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Velvet Cottage is a family owned, recently modernised 3 bedroom holiday cottage situated in a quite magnificent setting one and a half miles North of Llangollen. The fully furnished self catering accommodation, graded 3 Star by VisitWales, is positioned above a quiet lane and is backed by National Trust owned Velvet Hill. The cottage is an ideal base for hill and lane walking, mountain biking, golf, canoeing, rock climbing or simply exploring the famous North Wales and Borderlands countryside and mountains. Local attractions include Valle Crucis Abbey, Llangollen canal and Pontcysyllte aqueduct, Llangollen pavilion & Eisteddfod, Llangollen steam railway (featuring guest appearances by Thomas the Tank Engine!), Plas Newydd (home of the Ladies of Llangollen), the Horseshoe Pass and the North Wales coast. Velvet Cottage can provide rental accommodation for five and is suitable for small parties or family groups. Full self catering facilities are provided, although there are many options for eating out locally or in Llangollen itself. For evening entertainment, Freeview TV, a DVD Player and unlimited wireless broadband are provided should you not wish to frequent the excellent local hostelries!
The accommodation is not suitable for wheelchairs due to the presence of access steps and an internal staircase to the bathroom facilities. A car is recommended but not essential (off-road parking is provided). Dogs and other pets are not allowed in the cottage.
There is evidence of a cottage being on the site since 1606. Velvet Cottage itself was built about one hundred and fifty years ago and has been owned by the present family since 1920. It's position on Abbey Terrace affords magnificent views out across Valle Crucis (Valley of the Cross) towards the Horseshoe Pass in the distance. The cottage was built with local slate stone and the thick walls offer insulation in the Winter and welcome coolness in the height of Summer.
Velvet Cottage has been recently modernised and graded 3 Star by VisitWales. The downstairs room floors are covered in the original terracotta quarry tiling. Over the years the floor has been protected by carpet coverage and as a result it is in immaculate condition. The living room ceiling features the original oak beams, painted black in traditional Welsh style.
The property features:
On arrival you will find comprehensive literature to help you get the best out of your holiday. Here’s a taster of what’s on offer:
WALKING
Velvet Cottage is exceptionally well positioned to explore this world-famous area. Indeed, many of the well-documented walks can be enjoyed right from the doorstep!!
A footpath round the side and back of No.1 Abbey Terrace provides access to National Trust owned Velvet Hill. A short but exhilarating walk to the top offers magnificent views of the Llantisilio mountain range to the West, the Horsehoe Pass to the North and the Eglwyseg Rocks and Dinas Bran Castle to the East. Continue on and you reach the source of the Llangollen Canal at the Chainbridge Hotel and the Horseshoe Falls. Nearby is picturesque Llantysilio Church where five generations of owners of Velvet Cottage were married!
Turn right in Abbey Terrace and you quickly arrive at Valle Crucis Abbey. Continue past the Abbey and a pleasant walk takes you to Dinas Bran Castle. Drop down into Llangollen and after a well-earned drink and a little shopping, an easy walk along the canal takes you back to the cottage, either over Velvet Hill or alongside the road.
Turn left in Abbey Terrace and you soon reach a footpath across the fields. The old tram route up to the quarries can easily be seen in the mountainside ahead. After reaching the lane, turn right and left to soon reach the Britannia Inn. A footpath leads up from the left hand side of the pub. From then on, the wilderness of the Llantysilio mountain range is yours to explore!
After a hard day’s exploring, the Abbey Grange Hotel beckons. The hotel, reached by a small footpath across a field, offers excellent food and real ales. We can especially recommend the Sunday carvery. Prepared using local meat and vegetables, it is delicious!!
Continuing 20 minutes further up the valley, the aforementioned Britannia Inn is reached
For serious hikers, Velvet Cottage lies close to Offa’s Dyke and the Clwydian Way long distance footpaths, the Dee Valley Way (a fifteen mile footpath between Lllangollen and Corwen) and the tougher North Berwyn Way (also between Llangollen and Corwen). A very popular way of walking the Dee Valley and North Berwyn Ways is to catch the steam train from either Llangollen or Berwyn up to Corwen, and then walk the route back on either of the routes.
CANOEING
The River Dee upstream of Llangollen is one of the Uk’s premier canoeing venues, with water available all year. To find out about canoeing and other adventure sports, visit JJ Caneoing or WhiteWaterWaterActive.
LLANGOLLEN
Llangollen itself has many well documented attractions. . Among the highlights are:
Plas Newydd, home of the Ladies of Llangollen.
Llangollen steam railway, featuring Thomas the Tank engine!!
Llangollen canal, with horse drawn barge trips.
Llangollen pavilion, home of the International Music Eisteddfod and many other events throughout the year.
Llangollen fringe, including Llangollen jazz festival.
North Wales is a well known tourist destination. From Velvet cottage, the North Wales coast is less than an hour’s drive away. There are many National Trust properties in the area, Chirk Castle and Bodnant Gardens being arguably the best.
A great day out for all the family can be had at Pen-y-Ffrith bird gardens. Exotic and local bird species are on view in 18 acres of gardens. Pen-y-Ffrith is located high in the Clywyddian Mountain range and can be combined with an exhilarating walk/picnic in spectacular scenery.
Tel 07966 260565
www.velvetcottage.co.uk
Denbighshire self catering holiday cottages