A delightful Listed Building of historic character, Cwrt Yr Harbwr is a row of private holiday cottages created from the original quayside warehouse that served the 19th century export of Welsh slate around the globe․ Number One is the end cottage with its own secluded patio and small garden, bordered by fruit trees and a slate wall, with parking adjacent to the property․ From here it is a short walk to all the shops and amenities on Porthmadog’s High Street including giftware, household and fashion goods, bookshop, beach shops, as well as a range of interesting cafés, takeaways, restaurants and pubs․ Three major supermarkets are just a few minutes’ drive away meaning everything you could possibly need is within easy reach of Number One.
As the name suggests, Cwrt Yr Harbwr is right next to the harbour with its slate quaysides – perfect for crabbing when the tide is in – bustling boats and the estuary beyond․ Across the harbour bridge and just a short walk away, the world-famous narrow-gauge heritage railway, Rheilffordd Ffestiniog, offers spectacular trips into the Eryri (Snowdonian) mountains around Blaenau, whilst its sister company, the Welsh Highland Railway, operates trains from the same station via the pretty riverside village of Beddgelert to Caernarfon.
A slightly longer walk through the boatyards along the estuary, takes in the award-winning waterside village of Borth-y-Gest, nestling in its own sheltered bay where a sunlit bench, morning coffee or evening drink and meal can be enjoyed whilst looking back across the estuary to the spectacular backdrop of Snowdonia․ For the more adventurous walker, the coastal path continues through a series of pretty coves and beaches accessible at low tide, ending in the great sweep of sand and dunes at Black Rock Sands․ A trip by car in the other direction brings the visitor to the world heritage site of Portmeirion, the stunning Italianate waterside village with its unusual architecture and beautiful gardens․ The historian – junior or older – will enjoy easy access to the castles at Criccieth, Harlech and Caernarfon, as well as a plethora of ancient monuments and industrial heritage sites.
Number One is a short car or bus journey from some of the UK’s finest walking and climbing, with routes for every ability, from the stunning riverside walk along the Aberglaslyn Pass – don’t miss the prize-winning ice cream parlour, Glaslyn Ices, at Beddgelert – to the great ranges surrounding Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), the Glyderau, the Carneddau, the Rhinogs, including one of the finest high-level walks in Britain, the Nantlle Ridge.
Summer or winter, the National Park is an awesome landscape that continues to lure visitors back, time and time again.
Whether it’s a day on the beach, in the mountains, along the coastal path or just simply taking in the crowds on the harbourside, Number One is a welcome retreat for a holiday in North Wales․ The accommodation enjoys a good-sized lounge with log burner, smart TV and a dining area adjacent to the kitchen, equipped with electric fan oven and grill, four-ring hob, microwave, dishwasher, coffee machine, fridge-freezer and a range of crockery and utensils sufficient to rustle up a small feast or just a quick snack․ A washer/drier machine and courtyard drying line provides laundry facilities for guests to use․ Upstairs, two double bedrooms and a twin bunk room provide sleeping accommodation for up to six adults․ The main bathroom has a shower, washbasin and WC whilst a further separate closet contains a small handbasin and WC․ The property is served by a gas boiler for central heating and instant hot water.
