Welcome to our cosy self-contained studio nestled in the heart of Snowdonia. Our retreat offers a special, perfect escape into nature. With picturesque circular walks, you can explore the surrounding rivers, mountains, and forests providing breathtaking views. Surrounded by trees, unwind and stargaze in the Dark Sky Reserve.
Remote but the centre of everything with Snowdon from only 35 minutes. Come and experience the best of Snowdonia at our delightful, remote wilderness.
The space
Situated at the head of the Lledr Valley's salmon river, forest and mountains adjacent to Dolwyddelan Castle and Llewelyn the Great's homeland,
Hafod Gwenllian's origins are farming and more recently an MOD training centre! Now transformed into a unique nature-based retreat called 'Snowdonia Hub'.
This studio sleeps up to 4 people, is self-contained and accessed by a separate staircase featuring four handmade wooden beds dressed with Hotel quality linen, hypo-allergenic duvets and pillows. Julie and Chris never sub-contract the cleaning so expect the antibac freshness to come from plant based soaps, the cotton linen washed in mountain water and air-dried when weather allows. Welsh wool throws and 10.5 Tog hollowfibre duvets (upgraded to 15 Tog for winter) ensure a comfortable night's sleep listening to the sound of the river or perhaps a local owl or two!
Many guests are 6ft 1in plus (185cm +) but talk to us when booking and we can answer any questions to make sure you are comfortable.
We've a well equipped kitchen with fridge and freezer compartment, cooker, microwave, pots, pans, cutlery, mugs and plates.
Small supermarkets are nearby and you can organise food delivery (Coop and Morrisons + others) ahead of your arrival. Local Butchers and Organic Veg/Health shops very close which is our preferred choice.
We stock the shower room with fluffy white hotel grade cotton towels, 'Faith in Nature' hand wash, shower gel, shampoo, and conditioners.
A fold-away table and chairs and bluetooth sound system add to the relaxation and readiness for the next outdoor adventure.
We are a Four Season resort with the outdoors an obvious choice for guests. We can provides bench umbrellas, a fire-pit (wood/charcoal available for purchase), or BBQ. The retreat is home to a variety of wildlife, including woodpeckers, buzzards, goshawks, jays, chaffinches, frogs, toads, bats, butterflies, lichen, wildflowers, and the occasional tiny lizards. The retreat also prides itself on its sustainability, with all surfaces cleaned using anti-bac natural products that are left to act before wiping.
Guests immerse themselves in a spectacular, healthy environment, wander the grounds and river, rest, talk and plan for a great time. The water supply is direct from the mountain river and UV-treated without chemicals, drinkable and super soft. Electricity is sourced from sustainable energy companies, and the retreat is always working towards future changes.
We reuse and refill, encourage the use of our soaps and washes, all made from ethical, natural cleaning products, and recycling is also actively promoted in fact, we do it for you!
Guest access
The property is at the end of a 300m lane off the A470, between Dolwyddelan and Blaenau Ffestiniog. Head up into the trees opposite the turn off for Roman Bridge Railway station signposted Hafod Gwenllian.
Park up in our spacious parking area where we'll greet and help with your luggage to the studio.
Access is via a stone staircase at the front. If arriving in the dark please bring a torch. Hafod Gwenllian is within the Snowdonia Dark Sky Reserve and we do our bit to reduce lighting to protect Bats, Moths and Amphibians all in danger from light pollution.
Other things to note
Just a quick 'heads up', the studio has some charming eaves and beams which add to the character, but if you're 6ft 1in and over or planning on staying with taller friends, feel free to send us a message to make sure you'll be comfortable before booking.
We're nestled in a beautiful mountainous area 800ft above sea level and some of the terrain can be steep, with extra steps leading up to the studio. If you have any concerns about mobility, let us know and we'll do our best to give you all the information you need.
As a hosted venue, we're happy to answer questions or provide ideas, please don't hesitate to reach out if there's anything we can assist you with.
This Studio is set in a 4 acre resort also containing a Lodge for small groups and the owners who are Chris & Julie. There are independent areas for each as well as common grounds. We are not a party venue, please enjoy your stay respecting the environment, nature and fellow guests.
