Henfaes Isaf

About

Featured in The Times/Sunday Times "50 Coolest Cottages in the UK" list for 2018

Visit Wales accredited (4 stars)

Traditional Welsh farmhouse, family owned, beautifully renovated, set in peaceful surroundings. Great walking and mountain biking from your doorstep, plus other activities close by. Ideal for couples and families looking to get away from it all. Detached holiday cottage sleeping 6 in three bedrooms (1 double, 1 single, 1 family room with double and single). Open fire, lounge, fully fitted kitchen, bathroom, dining room, kids playroom, utility area with space to dry boots and walking gear, garage area to store bikes, beautiful large gardens with plenty of seating and barbeque. Free wifi.

Location

Henfaes Isaf is situated in a stunning, peaceful location nestling in the lee of Moel Henfaes in the Berwyn Mountains, just outside the village of Cynwyd in the Upper Dee Valley.  The cottage is surrounded by fields and is exceptionally tranquil, attracting a wide variety of birds.

The Cottage

Henfaes Isaf was bought by the present owner’s family in 1961, and has been sympathetically renovated with many original features still intact, such as beamed ceilings, an oak-panelled wall, and inglenook fireplace and bread oven.  The former barn has been converted to provide a beautiful dining room and family bedroom upstairs, and the stable hayloft is now a children’s playroom. There are many items of antique furniture, and also many unique pieces handcrafted by the previous generation of owners, such as a large Welsh dresser and grandfather clock. The cottage was refurbished in 2016, with a new bathroom and wonderful country style kitchen, again with handcrafted units.

Amenities

Basic supplies can be purchased at the Post Office in Cynwyd, but for a bigger range of shops, the town of Corwen is just under ten minutes drive away (2.9 miles). There are a number of smaller shops here, plus an Indian restaurant and takeaway. 

The village of Llandrillo is three miles away, and boasts a Michelin- starred restaurant – Tyddyn Llan, plus a highly recommended restaurant (the Berwyn) and a pub offering traditional ales and home-cooked food.

Walks and Activities

Henfaes Isaf lies just off the Tegid Way footpath, which is just one of many excellent walks that can be taken from the door of the cottage.  This footpath goes all the way to Llyn Tegid (Lake Bala), although you may not want to walk all sixteen miles in one day! The lake at Bala offers watersports and a small pebbly beach, great for children.

A wonderful circular day walk is to the Wayfarer’s Memorial, then to the top of Cadair Bronwen, with views across the whole Berwyn range, then home via Ty Uchaf, an ancient stone circle with amazing views of the Dee Valley.There are also many short circular walks which can be taken from the front door of the cottage via the footpath network over the adjacent fields. Maps are available to borrow.

For mountain bikers, there is a circular route from the cottage gate via the Wayfarer Memorial.  

Corwen is also the starting point for the Llangollen steam railway, which is great fun for all the family. The scenic route takes you along the Dee valley to Llangollen. The railway holds numerous events throughout the year, such as Santa Specials, Days Out with Thomas, the Real Ale Train and the Steam Gala.