‘Farm Stay‘ includes cottages based on working farms. ‘Group Accommodation‘ has been included to help people that are organising a break for a large group of people. Finally I’ve included a list of locations such as Tal Y Bont or Harlech which naturally group cottages in that area. The full list should be visable on the right hand side of this page.

1. See a pantomime

Pantomime is a lovely Christmas tradition that can be enjoyed by all members of the family, from tots to grandparents.

The pantomime at the Dragon Theatre in Barmouth this year, on 28th and 29th December, is Sleeping Beauty. The performance comes courtesy of the Ardudwy Youth and Community Theatre, and tickets – which are available at the door, though it’s advisable to call the theatre to check performance times if the weather is especially bad – cost just £5 for adults, £4 concessions and £15 for a family ticket, which covers two adults and two children.

2. Full steam ahead

It may not be quite the Polar Express – you won’t see waiters cartwheeling down the aisles, at any rate – but a trip aboard one of the Talyllyn Railway’s steam trains at Christmas is just as magical.

The Santa Special – a two-hour experience – leaves at 11am and 1pm on 23rd and 24th December from Tywyn Wharf. Children get to meet Santa, who will give an age-appropriate gift to each child, and there’s also an opportunity to have their photo taken with him at Plas Nadolig. When the train returns to Tywyn Wharf there’s complimentary mulled wine and mince pies for the adults.

There are also “Mince Pie Specials” running from 26th December to 1st January, where you can enjoy a round trip of the winter countryside from a comfortable heated carriage, festooned with Christmas decorations, and will be provided with seasonal light refreshments too.

3. Step back in time

Unfortunately, there are no time machines in Meirionnydd, so you won’t be able to do any actual time travelling. But there are plenty of historic buildings and monuments to visit, which is the next best thing.

Castles are always popular with family groups. The castle at Harlech is fantastic; it’s very well preserved and great for fighting imaginary battles with toy swords and seeing off make-believe evil foes. Less well preserved, but every bit as atmospheric – if not more so – is Castell y Bere, whose ruins are a great place to explore.

4. Music, Maestro, please!

Wales has long been known as the Land of Song; we’re naturally musical here in Wales, and so it should come as no real surprise that Meirionnydd has a whole building dedicated to the history of Welsh folk music.

Ty Siamas – the National Centre for Welsh Folk Music – awaits you, musically minded or not, at its home in Dolgellau. Take a tour of a recording studio, play some instruments, perhaps even catch a performance or two; and round off your visit with a trip to the on-site music shop and cafe. You’ll be singing its praises when you get home!

5. Air, air, everywhere

If you’re travelling to Meirionnydd from a large town or city, you’re bound to appreciate all the wide, open spaces and clean air that Meirionnydd have to offer.

Even in the middle of winter, you can’t beat a good walk in the Snowdonia countryside or along one of her many beaches. Take the eco-friendly option and travel by bus from one beauty spot to another, then breathe in our fresh, clean air while you walk off your Christmas dinner. The award winning beaches at Dyffryn Ardudwy, Harlech, Barmouthare especially worth a visit, but of course there’s enough open countryside and coastline to keep you going for months, so take advantage and get your walking boots on!

P.S. I’d like to add one more I’d forgotten about.

6. Portmeirion Winter Entry

Portmeirion, the famous Italian styled village, only charge a nominal fee for entry during the quiet winter months. Some of the shops and cafes are closed at this time but the architecture and the surrounding gardens means the village is still well worth a visit. (Don’t tell mum, but we had a great game of hide and seek there last week.)

“With a fine sea view in front, the mountains behind, the glorious estuary running eight miles inland, and Cadair Idris within compass of a day’s walk, Barmouth can always hold its own against any rival.” William Wordsworth

If you visit on a sunny July day like we did last week, you can’t help but fall in love with the place. The beach is of course fantastic and has retained is Blue Flag for cleanliness again this year. The fish and chips are still as tasty as ever and the ice cream is still cold.

Look closer and there’s more to enjoy. The Mawddach Trail along the estuary is one of the most beautiful cycle routes in the UK. The old town on the rock is a fascinating mix of ally ways and steep steps. The cliffs above were the first acquisition of the then fledgling National Trust and offer stunning views across Cardigan Bay.

The history of the town is also fascinating. Ty Gwyn, an old timber frame house built by Gruffudd Vaughan during the 15th century, was a meeting place for the allies of Henry VII during the War of the Roses.

At this time ship building was the lifeblood of the town but this changed during Victorian times however with the opening of the new Aberystwyth and Welsh Coast Railway 1867. The ever impressive Barmouth Bridge carried the new industrial working class of the Midlands in their thousands to the town. A summer pilgrimage of simple old fashioned fun which is still enjoyed by many.

I enjoyed an article in the local paper where an old gentleman recalled his time at the officer training camp at Barmouth during the Second World War. He recalled how he and his fellow trainees would stand on Barmouth platform each Sunday, waiting the midlands train which would bring the female workers of the munitions factories for their annual break. “There was always a rush to carry the bags of the prettier girls as they got off the train.” Romance of course, would often follow. And genuine tears of sorrow would be wept one week later as the return train pulled back out of the station. The young officers wouldn’t stray too far from the station afterwards however. There was, of course, another train arriving in the afternoon.

Some of our cottages in the barmouth area include:

• Stabal (sleeps 3)
• Sisial-Y-Mor (sleeps 4)
• Bwthyn-Goronwy (sleeps 2)
• Laundry-Cottage (sleeps 4)

My auntie went on to explain how they had never been tamed and how the English king, Henry the VIII, had failed in his attempt to have the horses “exterminated”. They were truly magical and lived in the imagination of this 9 year old boy for a long time afterwards.

But as ever, their future in our modern world is far from certain. So, in an effort to make the breed more commercially viable for Snowdonia farmers, efforts have been made to tame some of these truly wild horses. A new TV documentary has recorded the efforts of welsh horse whisperer, Barry Thomas, to tame the Carneddau Ponies. This, not so young boy, will certainly be watching.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-west-wales-13797391

More locally I’ve heard how a donkey will protect lambs and chickens from foxes. I guess south American alpacas are probably more suited to our rugged terrain. So why not. Arwyn Owen, the farmer responsible, certainly seems convinced. [Read more...]

So as you sit in the sun on the raised patio, gin and tonic in hand and enjoying the views, you can be further comforted by the knowledge that you’re staying in a cottage which is just that little bit greener than most.

The five peaks over 1000m in Snowdonia:
Yr Wyddfa – 1085m
Crib Y Ddisgyl – 1065m
Carnedd Llywelyn – 1064m
Carnedd Dafydd – 1044m
Glyder Fawr – 1000.8m