Surrounded by acre of mature landscaped gardens on the edge of the village of Rowen, just inside the Snowdonia National Park, Tir y Coed is situated four miles from the World Heritage town of Conwy. Conceived and built as a gentleman’s country retreat, the house retains that timeless, peaceful aura; it enjoys far reaching views of Rowen, the most picturesque village in the Conwy Valley, extending to the magnificent wilderness that is the Carneddau mountains beyond.
Your hosts here are Chris Oakland and Sandra Baddeley, whose career in London was as a food stylist and recipe author. These days she concentrates on maintaining a quiet and soothing atmosphere at Tir y Coed. There are plenty of Ordnance Survey maps available and Chris and Sandra will be happy to advise on the best local walks, including the most popular and the shortest: the five-minute stroll to the village pub.
All of the bedrooms are en-suite and none are overlooked: leave your curtains open and only the occasional squirrel will ever be the wiser. They are all fitted with large comfortable beds, luxurious feather and down duvets and fluffy white towels. Most beds are super king and can be configured as twins if required. They are all individually furnished to the very highest standards, with interiors designed to soothe and pamper, blending period elements with the latest modern comforts. All rooms have TVs and there is, of course, superfast wifi throughout.
You're not confined to your bedroom here. There's a sunlit bar that leads onto a glorious balcony overlooking the gardens and mountains; a perfect place for a Pimms whilst taking in the magnificent views. The garden is landscaped with a large variety of mature trees and there are plenty of sheltered places to relax in fine weather.
Socially bubble around the dining table with your friends or family and plan your next days’ adventures or treat yourself to a drink, and find a comfortable chair in a quiet spot in the drawing room with wood burning stove or balcony and listen to the birds and watch the sun dip below the mountains …. there is plenty of space to spread out.
On our doorstep, in the mountains above the village lies a section of the Roman road that connected Chester with Caernafon. Venture up there and spot the Carneddau wild horses, a unique breed that have been isolated here for over 700 years. There are pilgrim trails and historic routes built by Roman legionaries in the years of occupation and a beautiful but isolated church to explore along the way. There are numerous very good walks from the village, and many more starting within a few miles.
The imposing Conwy Castle guards the North Wales coast, a stunning medieval fortification with glorious views over the harbour and Conwy's narrow streets. It is at the heart of a string of beaches on a gloriously unspoiled coastline, RSPB bird sanctuaries, dolphins, puffin and seal sightings are all possible from here and Bodnant House with it’s beautiful Grade 1 listed gardens and renowned Laburnum arch is just four miles away.
North Wales is a great place to experience world class outdoor adventures. Surf Snowdonia, one of the world’s largest artificial surfing lagoons is on our doorstep. Adrenaline junkies love Zip World, which offers treetop obstacle courses using zip and high wires, mountain carting, giant underground trampolines, and 100 mph zip wires. Overcome those challenges and you’re ready for climbing, canyoning, gorge walking and abseiling, all of which are available nearby. Cyclists of all persuasions love the range of options available – mountain bikers can choose from miles of tranquil forest trails and some serious downhill, whilst roadies have miles of scenic, quiet roads and the challenge of the hills and mountains we are surrounded by. We have secure bike storage, route maps, cleaning facilities and track pumps available, and there are good bike shops nearby if you need spares.
No hustle and bustle, it is just you and your family or friends. Just make yourself at home and enjoy watching the wildlife, drink in the beauty of the sun setting behind the mountains with the birds providing the soundtrack.