Regular readers will notice a lack of current international travel from these quarters. It doesn’t mean there’s none in the near future by the way, it has just meant building projects, plus a husband working abroad a lot has gotten in the way, as has (in the nicest possible way) a need for our offspring to get to know “their own” country (even though one of them insists it isn’t his own country!) just that little bit more…
I am not one to complain at such things, especially since I love a road trip. Add to that not having to navigate an airport with a three-year old whose over exuberance doesn’t tend to go down all that well with fellow passengers in a cramped aeroplane environment, and I am very happy to explore the UK a little more too!
With a Welsh Father in Law, and various hiking holidays pre-kids, we know Wales reasonably well, and love it. We haven’t visited Snowdonia in any form before though, so given our general love of mountains and all that it seemed the obvious choice…
Having left it until the very last minute to book anything for half term, we really and truly lucked in when we secured Ysgubor Llwyn y Ffynnon (known as Spring Barn in English), it’s beautiful.
An old barn, originally converted by a US set designer, and a Welsh Artist, you can tell the renovation was done by people with a lot of creativity and good interiors knowledge. The current owners have continued the high-end theme, with gorgeous White Company Linen and lots of other bits and pieces that quite frankly I am not sure I would personally entrust to holiday renters!
Everything is perfectly thought out, from the grown-up lounge area with a decent wood burner and music system, to an upstairs TV room with masses of DVDs to choose from. You have to love a cottage that comes with hundreds of decent books to read too (not to mention stacks of cookbooks in the kitchen!) – I am determined to read at least one whilst we are here!
We arrived in glorious sunshine with time to explore before it got dark, so we headed straight down to the river at the bottom of the garden, with instructions to look out for the otters (haven’t spotted one yet, there’s still time!). The gardens are over a couple of levels and you look to the right across rolling hills, and to the left to nosey neighbours in horse form that come to inspect what we are up to at least three times a day!
Whilst part of me would have been more than happy to just sit and relax on our first morning, the other half of me was well aware of the forecast for the week ahead, and the urgent need to get out and explore just in case the weather prevented us from doing so at some point…
First stop somewhere to buy a coat for the Toddler as we had somehow managed to leave his behind (and mine I hasten to add!). Being a bank holiday and all, the only shop that open (strangely) was a charity shop, and we left with a Debenhams number that looked at least 10 years old for the grand total of £1.75. Needs must for the time being and all that. It seems as though he’s following in the very image conscious footsteps of his big brother however, and it took a lot of cajoling and blackmail to get him to actually wear it (blackmail in good cake form – T H Roberts (a cafe in an old Iron Mongery) in Dolgellau obliged!) before heading to the mountains…
Currently, with various ridiculous political happenings, it’s easy for this Small Island to feel a little “upside down”, so it’s nice to reminded of the good things about it, and this natural beauty is most definitely a good thing. Just look at this…
The bluebells are still out here covering vast swathes of mountain-side and dotting the woodland floor, and we heard the first cuckoo of the year (a miracle amongst the moaning about the coat from one of our group!). It might not be quite the alpine scenery that we are used to, but it’s equally beautiful…
Wales, it’s so nice to see you again, and introduce a few more people to your beauty…
Great post and such a amazing pictures.. I loved it
Thanks Niel! :)
Excellent article with all information about Snowdonia. Loved the beautiful photographs shared.
Wow, love your accommodation! I’m not sure I’d dare to take my boys into such a lovely cottage. We love Snowdonia and surrounding area, the scenery is breathtaking. Thanks for sharing #CulturedKids
Thanks so much. I thought it was quite brave for us given my three year old, and my teen who is so clumsy at the moment. Luckily everything remained intact! :D Thanks so much! :) x
What magnificent country side! #CulturedKids
Utterly beautifu isn’t it? Thanks Lydia! :)
Wow, you really struck gold with the last minute accommodation – well done! We love Snowdonia, and it’s lovely to revisit through your photos. I laughed at leaving the coat, we left Museum Girl’s shoes at home when we went to Amsterdam last summer, we had wellies but then lost them so had to spend 50 euros on shoes. At least yours was a cheap mistake. #CulturedKids
It’s a continuing theme for us, honestly! Thanks so much Vyki! x
Cookbooks in the kitchen? That’s self catering with style! I haven’t been to Snowdonia for years, probably about 20 years. Blimey must make amends. Your pics are gorgeous, did you see otters in the end? #CulturedKids
This place has so many lovely extra touches! You must go! Thanks so much! :)
Like you, we’re sticking around the British Isles this summer. I haven’t had the pleasure of visiting Snowdonia – how beautiful and how lovely to see late bluebells. #CULTUREDKIDS
Oh it’s so beautiful. We are heading abroad once the summer hols start! It will be here before we know it! :D x
That looks amazing, I love Wales and Snowdon in particular having spent a good part of my late teens living at the bottom of the mountain. I can’t wait to take the kids back now they are older and we can really explore they were only 3 and 4 last time we went and not up for big hikes at the time. #culturedkids
That sounds perfect Cerys. Enjoy!
Gorgeous scenery in that part of the UK. I love Wales, we’ve not been a while #culturedkids
It’s just so beautiful. Thanks Sima! :)
I used to go to Snowdonia quite a bit as a child but haven’t been back there. The last time I was in Wales was about 13 years ago and we had to buy wellies and coats for everyone, despite it being August! It’s not that we forgot to take any, it’s that we dared to think we wouldn’t need such things in August! But despite the vagaries of its weather Wales is gorgeous and your photos make me want to go back and give it another try. #culturedkids
Thanks so much Phoebe. I think it tends to rain ALOT, but then that helps the green scenery! :D x
I’ve only visited the Welsh countryside a handful of times but every single time I go I fall in love with it. I find it really relaxing out with nature and totally unwind. This post makes me wanna hop over the border again soon! #FarawayFiles
It’s really gorgeous isn’t it? It somehow feels like they have the balance right each time I visit!
It looks so gorgeous! I would love to visit some day. My kids love being outside so I think they’d love it too. #farawayfiles
Oh you must, it’s so beautiful! Thanks Allison! :)
Such a lovely post with gorgeous pictures. I don’t know Wales very well at all, but like you I love a road trip in the UK, so its definitely on the list. #farawayfiles
Thanks Angela! (:
We spent our half term holiday on the edge of Snowdonia too. It was our first trip to North Wales and we really enjoyed it – we had to dodge a fair few showers as well, but it was great to be up in the mountains. Thanks for sharing on #farawayfiles
Such a beautiful area isn’t it?? Thanks Clare! (:
And unlike recent pictures of Everest, there’s no queue to get to the summit of Mt Snowdon. Stunning scenery. I love Wales.
Very true, although we didn’t make it quite that far! It’s just gorgeous isn’t it? Thank you x
Wow, it looks beautiful, lovely photographs. Hope the weather stays good for you. x
It was lovely even in the rain! Thanks M xx