Welcome to Bryn Derw
Overview
A little bit about the cottage
Bryn Derw is a remote cottage in Rhiwddolion, Eryri (Snowdonia). It’s three or four miles from the main road out of Betws-y-Coed, high up in a wonderful open valley. Bought by our dad in 1959, Bryn Derw is still visited regularly by his friends, children and grandchildren.
The cottage gets the sun (when it appears) throughout the day. It’s cosy and rustic, best described as a bothyplus, and a great place for escaping from busy lives. It’s also the ideal base from which to explore the history and culture of Gogledd Cymru, as well as the many outdoor pursuits Eryri has to offer.
It is possible to reach the cottage by car, but it’s worth noting that the last half mile or so is on an old, fairly bumpy, narrow track. Generally (at least for the first night), most visitors park their vehicles on the forestry track and walk up the valley to the cottage, which takes about fifteen minutes.
Just a general point: the cottage has low beams and doorways, so do remember to duck!
Please read the deep-dive details here – just to make sure the cottage is for you…
A little bit about the ‘forgotten village’
Rhiwddolion is a secluded upland hamlet nestled at the head of the valley above Betws-y-Coed. Once home to a small slate quarry and its working community, the area has a deeper history: long before industry arrived, Rhiwddolion lay on the route of Sarn Helen, the Roman road linking Merioneth and the Conwy Valley, named after the mother of Emperor Constantine. By the early 20th century, the mines and quarries had closed down in Rhiwddolion and the miners moved to find work. Their cottages and chapel (which was also the school) lay abandoned for many years, and Rhiwddolion became known as the “forgotten village”. There are now five inhabited cottages, with the ruins of others still clearly visible. Three of these cottages now belong to the Landmark Trust. Ours and one other are privately owned.
A little bit about the wider area
Eryri and Gogledd Cymru are simply epic, with a wealth of things to do right on the doorstep. Whether you want to walk, climb, bike, swim, throw yourself down a terrifying zip wire or simply sit and read all day long – in front of the log burner during winter or in the sun roomin the summer months – Bryn Derw is the perfect place to unwind and recharge.