How to get to the cottage

Take the road for Bala in North Wales. Go through Bala in the direction of Dolgellau (Dol-geth-lye). 6 miles from Bala on the A494 you find the small village of Llanuwchllyn (Clan-ook-clin). Notice the filling station on your right; do not turn left into the village but stay on the A494. A further 1.3 miles from the filling station, just past a lay-by and on a bend in the road you will see a small chapel on your right. Turn left opposite the chapel, across a small metal bridge and onto a single track road. After about a quarter of a mile the road forks. You take the right (across another small wooden bridge) on to a rough track road. At the end of the track you will find Llechwedd Fwyalchen and a magical world.

Click here for a Streetmap view.

Click here for a Google map.

Click here for a Bing map showing the house and old farm sheds.

The farm track that leads up to the house is quite rough and can be quite daunting if you haven't been there before. The secret of getting by is simply to take it very slowly and carefully and you will be okay. Vehicles with very low sides such as sports cars may have more difficulty then standard cars. We have no difficulty with our Volkswagen Polo and as I say the secret is to take it slow and easy. The advantage is that you have absolute peace and quiet as there are no other houses at the end of the track so there are no intrusions.

Get your provisions in Bala as there are no local supermarkets. You can also get a bag of coal or logs in many of the shops. The bathroom is downstairs in the house so bring your dressing gown and slippers! Assume you will need toilet paper, dishwasher tablets, washing powder etc. Put your rubbish in the large wheelie bin situated just after you turn off the A494. There is a good pub in Llanuwchllyn, which serves good standard food. There is a lake and waterfall up the hill at the back of the house which is very secluded, ideal for a little skinny-dipping! Slate floors are difficult to clean – so to avoid heartbreak leave your muddy boots in the conservatory!