Originally built in the late 1800s as a Welsh long house, Brynhyfryd has been extensively upgraded and modernised whilst still retaining many of the original features.
The house has six bedrooms, three bathrooms, utility with WC, two kitchens, three living rooms and a conservatory. The property is set in approximately a third of an acre of gardens but is surrounded by unspoilt fields which lead down to the coast.
Nearly every room benefits from spectacular views over the mouth of the Dyfi Estuary and, whilst the house is perfectly secluded, it's only a fifteen-minute walk into Aberdyfi and a five-minute walk from the nearest beach.
Brynhyfryd sits high on the hillside above Aberdyfi, with the Dyfi Estuary opening out below and Cardigan Bay beyond. The Wales Coast Path runs along the estuary edge a few minutes' walk down the lane.
The village itself — pubs, shops, the railway station — is a fifteen-minute walk down the hill. The nearest beach is closer still.
The main house and Cottage share a footprint but each has its own character. The main living room has the larger wood-burner and the estuary view; the Cottage, with a smaller wood burner has a quieter sitting room and a second kitchen, useful when staying as a larger group.
A conservatory off the main kitchen catches the morning light. The garden, a third of an acre, is enclosed for children and dogs.
Aberdyfi sits at the south western edge of Snowdonia. Within an hour you can be on a Cambrian mountain ridge, in a slate town, on an estuary bird reserve, or browsing Machynlleth's Wednesday market.
For longer days out: the railway runs along the coast both ways from Aberdyfi station, opening up much of west Wales without the car.
Wifi, sheep, security, codes
02Beds, doors, bins, the gate
03Network, code, instructions
04Nest, stoves, water, electrics
05Friday collection from Tan-Y-Foel
06Tywyn, Machynlleth, Aberdyfi
07Tywyn, Bronglais, pharmacy
08Local cab numbers, neighbours
09Washing machine, drying racks, line
Brynhyfryd1890Brynhyfryd1890.Heating and hot water are controlled from the Tado thermostat located in the Cottage kitchen at the bottom of the stairs. Hot water is set to come on in the very early morning and late afternoon. If you need additional hot water then you can boost it from the thermostat. In order for the hot water to come on, the heating has to be on with the temperature set higher than the room temperature.
If you want wood for the stoves, the wood store is in the garage and kindling should be in blue Ikea bags. Open vents before trying to light the fire.
If you use the stoves a lot, please try to clear out the ash before you leave (if you can work it out!).
The fuse box is in the entrance hall behind the coat hooks.
If any of the lights aren't working, it's likely that a fuse has tripped.
Drainage all goes to a septic tank. Don't put anything down the loo other than loo paper. There are little purple bags in all the bathrooms in the main house for anything that can't go down the loo.
Don't use biological washing powder/liquid or any loo cleaner other than Ecover or something similar.
Back to topRubbish is collected on a Friday morning so needs to go out on a Thursday evening. Collection is made from the bottom of Tan-Y-Foel where it meets the main road. General rubbish goes in the green wheelie bins and recycling goes into the blue plastic recycling boxes. Each recycling box can only have one sort of rubbish (glass / cans / cardboard etc.).
Back to topThe nearest supermarkets are Coop in Tywyn and Machynlleth. Tywyn is closest.
In Aberdyfi itself there is a very small supermarket / local store, a butcher, pharmacy and post office — all on or just off the main street.
Back to topThe nearest doctor / medical centre is Tywyn Hospital, about 6 miles away, open during working hours. It includes a minor injuries unit. Tywyn Hospital information (note: walk-in patients have at times been suspended).
Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth is the nearest large hospital (29 miles).
There's a pharmacy in Aberdyfi on the main street: 01654 767227.
Basic first aid / medicines are in the cupboard in the main bathroom in the main house.
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Gareth Ward's Michelin-starred tasting menu — a theatrical, multi-course evening with a disco ball, loud music and front-row kitchen seats. Book well ahead and treat it as the trip's centrepiece.
Waterside village pub at the eastern end of Aberdyfi — pub classics, local seafood and a sun-trap terrace looking out over the estuary. Dog-friendly, easy and reliable for lunch or supper.
Restaurant with rooms looking out over the Dyfi estuary. Seasonal Welsh cooking, fresh fish from the deli, and a quiet, considered atmosphere — the smarter sit-down dinner in the village.
Welsh produce served with informality — deli counter and coffee by day, full restaurant by night. Dog-friendly and usually busy, so book ahead for evenings.
A neighbourhood bistro in the heart of Machynlleth — tight, well-judged menu, attentive service. A nice combine with a wander round the town if you're heading that way.
Community-run village pub serving hearty classics and seasonal specials with local ingredients. Beer garden by the river, proper Sunday lunch, friendly room.
Small, ambitious kitchen doing precise seasonal cooking with locally sourced ingredients. The menu shifts often — a good shout for a thoughtful evening that isn't a trek to Ynyshir.
Family-run kitchen with a focus on Cardigan Bay seafood and Welsh produce. Relaxed, dog-friendly, easy to like — book a table on the way back from a beach walk.
The proper chippy on Tywyn High Street. Eat in or take it down to the seafront — exactly what you want after a cold morning on the beach.
The postcode of the house is LL35 0SN but if you put this into the satnav it will direct you to the Outward Bound centre below the house. Use the postcode LL35 0SL instead: at the very end of the journey it will take you off the coast road (A493) up a hill road called Tan-Y-Foel. Go up this road for about 150–200m and there's a sharp left turn onto a private road.
This map link takes you to the left turn:
https://goo.gl/maps/rUv1VAR2H5BPnTFp9
Brynhyfryd is at the end of this road, after a stony track.
