Recently we enjoyed a gifted stay in the town of Blaenau Ffestiniog in a dog-friendly Llechwedd Glamping Pod at Plas Weunydd.
One of the first things to say is the location is amazing. The slate landscape was stunning and the location of the pod on the hillside, surrounded by the dramatic Moelwynion mountains, meant that the dogs had a good view of the scenery and everything that was going on in the complex below which they found absolutely fascinating.
When we arrived at Plas Weunydd to check in the friendly staff informed us that it was best to get a lift with them with our luggage as it was quite a steep walk up to the pod, they seemed to genuinely welcome the spaniels so it was a good sign.
Anyway the cabin was actually a safari tent which appealed to us as seasoned campers turned out to be really cute and much more spacious that it appeared from the outside. It was quite a big step up from actual camping so don’t think you will have to rough it! I loved the cosy log burner and appreciated the guard rail round it as sometimes Maya does like to get a little close to the fire. I was a bit taken aback by the bunkbeds, but don’t panic, one of the bottom bunks is a double bed and honestly it was surprisingly comfortable. I think it would be a great choice for adventurous families as the one we stayed in could comfortably accommodate 5. The cabin also contained a compact shower room with fluffy white towels.
The kitchen section had more or less everything you needed, microwave, small hob, crockery, cutlery fridge etc. There was a picnic style table with benches inside the cabin to sit and eat at, actually apart from one chair that was the only place to sit indoors but there were some more comfortable chairs on the porch where one could take in the panoramic views, so it was all good. Board games and books were provided so there is plenty to do if you want to hunker down. One thing that impressed me was that there were additional heaters provided and even a fan, we didn’t need it when we stayed but bet it was a really appreciated by guests who stayed in the heatwaves.
Being a chef Rod made good use of the BBQ, charcoal is available to purchase on site but we took our own, he also made Welsh Cakes on the hob, well it would have been rude not to!
Overall there was a really lovely vibe in the cabin and the pooches quickly settled in.
For dogs there was a tin to put dog biscuits in (maybe this is full sometimes but Maya and Lucia were out of luck haha) and a dog bowl so if you visit remember to pack well for your pooch.
One of the great things about staying at dog-friendly LLechwydd Glamping is that you can pop down to the hotel for a meal or a drink (obviously dog-friendly!) or pop into Blaenau Ffestiniog, just a couple of minutes in the car to the Co-op if you prefer to cook yourself. Blaenau Ffestiniog is full of character and slate is literally everywhere!
The complex has a variety of accommodation on offer, you can stay in the hotel or one of the shepherds huts and if you have kids there is a wealth of activities on site such as underground golf as well as the famous zip line, mine tours and the Bounce Below, which I have to admit sounds really fun! There is somewhere to eat and drink there as well. Dogs are allowed to spectate but obviously not participate.
It is the location though that really makes Llechwydd Glamping Cabins at Plas Weunydd the perfect place to stay with dogs. Set as it is in Eryri National Park there are loads of dog-friendly walks and hikes within a short drive. Having been lucky enough to have visited the area many times over the years we had already completed the most popular ones such as Yr Wyddfa (Snowden) so decided on doing the Llyn Crafnant Circular walk in Gwydir Forest Park. The walk is pretty easy going with just a bit of effort required in places and at around 51/2 miles just the right length. The spaniels, especially Lucia loved that there were 2 lakes and therefore swimming opportunities on this walk, in fact Llyn Geirionydd is a popular place for humans to have a wild swim as well, I did regret not researching the walk properly and taking my gear!
There is even a dog-friendly cafe on this route but it was closed when we passed by (mid week in early October) anyway it was a good excuse to drive to Tu Hwnt l’r Bont Tearooms in LLanrwst where the dogs enjoyed a doggy ice-cream.
Plas Wynedd is in easy reach or the popular and beautiful tourist hot spot of Betwys y Coed, with its bars and restaurants adorned by fairy lights and numerous outdoor shops, all of which as far as I could see welcomed those on four paws it is definitely worth a visit. I did feel a bit nostalgic for the peacefulness and raw charm of the place as it was when I first visited over 40 years ago, but we can’t live in the past! Fun fact, back then there was one place that had a sign up saying No Children, a lot has changed since then!
Llechwedd Glamping Pods at Plas Weunydd are really reasonably priced and overall I was really impressed with the standard of accommodation. I can honestly recommend it as a really great place to base yourself for a dog-friendly holiday in North Wales, especially if you love the feeling of being close to nature but are not fans of actual camping.
So which of the different types of dog-friendly accommodation would you choose to stay in at Plas Weunydd? Check it out now and see what suits you and your pooch.
Love Sal, Maya and Lucia xxxx
We were gifted a stay at Plas Weunydd in return for an honest review
