Afon Rhaiadr Country House
Dolgellau, Gwynedd,Cymru, Wales LL402AH, Gwynedd, WalesGallery
A refined adults-only retreat B&B in Snowdonia National Park
Afon Rhaiadr is a sophisticated seven-bedroom gastro-B&B offering foodie refinement and five-star comforts in the heart of Wales’ Snowdonia’s most spectacular landscapes. At the foot of Cader Idris Mountain, the property is 200 years old, furnished with a mix of antiques and modern pieces, all set in a wonderful forest garden, with its own river frontage and private waterfalls. No children, no pets: just very lavish comforts and the finest fare.
Of the bedrooms, Foxglove is perhaps the finest. It is triple-aspect, with a large period fireplace and a superking bed. Barely less desirable is Honeysuckle, which is double-aspect and also has a fireplace. Both these superking beds can be split into twins but this requires 48 hours notice.
Iris and Jasmine both have king-sized beds and ensuite bathrooms with walk-in rain showers. Lily and Lilac have double beds as well as ensuites with walk-in rain showers. Rose is a cosy double and is the only bedroom that’s not ensuite: it has a private bathroom just across the hall.
Two of the guest bedrooms are on the ground floor but they require a step or two to get to them – and the main house itself as a couple of steps. This means that despite its best efforts it’s not fully accessible, but it’s trying its best.
Breakfast is served in the elegant dining room and is always an event. Afon Rhaiadr takes its cuisine very seriously and every meal is a highlight. Three times a week dinners are also on offer here, as well as afternoon teas every day.
If you’d like to relax there’s a fine drawing room for guests which gives onto a conservatory and then the garden. The gardens cover three acres, with plenty of seating areas, and includes forests, waterfalls and a disused railway line. There’s also an old viaduct bridge where our stream joins the River Wnion: Afon Rhaiadr has a licence for two fishing rods on the larger river. Packed lunches can make exploring the grounds and the disused railway line a full-day challenge.
In all it’s a tranquil retreat in a spectacular National Park, with cuisine to match its natural setting. The very definition of a destination B&B.
Afon Rhaiadr B&B suggests:
Bring a good pair of walking boots. There are countless local trails.
Email Afon Rhaiadr HERE or visit their website HERE
Pricing
Prices per room per night, based on two sharing, including breakfast Superior Rooms (Foxglove, Honeysuckle) - from £155 Stylish Rooms (Iris, Jasmine) - from £115 Double Rooms (Lilac, Lily) - from £105 Classic Double Room (Rose) - from £95 Check availability and book here. Afon Rhaiadr prides itself on its cuisine. A full Welsh Breakfast is always included. Packed lunches, afternoon teas and two- or three-course dinners are by arrangement and require notice.Location
Afon Rhaiadr is just five minutes drive from Dolgellau, fifteen from the beach, and seventeen minutes from Bala Lake. The B&B is in the heart of Snowdonia National Park at the foot of Cader Idris. Popular excursions include Portmerion (where 'The Prisoner' was set), the Ffestiniog and Welse Highland Railway, or Coed y Brenin Forestry Park. Add whitewater rafting, mountain biking, horse riding, Zip Word adventures, and guided walks and birdwatching tours, wildlife foraging expeditons and it would be easy to stay a long time here without exhausting your options: it's ideally situated for exploring the natural beauty of the area.Reviews
We stayed at Afon Rhaiadr for a weekend in November and honestly, wow. From the communication ahead of our arrival to our friendly farewell, we could not fault our visit. Having had to make some last minute changes of plans, I initially communicated with Gina ahead of time who was incredibly understanding, accommodating and flexible. Upon arrival, the location was simple to find and absolutely gorgeous. The room was lush and so clean and had everything that you could need for a weekend break. Breakfast was perfect, which is not always the case when, like me, you cannot eat gluten. There were ample options and dietary requirements were well understood and catered for. A very nice change! The surrounding area is remote, which is exactly what we were looking for. The grounds that the property is located on are just stunning and so peaceful. This is absolutely the place to come for a quiet, relaxing retreat. There are a few local pubs, restaurants etc. that you can drive to, or if you fancy a drink, taxi to. We had no issues getting a local taxi. I cannot thank the lovely Gina and Gareth enough for their hospitality and I will 100% be back again in the future. Hebe S, November 2024Accreditations
5 star gold from Visit WalesFeatures
Local Amenities
- Beaches
- Bird Watching
- Climbing
- Cycling
- Distillery/Brewery
- Festivals
- Fishing
- Golf
- Local Park
- Museums & Galleries
- National Park
- Nature Reserve, Wildlife Park/Area
- Places of Historical Interest
- Sailing
- Train Station
- Walking
- Water Activities
- Wild Swimming
Lodge Facilities
- Dinner by Arrangement
- Fishing
- Free off-street parking
- Free Wifi
- Garden
- Ground Floor Bedroom
- Packed Lunch
Details
- Lodge Type: Country House / Bed & Breakfast
- Opening Times: February to end of November
- Tel: +44 (0)1341 450 777
- Price Range: From £95
Price

Hosted by Gina and Gareth Ritchie
Your hosts here are Gina and Gareth Ritchie. They set up Afon Rhaiadr as a luxury B&B retreat and for the last ten years have honed their hospitality skills. They provide a refined and luxurious haven in this beautifully unspoiled part of North Wales. They are skilled at helping guests make the most of their time, whether your tastes range to whitewater rafting, fishing on the Wnion, or dining by candlelight.
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