A stunning Welsh farmhouse with a hot tub, mountain views and a steam train running through the garden. That's right, we said a steam train running through the garden.
What right-minded person could spend even a fleeting moment in this truly wonderful house without falling in head over heels in love.
Rhiwgoch is a solid, handsome, stone-and-slate Welsh farmhouse which has been recently - and beautifully - renovated. It has a hot tub, mountain views and a steam train running through the garden. More on that in a mo.
Four bedrooms, including one double on the ground floor, make it a roomy Eryri (Snowdonia) cottage stay, ideal for a family or group of friends. It is bright, exceptionally well presented, and wears its style with a discrete but knowing confidence. This is a house that has ‘made it', and will make you feel like you have made it too. It sleeps up to seven guests.
You'll find it in the most idyllic rural setting. Cradled by Eryri mountain landscapes, long views take in beautiful peaks and hills as they roll down to the Irish Sea. Porthmadog is a short drive away. You're close to Portmeirion, Beddgelert, Criccieth and Harlech too. A wonderful part of North Wales.
But let's get back to the accommodation. This is an eighteenth-century home which has been lovingly restored by someone who really knows their stuff. Light oak beams and curved window frames add warmth, character and texture. A generous amount of attention has been paid to detail.
A large farmhouse kitchen is exceptionally well equipped with everything you could possibly need to cook up the most hearty of holiday feasts. We love the red clay floor tiles and slate window ledge, and the colossal oak beam that sits over the inglenook range. There is plenty of storage space in attractive oak cupboards.
You'll find a breakfast table in the kitchen, with a more formal dining table - which accommodates up to eight guests - in the beautiful timber framed conservatory next door. This is a real wow factor room with big landscape views. It's also where you can sit and watch the Ffestiniog steam train as it chuffs its way between Porthmadog and Blaenau. The line runs right through the bottom of your garden.
Also downstairs you'll find a large sitting room - a beautifully furnished bright room with supremely comfortable sofas and a big easy chair (you might want to claim this for yourself, early on). There a wood burning stove in here, and lovely views from the windows. It's the perfect place to put your feet up and relax. Sliding doors take you back into the conservatory and dining room.
At the opposite end of the ground floor, there is a very decent sized double bedroom with a separate shower room and toilet - ideal if you have anyone in your party who finds the stairs bit of a chore. Because the bedroom is down the corridor from the main living area, it's quite private and quiet too.
Upstairs there are three more bedrooms: one double, one twin and a single with the option of an extra pull out bed. Again, all the fabrics and furnishings are really beautiful up here, everything is high quality, tasteful and new. There is another good size bathroom upstairs with a nice bath to relax in!
The house is set in large gardens which blend into the big landscapes beyond. There is a terrace for al fresco drinks and dining, and further seating with a small stove for toasting marshmallows and the rest on the lawn. There is a private hot tub here too, with the most stunning 360-views. An idyllic place to enjoy a sundowner or two.
