Lilly Peacock Cottage

Brochure

Self Catering Cottage



Double Bed Sleeps Two

Bed Linen and Bath Towels Provided

Shower Room and Toilet

Wifi

Fully Equipped Kitchen including Washing Machine Oven Microwave Coffee Machine

Log Burner

TV

Ironing Board / Iron



Dogs Welcome

Village Shop

Village Pub





Activities in the Area



On the Doorstep

🚴Penmachno Mountain Bike Trails 30km of scenic trails. The trails are managed by a local community group (Menter Bro Machno), and are funded by donations from bikers and maintained by volunteers. Take the trails and cycle through what used to be the busy centre of Victorian Wood and Slate Industries. 🔗 Penmachno Bike Trails

🏞️ Go Below, based at the Conwy Falls Café, offers tours of the local slate mine above Penmachno. The area around the Slate Mine is now a UNESCO World Heritage site and Go Below Tours offer you the chance to go down into the 19th Century Slate Mines; the deepest reaching over 1,300 feet belowground. 01690 710108 🔗 Go-Below

🐎 Gwydyr Stables have over 50 years of experience offering horse riding and trekking in the forests above Penmachno; some of the routes are historic old drovers roads. 01690 760248 🔗 Gwydyr Stables

🥾 There are plenty of footpaths in the area and OS maps can be purchased at Costwold Outdoor in Betws-y- Coed. Betws-y-Coed has long been a base for walkers, with routes like the River Llugwy walk and Fairy Glen, dating back to Victorian tourism. From the Cottage you can also walk up to where the Mountain Bike trails begin and enjoy the wide forest tracks.

You are welcome to use the maps in the cottage during your stay but please leave them behind for the next guests. Please note some of the maps are over 50 years old.



Further Afield

🏞️ Llyn Geirionydd. A great lake for a Swim! It is also a Dark Sky Reserve 🔗 Llyn Geirionydd Dark Skies and renowned for stargazing. There is a lovely walk (40 mins each way) to the neighbouring 🏞️ Llyn Crafnant, which has a small tearoom (they also sell fishing licenses 🔗 Crafnant Trout Fishery). If you do like to be beside the seaside, then the Llyn peninsula offers walks on the beach at 🏖️ Blackrock Sands, and surfing at 🏄‍♀️ Abersoch (🔗 Abersoch Watersports) and nearby beaches like Porth Neigwl (Hell’s Mouth). There are beaches in 🏖️Llandudno and on the coast between Conwy and Bangor that are a little closer but perhaps less spectacular.

Built by the slate baron George Hay Dawkins Pennant (Lord Penrhyn), 🏰 Penrhyn Castle is a fantastic mock medieval castle near Bangor (35 minutes from Betws-y-Coed). A UNESCO World Heritage site, 🏰 Conwy Castle is the genuine article (30 mins from Betws-y-Coed). The Castle was built by Edward I between 1283–1287 and took just four and a half years to complete using 1500 workers from England and France. Enjoy tea at 🍽️ Anna’s Tea Rooms on the High Street or visit the smallest house in the UK on the quay front. 🌿Bodnant Botanical Gardens can be visited en route if it’s a sunny day; these spectacular National Trust gardens contain the famous Laburnum Arch which usually flowers in late May or Early June. (🔗 NT Bodnant Gardens)

🏰 Caernarfon Castle (35 mins from Betws-y-Coed) is equally impressive and was begun by Edward I in 1283, but many parts were either never completed, or fell into disrepair.

The 🏞️ Llechwedd Slate Caverns (Blaenau Ffestiniog, 20 minutes from Betws-y-Coed), now part of Zip World Llechwedd, offering underground tours and Europe’s steepest cable railway. They give a real insight into the hard and dark lives of hundreds of slate miners who worked in North Wales.

Those suffering from adrenalin deficiency might enjoy hurtling down 🧗the longest series of Zip Wires in Europe at the Llechwedd SlateCaverns, or trying their skill on the high ropes course at 🧗Tree Top Adventures. Zipline and adventure activities also include Bounce Below, Titan, and Underground Golf (just outside Betws-y-Coed on the way to Llanrwst, call in advance on 01690 710914 to book a slot).

🧗Adventure Parc offers indoor soft play for kids as well as Ninja Assault course, indoor climbing and high ropes and actual cave tours. The number 19 bus from the green in Penmachno stops at Adventure Parc and takes 47 minutes. (01492 709929 🔗 Adventure Parc)

🥾There are, of course, a number of mountains to climb in Snowdonia, the closest to Betws-y-Coed being Meol Siabod. 🚴If pedal power is your thing then pack yourbike and challenge yourself on the Gwydir Mawr and Bach (formerly the Marin Trail): 25km red-graded trail in the Gwydir Forest just above Betws-y-Coed. (🔗 Ride North Wales for trails and🔗 bikewales.co.uk 01690 710766 for bike hire from Beics Betws)



Eateries in the Area



Eagles Bunkhouse and Pub

🍽️The local pub is The Eagles, opening times vary so please check their website for details. 01690 760177. Free WIFI. 🔗 The Eagles Penmachno

Plas Glasgwm

🍽️Lovely café that is open at weekends during the summer months. It is half an hour pleasant walk from Penmachno, or just 5 minutes in the car.

Conwy Falls Café

🍽️Lovely café with free WIFI at the junction of the Penmachno road and the A5. Open from 9am until 5pm every day of the week, serving hot and cold food, cakes, snacks and drinks. Serves drinks and offers a Mexican Night Every Saturday Evening. Please check website for Winter hours. 🔗 Conwy Falls Cafe

Tu-Hwnt-I’r Bont (Beyond the Bridge)

🍽️Fantastic historic 15th Century tearoom. Open10:30am to 5pm, offers traditional high tea and homemade cakes, in Llanwrst next to the bridge. 🔗 Tu-Hwnt-I'r Bont

Ty Hyll (The Ugley House)

🍽️Tiny tea room between Betws-y-Coed and Capel Curig. Tearoom “Pot Mêl” open 10.30am to 4.30pm, check website for Winter hours. Garden and woodland open year-round. 🔗 Ty Hyll Tearoom

Tea Room at Llyn Crafnamnt

🍽️Tearoom open Thursday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm. Check website for Winter hours. Fishing permits available daily.

Ty Gwyn Hotel and Restaurant

🍽️A 16th Century Coaching Inn, with a good bar and restaurant, just outside Betws-y-Coed. Book your table in advance! 🔗 Ty Gwyn Hotel & Restaurant 01690 710383

The Lion Inn, Gwytherin

🍽️I would phone in advance as the owners only open the kitchen based on pre-bookings. 🔗 The Lion Inn 01745 860123

🍽️There are plenty of eateries in Betws-y-Coed for all your individual needs. Please try the Alphine Coffee Shop (Palm-oil free, conservation-focused café at Betws-y-Coed station) and its big brother the Hangin' Pizzeria due to its conservation work in saving Orangutans and other apes and the relaxed atmosphere. The Hangin' Pizzeria also sells eco friendly logs for the wood burner made from coffee!!!

🔗 Alpine Coffee Shop 01690 710747

🔗 Hangin' Pizzeria 01690 710393



Wildlife



🐦The Machno Valley and surrounding hills and forests are known for their biodiversity and harbour a wealth of wildlife and the area is a bird watcher’s paradise. Buzzards are numerous and look out for Red Kites which frequently fly over the village and valley. In spring you will hear Cuckoos calling across the valley and Siskins are common in the village all year round. A short walk past the side of the pub and up the quiet lane into the Glasgwyn Valley will bring you into beautiful forests containing carpets of Bluebells in spring and characteristic Welsh woodland birds like Pied Flycatchers, Wood Warblers, Redstarts and Crossbills. If you are lucky, you may spot a Red Fox or a Brown Hare. Take a short drive up towards Cwm Penmachno then turn left by a row of cottages. This road takes you through another patch of forest and then a steep climb up onto the open moorland of the Mignient. The 🍃 Mignient is one of the largest areas of blanket bog in Wales, stunning and scenic, but also contributing to carbon storage and biodiversity. This area is part of the Ysbyty Ifan Estate and managed by the National Trust for its wild scenery and rare wildlife. With luck you may see Hen Harrier (a protected species and focus of UK conservation efforts), Merlin and Red Grouse. The views are spectacular; from here you can see the Snowdon mountain ranges to the west and Cader Idris to the south.



Wildlife Watching Further Afield



North West Wales offers a wealth of wildlife watching opportunities beyond the Machno Valley. Whether you're drawn to coastal cliffs, estuary wetlands, or upland moors, there are several outstanding reserves and viewing points within easy reach.

RSPB Conwy Nature Reserve🐦Located on the Conwy estuary, this wetland reserve is home to a wide variety of birds including Redshanks, Curlews, Shelducks, and seasonal visitors like Black-tailed Godwits and Little Egrets. The site features walking trails, bird hides, a visitor centre, and a café.🔗 Visit RSPB Conwy

Glaslyn Osprey Viewing Point (near Porthmadog)🐦Managed by Bywyd Gwyllt Glaslyn Wildlife, this community-run site offers one of the best chances to see Ospreys in Wales; during the breeding season (March to August). The viewing platform and live nest cameras provide an intimate look at these magnificent birds.🔗 Visit Glaslyn Wildlife

RSPB South Stack Cliffs (Anglesey)🐦Perched on the dramatic sea cliffs of Holy Island, this reserve is famous for its seabird colonies. In spring and summer you can see Puffins, Guillemots, Razorbills, and Kittiwakes nesting on the cliffs. The rare Chough, with its red legs and curved bill, is a year-round resident. Grey Seals are often spotted below the cliffs. The site includes Ellin’s Tower observatory, a visitor centre, and scenic walks to the lighthouse.

🔗 Visit South Stack