Celyn is situated in the magical valley of Nant Gwynant, right in the heart of the Snowdonia National Park. It's incredibly fortunate to be one of the very few cottages in Snowdonia that is only a 10 minute walk from the Watkin Path, a varied and spectacular route up Snowdon. From the cottage itself you are afforded some of the most awe-inspiring views of the Snowdon Range. However, Snowdon is only a tiny part of what this exceptional National Park has to offer. There is an abundance of walks for all ages and abilities right from the front door, and all outdoor activities and tourist attractions are conveniently located close by.
Celyn has undergone a complete makeover since it was bought by its new owners in 2018. Amy & William Searle were looking for a new venture once they sold their business, Plas Curig Hostel in Capel Curig (also in Snowdonia). Their hostel, which they bought as a ruin in 2011 and completely refurbished, was awarded the only 5 star hostel grading in Wales and was dubbed the poshest hostel in the UK. It recieved rave reviews from the media and it's guests for the 8 years they ran it. After wanting a life change but not wanting to leave the area, Celyn was bought as a sanctuary for them and for the many guests that now enjoy it... They currently live in Cornwall and run another holiday cottage from there called
INSIDE CELYN
SLEEP
Sleeps four, two bedrooms, both with kingsize beds & all linen provided.
CONNECT
WiFi is availble, although sometimes slow, it works well in communal areas.
SOAK
One bathroom with WC, bidet, sink & bath with shower over the top. Towels provided.
EAT
Fully equipped kitchen/diner with cooker, hob, microwave, dishwasher, fridge / small freezer.
RELAX
Cosy lounge with log burner (initial fuel provided) , 4 seater sofa, smart TV with DVD player
WASH & DRY
Washing machine, tumble dryer & drying room for wet gear.
AL FRESCO
Celyn has a large garden with spectacular views. Outdoor seating & bbq/firepit provided.
PARKING
There is ample parking. The drive is steep but there are options to park at the bottom.
OUTSIDE CELYN
THE VALLEY - Nant Gwynant
Directly from the bottom of the drive you can walk along the Glaslyn river, which has its source from the top lake of Snowdon and flows out into the Irish Sea at Porthmadog. A ten minute walk down river will take you to the start of the Watkin Path - a spectacular route up Snowdon, taking you through ancient oak woodland, besides waterfalls and blue pools, ruins of old mines, and finally up to the summit of Snowdon itself. Caffi Gwynant is also on your doorstep, serving delicious local food. Two lakes are also within easy reach. There is Llyn Dinas - a beautiful lake around which skirts a well-marked path to the picturesque and historic village of Beddgelert. And, in the opposite direction, is Llyn Gwynant. From here, depending on the season, you can hire canoes, paddles boards etc., and eat stone-baked pizzas by the lake, giving you time to appreciate the awe-inspiring views.
CLOSEST VILLIAGE - Beddgelert
This picturesque, Welsh village lies just 3.8 miles from Celyn (7 min drive). It is a MUST SEE, and worth spending ample time to soak up the historic atmosphere and its gorgeous surroundings. There is a good selection pubs, cafes, gift shops, a local shop, post office, church, and a fantastic ice-cream parlour! The world famous Welsh highland railway passes directly through Beddgelert, taking you on a memorable journey through some unforgettable locations. Beginning in Beddgelert, there is wide variety of walks that will take you through forests, up mountains, along the Glasyn river as its cuts and plunges its way through the mighty Aberglaslyn gorge, and walks that will take you back to Celyn.
CLOSEST TOWN - Porthmadog
Porthmadog is a small Welsh coastal town. It lies 11.4 miles from Celyn (23min drive). It has major supermarkets and all you would need from a town. It developed in the 19th century as a port exporting slate to England and elsewhere, but since the decline of the industry it has become a shopping centre and tourist destination. Porthmadog is the terminus of the Ffestiniog Railway. Within walking distance are the pretty seaside villages of Borth-y-guest & Morfa Bychan. The welsh coastal path passes through Porthmadog, taking walkers along the banks of the Glaslyn Estuary, providing views of mountain peaks and shimmering bays. If you are lucky you might also spot Ospreys hunting over the waters during the summer season before they migrate to Africa in the early autumn. Porthmerion is also nearby, a famous, and otherworldly Italianate-styled town situated on the banks of the Dwyrd estuary.
SNOWDON - Routes up
WATKIN PATH is a 10 minute walk from the cottage. It is one of the quieter and tougher routes up Snowdon.
MINERS & PYG TRACK starts at Pen Y pass carpark - 11min (4.7 mi). They are arguably the most popular routes up Snowdon.
CRIB COCH is an iconic grade 1 scramble and not for the inexperinced! Start point is Pen Y Pass car park.
LLANBERIS PATH - 23min (10.3 mi) this is the easiest route up Snowdon. The Snowdon railway also leaves from Llanberis.
SNOWDON RANGER, RHYD DHU & SOUTH RIDGE are other less popular routes to the summit and are all within 10 miles away from Celyn.
If you want to hike mountains less travelled then see below...
MOUNTAINS - Distances from Celyn
There are many mountains to walk in Snowdonia,. Here are a few as an example to show Celyn's excellent location for mountain enthusiasts :
The Glyderau Mountain Range - Idwal Carpark & parking on the A5 - 22 min (13.1 mi)
The Carneddau Mountain Range - Idwal Carpark & parking on the A5 - 22 min (13.1 mi)
The Moelwynion Mountain Range - Moel Siabod carpark - 15 min (8.2 mi) - Cnicht carpark - 9 min (2.9 mi)
Please note that there is also an abundance of easier non-mountainous walks close by to Celyn.
BEACHES - Distances from Celyn
Here are a few of our favourites…
Criccieth Beach - 27 min (14.1 mi)
Black Rock Sands - 30 min (14.1 mi)
Harlech Beach - 41 min (18.5 mi)
Abersoch, Llyn Peninsula - 54 min (29.9 mi)
Newborough Beach, Anglesey - 1 h 4 min (31.3 mi)
Aberdovey, South Snowdonia - 1 h 31 min (55.3 mi)
HISTORICAL CASTLE TOWNS - Distances from Celyn
Criccieth - 30 min (15.2 mi)
Caernarfon - 35 min (18.0 mi)
Harlech - 37 min (17.7 mi)
Beaumaris - 49 min (24.5 mi)
Conwy - 52 min (28.4 mi)
There are many more castles and castle'less towns to explore!
BOOK & CONTACT
Please go on our online booking system to check availabilty, prices & book.
Please send enquiries to celyn@mail.com. For urgent assistance call 07921589655.
The address is:
Celyn, Nant Gwynant, Beddgelert, Caernarfon, North Wales. LL55 4NW
Check-in 3pm/check out 10am.
CANCELLATIONS
Full payment is taken upon booking.
Cancellation 21 days prior to stay=100% refund
Cancellation 14 days prior to stay=50% refund
Cancellation within 14 days of stay= no refund
Our cancellation policy is strict so please make sure you have holiday insurance.
PET POLICY
One well behaved dog is allowed at Celyn for a charge of £20 per stay. The dog is limited to the kitchen area only & your security deposit will be used for cleaning if this is ignored. Please bring a dog bed with a hard/raised bottom as the floor is tiled & cold.
CHILD POLICY
We allow children/babies but we don't provide a Cot/Highchair so you must bring your own. The house/grounds are not particularily baby/toddler friendly. The grounds are steep, rough, not contained. The house has hard floors, a log burner, kingsize bed that children would have to use quite high from the ground. Booking is at the parents discretion. Any accidents/injury is not the responsibilty of Celyn.
DIRECTIONS
A satnav won't take you to the exact location. You cannot see Celyn from the road. The drive is very steep so please park on the middle section.
From the Beddgelert direction : enter Nant Gwynant, pass the cafe on the left & Snowdon carpark on the right. Celyn is further up the road on your right (look for the sign & garage with green door).
From the Llanberis/Betws-Y-Coed direction : enter Nant Gwynant & pass Celyn on your left after the row of houses. Turn around in the Snowdon carpark then drive back on yourself and Celyn is on the right (look for the sign & garage with green door).
TRANSPORT
By bus: In summer Snowdon Sherpa buses drive past Celyn: Caernarfon to Pen-y-Pass (route S4) or Porthmadog to Pen-y-Pass (route S97).
By train: The nearest train stations are Betws-y-Coed, Porthmadog, and Bangor (which has direct London routes.) All connect to buses: the Betws-Y-Coed to Pen y Pass bus is on route S2, and the bus from Porthmadog is S97. Bangor is the more major station with direct trains from London but requires several buses to get to Celyn.
Taxi- we recommend you google the latest companies as these often change.