A Luxury Self-Catering Holiday Cottage in the Heart of Snowdonia
Check AvailabilityStep into nearly two centuries of Welsh heritage — a self-catering holiday cottage beautifully restored for modern comfort in Eryri National Park.
Tyddyn Eglwys — tyddyn meaning small farm, eglwys meaning church — was built in 1839 as the home of the clergy who tended Llanfihangel y Traethau, the Church of St Michael of the Shores, which still stands at the top of the lane. The church itself is a pre-Reformation building dating to 1137–1170, centuries older than Harlech Castle, with a rare inscribed stone in its graveyard marking its ancient origins.
The hamlet of Ynys (pronounced "Unus") takes its name from the Welsh word for island — once surrounded by water at high tide, this was a busy port and ship-building centre on the Dwyryd estuary. Today the tidal marshes and mountain views remain, offering a landscape that has barely changed in centuries.
In 2001, Victoria and Matt purchased the rectory and poured hundreds of hours into its restoration — preserving original stone walls, deep windowsills, and period features while adding the comforts of a modern retreat. The private hot tub offers views across the estuary to the mountains beyond, and on clear nights the Milky Way unfolds overhead.
With Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park on your doorstep, Portmeirion a short drive away, and Harlech's castle perched above some of Wales's finest beaches, Tyddyn Eglwys is the perfect base for exploring the very best of North Wales.
'Byw yn y foment' — live in the moment.
Original character meets contemporary comfort — explore this holiday cottage across four bedrooms, spacious living areas, and private grounds.
Front Entrance
The Rectory
Entrance at Dusk
Summer Evening
Veranda
The Barn
Tyddyn Eglwys
Living Room
Blue Room
Window Seat
Bedroom
Hot Tub
Garden at Night
Tipi & Neighbours
Garden & Hot Tub
Rhododendrons
Crocosmia
Garden Arch
Local Resident
Mountain Road
Snowdonia Views
Rainbow over the Estuary
Llyn Tecwyn Isaf
Estuary at Dusk
Woodland Stream
Winter Mountains
Harlech Beach
Golden Sands
Estuary Shore
Sunset Walk
Evening Fishing
Portmeirion
Harlech Castle
Castle & Mountains
Harlech at Sunset
Beddgelert
Rated 5.0 from 40 reviews on Airbnb
“This is a very beautiful house and a lovely, peaceful place to stay. Victoria is a responsive host and provides a detailed and informative information pack. The basket of local produce was very welcome, and tailored to our family. The location is very private nestled in beautiful surroundings — great for walking and exploring the local beaches. We all had a wonderful stay; adults, children and dogs!”
“Fantastic holiday in a beautiful home. Lots of home comforts and extras like the hot tub and BBQ allowed us to make the most of the grounds on our family holiday. Secure site for the dogs to sleep play in without worry. Victoria was a very responsive host with lots of help and quick to answer any questions. Would definitely recommend.”
“Phenomenal place!! So beautiful. Walk out and hike in any direction. Great kitchen for cooking. Close to nearby places. Hosts absolutely know what they are doing and keep a beautiful warm and lovely quality home.”
“We had a fantastic stay! Victoria was very responsive and helpful and the welcome basket was a lovely treat on arrival. There were lots of recommendations on places to go and eat. The area was very peaceful and the kids and dogs loved exploring the gardens and being outside. Thank you again!”
“We had a great stay, the house is in a fantastic location which is lovely and quiet with a fantastic garden that was great for the kids and dog. It’s close by to some excellent beaches even one on the estuary within walking distance. The house was nice and big for the 8 of us with some nice touches like the hot tub which was very popular. Victoria was extremely helpful and quick to respond to any questions or issues we had.”
“It’s not often that a house completely exceeds expectations but this one certainly did. The setting up a little track is absolutely beautiful with the mountains as a backdrop and the beautiful Harlech beach up the road. The welcome hamper after a 7 hour drive was a very special touch. This was a rare three generation family holiday and the house was perfect for us. Victoria is a great communicator and we only wish we had booked two weeks as one week was not enough!”
Historic charm with modern comforts — every detail of this self-catering holiday let considered for your stay.
Everything you need to know for a comfortable and relaxing visit.
From fairy-tale villages to medieval castles, Snowdonia's finest experiences are just minutes away.
The enchanting Italianate village created by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis. A whimsical world of colourful buildings, subtropical gardens, and sweeping estuary views — famously the setting for The Prisoner.
9.4 km away
Edward I's mighty fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site perched dramatically above the coast. One of the finest examples of medieval military architecture in Europe, with commanding views of the Llŷn Peninsula and Snowdonia.
11 km away
Golden sands stretch for miles along the Dwyryd estuary and Cardigan Bay coast. Perfect for sunset walks, Shell Island — one of Wales's best-kept secrets.
5 km away
One of Snowdonia's prettiest villages, where the Glaslyn and Colwyn rivers meet beneath a medieval stone bridge. Charming cafes, riverside walks, and the legendary tale of Gelert the hound.
22 km awayEurope's longest zip line and underground adventure experiences in Snowdonia's former slate quarries.
Heritage steam railway winding through 13 miles of stunning Snowdonian scenery from Porthmadog to Blaenau Ffestiniog.
Wales's highest peak offers multiple walking routes from gentle paths to dramatic ridges. The Snowdon Mountain Railway also runs to the summit.
Harlech Beach's vast golden sands, Shell Island, and the quieter coves of the Llŷn Peninsula are all within easy reach.
Just 720 metres from the property — direct rail access to the Cambrian Coast line and connections throughout Wales.
Miles of trails from gentle estuary walks to challenging mountain circuits. The area is a walker's and cyclist's paradise.
From gentle estuary trails to epic mountain passes — the perfect base for a cycling holiday or walking holiday in Eryri.
Family Favourite
One of Britain's most scenic cycle paths. Follows the disused railway line along the spectacular Mawddach Estuary, crossing the iconic 19th-century Barmouth Bridge. Flat and car-free, with stunning views of Cadair Idris.
View Route
NCN Route 8
Part of the 250-mile national cycle route traversing Wales. The Harlech section delivers a lung-busting climb rewarded by incredible views over the Dwyryd Estuary. Quiet country lanes and some traffic-free sections through to Porthmadog.
View Route
Scenic Valley Ride
Follow quiet roads from Porthmadog through Aberglaslyn Pass to the picture-postcard village of Beddgelert. Dramatic scenery through a narrow gorge with the Glaslyn river below. Return the same way or extend to Llyn Gwynant for a longer ride. Relatively flat with some gentle climbs.
View Route
Caernarfon to Bryncir
A lovely traffic-free path following the Welsh Highland Railway from Caernarfon Castle southwards. Views across Caernarfon Bay to Anglesey, passing through quiet villages with great views of Snowdon. Perfect for families.
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Epic Road Cycling
An epic road ride circling Snowdon itself. Climbs the famous Llanberis Pass, descends to Beddgelert past Lake Llyn Gwynant, then follows the dramatic road past Lake Llyn Cwellyn. Spectacular mountain scenery throughout.
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Perfect First Ride
The perfect introduction to mountain biking at the UK's premier trail centre. A gentle, flowing trail through ancient forest with smooth surfaces and no challenging features. Bike hire available from Beics Brenin on-site. Café, showers, and bike wash at the visitor centre.
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Classic All-Day Epic
The classic Coed y Brenin epic. Over 30km of flowing singletrack through the forest with a great mix of climbs and descents, rocky sections, and sweeping berms. Allow 3–5 hours. Stunning views of the Mawddach Valley and Cadair Idris. One of the best all-day mountain bike rides in Wales.
View Trail
Gravity Playground
One of the UK's best gravity-focused bike parks in Blaenau Ffestiniog. Uplift service means no pedalling — just ride down and shuttle back up. 14 downhill trails from gentle greens to the fearsome Black Power track. Expect flowy berms, tabletops, rocky descents, and big jumps. 10–15 descents possible in a day. Café on-site.
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Betws-y-Coed Classic
A 30-year-old classic winding through the beautiful Gwydir Forest near Betws-y-Coed. The 25km Gwydir Mawr loop incorporates the shorter 8.7km Gwydir Bach trail. Fantastic woodland singletrack with roots, rocks, and natural features. Accessible by train — passes within 1km of Llanrwst Station.
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World-Class Technical
A real favourite for experienced riders. A great mix of rocky gnarlyness, fast flowing singletrack, and modern trail features. Technical throughout with rock gardens, drops, and steep descents. The trail that put Coed y Brenin on the map as a world-class MTB destination. Allow 1.5–3 hours.
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Wild Mountain Walking
Medieval packhorse steps climbing through the wild Rhinogydd mountains — Snowdonia's most rugged and least-visited range, right on the doorstep. Ancient woodlands, boggy marshland, pre-historic cairns, and absolutely stunning views.
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Coastal Walking
Stunning coastal walking along golden sands, through dune systems, salt marshes, and with dramatic views across Cardigan Bay. The classic view looking back at Harlech Castle above the beach is unforgettable. Hop on/off via the Cambrian Coast railway.
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The Quietest Summit Route
The quietest route to the summit of Wales's highest peak at 3,560 ft. Less crowded than the popular Llanberis and Pyg/Miners' tracks. Steady climb with awe-inspiring views, viaducts, waterfalls, gorges, and remnants of abandoned farms.
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Beddgelert Village
A gentle walk from one of Snowdonia's prettiest villages along the banks of the River Glaslyn to the legendary grave of Gelert the hound. Beautiful riverside scenery, easy path suitable for all ages. Combine with the village cafes and Aberglaslyn Pass.
View Route
Long-Distance Challenge
A long-distance route traversing upland terrain, following remote pathways linking pre-historic sites. Spectacular views over Cardigan Bay and the Rhinogydd mountains. Base yourselves at Tyddyn Eglwys and split into several sections over 2–3 days.
View RouteAfter a day on the trails, unwind in the private hot tub under the stars. Tygwyn station is a 10-minute walk — perfect for car-free trail access on the Cambrian Coast line.
Check AvailabilityOur favourite local restaurants, cafes, and fish & chip shops — all within easy reach.
We recommend booking in advance for all restaurants.
Porthmadog High Street
Morfa Bychan
Drive onto the beach, grab fish & chips, watch the sunset
Off A494, Harlech Beach road
Local produce, fresh bread, cakes
Porthmadog
105 High Street, Porthmadog
82 High Street, Porthmadog
Select your dates below to check availability and pricing.
Checking availability...
£300 Sun–Thu · £350 Fri & Sat · Min 3 nights
Check-in: 4–6pm · Check-out: by 10am · Min 3 nights