My happy childhood holiday memories of sandy chips and wooden forks meant I really liked Aberdyfi from the minute we arrived. The wooden forks have been replaced by blue plastic ones but my chips drenched in vinegar tasted every bit as good. Add the harbour sounds and fresh sea and we all got that real ‘holiday’ feeling straight away.

A two bedroom ground floor cottage, perfect for that traditional seaside holiday. One double bedroom and one twin combined with a large lounge and fully functional kitchen means Bwthyn is ideal for families looking for a quiet break by the sea. It certainly beats camping.

We turned right in Llanbedr, (there’s only one right turn in the village, so not even I could get confused there) and wound our way up towards the picturesque Cwm Nantcol, a valley sitting between the Rhinog Mountains.

As we pushed past a fragrant camellia and crossed over a little stone bridge to get to the front door, we knew that Llys Bennar was going to be a bit special. An oak panelled hall way complete with antique chair and expensive looking pictures leads off to a well equipped kitchen which is filled with the mouth-watering smell of freshly baked bread

As we pushed past a fragrant camellia and crossed over a little stone bridge to get to the front door, we knew that Llys Bennar was going to be a bit special. An oak panelled hall way complete with antique chair and expensive looking pictures leads off to a well equipped kitchen which is filled with the mouth-watering smell of freshly baked bread

A short grassy drive leads up to a private but sunny garden. (It never rains in Wales, honest!) Slate stepping stones guide you to the front door of this beautiful, typically asymmetrical, 17th century stone cottage.

Pastel painted garden furniture sits on a manicured lawn. Shaded from the midday sun by a clematis, hanging heavily on a nearby trellis. The borders are full of flowers and a noisy finch twitters angrily as I try to photograph it all for the website. I wonder if Sue and Richard, the owners, would mind sorting out our garden some time.