Hafod Cottage

Hafod is a large stone cottage in the heart of the Snowdonia National Park. It is nestled in 30 acres of privately owned woodland in the hills above the village of Maentwrog. The woodland is a mixture of ancient oak (including sites of scientific interest), pasture and young broad leaved trees. It is surrounded by hundreds of acres of managed forestry and protected woodland. There are superb walks from the front door, along a network of paths and tracks which take you through woodland, hills and lakes. It is an excellent area for walking, bird watching, mountain bike riding and swimming.

ACCESS: Hafod cottage is two-thirds of a mile from the road along a private track, in a highly scenic and secluded position. The track is steep, rough and narrow in places. While passable to all normal cars (not low slung sports models) it may not suit unconfident drivers. It is not suitable for vehicles wider/longer than a standard transit van.

Hafod cottage		Living room
Dining area		Bedroom

The cottage has been sympathetically renovated and furnished. It has wooden and slate floors throughout, and a wood burning stove in the main living area. It is surrounded by a large area of private garden with a table and benches for eating outside.

Hafod cottage is powered by mains electricity and electricity generated by wind and solar. A wind generator and photo-voltaic cells charge batteries which power 12 volt DC high, efficiency lights and small appliances. It is energy efficient: the roof, walls and floors are well insulated, and the windows double glazed, making it easy to heat and cosy in the winter. Mains electricity provides power for items which are difficult to power by alternative means, such as a larder fridge with icebox, washing machine and immersion heater for domestic hot water.

Please note: there are steps down to the cottage, please contact us to discuss suitability if you have any concerns.

WOODLAND PASTURE scheme with cows grazing our 30 acres of land. The garden around the cottage is fenced to keep the cows out. It is important to keep the gates closed. You may meet the cows on the track. The hope is to create a more diverse habitat for wildlife at Hafod.

Accommodation:
Ground floor	Large living room with sofa and armchairs. Electric heater. Woodburning stove (heats radiators) Kitchen well equiped area with propane gas cooker (4 rings, grill, oven), larder fridge with icebox. Dining area with large wooden table and chairs to seat six. Bedroom 1 with single bed and door to garden with single duvet and pillows Large bathroom with shower, handbasin, WC.
First floor	Bedroom 2 with double bed with double duvet and pillows Bedroom 3 with small double bed and single bed with double and single duvet and pillows We provide: Duvets and pillows are provided without bedlinen (supplied at extra charge). We do not provide towels. Washing machine, electric heater, stair gate, iron, ironing board, radio/CD player, books and CD's provided. Gas and limited supply of fire wood is included in the tariff. Electricity is charged at 30p per unit Two well behaved dogs are welcome.   Path and steps down to Hafod cottage Hafod cottage table and garden Walk from cottage to Plas Halt station
	"We have spent many happy family holidays at Hafod cottage – at different times of the year. The cottage being situated in its own woods, away from the beaten track, enables us to truly get away from it all. The sound of the Ffestiniog Railway trundling past in the distance is sometimes the only sound of the outside world. A five minute walk to Plas Halt, where you can hail the train, enables us to travel further afield to Porthmadog or up to Ffestiniog.  The woods around the cottage provided a very safe environment for our young children to go and explore on their own, to build dens and camp out, enjoying old-fashioned freedom.  They have such happy memories of holidays at Hafod.  There are many lovely walks (or bike rides!) from the door.  Each season brings something different: swimming in the lake in the woods to cool down in summer, walking through bluebells in May, enjoying the autumn foliage on the ancient trees later in the year.  We have returned many times over the years and the excitement of driving up the forest tracks and getting the first glimpse of the cottage, with a whisp of smoke from the chimney, never fails to excite! The cottage itself is well equipped.  Comfortable beds, a shower room and good kitchen facilities, a washing machine and fridge with small freezer mean that family life is easy at the cottage. The wood burning stove is the heart of the cottage and coming home from a long walk to a roaring fire, a hot shower and hot chocolate is an enduring memory! It is good to get away from having a TV and a telephone.  We read, sew, do craft things, play games and talk. We eat outside when we can – barbecue sometimes - and enjoy the tranquillity. If you want somewhere to truly relax and escape from the hurly burly of modern life, Hafod is the place for you." Heather Duffin