Brithgwm Canol

33 Customer Reviews

• "Love love love Brithgwn Canol."

  After a very long journey due to a motorway closure and diversion we arrived a lot later than anticipated. I had already followed the directions on Google Earth so had no problem find the cottage and just going through the second gate on the drive we met the lady who looks after the property - she'd popped back to see if we had arrived and told us she had put the hallway light on for us. The cottage was cosy and welcoming and after a good night's sleep we saw the full beauty of the cottage and surrounding area. We spend most of our week at the cottage, exploring the woods and lanes with our dog. Dolgellau is a short drive away and we also visited Machynlleth and Barmouth and were also lucky enough to see planes flying the Mach Loop. Reading the previous reviews we did take an electric kettle with us and agree that maybe a new mattress in the main bedroom is needed - although we slept extremely well, the mattress is extremely soft. We changed a gas bottle during our stay and there were clear instructions in the welcome folder so to us, this was not a problem. We will definitely be returning to Brithgwn Canol.

  Reviewed by Jayne4.7★Nov 2024

• "Wow, what an amazing location - so nice not to have any neighbours or traffic noise!"

  We had a really peaceful week - the house is comfortable, with an excellent shower & fast wi-fi.

  Reviewed by David4.7★Sep 2024

• "The cottage was in an amazing location and pretty well equipped, however a freezer would of been useful due to its location from the shops."

  An outside light would be helpful or a torch in the cottage , the garden could do with cutting back so it could be used to it's full potential. We loved our stay here and would definitely return in the better weather.

  Reviewed by Julie4.1★Sep 2024

• "I love it there, best location ever and a great shower."

  So glad the owners went this for a holiday let and allow dogs it's heaven. Only could do with a main bed update (bigger than a double would be fab as it's a large room and I am large haha ) I think the septic tank needed emptying because it was a bit whiffy in the downstairs bedroom! But was an amazing holiday with all we needed for two plus dog, hope to be back as long as they are renting it! One of my fave places on earth honestly!

  Reviewed by Kate4.1★Aug 2024

• "We had a really lovely time!"

  ! Such a beautiful location and a great little cottage. Really minor points to note - the sign on the first gate (as mentioned in the instructions on how to get there) is missing, so we did spend a bit of time trying to find a gate that had a Brithgwym sign on. Also, some of the plates had been returned to the cupboards unwashed - so definitely worth checking during the changeover. (I used to have my own holiday cottage cleaning business, so am super-picky!!) But otherwise, we LOVED it and will be back.

  Reviewed by Kate4.1★Aug 2024

• "First and foremost, wow."

  We were absolutely captivated by Brithgwm Canol. It’s clear that a great deal of love and effort has gone into making this off-grid retreat a true paradise. We left with a sense of envy that this is someone’s second home and deep admiration for the skills involved in creating such a secluded and beautiful space. That said, I’d like to offer some constructive feedback on areas where we feel there’s room for improvement to enhance the overall experience: Shower Safety - A non-slip mat in the shower would be a helpful addition to prevent any accidents. Towels - Unfortunately, the towels provided were not as clean as expected, with some of them smelling damp. Improved cleanliness here would make a big difference. Smell of Damp - There was a noticeable damp smell in the property, which detracted from the otherwise cosy atmosphere. Kitchen Roll - It would have been convenient to have some kitchen roll available in the kitchen for general use. Television - The television felt outdated and could benefit from an upgrade to something more modern. Freezer - The lack of freezer capabilities was a bit inconvenient, especially for longer stays. Cleanliness - The overall cleanliness of towels, bedding, and crockery could be improved. We found some of these items were not up to standard. Signage - There was no sign on the first gate, which made finding the property a bit challenging initially. Spice Rack - The spice rack had congealed spices, which should be refreshed regularly. Firewood - We found only five sticks of kindling and no extra logs underneath the cupboard behind the fire, as stated in the information book. We share this feedback with the intention of helping to maintain and even improve the high standards we know Sykes Cottages aims for. Despite these small issues, we had a truly memorable stay, and we appreciate the unique charm of Brithgwm Canol. Thank you for providing such a wonderful getaway, and we hope to return in the future. Best regards, Sam

  Reviewed by Sam3.8★Aug 2024

• "There isn't a sign for the cottage on the 1st gate that you get to just a sign for Llofft Crog."

  Go through that gate and the next gate that you come to has a sign for the cottage. The BBQ doesn't work and we couldn't find a gas bottle for it even if it did work. No access to the sauna and we could find a TV control for us to sign into Netflix. We were not particularly bothered that we couldn't use the sauna, BBQ or TV and it didn't stop us from enjoying the wonderful cottage! The cottage was spotlessly clean, the bed was the most comfortable that we have stayed in, the shower worked really well and lots of hot water and the Internet was super fast! The location is amazing and all you can hear are the sheep and the wind in the trees. The views are stunning. It is an amazing place to enjoy the peace and quiet and relax! We cannot wait to return to this amazing place! Our dog loved the walks from the door through the trees and over the paths. We did not want to leave!! 1 little piece of advice for future visitors is bring some insect spray as there are alot of gnats which you expect around trees and water but again they didn't really bother us. We thoroughly recommend this cottage to anyone seeking total peace and quiet! A truly wonderful place!!!

  Reviewed by Jane4.7★Jul 2024

• "A last minute booking we took the children here (2 and 9 years) for us all to escape our hectic lives and it was just what the doctor ordered."

  The outside space was fantastic, quiet and relaxing. We took the children's bikes and went for bike rides along the lanes and walks around the woods exploring, playing in the streams, they loved it. A real disconnect from societies stresses whilst remaining close to the beach in Fairbourne and amenities, the co-op in Dolgellau was a life saver for items forgotten. We definitely plan on visiting again soon! The one and only criticism we had is you may want to bring an electric kettle as hot water is provided by a stovetop kettle on the gas hob, this does however add to the charm of the place….

  Reviewed by Matthew5.0★May 2024

• "Nice remote little cottage, off the grid, but with all the amenities you need."

  There are some curious sheep wandering around and visiting the property occasionally. There are several nice walks. When we arrived, the first farm gate had no sign for this cottage. So as the Roman Road bends, you need to go straight, through the farm gate in the middle.

  Reviewed by Dmytro5.0★May 2024

• "The cottage is lovely, the setting is lovely and the premise behind the self sustainability is brilliant!"

  I think the listing needs to explain that there could be some aspects of DIY involved during the stay; some people, either elderly or with mobility issues would not make the walk to the top of the hill where the water source is should there be any issues, and some people may not be that way inclined as to take on some of the tasks that may be required (changing water filters, gas bottles etc). We were aware it was a self sustained cottage but wasn’t aware that we may need to fix issues should they arise. We did lose water one night which we sorted, however the water was then murky so help was needed which arrived the next morning. There is a ‘handy man’ available however the note says only available between certain hours. Great facilities in the cottage, plenty of wildlife about and even got a shock when a sheep was stood with its nose pressed against the front door, could hear jets in the Mach loop one morning (which I loved) and a great tit (I think) nesting in one of the windows with its eggs. There is a sauna and instructions on how to use it and the benefits, however it was padlocked shut and we couldn’t find the code for the padlock. Depending on what time of the year you go bug repellent is highly recommended.

  Reviewed by George3.8★May 2024

• "Finding BRITHGWM CANOL."

  wasn't very clear from the given instructions. Do NOT go left at the sharp bend in the road. Instead, go straight ahead, open the metal farm gates {at my visit, there was no house sign to be seen!}, after that, the directions are 'simple pimple'. The cottage was just what me and my dog, Hebog, was looking for. Perfect isolation surrounded by trees and mountains. For a week, the only person I spoke to was the checkout girl at the Eurospar in Dolgellau {just to say Thank you! after buying supplies.} Outside, the area around the cottage could do with a good tidy-up. Inside though, was wonderful. Nicely kitted out kitchen, could've done with a microwave and freezer. Being 'just one man and his dog, frozen stuff is very useful, especially mixed veg, peas, chips etc. The lounge area was really comfortable. Moby signal is zero, although the owners, in the instruction sheets, did offer some advice on how to get a signal, maybe in the summer, eh chaps! There's a tv {no www} but I took my lappy, several downloaded of films and a long HDMI lead to connect into the HDMI port on the tv, fab! Shower ect, were spot on, clean, bright and did all I wanted. Obviously, being solo {+dog!} traveller, I didn't use the bunks, but the main bedroom was a joy to use and the bed wouldn't let me get up in morning! I was lucky with the weather the too, mostly warm and sunny, sometimes cloudy and only rained the night before I left. Oh yes, being early April, I heard Cuckoos! Living near a busy town in Kent, I haven't heard a Cuckoo for many years. Every morning with the fabulous Dawn Chorus, and every evening just before and after sunset. Would I return?..........YES, IN A HEARTBEAT!

  Reviewed by Andrew4.7★Apr 2024

• "We loved to stay in the middle of woods The property was well cleaned and hade ..."

  We loved to stay in the middle of woods The property was well cleaned and hade everything we needed Internet ,tv, shower and heating worked perfectly I have nothing to say We really enjoyed our stay Thank you

  Reviewed by Renata5.0★Oct 2023

• "This is a lovely cosy cottage with everything you need, but the water comes from a stream and is brown."

  This is because of nearby logging and heavy rain, this also made the otherwise good forest track to the cottage very muddy. There are lovely walks from the cottage. The cakes and wine were much appreciated.

  Reviewed by Malcolm3.4★Sep 2023

• "This is a hard review to write because the property really is a hidden gem - with one major flaw."

  Firstly you can see alot of thought and money has gone into the transformation of this old farm building to make your stay comfortable and homely. You really are in the middle of the woods. The biggest let down with this property is the water supply. The supply is taken from water flowing off the mountains - which is fine except the inadequate filtration supply meaning the water is brown and sediment still comes through the system. You would be foolish to drink this water or even cook with it which is annoying considering you are 5 miles ish from the nearest shop. So after arriving at the property and seeing the state of the water we had to get back in the car and go and get bottled water to drink and cook with. The thermostatic shower is also nearly always freezing cold even though there is a lpg boiler to supply heating and hot water. I changed the filter in the filtration system which made no difference what so ever in cleaning up the water. Whilst how the water to the property is supplied is fine it needs a much better filtration system than the tiny and wholly inadequate system that's currently fitted. The only other issue that spoiled things for us during our stay is that currently there is alot of logging going on in the forest meaning lorries chainsaws and heavy equipment noise from early morning until late spoiling the peace and tranquility. Also resulting in the roads to the property being a complete mud bath to drive through. Also the advertised sauna shed was padlocked and no combination supplied to unlock it. They also give you a basket of logs for the fire but no kindling or firelighters - so another trip to the shops! I don't normally write reviews but this property was too disappointing not to.

  Thank you for your feedback, We have asked our property manager to install an improved water filtration system going forward. Kind regards Property Owner

  Reviewed by Shaun3.4★Aug 2023

• "It is really a unique place and it was fun to stay in the middle of the woods, far away from the town."

  A little bit of "back to nature", combined with the necessary comfort. However, during our stay we had always brown water, not usable for cooking or drinking, so we had to buy our own gallons of drinking water. The last two days we had no warm water either. We informed the maintenance guy, a very friendly man, but he couldn't help immediately. There are still a few points than can be improved, but it is amazing what the owner did with the place. (It used to be a house for sheep!...). So, if you're looking for a very quiet, peaceful place with beautiful landscapes and walking routes just around the corner, this is the place. And the town of Dangellau is just a few minutes drive.

  Reviewed by Carl3.1★Jul 2023

• "A wonderful property in a lovely setting, saw lots of different birds around the cottage and a few deer passed by early in the morning."

  The only negative with the property is the sofa isn’t very comfortable. Also due to the property being in a forest where the trees were being felled this did disturb the peace and quiet some of the days as it was close by and they worked quite late on in the evening. Despite this we still have a great holiday, partly due to the warm sunny weather which was nice and also being able to sit outside. I would certainly consider booking this property again as it’s a great place to get away from it all.

  Reviewed by Louise4.7★May 2023

• "I had a weeks wonderful stay at this cottage."

  Previous reviews made me a bit unsure what to expect but I’m so glad I went ahead with the booking. Wi-Fi, TV and water working perfectly and had no issues throughout the week. The welcome basket with goodies was a really nice touch. Also had a bookcase with books, games and walks around the area if you were unsure where to go and explore. Outside was stunning, really off grid with nothing but privacy. My pup Alfie loved being able to run around freely without having to worry about him running off. Even tho, be aware a couple of sheep might turn up but that was only one day out of a week. Was a nice surprise coming downstairs and a sheep was pressing his face against the door window haha. Forest and lovely evening strolls just by the cottage and I even took some nice sunset photos. I genuinely do not have anything bad to say about this place and are pretty certain this cottage will be booked again next year.

  Reviewed by Evelina5.0★May 2023

• "Beautiful location of the property."

  We haven't had any hot water in the bathroom. TV doesn't work and there is no WiFi.

  Reviewed by Ewelina2.5★Dec 2022

• "We asked for remote due to our dog not liking fireworks and we got it."

  We could not find the cottage due to no sign on the first gate we had to ask a local lady. The cottage was very clean and well equipped and warm with the gas central heating. We did not drink the water due to it been brown even our dog would not drink it went and bought bottles of water.dont think the filter in the bathroom had been changed or was working. The woodburner was good and nice and cosy. The sauna needs taking off the details as its got a padlock on so you can't use it.The bedroom had a door to the outside but this had a drop lock and a padlock on the outside a big fire risk if you can't get to the main door and the windows are too small to get out.The owner has said its still a work in progress and when everything is done to 100% will be great place to stay.

  Reviewed by Mark3.8★Nov 2022

• "Absolutely loved the place - comfortable, off grid and peaceful."

  Reviewed by Alex4.4★Jul 2022

• "We chose this accommodation for it's isolation and solitude, and we found it here."

  Just what the Doctor ordered. We particularly liked the 'upside down' configuration of the cottage, as it meant cool bedrooms in the middle of a heatwave. Could not have been better.

  Reviewed by Stephen5.0★Jul 2022

• "Dont bother booking this cottage, Wifi does not work, contacted owner, couldnt help, still not fixed when I left In this cottage Wifi is your TV, radio, and communication Sykes would only say that they would contact owner, so no help there."

  With such a useless answer from Sykes, dont think they are a very good company to do business with

  Reviewed by Phil2.5★Jun 2022

• "This place is not for everyone…."

  .but it is ideal for many. The downside for us No freezer or even a fridge ice box…..we take all our food frozen, side dishes the lot ….we have no interest in, and we are normally too tired and stinky (mountain runners) to bother with eating out and have no wish to visit a supermarket…..after all we are on holiday. This made it difficult this week as we found out last minute after our food had been purchased ready to take with us that there was no freezer. There is space for a freezer which would be more useful than the pointless sauna!! Sleeping arrangements ……well this gets a bit Goldilocks and the three bears……..nothing is great, you take your pick or get creative. The main mattress is a marshmallow disaster. Off grid…….this is all very well done and I would expect no real problems with the set up at this cottage. The generator came on for half an hour late one evening to top up the batteries (service engineers that visited earlier that day had probably drained the batteries testing things)..Bit noisy but brief. There are instructions should anything go wrong, very basic things, easy fixes .. anything more call Andy. The grounds….so looking through the previous reviews I think some context is needed. First the cottage is in a commercial forest with rough but reasonable forest access tracks. If you are precious about your vehicle go somewhere else. You need to lock the gates on entry and exit ( sheep need to stay safe ). At present it is largely clear felled so to many (townies) it may look a bit bleak. But in perspective if the trees were there it would be very dark and gloomy and the mountain views are lovely, not from the cottage. The immediate surrounds would benefit from a bit of a tidy up (there are builders material bags, old car batteries and various untidy bits around .It is a work in progress but how about hiding this stuff away in the unused poly tunnel. Take some pride in your property. It is in a natural (ish) environment so if you prefer smooth concrete and paved areas or flower beds think again. Also if you bring children and are the type of parent that hurry your child away from an over keen sparrow then again maybe it is not for you. The sheep live here and around the cottage .. so maybe your best shoes will not be a good idea either. The generator is not caged away or fenced off and as per the cottage booklet instructions keep the children away, also be warned there is a natural pond down a steep bank by the cottage, unfenced! Some stern warnings to your children may be needed or go elsewhere . • No mobile reception! But who cares you are on holiday. • Wifi intermittent but improvements pending apparently. • TV was not working but again who cares ,take a laptop and hope for the best. All the above aside it is great place with wildlife all round if you take time to look, not a soul for at least a mile. We did not use the car all week. Dog owners - make sure you've got your dog covered for ticks. Tick removers are invaluable, for you and your dog. Otherwise we really had a really nice week and enjoyed ourselves. Even the aircraft flying over the house (Mach Loop) didn't phase us, what a sight!

  Reviewed by Helen3.1★May 2022

• "Great place, really remote feel which is exactly what we wanted, but not to the point of being inconvenient."

  Off-grid place, which you have to work with, but pretty simple. If you like outdoors then we think you'll like this place. If you like 5 star hotels, then you might not.

  Reviewed by Scott5.0★Apr 2022

• "Had a fantastic week staying in this isolated cottage The only disappointments ..."

  Had a fantastic week staying in this isolated cottage The only disappointments were there was no freezer not even an ice box in fridge so needed to go shopping and the wifi signal is poor not good enough for films Apart from these two niggles the property is well equipped, comfy and warm

  Reviewed by Phil4.4★Apr 2022

• "Upstairs was just beautiful, and so homely and warm and looking out on to the woods was a treat."

  Downstairs i can't help but feel needs a little love. The main bedroom had a bit of a stale smell (so we slept in the bunk beds), and the bathroom needs a bit of an overhaul. The mattress in main bedroom also is just awful. The TV didn't work - and neither did the sauna. We rang the maintenance guy but it was a saturday and we really didn't want to drag him out 15 miles to us. It wasn't end of the world, but we both need to keep abreast of the news and we were not able. The actual lodge was stunning - the stone cottage, the bench outside - all charming. The woods are lovely too but again, there is a bit of a sadness too it - as the trees are planted to be used as renewables. The landscape is half trees whilst the other half of it is like the apocalypse has hit. You cannot easily walk in the woodland for this reason. The fire is a wonderful touch, and the painting hanging above just has so much atmosphere! Great selection of books too, and there are plenty of beaches and areas to explore a short drive away. We never have a bad holiday because we always love to explore, but i doubt we would book the cottage again because of the downstairs, the tv situation (although not end of the world by any means) and the sauna (it would of been nice to have relaxed with that sort of facility after trekking or climbing all day).

  I'm sorry the sauna wasn't working while you were there. We have an electrician looking into what the issue is. Due the remoteness of the cottage our internet connection is very slow and at times this can affect the TV download speeds. We have recently taken delivery of kit for a high speed satellite based internet connection (Starlink) which we hope to have up and running soon. Property Owner

  Reviewed by Rebecca3.8★Apr 2022

• "We wanted to stay somewhere that was away from any likely fireworks due to our dog Zelda being very sensitive to them and we got exactly what we were looking for."

  The off grid nature of the property was fantatic and the access to the local area was brilliant. Would definitely recommend to anyone wanting to get away from the general hustle and bustle of life. We will be back.

  Reviewed by Stuart5.0★Nov 2021

• "The track on the way in is not suitable for normal cars as the loggers trucks leave dirt, rubble and big dents in the track."

  So we did struggle and damage the car using the track. Would be nice if you could get into the log shed to get logs for the fire. Apart from that it is a fantastic little hideaway from the world.

  Reviewed by Jennifer4.7★Oct 2021

• "Great isolated location."

  Low suspension vehicles be careful of the terrain leading to the cottage. If you are lucky to catch good weather you may wish to take your own comfy camping chairs for sitting outside however there is a picnic bench if not.

  Reviewed by Lorna4.4★Sep 2021

• "We specifically asked questions, before departure, about the sofa bed and it's appropriateness for two adults sleeping on it for an entire week."

  We were advised it was of good quality and so proceeded with the booking based on this advice. However we decided on day two that it was so uncomfortable, the mattress so thin, that we instead slept on the floor. The bed in the main bedroom felt so soft it was akin to a water bed so no proper respite here too. Sheets on both beds the wrong size. Kids beds perfect! Aside from the issues with the beds we loved this property but sadly.will not return unless both beds are replaced, sleep is a pretty important aspect of a holiday.

  Reviewed by Joanna3.8★Aug 2021

• "Like everyone else we wanted to escape and treat ourselves to a break unlike what we’ve ever done before; to find out what it would be like to live off the grid for a couple of weeks and would we consider something similar?"

  Location for us was perfect, exactly what we wanted. It felt in the middle of nowhere and not too far from somewhere; It felt exciting, we felt alone. The cottage itself felt homely, beautifully decorated, relaxing, we felt at home straight away. Surroundings are safe, we felt very comfortable allowing our daughter to adventure out and about exploring on her own, she loves nature and of course the huge trampoline. There were also some lovely books both for adult and child readers and games to fill the time on a rainy day. During our two weeks stay we witness local farming life, a shepherd was guiding his flock of sheep with the help of two border collies, they passed the house and continued up hill. On a random climb some fighter jets and planes were out on a practice run. The cottage is just on the Mach Loop, but don’t worry, its not a daily occurrence. You can find out more online. Eco Friendly The cottage generates its power from several solar panels and a water hydro system and a generator backup. For us it completed the whole experience and we absolutely loved it. Wildlife A pair of Ospreys were always close by, dragon flies, a deer, and bats…at night in your car switch headlights to full beam and watch the bats feast on the moths! This was my personal fav. We will be back.

  Reviewed by Richard5.0★Aug 2021

• "Fantastic holiday cottage loved the eco-sustainable facilities."

  The location was perfect to get away with the kids lots of places to roam and explore. The discovery of the tree swing was of great delight. Lots of birds to watch from the upper window. Track leading to cottage was not great, future guests please be mindful of the off road access especially when fully loaded with a family, cases and food for a week’s break. The road could be a result of the forest being cut / managed with large machinery churning up the track but small rocks and branches scrapped underside of car.

  Reviewed by Kate5.0★Jul 2021

• "The property is misrepresented on your website."

  1. This is an off grid property, no where on the website description does it say this. You have no phone service / this has to be clearly mentioned. 2. Access to this property is through a timber yard. It is a dangerous track with working large machinery and trucks. You feel very unsafe every time you have to go down this road. This is the only access to the property. It is not suitable for some cars. The track is full of debris. 3. The grounds of the property has sharp stones full of weeds and animal droppings. It has not been cleaned or looks in any way where you would want to sit outside. A polytunnel full of weeds on the grounds. The barbeque was dirty and broken. The side of the property has a big drop to a dense forest. You cannot walk in this forest, specially not with young children. 4. The TV/Wifi is intermittent, it keeps cutting out. It cannot be advertised as having these facilities. It is on and off and you cannot actually watch anything. 5. The view from the property itself is almost non existent we were fooled by the picture, but this is actually taken from the top of the hill and the property is in a lower position within the trees. So this is again a dissapointment. The top of the hill is again a climb up not for everyone. 6. The water is from the stream, we were not sure if this was okay to drink, it is a slightly reddish colour. 7. No blinds in the windows, this would have been nice specially upstairs where there are windows in the roof which for someone sleeping there means daylight coming through from early in the morning. 8. We really just wanted to leave from the moment we arrived, we tried to enjoy it but it was just a question of trying to enjoy it inspite of all of this. We complained to Sykes on the first day but there was no response from them.

  Reviewed by Vaishali1.3★Jul 2021

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