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Hafannedd was formerly a woollen mill dating from the 1600s. It is located on the River Clwyd in North Wales on the edge of the Clwydian Range Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), one of the six in Wales. The mill has been converted into two comfortable cottage apartments, with the riverside cottage also available for letting.
Centrally located between three outstandingly beautiful areas - the Clwydian
Range, Snowdonia National Park and the Dee Valley.
Hafannedd is within easy reach of Chester (45 mins), Manchester Airport (90 mins)
and Liverpool Airport (75 mins).
Hafannedd has its own entrance directly off the A494 between Ruthin and Corwen. If you are coming from the north (Ruthin), after passing through Pwllglas look out for the old chapel on the left of the road, go round the bend, past the chapel and our entrance is immediately on the right.
From the south (Corwen) after passing through Bryn Saith Marchog look out for a layby on the right with a small postbox and row of cottages; our entrance is opposite. We recommend that you do not use satnav to find us, as it will direct you along very narrow lanes unsuitable for many vehicles, especially during the winter. Our OS grid reference is SJ086504.
There is a bus stop at our gate and on weekdays and Saturdays an hourly
service connects Rhyl, Ruthin and Corwen. The bus service is operated by Arriva.
The Vale of Clwyd is one of the most picturesque valleys in Wales. The River Clwyd rises in the Cloceanog Forest, only 3 kms from Hafannedd, and flows northwards to join the Irish Sea near Rhyl. The area is well-known not only for its spectacular scenery and wide variety of wildlife but also its historic connections, particularly with Owain Glyndwr (who actually burned down most of medieval Ruthin in 1400). Hafannedd is located on the edge of the Clwydian Range AONB, a beautiful area characterised by heather uplands, lush valleys, iron-age hillforts and is a major centre for walking and mountain biking.
Hafannedd is roughly equidistant from the towns of Ruthin and Corwen; Ruthin is an elegant mixture of old and new, boasting everything from 15th century houses once inhabited by families connected to the royal Tudor court to supermarkets; Corwen was an old market town and will soon be the western terminus of the Llangollen Steam Railway. As well as its steam railway, Llangollen is an important centre for canoeing and for its international music Eisteddfod. There is also Plas Newydd, originally the home of the Ladies of Llangollen. Just outside Llangollen is the base of the Fron Male Voice Choir and nearby the valley is crossed by the famous canal aqueduct built by Thomas Telford in 1805.
Local sports facilities include two leisure centres with swimming pools, squash and tennis courts, fitness centres etc and an excellent golf course just 2 miles away. There are riding, fishing and other outdoor pursuits available nearby as are whitewater rafting, canoeing and kayaking. If the sea and mountains are more to your taste, then Snowdonia is close by as are the north and west coasts of Wales, with everything from miles of sandy beaches to small rocky coves.
Those interested in exploring historic castles are spoilt for choice with Chirk Castle in one direction and Penrhyn in another. Built a little later, but equally interesting is Erddig, the family home of the Yorke family at Wrexham. Plas Teg has also recently been restored and opened to the public. Said to be the most haunted house in Wales, it has been connected to the notorious Hanging Judge Jeffries and to local witches. In contrast, a trip through Snowdonia can lead visitors to the unusual italianate "village" of Portmeirion.
Finally, what about a day at the races? Bangor on Dee and Chester are major venues on the horse racing calendar, giving visitors a chance to dress up and try their luck on the horses. Its impossible to list all the potential activities available in the area.
At the beginning of the year the orchard is covered with a breathtaking carpet of snowdrops and by March daffodils are bringing colour to every part of the gardens, whilst surrounding fields gradually fill with spring lambs. Once the days begin to lengthen, bluebells can be seen in the neighbouring woods and our own trees are covered in blossom.
During the summer the house and gardens take on a magical quality. Part lawns and cottage garden and part reserved wilderness, the grounds are full of flowers, birds and other wildlife. Visitors can enjoy walking the local public footpaths or go further afield to visit the medieval towns of Ruthin, Langollen, and St Asaph. Snowdonia is just a short drive in one direction whilst the historic city of Chester, with its Roman Amphitheatre, race course, medieval Rows and shops, lies in the other.
For children of all ages the Welsh coast offers every sort of seaside resort, from Llandudno with its magnificent Victorian promenade and sandy beaches (complete with donkeys), to Borth y Gest with its beautiful sandy coves. During July, Llangollen hosts the International Music Eisteddfod and the area fills with groups of performers and enthusiasts from all over the world. The area bursts into colour as choirs and dancers wear their traditional national costumes and give impromptu performances in village halls, schools or simply on the streets. In addition to sightseeing, music and more energetic outdoor pursuits, family historians from all over the world can make the most of the local Record Offices to investigate their ancestors. Ruthin Record Office (housed in the newly renovated gaol!) holds a variety of historic records for the area and there are offices at Hawarden, Dolgellau and Chester.
In Autumn, when short breaks are popular, the changing colours provide a spectacular display and, as winter approaches, there is a chance to appreciate the clear, white magic of a covering of snow. At Christmas and New Year visitors may make the most of the opportunities to join the celebrations, experience the Christmas shopping in Chester, or enjoy a more peaceful getaway. As part of our special Christmas package, we decorate our apartments and welcome guests with a hamper of delicious Welsh foods and, on Christmas Day, cook a traditional Christmas dinner for family, friends and guests. Nearby Ruthin is well known for its New Year celebrations in the town Square - a must for the partygoer!
Tel 01824 750678
www.hafannedd.com
Denbighshire self catering holiday cottages