Three bedrooms: 1 x king-size with balcony, TV, and en-suite walk-in shower, basin, and WC, 1 x family room with king-size and single, with TV and en-suite walk-in shower, basin, and WC, 1 x ground-floor king-size. Ground-floor bathroom with bath, basin, and WC. Open plan living area with kitchen, dining area and sitting area with woodburning stove. Utility
The pretty village of Llanbedr quietly nestles in ancient woodland between The Rhinogs, part of the Snowdonia Mountains, and the stunning golden beaches of the North Wales coastline. Situated next to the beautiful River Artro, and boasting a mild climate due to its unusual positioning behind the high dunes of a nature reserve, this charming village has an exciting array of wildlife and birds, handy local shops, bike hire and mountain walks on your doorstep, as well as two excellent pubs. The small town of Harlech is just 3 miles away and boasts the World Heritage Site of Harlech Castle, a majestic 13th century stronghold, the most impressive of all those built in North Wales by Edward I. Popular with golfers due to its famous Royal St. David’s course, Harlech also boasts an excellent variety of amenities including some good quality restaurants and the most magnificent six-mile long sandy beach, perfect for wonderful walks and family fun. Nearby Barmouth offers the amazing Panorama Walk along the beautiful Mawddach Estuary, providing breathtaking vistas, which were described by John Ruskin as “the most sublime view in Europe” and also a harbour from which you can catch a ferry to Fairbourne for a ride on the miniature railway, or a boat trip out to sea to try mackerel fishing. With the delights of Snowdonia National Park and beautiful Cardigan Bay to discover, this is a fantastic holiday location at any time of the year.
Snowdonia National Park, now officially known as Eryri, has a rich diversity of habitats including mountains and hills, rocky crags, upland bog, ancient forests, coastal dunes, and river valleys making it a paradise for bird watchers.
Managed by the RSPB, Coed Garth Gell in the Mawddach Valley is small nature reserve that is home to a good variety of woodland birds. In spring look out for lesser-spotted woodpeckers and hawfinches, while nightjars can be heard ‘churriing’ on still summer evenings.
Nearby Arthog Bog, also managed by the RSPB, is a wetland reserve that’s crammed full of wildlife. Bird species that can be found at the reserve include cuckoos, siskins, and reed buntings.
Another extensive woodland area is Coedydd Maentwrog National Nature Reserve, the remains of a vast Celtic rainforest that once extended down the west of Britain and Ireland. With plenty of walking trails, it’s a beautiful space to spend the day searching for redstarts, pied flycatchers, and wood warblers hiding amongst the oaks.
To the north of the park is Cors Bodgynydd reserve, home to numerous birds of prey including red kites, peregrine falcons, and buzzards. There are plenty of mammals to look out for too; badgers, otters, and foxes all call the reserve home.
Head to Morfa Harlech by the coast to visit one of the few sand dune systems in Wales, which supports a range of rare wildflowers, and where ringed plovers come to nest in the late spring. Skylarks and stonechats also breed on the reserve, while wading birds such as redshanks, oystercatchers, and dunlins come to feed at the shoreline.
If you want to hone your bird watching skills, Rhyd Y Creuau Field Centre set in the heart of the Snowdonia National Park offers a variety of one day and residential natural history courses.
