An elegant, Edwardian, seven-bedroomed house, split into two self-contained flats, with a connecting stair/door that can be opened up to create one big self-catering house. The house has been tastefully done up, with stripped floors and rugs downstairs, beautiful furnishings, many period pieces and fine paintings. You’ll find Spode kitchenware in the two kitchens, a dining room that seats 14 comfortably, and all mod cons.
But the location is the piece de resistance – one of the most stunning in the UK, with a view that takes your breath away. The house looks out west over Cardigan Bay and the Lleyn Peninsular mountains, with views of the whole Snowdonian range and, on a clear day, even St David's Head in South Wales.
Llys Tanwg is ideal for a big group that likes to keep busy. Not only are there wonderful walks and climbs very close by, but there’s also a very fine golf course a mile down the road. There’s a huge games cabin in the gardens, almost big enough to live in. And, best of all, you have your own access to the beach, five minutes down (and ten minutes up!) a footpath. This beach is paradise for children, and is billed as the best windsurfing/kiteboarding beach in the UK.
Llys Tanwg was bought by the present owner's father, the "Red" Dean of Canterbury in the 1930s, and it now contains various pieces of furniture, pictures and ornaments that he collected during his extensive travels.
Recently the house has been beautifully restored throughout, including brand new fully-fitted kitchens and bathrooms. From the ten-foot bay window in the living room, you can see out across Tremadog Bay, while below, four miles of sandy beach stretch out from the foot of the cliff.
The house has seven bedrooms: two doubles, four twins and one single. If you need room for a few more guests there are also two double sofa-beds, two spare single folding mattresses for the floor, and a cot.
One of the largest and possibly the most beautiful room in the house is the big double room on the ground floor. It is painted a beautiful earthy red, and there is a very unusual 4-metre long West African artwork hanging above the wooden king-sized bed. The main window overlooks the sea, and a charming alcove window overlooks the garden, Harlech and the mountains. Stripped boards, antique rugs and furniture complete the atmosphere.
There are TV, DVD, CD and VHS players in both flats. There are also lots of books to read, as well as puzzles and games.
Oil-fired combi boilers provide an unlimited hot water supply. Each flat has a washer/dryer and the kitchens are modern and fully-equipped. There are two open fires (the bedrooms also have fireplaces but these are not for use). There is sound insulation between floors, which gives the house a reassuring sense of peace.
Children can spend a large part of their time completely separate from guests in the main house! A huge (30 square metre) heated log cabin in the gardens has table tennis, table football, pool table and other games. It’s a light and airy space, with lots of floor cushions and chalkboards, where they can play to their hearts’ content. Outside, the gardens are large, with woods and lawns, outdoor seating and tables. There’s easy access to the beach from here, down a zig-zagging footpath.
Guests staying longer than a week would have maid service and clean laundry at the end of the first week.
The manager of the house can put you in touch with local caterers. Please phone or e-mail for the list on info@llys-tanwg.co.uk
Sorry, no pets allowed.
On the edge of Llanfair village, down its own track. Both the house and gardens feel very private. The nearest pubs/shops/restaurants are in Harlech (1 mile) and Llanbedr (2 miles).
Airport: Manchester (1.5 hours)
Station: Llandanwg (less than a mile)
Harlech Beach is five minutes down the path. It is ideal for children, with rock pools, dunes, and an enormous sandy beach. It is a great swimming beach, in the owner’s experience safe even in storms when the waves are really big.
Behind the house on foot, you are soon in the hills where there are a host of beautiful and isolated spots for walking and swimming, and the mountain range of the Rhinogs where ravens and falcons fly and herds of wild goats can still be seen.
Harlech is one mile to the north, where you’ll find a 13th century castle, shops, restaurants, and a public swimming pool etc.
A short car ride away, you’ll find literally hundreds of astonishingly beautiful places to enjoy nature, from very difficult rock-climbing to wonderful hikes, lakes and rivers and picnic places.
Also within a short journey you can visit historic monuments, castles, prehistoric and religious sites, ride on the famous narrow-gauge Ffestiniog steam railway, go horse-riding or white-water rafting and explore slate caverns.
The nearest golf course is at the foot of Harlech Castle. “It is no exaggeration to say that Royal St David’s is one of the finest courses in the world,” said Bernard Gallacher, Ryder Cup Captain.
One week from £650 - £2,675.
Short breaks low season: £300