Hen Bopty | Fairbourne | Friog | Self Catering Holiday Cottage

4.3★

4 Guests
2 Bedrooms
1 Bathroom
Pets Yes
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Features

Off road parking
Open fire
Garden / Patio
Cot available
Highchair available
Pub/shop < 1 mile
Washing machine
Dishwasher
Seaside
Broadband / WiFi

Reviews & Ratings

Accuracy of the listing

Cleanliness

Comfort

Facilities and Maintenance

* Based on a combined average customer score

33 Customer Review(s)

Rachel
October 2024

“Beautiful cosy property.”

Very well equipped. Great location :) We were very comfortable there!

Very well equipped. Great location :) We were very comfortable there!

- Rachel, October 2024
Malcolm October 2024

“Comfortable cottage obviously cared for with well thought out layout and equipment.”

Ideal off road parking for one car and no problem being opposite a school. Slight issue with heating timer sorted out immediately. Height restrictions upstairs but this already mentioned in cottage description ... it is after all an old cottage. Very nice stay with lots to do locally e.g. Corris slate mine interesting and Harlech Castle a few stops up the railway line .. and we had good weather! Diolch.

- Malcolm, October 2024
Paula September 2024

“Really comfortable, well equipped cottage.”

Close to the beach and little railway station. Thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Hen Bopty. Thank you.

- Paula, September 2024
Carole September 2024

“This was our 2nd visit to Hen Bopty and we will definitely be going back again.”

The cottage is extremely well equipped with all the comforts of home and more. Great location for touring around the area and the local facilities such as the Grill Bar, the Golf Club, convenience store and the fish and chip shop are all within 5 mins walk from Hen Bopty . The beach is amazing and our Springer Spaniel Charlie enjoyed it all as did we. We would definitely recommend to others. Carole & Adrian

- Carole, September 2024
Christopher August 2024

“Lovely cottage and one that is genuinely “dog friendly” (no long list of “don’t” waiting for your arrival - which is often the case) This cottage had everything and more you’d need and in a great location for local walks, the beaches and so close to the mountains.”

Only issue was the heating and hot water wasn’t working but it was back on within a day (many thanks) but heating was stuck on 24c. but as we were out in the country most of the time this was only a minor problem. Great area with welcoming locals and some great pub food. Fun walk (or ferry) to Barmouth if you choose to stay.

- Christopher, August 2024
Catherine August 2024

“Excellent”

- Catherine, August 2024
Marie August 2024

“We had a wonderful week at Hen Bopty - the cottage was clean and comfortable.”

The only thing missing were big baking trays (for pizza etc). There were also quite a few unwelcome visitors - long wriggly crawlies - possibly from under Bath But that aside we would heartily recommend the cottage. Thank you!

- Marie, August 2024
Carole Ann July 2024

“Hen Bopty was a lovely place to stay and chill out ,this is what we were looking for.”

We were familiar with the area Hen Bopty was the cream on the cake, and would recommend to other visitors to the area to stay..thank you Stan,Carol,Debbie andAnnie

- Carole Ann, July 2024
Tim July 2024

“Lovely cozy cottage with all you could need.”

- Tim, July 2024
Anthony June 2024

“We really enjoyed our stay at Hen Bopty the cottage was lovely and clean we had ...”

We really enjoyed our stay at Hen Bopty the cottage was lovely and clean we had some lovely days out it's in a good location we would recommend this cottage the only things that we both think that are missing are a mat in the bath incase you slip when having a shower more board game when the weather isn't good and finally provide some nice toiletries we would definitely stay at this cottage again

- Anthony, June 2024

Hi Really glad you enjoyed your stay and appreciate the feedback. I’m glad you recognise that the cottage offers a home from home experience and we are always striving to improve. Point regarding anti-slip mat in the bath; this will be rectified forthwith. Regarding board games we have monopoly, trivial pursuits, cards, question of sport and due to add a murder mystery box set. Any other suggestions would be greatly received. Regarding toiletries, this is something that we will consider. Many Thanks Property Owner
Jane June 2024

“Lovely cottage, excellent location.”

Would be too remote for some, as not much around. However, the one pub nearby was okay for a quick drink near the beach, local shop okay too. Cottage had everything you needed, and was well decorated. Only negatives we could find, it felt a little damp on cooler days and felt a little musty, no hot water in the bathroom sink and the garden was very overgrown and not really a usable space. Overall, we did have a brilliant stay and would recommend as a base for those who love walking and the beach.

- Jane, June 2024

Really glad that you enjoyed your stay and we take any criticism seriously as we love to holiday there too. Appreciate that you recognise the effort that has gone into the cottage to make it a beautiful home from home. The cottage is over 200-yrs old and when closed for a few days needs an airing. We were there 2-days preceding your stay and didn’t experience any problems but we were decorating and did have the doors and windows open. Regarding the hot water in the bathroom, it was working on the Wednesday that we left but will ask the housekeeper to check during the turnaround and if there is a problem get the heating engineer to check. Because the length of pipe, it does take a little longer for hot water to come through compared to the kitchen. The mature garden we feel is a perfect place to relax for barbecue and alfresco dining and also secure to let your dog out. It’s not overgrown as we have a gardener regularly but agree it’s not suitable for small children to play ball games however there is copious space at Fairbourne beach that’s a few minutes walk from the cottage. Property Owner
Stephen May 2024

“No welcome pack detailed Not even a toilet roll left which was interesting ...”

No welcome pack detailed Not even a toilet roll left which was interesting after a 3 hour journey Informed Sykes, 3 days later they message back with hope it didnt inconvenience you Unless you wanted to go to the local beach which was the least accessible in wales you have to drive miles to get anywhere Wouldve given 3 stars if it wasnt for sykes poor response and 4 if the owners has left a welcome pack with a toilet roll

- Stephen, May 2024
Linda March 2024

“Lovely cottage cosy.”

.Good location. Great views. Nice and quiet

- Linda, March 2024
Derek March 2024

“Fantastic property well equipped and clean- our only problem was that the tv ...”

Fantastic property well equipped and clean- our only problem was that the tv didn’t have a signal after Wednesday but it was blowing a gale at the time would recommend if you’re touring that part of north mid wales

- Derek, March 2024
Carole December 2023

“We had a great 5 night break over New Year.”

The cottage is extremely well equipped with all the comforts of home. There were Shops, Grill Bar and a down to earth Golf Club and Beach all within walking distance. Everywhere was dog friendly. Great walks nearby and some stunning scenery all within a short drive from the cottage. We will definitely be recommending the property to family and friends and indeed will be booking for ourselves and our dog Charlie again soon. Adrian & Carole

- Carole, December 2023
Peter December 2023

“A beautiful quaint and cosy cottage.”

Really enjoyed our Christmas there. We will definitely be rebooking this cottage!!!!! Pete and Jules,

- Peter, December 2023
Liz November 2023

“A beautiful traditional Welsh cottage close to all the amenities of Fairborne and beach.”

Perfect location if you are looking for a quite location with easy reach of the towns of Barmouth and Dolgellau. Lots of splendid walks and cycle rides and in seasonal weather kayaking etc. Hen Bopty is a beautifully appointed holiday let, warm and cosy and very well equipped.

- Liz, November 2023
Sue November 2023

“Very cosy, comfortable and warm with everything you could want - thank you very ...”

Very cosy, comfortable and warm with everything you could want - thank you very much for sharing your pretty little cottage

- Sue, November 2023
Sharon October 2023

“Booked for 4 nights - stayed for 1 This is the review we left in the visitor book at the cottage: the dreadful smell of fumes in the kitchen and the rest of the property made us feel Ill.”

We tried to resolve this with the owners to no avail. At the time of writing, this the complaint is being handled by Sykes Cottages. At 6.15pm we are leaving to find somewhere else to stay, our health is more important. I have a dreadful headache and we can taste fumes in the back of our throats. The owners of this property should be ashamed of themselves -end- When we arrived at the property it smelt like an oil tank leak, the property was warm as the heating had been left on, the smell and taste of fumes evident. We turned off the heating, opened the windows and sat in the cold, the following morning we reported this with housekeeping (as advised in the book) and to Sykes cottages and left for the day to visit the area. We checked in with Sykes three to four times and were advised that a plumber had been and no issue found. When arriving back at the property we called the plumber (he had left his business card), he confirmed no leak, but hadn’t put the heating on. We said that the smell was overwhelming and requested that he returned, when we told him about the fumes he told us not to put the heating as it can be detrimental to our health. Sykes then confirmed that the owners would not permit the plumber to return as he found no leak earlier in the day. We had no option but to leave the property. Sykes out of hours service didn’t return our numerous calls and we were left in the lurch! I have been told that the owners of the property had a new boiler fitted 2 months ago. However upon reading reviews of the property others have also complained about the smell. We are not people to ruin others livelihoods or holidays, but when health could be at risk we want to warn others. Sykes - your customer service team are dreadful, if this was a fire or a flood, a visible issue you would have helped us. As it was fumes, with no evidence except for our word you chose to ignore us! I am writing this review 5 days after leaving the property and still awaiting your ‘investigation’ and response? This holiday cottage left us feeling unsafe, let it be a warning to others!

- Sharon, October 2023

We are sorry that our beautiful cottage didn't meet your exacting standards but feel that your complaints are unsubstantiated. There are many previous guests who have thoroughly enjoyed our well-appointed and well-maintained cottage and have stated that they want to return. We were in the cottage a few weeks prior to your visit conducting maintenance and no fumes were present, this was not reportrd by previous or recent guests. Following your contact, we arranged for a heating engineer to attend the property who advised that there were no fumes or smoke. The Engineer reported back to us that everything was perfectly ok. I can also assure you that a new boiler was installed a few months prior to your visit by a reputable and certified Gas & Oil safe Engineer / Company. I can assure you that all the pipework from the tank to boiler to the cottage was replaced and certified. Interestingly, other than the guest that you have quoted, no other complaints have been received. As we take all complaints seriously, we invested in a new economical sate of the art oil boiler which would have been installed much sooner however we had to wait to get a reputable company. The Health & safety standards expected by Sykes are comprehensive, including the requirement for Carbon Monoxide sensors throughout the cottage, which are tested on every turnaround. We respect that you had concerns which were addressed and that we made every endeavour to send a heating engineer at your request and at our cost and that your complaint was unsubstantiated by professionals in their field with respect to our cottage. Property Owner
Angie October 2023

“This is a beautiful little cottage in a lovely location.”

Very warm and comfortable. The directions are a little confusing. The property is not on a restricted road it's directly opposite the school. I pulled into a small courtyard next door on the basis of the instructions and had the devil's own job to get back out, but that was the only downside. The property is well equipped, pleasant and very very warm. The location is very quiet. The shops are close by and convenient. The toll bridge to barmouth is not for the faint-hearted but has beautiful views if you're brave. Alternatively head for Dolgellau and pick up the directions from there.

- Angie, October 2023
Michael September 2023

“Couple of little issues, the kitchen blind fell off when the pull cord was touched (not pulled), the showerhead holder was broken and the fan in the bathroom didn’t work.”

However it’s possible these problem hadn’t been reported ( they have now) . Over all a lovely quirky cottage.

- Michael, September 2023
Suzanne September 2023

“The cottage was directly opposite a school so description of on an unused road was inaccurate as the road was used for taxis and parents dropping school children off and for deliveries to school .”

Cottage itself we didn’t find very clean we had to hoover on arrival there was bits all over floor and cobwebs in corners in rooms not just little ones . The log burner we didn’t feel safe to use as it had a hole in back baffle plate and where down pipe joins top of log burner when we shone a torch from inside you could see the light showing through to outside from joins and this isn’t right. On arrival we could smell oil /kerosene from storage tank outside cottage and you could smell it in doors as well ,we could see slug trails on front room floor and bedroom couldn’t find the culprit we did try but still not nice ,cottage was well equipped with things you could need ,no dishwasher tablets so remember to take some if you want to use it .we were there for 2 weeks and weren’t contacted to see if we would like a change of towels or bedding .

- Suzanne, September 2023
Paul September 2023

“Hen Bopty is a beautiful Traditional Welsh cottage.”

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay there, it has a lovely kitchen and furniture and fittings that compliment this beautiful cottage. I highly recommend this property. Paul & Lynne

- Paul, September 2023
Emma September 2023

“We have just returned from a long weekend at Hen Bopty.”

We took the scenic route from Worcestershire and the views were spectacular. When we first went into the cottage, it was utterly charming. The whole place was immaculate and the Welsh cakes left out for us was a lovely touch. The location of the cottage is ideal. Idyllic and peaceful, but it’s only a very short walk to the pebble beach. We took a walk along the beach all the way to the harbour, where we went across in a small ferry to Barmouth. After a fantastic day on the enormous Sandy beach, we went back on the ferry and caught the mini steam train back to Fairbourne to save our tired legs. On Sunday we went for an evening meal at the George lll Pub, which has the most incredible back drop across the estuary and enjoying amazing food, watching the sun setting was magical. The cottage was super well equipped, the owners have thought of absolutely everything, and the cottage management team were really responsive and helpful with our queries. I would highly recommend this cottage to anyone. It’s suitable for everyone and really did feel like a home from home. We cannot wait for our next visit

- Emma, September 2023
Richard June 2023

“There were several things wrong.”

The bench legin the dinning room was very loose. There was a small leak under the kitchen sink also bedroom dressing table stool broken

- Richard, June 2023

Thank you for your feedback. As the owner I was previously down there on the Friday and was not aware of these issues. We do request that any quest finding issues with respect to the holiday let is flagged to the housekeeper whose details are enclosed on the first page of the guest information. If guests do not inform the housekeeper or Sykes immediately we are unaware of any issues unless they are overtly obvious during the changeover. We make every endeavour to ensure our guests needs are catered for e.g. having the property very well equipped including beach towels. Our housekeeper will ensure that the issues will be remedied and thank you for your feedback and hope you will return back to Hen Bopty. With Best Wishes Property Owner
Nicola May 2023

“What a delightful holiday cottage with all the essentials and so many additional extras!”

Wonderfully clean and bed’s extremely comfortable. Beach, shop and bar all within walking distance. Super country walks for our dog. A pure pleasure to stay in, we will return.

- Nicola, May 2023
Julie May 2023

“Lovely homely cottage.”

Owner has thought of everything. Comfy bed. Private garden. Lovely walks.

- Julie, May 2023
Emily April 2023

“I have tried to resolve the issue without leaving negative feedback as the general condition and location of the property was lovely.”

However, we did have an issue that was concerning and I do not believe yet resolved. On entering the property there was an overwhelming smell, which we thought was firefighters or similar. Given it is an old cottage and there is an open fire we presumed it was based on that. We opened some widows and it seemed to improve. This happened several times, the whole time my partner had a really bad headache. We didn’t report it on the first couple of days as we thought it was the fire. Only on the last night when we used the heating and the smell got worse did we realise it was related to this. On further inspection we traced the smell back to the heating oil tank directly by the house and believed that possibly some had been spilt or leaked. As we were leaving first thing in the morning I reported it when we arrived home. I have since followed up concerned others would experience the same issue and worried it may not be safe. I have been told by Sykes they could not get hold of the owner (as of today 15/4/2023) but also told an engineer had checked it, which doesn’t make sense. Both can’t be the case. I just think it only fair people are aware and it is resolved correctly.

- Emily, April 2023
Trevor March 2023

“Really enjoyed our stay.”

Friog nice and quiet. Brilliant walks from the door. Facilities good and clean. Bed very comfy. Hiking boots and good waterproofs highly recommended! Definitely visit again. Liz and Trev

- Trevor, March 2023

Thank you for your feedback and glad you enjoyed your stay and look forward to you staying again. Property Owner
Andrew March 2023

“We found the cottage to be attractive, comfortable and well equipped.”

We enjoyed our stay despite poor weather conditions. The bedrooms were much more spacious than the photographs led us to expect, and the beds were comfortable and warm. The only drawback, which we left a note about for the information of the owner, was that during the extremely cold weather at the start of our week, the central heating did not raise the temperature in the living room to a level which was comfortable to sit in.

- Andrew, March 2023
Louise February 2023

“Beautiful cottage with plenty of room and well equipped.”

- Louise, February 2023
Lorelei February 2023

“Sadly the property isn't clean or maintained very well.”

Overriding smell of damp - the property hadn't been pre-warmed so was freezing cold and took until the following morning to warm up fully. The customer service from Sykes was poor when we complained to them on arrival and only accepting our complaints when photographic evidence was sent to them. The property manager arrived and was argumentative and borderline rude and dismissed our concerns out of hand. The owner has vowed to improve things so hopefully others will have a better stay. The cottage itself is in a great location and could be lovely.

- Lorelei, February 2023

Thank you for your feedback. We are glad we agree that it is the lovely location and a lovely cottage. The cottage is stone built and over 200 years old and when the weather is inclement can occasionally appear cold. A new central heating system to include HIVE is being installed which we have been trying to install since we bought the cottage. Although the existing system is antiquated it heats the cottage within the hour to being toasty and warm. There may be some minor mildew around cold spots i.e. around the windows, which is not surprising as the cottage is over 200-years old. However, these are regularly reviewed and if necessary, attended to. The issues your raised have been reviewed and rectified where necessary. Property Owner
Gavin December 2022

“Would have liked an information pack ref what was in the area, fridge needed cleaning, stuff left in freezer, no fire starter pack as such.”

Could not find key safe as we arrived in the dark.

- Gavin, December 2022

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Summary

Two bedrooms: 1 x king-size, 1 x twin
Ground-floor bathroom with bath, shower over, basin and WC
Kitchen/diner
Sitting room with woodburning stove
Oil central heating
Electric oven and hob, microwave, fridge/freezer, washing machine and dishwasher
Smart TV and WiFi
Fuel, power and starter for woodburning stove inc. in rent
Bed linen and towels inc. in rent
Off-road parking for 1
Rear garden with gravelled area and lawn
Cot & high chair available
One well-behaved dog welcome
Complimentary welcome pack on arrival
Sorry, no smoking
Shop 0.3 miles, pub 0.6 miles and beach 0.7 miles
Note: The front garden is enclosed by wooden gates that can be shut after parking
Note: There is a step up into the kitchen/diner, please take care
Note: The steps up to the first floor are narrow and steep, please take care
Note: There is restricted head height and a narrow doorway leading into the king-size bedroom, please take care
Note: Dogs not allowed on soft furnishings and upstairs

The property

Nestled on the outskirts of the seaside village of Fairbourne, Gwynedd on the fringes of Snowdonia National Park is Hen Bopty.

This historic, stone-fronted cottage boasts charming original features such as exposed beams, stone feature fireplace with woodburning stove, sloped ceilings and white-washed stone walls; a homely setting for couples or small families and their beloved canine companion.

After exploring the surrounding countryside and nearby coast, snuggle up in front of the welcoming glow of the woodburning stove while your partner rustles up a hearty meal in the fully equipped kitchen.

Dine together as a family while discussing your itinerary for the trip before stepping outside to the rear garden to admire the breath-taking views across the Welsh countryside.

When the stars fill the sky, head inside to wash off the day in the ground-floor bathroom ahead of climbing the stairs to get some well-earned rest in either the king-size or twin bedroom.

Hen Bopty which means Old Bakery in Welsh lies paces away from local stores where you can stock up on necessities, and the Penrhyn Bar and Grill which provides the perfect setting for date night, or a meal out when you don’t feel like cooking.

Spend the day at Fairbourne Beach where water sports and kite surfing are popular, there is also a dog-friendly section where your dog can roam freely, and no trip to the seaside would be complete without ice cream!

Barmouth is also nearby, housing a spectacular stretch of golden sands perfect for soaking up the sun in warmer weather and boat trips where you may be lucky enough to spot dolphins in Cardigan Bay.

Snowdonia National Park is easily accessible by car and provides keen ramblers and cyclists with a myriad of trails rewarding guests with wonderful views; the brave among you may even summit Snowdon for truly unique vistas across the coast and countryside.

Adventure awaits at Hen Bopty.

Note: This property has a Good Housekeeping bond of £250.

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About the location

FAIRBOURNE

Dolgellau 9 miles; Barmouth 13 miles; Aberdovey 15 miles.

Fairbourne is a seaside village in the Snowdonia National Park, which nestles between the beautiful Cambrian Mountains and Barmouth Bay. This coastal village rests beside a huge sandy beach, perfect for family fun and watersports. It is also home to the Fairbourne nature reserve. The well-known town of Barmouth, with its pubs, restaurants and beautiful beach, is only ten minutes away by train, or why not take a leisurely walk over the well-known Victorian Barmouth Railway Bridge with stunning views of Mawddach Estuary. The whole region offers excellent walks, mountain biking and watersports, boasts a variety of wild flowers, and is home to many species of birds that flock to the area's sheltered beaches and rock pools. Discover Dolgellau and delightful Aberdovey, and visit the magnificent sights of medieval Harlech Castle, Portmeirion Italianate Village and the wonderful Snowdonia National Park, all within a short drive. With plenty to see and do, this is a fantastic year-round holiday location.

This property offers the following short breaks:

Winter
Off-season
Last minute
Christmas

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Features

Reviews & Ratings

“Beautiful cosy property.”

“Comfortable cottage obviously cared for with well thought out layout and equipment.”

“Really comfortable, well equipped cottage.”

“This was our 2nd visit to Hen Bopty and we will definitely be going back again.”

“Lovely cottage and one that is genuinely “dog friendly” (no long list of “don’t” waiting for your arrival - which is often the case) This cottage had everything and more you’d need and in a great location for local walks, the beaches and so close to the mountains.”

“Excellent”

“We had a wonderful week at Hen Bopty - the cottage was clean and comfortable.”

“Hen Bopty was a lovely place to stay and chill out ,this is what we were looking for.”

“Lovely cozy cottage with all you could need.”

“We really enjoyed our stay at Hen Bopty the cottage was lovely and clean we had ...”

“Lovely cottage, excellent location.”

“No welcome pack detailed Not even a toilet roll left which was interesting ...”

“Lovely cottage cosy.”

“Fantastic property well equipped and clean- our only problem was that the tv ...”

“We had a great 5 night break over New Year.”

“A beautiful quaint and cosy cottage.”

“A beautiful traditional Welsh cottage close to all the amenities of Fairborne and beach.”

“Very cosy, comfortable and warm with everything you could want - thank you very ...”

“Booked for 4 nights - stayed for 1 This is the review we left in the visitor book at the cottage: the dreadful smell of fumes in the kitchen and the rest of the property made us feel Ill.”

“This is a beautiful little cottage in a lovely location.”

“Couple of little issues, the kitchen blind fell off when the pull cord was touched (not pulled), the showerhead holder was broken and the fan in the bathroom didn’t work.”

“The cottage was directly opposite a school so description of on an unused road was inaccurate as the road was used for taxis and parents dropping school children off and for deliveries to school .”

“Hen Bopty is a beautiful Traditional Welsh cottage.”

“We have just returned from a long weekend at Hen Bopty.”

“There were several things wrong.”

“What a delightful holiday cottage with all the essentials and so many additional extras!”

“Lovely homely cottage.”

“I have tried to resolve the issue without leaving negative feedback as the general condition and location of the property was lovely.”

“Really enjoyed our stay.”

“We found the cottage to be attractive, comfortable and well equipped.”

“Beautiful cottage with plenty of room and well equipped.”

“Sadly the property isn't clean or maintained very well.”

“Would have liked an information pack ref what was in the area, fridge needed cleaning, stuff left in freezer, no fire starter pack as such.”

Summary

The property

View on map

About the location

FAIRBOURNE