Old Mill Farmhouse

The accommodation is all on the ground floor. It is well heated and each room has its own TV, hospitality tray and en-suite bath or shower room. Individual front doors allow freedom of access, without disturbing other guests. There is ample parking in the attractive, well-lit courtyard. In the cosy Stables, we have two double bedrooms, Poppy Fields and Forest Glade, and a twin bedded room, Spring Meadow. The bedrooms in the Haybarn are slightly larger. Blue Lagoon is versatile and very popular, having a double bed and bunks. It is suitable for families, small groups or people with disabilities. A Swedish-style en-suite shower with seat and grab rails provides extra comfort and safety for wheel chair users. Welsh Mountain offers greater privacy for parents, as it is a two-bedroom family suite, one with a double bed and the other with bunks and a divan. Pink Sunset is a lovely twin bedded room. Finally, Snowy Peaks is our beautiful "honeymoon" room with a four poster bed, though you don't have to be on your honeymoon, to pamper yourself with a little extra luxury!

Guests come to the farmhouse for meals and are welcome to relax in the lounge during the evening. Fron Oleu is an ideal base from which to discover the many and varied attractions of the area. In every direction scenic drives will bring you to mountains, lakes, rivers and forests. Safe, sandy beaches are just twenty minutes drive from here.

We live on the famous Welsh gold belt and have acquired one of the old tipper wagons that hauled the gold-bearing ore from the nearby Gwynfyndd Gold mine. A kilo of this rare and high quality gold was presented to the Queen on her 60th birthday. Traditionally, the members of the royal family have their wedding rings made from Welsh gold. Princess Diana, Princess Grace of Monaco and, more recently, Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones were all customers of this famous mine. A short drive and a pleasant walk through the Coed y Brenin forest will bring you to the interesting site of the old mine and two impressive water falls. Seven of the Little Trains of Wales are easily accessible from Fron Oleu, including one to take you to the summit of Snowdon. The Ffestiniog Railway, with its unmistakable "Double Fairlie" engine, is only ten minutes drive away. The famous Italianate village of Portmeirion, where "The Prisoner" was filmed, is only ten miles away.

Here on the farm, our funny ducks, chickens, geese, rabbits, guinea pigs, dogs and cat keep everyone entertained, especially the children who enjoy feeding the animals and collecting the eggs. Sadly our peacocks are no longer with us. Nearby sporting activities include golf, swimming, sailing, wind-surfing, climbing, walking, pony-trekking, birdwatching and fishing, all set against the spectacular backdrop of the natural beauty of the Snowdonia National Park. For mountain bike enthusiasts, the completely new Trawsfynydd lake mountain bike trail passes alongside our farm and we are close to the well-known Coed y Brenin trail. We have secure storage for bikes. Wales is another country and Welsh is the first language of Gwynedd, but don't worry, everyone speaks English! Sheep shearing competitions, village carnivals, sheep dog trials and Welsh Choral Evenings all offer the opportunity to mix with local people and hear the language. Our best recommendation is that many guests come as strangers and leave as friends. People of all ages and nationalities return to us and enjoy exploring more of this wonderful part of Wales. We do hope that you will be tempted to holiday with us. Whenever you decide to come, we will make you very welcome. Penny Osborne and Margaret Roberts

Copyright © 2005, Old Mill Farmhouse