Snowdonia Holidays, Self-Catering Cottages and Apartments

Whether visiting in summer or winter, the Snowdonia National Park in North Wales is one of the UK’s most popular destinations for visitors seeking a holiday amidst breathtaking mountain scenery. It’s a perfect destination for self-catering holidays for those looking to get out into the great outdoors or to mix mountain walking holidays with days on the wide sandy beaches of the North Wales Coast. At Snowdonia’s heart stands Mount Snowdon, the highest mountain in Wales, a mecca for walkers and, with the option of ascending it by train, the summit is accessible to all. The region’s deep ex-glacial valleys offer clearwater lakes, meandering rivers and fine views. Snowdonia also provides a wealth of historical places of interest. There are many ancient castles telling tales of how they “beat the English” and the remains of its rich industrial history, from slate quarries to mines.

The Snowdonia National Park offers a wide choice of Gwynedd and Conwy holiday cottages for short breaks and longer holidays in the great outdoors. From luxuriously converted chapels (or capels, to use their correct Welsh name) to restored and delightfully cosy old quarrymen’s cottages, the choice of self-catering holiday homes in Snowdonia means there’s a choice of cottages, large and small to suit every need. Indeed, there’s much more to a Snowdonia holiday than walking and climbing its crags, with many family-friendly attractions and locations to fill a holiday in this mountainous corner of North Wales. Want to see what the rest of Wales has to offer? Click here to find holiday cottages in Wales on My Favourite Holiday Cottages.

A large L-shaped Gwynedd holiday cottage house with a deck and rockery garden. garden.
  • Sleeps 6
  • Bedrooms 3

Outdoor enthusiasts of all ages can use Llety’r Bugail, a country cottage with mountain views located in the small market town of Dolgellau, Gwynedd, as their home base to explore scenic Snowdonia National Park by foot or mountain bike or make a day of it at nearby Fairbourne Beach. Sleeps 6.

  • Accessible Cottages
  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
Farm buildings and barn conversions in Snowdonia.
  • Sleeps 5
  • Bedrooms 2

Penrhyddion Ucha spoils families with its traditional character, gorgeous views, games room and large garden. The pet-friendly Snowdonia farmhouse on a working farm near Betws-y-Coed offers exposed beams and an open fire. The rural cottage is perfectly situated for exploration of North Wales.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A single storey county-conwy holiday-cottage with floor-to-ceiling windows.
  • Sleeps 2
  • Bedrooms 1

Visit Snowdonia from this delightful stone-built, romantic Betws-y-Coed holiday cottage for two. Royal Oak Farm Cottage promises tranquillity in a tastefully restored one-bedroom cottage. Wooden décor features strongly in this cottage, which is equipped with all of the comforts of home.

  • Accessible By Train
  • Active Holidays
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Cycling Holidays
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Exterior of a stone built barn conversion overlooking a  courtyard with dining table and chairs.
  • Sleeps 2
  • Bedrooms 1

A gravel farm track leads guests to the restored 18th-century detached barn known as the Shippon, located in a North Wales village, boasting romantic charm, modern fittings, and a mezzanine bedroom for couples. Gardens and magnificent views surround this pet-friendly holiday cottage in Lechwedd.

  • Active Holidays
  • Coastal Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Fishing Holidays
  • Romantic Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Small Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
Front exterior of a double-fronted2-storey  Welsh holiday cottage with wall-mounted flowerpots and a wooden fence.
  • Sleeps 7
  • Bedrooms 3

Set on a 150-acre working farm, Ty Nant is a Betws-y-Coed holiday cottage perfect for a family of up to seven to experience the beautiful North Welsh countryside. With three comfortable bedrooms, a well-equipped kitchen and a cosy sitting area, you’ll feel right at home in this pet-friendly Snowdonia holiday home.

  • Accessible By Train
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Short Breaks
  • Walking Holidays
A large slate roofed Lake district holiday cottage its in front of a line of tall tres.
  • Sleeps 8
  • Bedrooms 4

A lovingly maintained large Snowdonia holiday cottage, Tyn Llwyn is a grand farmhouse beautifully renovated to create a rural holiday home near Harlech in North Wales. Standing on a 7-acre smallholding, pet-friendly Tyn Llwyn welcomes families and groups looking for a coast and countryside retreat.

  • Active Holidays
  • Child-Friendly Cottages
  • Countryside Cottages
  • Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages
  • Farm Cottages
  • Large Holiday Cottages
  • Remote Cottages
  • Walking Holidays
  • Waterside Cottages

For active outdoor types of all ages, step from the peace and tranquillity of Snowdonia holiday cottages to enjoy a wide range of healthy experiences. The Go Below Underground Centre in Betws-y-Coed includes the longest underground zip wire in the world and the option to climb a waterfall. If zip wires appeal, visit Zip World in Bethesda or Zip World Titan in Blaenau Ffestiniog to set your pulse racing. Ride Europe’s longest zip wires, where speeds of 100mph will guarantee a few white knuckles.

Families with younger children can get their thrills at the Yr Hwylfan Fun Centre in Caernarfon, North Wales’s largest indoor adventure play centre. On self-catering holidays in Snowdonia, Bodnant Welsh Food in Tal-y-Cafn near Conwy is a must-go place for local produce, from organic vegetables to locally made cheeses. It also has a cookery school and a bee-keeping centre.

In addition to the Mount Snowdon Railway, Heritage railway lovers are more than adequately catered for in North Wales, with a choice of two Welsh Narrow Gauge railways within the Snowdonia National Park. These are the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways. The former runs from Porthmadog, while the latter sets off from Caernarfon on their respective journeys into Snowdonia. Drive further south along the coast below Harlech and add the Towyn Railway to your list of Welsh narrow-gauge railway journeys to enjoy.

For history lovers, Snowdonia is ringed by some rugged and imposing Medieval castles, including Conwy, Caernarfon and Harlech, all open to the public and each worthy of a day out. The Snowdonia Riding Stables near Caernarfon provide opportunities to explore Snowdonia’s mountain and coastal trails on horseback.

The Greenwood Forest Park, also outside Caernarfon, has the longest sledge run in Europe and a barefoot trail, treetop towers and nippy Moon Carts. If you are planning a walking holiday and have a dog, you will find plenty of dog-friendly holiday cottages in Snowdonia to book. You’ll also discover a wide choice of walks from mountainous footpaths to big sandy beach walks at Harlech.