In need of some serious rest and relaxation, a few days nestled in among the Welsh countryside sounded just the ticket.
Wales has so much to offer visitors, the countryside being on a par with the best Scotland has to offer and the welcome every bit as friendly. We deliberately chose Macdonald’s Plas Talgarth resort as it’s towards the south of Snowdonia National Park, offering us the kind of relaxing break that included a six-hour hike up a mountain.
We arrived at Plas Talgarth to a cheery welcome from reception staff who directed us to our home for the coming days. The three-bedroom self-catering lodge was well equipped and comfortable.
After our long drive from Aberdeen we really just wanted to sit and relax, but we’d neglected to bring any supplies, so after a quick cuppa we headed to the local village, Machynlleth, heralded on its signs as the ancient capital of Wales. The short drive there showed us what was to come – quaint village streets lined with some of the tiniest houses I’ve seen, beautifully rendered in slate giving a welcome warmth, differing from the cold, grey granite of home.
Everywhere we travelled in Wales, our breath was taken away by its sheer beauty. Whether the imposing mountains that seemed to loom out from the roadsides around us, the slate houses twinkling in the sunlight or the timeless quality of village streets that appeared materially unchanged for centuries, we were in awe of our surroundings.
Our planned hike targeted Cadair Idris, or Chair of Idris, which was just a 10-minute drive away and offered us the challenge of almost 3,000ft of elevation featuring glacial erosion with the lake Llyn Cau a delight to discover during our circular route. It was a blazing hot day and we got the best of the views all the way to Snowdon itself.
The several hours spent on this gem were well worth it, as we’d packed plenty of food and took regular breaks up the steep incline to enjoy the views and bask in the sunshine. We could feel the stress leaving us with each foot we ascended.
The next day, our luck on the weather front broke a bit, and we decided to investigate some of the local villages.
A small seaside village, Aberdyfi (Aberdovey) offers a lovely beach which would surely keep the young of all ages entertained, and a local shop selling some of the seafood which the local boats still catch daily, offering a glimpse of how life must have been years ago. The very smell of the sea as we walked along the harbour front brought back childhood memories, and I was delighted to see two gents crab fishing off the pier with the same kind of homemade tackle I had used as a small child.
With an assortment of traditional homes along the front, there were also plenty of small stores selling bits, pieces and the obligatory ice cream or cup of tea. There’s also a championship golf course, and several watersports on offer, although the most strenuous sport I had planned was trying to coax my legs back into life using the extremely steep village streets as we wandered about.
We later drove further on and came to another village, Tywyn, which offered us the same golden sands but with the added bonus of a swimming pool if the weather gods happen to be less kind and your small ones are being demanding.
Plas Talgarth resort also offers an indoor pool, as well as an outdoor one. When we returned, I’d promised us a round on the putting green in front of our lodge, and the oncoming rain wasn’t going to stop us. So, with golf clubs in hand and rain jackets on, we worked our way round the nine-hole course.
We must have been doing something right though, as our laughter soon brought some of the other residents out to play in the rain.
Our stay at Plas Talgarth showed us several things, not least how accessible Wales can be. The lodges offer great flexibility for larger families or multiple generations, accommodating six with ease. Plas Talgarth is great for families, for a beach break, for those looking to hit the mountains on foot or bike or even those wanting to do nothing but sit by the pool and drink cocktails before a meal in the restaurant.
The best of all worlds, and truly the best of Wales.
THE HOLIDAY
- Where: Macdonald Plas Talgarth resort, Snowdonia National Park, Pennal, Machynllech, Wales SY20 9JY
- Accommodation: One, two and three-bedroom apartments or lodges
- Facilities: Indoor and outdoor pool, gym, sauna, Jacuzzi, steam room, tennis courts, pitch and putt, snooker tables, outdoor play area, table tennis and spa, pet friendly
- Food: Restaurant and bar
- Contact: 0344 879 9100
- Website: https://resorts.macdonaldhotels.co.uk/resorts/plas-talgarth