Pen Y Bont, Glyn Ceiriog

A wonderful cottage, converted by the owners to an incredibly high standard. The cottage features everything you could possibly need during your stay, from a log burner ideal for the cold Welsh nights to a fully enclosed garden which our dog loved. The cottage is in an extraordinarily peaceful location, many mornings we sat for hours in the kitchen with the patio doors open listening to the birds and the stream. It is also perfect for walkers as you can set off from the cottage without having to drive anywhere, from short strolls to energetic daily walks there is plenty for everyone. For others that would rather shop Llangollen is not far with plenty of places to eat if you would rather not cook. I could not recommend this enough we love it.

I don't say this lightly - we've stayed in a lot of holiday cottages, because it's a great way to get away and take our elderly dog with us - but Pen Y Bont is something else entirely. Renovated to an extremely high standard with very good quality materials and furnishings, the house is attractive, well-appointed and very comfortable indeed. I've always hated the expression "the wow factor", but this house actually has it - and its kitchen/diner/sitting room (don't worry, there's also a fabulous snug with wood-burner) opens its doors on to a view to die for. That would be enough in itself - indeed, one of my benchmarks for a holiday rental is: "Would I like to live in this house?" - but its situation is close to paradise. We had no idea when we booked it how beautiful the Ceiriog valley was, nor how idyllic the cottage's own location. Surrounded by hills populated by sheep, adorable lambs and pheasants, the cottage has a garden extending into woodland with its own babbling brook running through it. There is no passing traffic, other than the odd farm vehicle or the once a day visit by the postie and the upper road from which the cottage is accessed has little traffic at the worst of time - which you can't hear, anyway. At night - silence. Perhaps an owl hooting and the occasional cry of a sheep to its lambs. If the sky is cloudless, you'll get a view of the heavens you seldom see elsewhere in the UK. The area is riddled with fabulous walking, some great places to eat and drink and excellent places to visit - like Llangollen, Chirk castle and the aqueducts at Pontcysyllte and Chirk. The owners have thought of just about everything. There's tea and home-made Welshcakes (which are a very different beast from the commercially-produced ones) with Welsh butter awaiting you, wood for the fire - and there's even a study if you've been forced to bring work with you or just fancy coming over all Jane Austen and dashing off a few letters/emails boasting of your amazing fortune in discovering this place.

I stayed in Pen Y Bont last week with my wife and our two young daughters and had the most perfect relaxed holiday. Everything from the booking to meeting with the owner Lynn to collect the keys was effortless and lovely. The house is decorated to a very high standard, immaculately clean and provided the backdrop to a peaceful, relaxing holiday. The cottage, although out in the quiet countryside, is still in easy driving distance of nearby towns and villages - as well as in driving distance of several waterfalls including Wales' highest (Pistyll Rhaeadr), Snowdon, Betys y Coed and several other areas known for their beauty. There are also walks from the house through the surrounding countryside. Llangollen is nearby and the Cornmill pub there has nice food and a balcony that you can sit out on enjoying a drink looking over the river dee. If you have younger children their is also a steam train along the river Dee in Llangollen that sometimes has Thomas the Tank Engine visit (a proper full Thomas steam train). For the most part we simply enjoyed the peace, tranquility and walks (interspersed with viewing the Olympics which were on). I would highly recommend this cottage to anyone (as much as I would like to keep it our secret so that I dont have trouble booking when I want to come back - which I will). If you are going to Pistyll Rhaeadr then please be aware the road up is very narrow and if you have a wide car it might be worth timing it to go at a quiet time or parking in a village and walking up