Everything you need for a comfortable, well-fed and well-explored stay in North Wales. Here's our guide to local shops, restaurants, places to visit and facilities near our cottages.
There is a local convenience store just 2.5 miles away for everyday essentials. The market towns of Corwen (6 miles) and Ruthin (8 miles) offer a wider range of shops — Ruthin in particular has two supermarkets and a good selection of independent retailers, cafés and services. For larger supermarket shops, Tesco, Sainsbury's and Asda all deliver to the cottages. If you'd like particular supplies waiting on arrival, just let Jane know in advance and we can arrange it.
Ruthin is just 8 miles from the cottages and is one of the most attractive medieval market towns in North Wales. The town centre is full of independent shops, cafés and restaurants centred around the historic market square. Highlights include Ruthin Castle — now a hotel and spa but open for dining — the fascinating Ruthin Gaol heritage attraction, and the excellent Ruthin Craft Centre, one of the UK's leading contemporary craft galleries with free entry. The weekly market brings the town to life and is well worth timing a visit around.
Llangollen is one of North Wales' most visited towns and just 30 minutes from the cottages. Sitting in the dramatic Dee Valley, it's home to the world-famous Llangollen International Eisteddfod (held every July), the extraordinary Pontcysyllte Aqueduct UNESCO World Heritage Site, the ruins of Dinas Brân Castle perched high above the town, and the Llangollen Railway steam heritage line. The town has excellent independent cafés, restaurants and shops and makes for a perfect full day out.
Bala is a fascinating small town about 20 minutes west of the cottages, sitting at the head of Llyn Tegid — the largest natural lake in Wales. The lake is a hub for watersports including sailing, windsurfing, kayaking and open water swimming. The River Tryweryn flows out of Llyn Celyn just upstream and is home to the National Whitewater Centre, one of Europe's premier white water kayaking and rafting venues. Bala itself is a strong Welsh-speaking community town with good cafés and independent shops, and the surrounding hills offer superb walking and cycling.
Betws y Coed is the classic gateway village to Snowdonia National Park, about 40 minutes from the cottages. Sitting at the confluence of three rivers in a beautiful wooded valley, it's a popular base for walkers, cyclists and outdoor enthusiasts. The village has excellent cafés, outdoor gear shops and independent retailers. From here you're within easy reach of Snowdon itself, the Penmachno mountain bike trails, Conwy Falls and the full breadth of Snowdonia National Park. On a clear day the drive from the cottages to Betws y Coed through the Denbigh Moors is one of the most scenic in Wales.
The River Dee runs through one of the most beautiful valleys in Wales, passing through Corwen — just 6 miles from the cottages — on its way to Llangollen and the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. Corwen is a quiet market town with a good range of shops and services, and the surrounding Dee Valley offers superb walking, fishing and cycling. The valley road between Corwen and Llangollen follows the river through spectacular scenery and is a
The Clwydian Range Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty runs along the eastern horizon from the cottages, offering some of the finest ridge walking in North Wales with sweeping views across the Vale of Clwyd to the west and the Cheshire plain to the east. The long distance Offa's Dyke Path runs along the ridge. The Vale of Clwyd below is one of the most fertile and picturesque valleys in Wales, dotted with historic villages, churches and castles.
Our central location puts some of Wales' best mountain biking trail centres within easy reach, alongside a huge range of other outdoor activities. Derwen Fisheries — two well-stocked coarse fishing lakes — is just half a mile from the cottage door, and guests receive a free permit to fish a mile of the Upper River Dee.
If you'd like access to gym, spa or beauty facilities during your stay, we recommend the Vale Country Club, which offers a full range of fitness, health, beauty and recreation facilities within easy driving distance of the cottages.
St Peter's Square Ruthin. The Grill on the Square and Castle Hotel (Weatherspoons).