedd.

On the fringes of Eryri National Park (Snowdonia), offering families and friends a characterful single-storey base with a toasty woodburning stove.

Arrive along the country road, admiring the surrounding scenery before opening the gate and pulling onto the private driveway, where there is space to park four cars.

The cottage sits beside a large, manicured lawn, giving you your first glimpse of the outdoor space waiting to be enjoyed later.

Step inside and make your way to the shower room, where a walk-in shower awaits for a refreshing rinse after a day on the trails.

From the hallway, take a step up and continue into the king-size bedroom, where overhead beams add traditional character and plenty of storage gives you room to unpack.

Back along the cottage, the open-plan living space invites everyone to spend time together beneath further exposed beams.

Settle into the sofa or one of the armchairs and let the woodburning stove warm the inglenook as you choose a film on the TV with Freesat, or use the WiFi to plan tomorrow's adventures.

When appetites call, move into the kitchen area and prepare dinner using the electric oven and hob, microwave and fridge/freezer, while the dishwasher takes care of the clearing up afterwards.

Serve your creations at the dining table for four and linger over dinner as you recount the day's highlights.

Mind your head as you pass through the low doorway into the conservatory, where a sofa and two chairs invite you to sit back and look out across the garden.

From the sitting area, two steps lead towards the cloakroom and the super-king-size bedroom, where overhead beams and hanging space await, while the zip/link bed can be arranged as twins on request to suit your group.

Outside, spread out across the large lawn or take a seat on the patio, where the garden furniture and purpose-built barbecue holder set the scene for an afternoon in the fresh air.

Cyclists can store their bikes between trips into the surrounding countryside, while the external utility with its washing machine makes it easy to freshen up clothes after muddy excursions.

When you need to stock up, the nearest shop is a short drive away, while a local pub is also within a short drive.

Venture into Caernarfon, a short drive from Bryn Eithin, where you can admire its historic castle, browse the town's selection of shops and restaurants, then board the Welsh Highland Railway for a journey towards Porthmadog through spectacular mountain scenery.

Continue your adventures towards Llanberis, another easy drive away and an excellent starting point for discovering Eryri National Park (Snowdonia), where you can lace up your walking boots, take in the striking mountain scenery and choose from a variety of outdoor activities.

For a change of landscape, make for the sandy shores of Anglesey and the Llŷn Peninsula, where days can be spent beside the sea, trying water sports or seeking out one of the area's golf courses.

After exploring mountain landscapes, historic sights and the North Wales coast, return to Bryn Eithin near Penygroes and settle in for another evening together.