Read about my wholesome weekend in this beautiful independent bunkhouse, tucked away in the peaks and troughs of mountainous Welsh farmland. This comfortable and cosy group accomodation offers a sense of calm, connection and simplicity that feels increasingly rare, making it an ideal base for groups and families looking to reconnect with nature. What’s not to love?
Back in November, my friends and I had the pleasure of staying a weekend in the beautiful independent hostel Conwy Valley Barn, tucked away in the peaks and troughs of mountainous Welsh farmland. This comfortable and cosy bunkhouse is an ideal getaway for groups and families wishing to immerse in comfort in the great outdoors.
Conwy Valley Barn sits in the centre of an organic sheep farm, farmed by the same family for three generations. The owner, Claudia, made us ever so welcome and was happy to show us around the site and give us some insider tips on the local area. We were introduced to the 20 or so cats living on the farm, and resident sheepdog Gell who loved a bit of a fuss!
What’s on offer?
The historic barn has been stylishly converted into comfortable holiday accommodation, but it’s not without its rustic charm. The wooden beams across the high ceiling and enormous log burner in the hearth create an ambience that we all crave in this modern world, with firewood provided to guests on request. The living space features new sofas, a TV and a good selection of board games, books and magazines to entertain the masses. There’s even a piano that fills the room with tinkling music – on an evening we tended to gather around the fire, playing board games and enjoying a bit of a jam on piano and guitar. At the far end of the room there sits an enormous old dining table (seating 20!), the perfect place to gather your group for hearty meals.
The spacious kitchen features a commercial-grade oven, dishwasher and microwave, and all the utensils required for group catering needs. We enjoyed some hearty evening meals here – organising a pizza night in the barn was one of the best decisions I made on this holiday. Leaving a couple hours to prove the dough beforehand, adding toppings couldn’t have been more simple – and the multi-layered oven was absolutely perfect for stacking up all our trays at once! My favourite thing about pizzas is after only 10 minutes of cooking, the aromatic smells of baking bread and melty, oozy cheese fills the space and makes you feel at home, wherever you are. There was even some baking equipment, which we didn’t use but if you fancy pancakes in the morning or a spontaneous barrabrith – a traditional Welsh delicacy.
The bunkbarn sleeps up to 16 people in 3 dorm rooms: a 4 bed and 6 bed with ensuite toilets and another 6 bed without. The beds were super comfortable – I actually had some of the best night sleep in a long time here – but please note guests need to provide their own bedding. Alternatively, bed linen can be hired for a small fee. All rooms and common areas are centrally heated and thoughtfully furnished.
Location, Location, Location
Conwy Valley Barn is ideally positioned for any outdoor lover, or holiday makers wishing to pay a visit to the many nearby tourist attractions. Just a 10 minute drive from the historic medieval town of Conwy, the barn couldn’t be easier to get to. A public bus service links it to Conwy, Betws-y-Coed and many other towns and villages down Conwy valley.
If you’re into extreme adventure in the outdoors, the famous Welsh attractions Zip World Betws-y-Coed and Surf Snowdonia are located very close to where we stayed. A short drive will take you into the heart of Snowdonia, where there are more options to explore. We didn’t have the time, or the funds, to explore them but having previously visited the Zip World Caverns in Blaenau Ffestiniog, I can certainly vouch for this adventure provider.
On the Itinerary
We were unlucky to get some rainy weather which meant that it was difficult to get out and explore outdoors, but the calming sound of rain on the barn roof with the fire lit was a different kind of luxury. When we did manage to get some clear weather, we certainly made the most of it:
The local area couldn’t be more exhilarating for outdoor lovers like us: from the barn you can see Pen Y Gaer, a towering hill with remains of an Iron Age fort. A couple hours hike and we made it to the top (totally didn’t get lost on the way). From the 385m peak, we could see miles around- luckily the weather held out and we had great visibility! You could really feel something special in the atmosphere there – many agree that there is nothing quite like standing on top of a big hill to make you feel happy to be alive.
On another day of our trip we decided to drive down the valley and explore the quirky village of Betws-y-Coed, and its surrounding areas for a walk. We followed the riverside trail down the river Afon Llugwy to Rhaeadr Ewynnol (Swallow Falls), where we spotted a heron on a rock, right in the middle of the falls! It was incredible to see one so up close, I didn’t even need my binoculars.
We perused through the shopping streets of Betws-y-Coed and happened to stumble upon an early Christmas market, complete with Santa and his elves handing out presents. There was a brass band enthusiastically dishing out the first carols of the season, and a blacksmiths stall making handcrafted goods while an audience watched on. We wandered on to discover Hangin’ pizzeria and art gallery, ran by conservation charity Orangutan Appeal UK – a thoughtful and moving addition to a quirky little town such as this one. With our minds all the more open, we moved on to our last shopping stop in Betwsy Coed: the yarn shop. I purchased some Snowdonian sheep wool to knit mittens with – what a treat.
On Sunday evening, we rounded off a wholesome weekend with a meal out at local pub The Tal Y Cafn, and can absolutely recommend their roast dinners. We also paid a visit to Ye Olde Bull Inn, a quaint establishment just a 20 minute walk from the barn, offering true authentic Welsh-ness that takes you back to an era lost to time. Small local businesses such as the village shop and the butchers, are crucial to Conwy Valley Barn as a place for guests to restock with supplies, meet residents and try locally grown organic produce.
As our long weekend drew to a close, it was clear that Conwy Valley Barn had given us far more than just a place to sleep. It offered a sense of calm, connection and simplicity that feels increasingly rare. This bunkhouse strikes a perfect balance between comfort and authenticity, making it an ideal base for groups looking to reconnect with nature. I wouldn’t hesitate to return, and I’d recommend it wholeheartedly to anyone seeking a wholesome and memorable escape in the heart of North Wales.
