This is Under the Thatch at its very best: a rare cottage where the interior is every bit as extraordinary as the setting – which is saying something given the astonishing views.
The Times described the journey here as “a bit of a slog to get to”, but the reward as “the jolliest of secluded stays”, with wild views across the estuary to Portmeirion and Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon). – The Times, Cosy Cottages for Autumn (2026).
The Guardian also picked this beautiful home as one of its Great Cottages for Autumn (2026), praising its secluded mountain setting and the temptation to “arrive fully supplied and squirrel yourselves away, soaking up the views”.
Cae'n y Bwlch Isaf is a wonderfully individual mountain retreat, tucked away above Talsarnau. Owned by an architect and a ceramicist, the cottage has been imaginatively restored, with wonky walls, colourful wood panelling, bold patterns and a beautifully curated interior.
There are three comfortable bedrooms, two bathrooms and extraordinary views across the Afon Dwyryd estuary. With wonderful walks straight from the door, including the remarkable ring cairn at Bryn Cader Faner, this is a place to arrive, settle in and slow down.
Note the house is retained for private use by the family during the winter months.
Features
Accessibility
- Ground floor bedroom
Bathroom Features
- Bath
Comfort Rating
- ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Family Friendly
- Young children welcome
- Washing machine
- High chair
- Travel cot
Heating
- Open fire / woodburner
Location
- Farm or rural location
- Coastal location - within 5 miles of the sea
- Secluded location
Media & Technology
- Smart TV
Bed Layout
- Double bed
- Kingsize bed
- Kingsize bed
In Detail
Reasonable Wi-Fi throughout, with underfloor heating on the ground floor. There is a woodburner in the parlour, a large open fire in the living room and some supplementary electric radiators.
Ground floor
Parlour: the heart of the home thanks to its central position, with a woodburner.
Study: a desk to work at, and the strongest Wi-Fi signal in the house.
Kitchen: range cooker, small dishwasher and fridge-freezer.
Boot room: microwave, ironing board, washing machine, tumble dryer and drying rack.
Largest bedroom: king-size bed with direct access out to the garden. Please note there are no toilets on the ground floor.
First floor
Living / dining room: a large open fire and spectacular views across the estuary. Large TV (connects to Wi-Fi) kept in a cupboard.
King-size bedroom
Double bedroom
Bathroom 1: bath, WC and washbasin.
Bathroom 2: bath, WC and washbasin.
Outside
Simple gardens, mostly left to grass, with dining furniture and benches. A hot outdoor shower, and ample parking for several cars.
Good to know
- Check in at : 16:00
- Check out by: 10:00
- Up to 6
- 7 nights from £947 (based on 2 staying)
- Pets - Welcome (maximum: 1 dog)
- Location
- Talsarnau, Eryri / Snowdonia National Park, North Wales
- Nearby
- You are ideally placed for exploring the mountains and coast of Eryri, with castles, beaches, steam ... Read more
- Infants - Welcome + Cot & high chair available
- Children - Welcome
- This property is accessed via a steep, narrow tarmac public road and then approximately half a mile of track which goes through three closed gates and a farmyard - it is a secluded location. Low cars (eg BMWs) may find the track challenging though standard height cars (eg Fords) are fine. We close in winter when we consider the track would be more challenging.
Bed Layout
- Double bed
- Kingsize bed
- Kingsize bed
You are ideally placed for exploring the mountains and coast of Eryri, with castles, beaches, steam railways and Portmeirion all close by.
- Portmeirion Village – Clough Williams-Ellis's Italianate village just across the estuary, which has to be seen to be believed
- Harlech Castle – UNESCO World Heritage Site built by Edward I, later captured by Owain Glyndŵr
- Ffestiniog Railway – original steam trains chugging through the local mountains
- Black Rock Sands – huge sandy beach at Morfa Bychan, about half an hour away
- Borth-y-Gest – pretty little village with pastel-coloured cottages and a good café
- Maritime Museum, Porthmadog – the town's history as a centre for shipping Welsh slate around the world
- Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) – walk or take the train up the highest mountain in Wales
- Criccieth – lovely little seaside town with a clean beach, a Welsh castle and great food at Dylan's
- Plas Brondanw – ancestral home of Clough Williams-Ellis, now an art centre with beautiful topiary gardens and a great café
Reviews
laura P,
2026
We feel like we are now part of an exclusive club of people who have stayed in one of the most beautiful spots in the world. Cae’n Y Bwlch was one of the most special places we have travelled to, the ever changing view included mountains, sea, an estuary and rolling Welsh countryside, breathtaking beauty in all weathers. The house itself is finished to such a high standard with a carefully curated selection of paintings, pottery and fabrics that make the heart sing. The main sitting room has huge windows that overlook the view and a cosy log fire which was wonderful for our October holiday! That said, we had glorious weather and I loved having a hot outside shower to start each day! The surrounding area, Harlech, Portmerion and the whole of the Llyn peninsula was amazing, castles, trains, beaches that stretch for miles, cosy pubs, beautiful shops. We all (2 adults, 3 children aged 6 and below and a dog!) had the best half term. We have recommended to everyone we know, who will appreciate this gem of a cottage. The only tricky part was the drive from the road to the cottage, but we were ok as we have a 4x4 and it made it more of an adventure! Thank you for letting us into the secret of Cae’n Y Bwlch.
April S,
2026
We had the most incredible stay at Cae'n Y Bwlch Isaf. It felt like a little bit of an adventure to get to, but once you're up there.. the pictures do not do the views justice. We arrived to the most perfect golden sunset, and it was quite breathtaking to watch the weather change and sweep across the horizon over our 3 days. I've also never heard silence quite like it! You can barely hear a car at night. It's the perfect place for well needed rest, surrounded by nature. The aesthetic of the cottage is a beautifully curated dream. The red log burner, checkerboard kitchen tiles, old chess sets, green velvet against pink walls. We came prepared with food, books and boardgames to bunker down in stormy weather, and there were so many beautiful spots to get cosy and soak up the views. The design feels really beautifully considered to make the most of your surroundings, the sweeping landscape view with a telescope in the larger sitting room, the original hatch that opens in the ground floor bedroom for views from your bed, and the use of slate in so many elements (we LOVED the large slate sink in the boot room). The (hot!!) outdoor shower is also an absolute must! We would absolutely love to come again some day, and will definitely be using Under the Thatch for future stays. Thanks for having us!
Christina W,
2026
After some very demanding weeks, we were looking for somewhere to relax, unwind and recharge – and we found the perfect place. Cae'n y Bwlch Isaf has it all: a cosy, tastefully decorated interior, a wonderful garden, the mountains right on your doorstep, great beaches nearby, and the VIEWS! We often just sat on one of the benches and soaked up the incredible scenery. We very much hope to come back one day.
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