Pretty Meadow Retreats at Cefn Coed

Cefn Coed may be a spectacular base, but there are miles of walking, cycling and riding paths accessible in equally stunning countryside. Follow the famed Mawddach Trail (10 minutes’ walk) to Dolgellau, Fairbourne and Barmouth, or wander around Abergwynant Woods (20 minutes). If you’re looking for tougher challenges, conquer the slopes of Cadair Idris (20 minutes’ drive), and when you’re more into speed, make for the mountain-bike trails in Coed-y-Brenin Forest Park (25 minutes). For high-octane days out, make for the zipwires and rollercoasters at Zip World Fforest (55 minutes), or the inland surfing lagoon at Adventure Parc Snowdonia (about an hour). Prefer quieter pursuits? Cast a fishing rod off the banks of Cregennan (15 minutes) and Tal-y-llyn (25 minutes) lakes, or hang on for a balmy day and make a beeline for the vast beach at Barmouth (20 minutes). To add a bit of culture into the sightseeing mix, spend a day pottering around weird and wonderful follies in the extraordinary Italianate village of Portmeirion (40 minutes), or combine history with family adventure in the subterranean world of King Arthur’s Labyrinth (25 minutes).