Felin Idris |
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- Sleeps 8 in 2 double bedrooms and 4 berth bunk bedroom
- Incredible mountain views
- 5-star luxury
- Beautiful private riverside location
- Great walks straight from the door
- Dog and baby friendly
- Very eco friendly
The position of this beautifully converted water mill in a mountain valley below Cader Idris in southern Snowdonia has to be seen to be truly believed. The mill itself is extremely special: stylish, contemporary 5-star comfort, with inspiring views and a peaceful, restorative atmosphere. From inside, generous windows give you snapshots of dramatic views up and down the Dysynni Valley, while the private position and enclosed garden makes sitting out in this landscape a heavenly luxury – whether on loungers down on the grass by the clear river, or up on the sunny patio. Felin Idris sleeps 2 to 8 in two double bedrooms and a 4-bunk bedroom, plus up to 2 good dogs and an infant.
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The water mill has recently been converted in a sensitive and ecologically committed way. Authentic techniques and local materials – lime mortar, oak, slate – make its carbon footprint negligible, while the green technology is cutting-edge. (The Centre for Alternative Technology is conveniently close.) An air source heat pump heats the house and the water (which comes from a spring), the insulation is as insulating as it’s possible to be, and – to return the building to its roots – a hydro energy scheme is being developed by the owner.
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On the ground floor, the beautiful, comfortable bedrooms (and a bathroom) make the most of the hypnotic sound of the river running by. The master bedroom has a door out onto the lower part of the garden, just by the river, so that, on waking, you can go out to inhale the fresh scent of the morning mountain air.
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Upstairs comprises a lovely big open-plan kitchen/dining/living space with huge plump sofas, a fantastic wood burner and a top-of-the-range kitchen. Next to the entrance is a slate-clad wet room with shower, loo and hand basin.
There is underfloor heating, heated towel rails, lovely beds and bedlinen, everything you will need in the kitchen, a top quality music system, and plenty of tourist information.
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A utility room in the basement has all the white goods you will need (including an extra freezer and a tumble dryer), as well as a place to store boots and kit, and a good supply of things you might forget to bring with you – shampoo, toothpaste etc etc. Last but not least, there is a stock of great local foodstuffs in the freezer for you to buy – cuts of meat from the farm, as well as some prize-winning cured products from the owner’s other farm in Monmouthshire.
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Things to do around this holiday cottage in Snowdonia
The garden is spacious, with the beautiful clear mountain river running through it. There are loungers down by the river, and a patio, with fashionable garden seating and a fire-bowl-cum-barbecue. A gate leads you out onto the hills for some great walks, where the views and wildlife are magnificent. As well as being in the Snowdonia National Park, the mill lies within the Cader Idris Site of Special Scientific Interest. The farm is managed so as to encourage wildlife: merlins, buzzards, falcons, wild ducks, herons, hares and otters have all been spotted. Wild flowers thrive, patches of woodland are everywhere, and hedges have been kept intact so as to provide sheltered nesting sites. Felin Idris itself is home to three types of bat, who have specially constructed roosting sites in the roof, where they will neither disturb you nor be disturbed by you. The owner can arrange guided nature walks or personalised itineraries for those who would like to explore this magnificent countryside.
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Apart from walking and enjoying the immediate countryside, there are many things to do in the area: nearby are the historic market towns of Dolgellau and Machynlleth, and the seaside town of Aberdyfi with its miles of sandy beaches, outdoor activities and yachting. Machynlleth is a bustling market town (market day is a Wednesday) with some great shops, a delicatessen and a museum of modern art www.momawales.org.uk and concert hall Y-tabernacl . Shops in Machynlleth are particularly strong on ecological goods and information, due partly to its proximity to the Centre for Alternative Technology. The centre is well worth a visit, with hands-on information for all ages. There is also a cafe and a great play area. Children will love the water-and-gravity-powered train that takes you up from the car park. See the Local Information page for many ideas on what to do in the area.
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The nitty gritty
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Availability, pricing & how to book
Changeovers are normally Mondays and Fridays (enquire about other days). Weekends are set-priced from Friday 4pm to either Sunday evening or Monday 10.30am; so you can stay 1, 2 or 3 nights for the weekend price. If there are only 2 nights available, this shorter weekend will be priced down accordingly. Move the cursor over a date and prices will appear, and click for a quote - prices shown are for use of the main bedroom. You can book online, or contact us by email and we can do it for you: caroline@blackmountains.biz or telephone 01873 890190.
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Location map
From the visitors book at Felin Idris
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