Dolgoch has been owned and run by the Elenydd Hostels Trust since 2007 and in that time many improvements have been made; the gas lighting has been replaced by LED lighting powered by solar panels, the new hot showers are similarly powered by solar panels. The roof was replaced and the track to the hostel from the road was resurfaced. Self contained less able accommodation has been installed. Here is the story of Katy Cliffe’s family holiday at Dolgoch in May 2017.
Dolgoch has been owned and run by the Elenydd Hostels Trust since 2007 and in that time many improvements have been made; the gas lighting has been replaced by LED lighting powered by solar panels, the new hot showers are similarly powered by solar panels. The roof was replaced and the track to the hostel from the road was resurfaced. Self contained less able accommodation has been installed. Here is the story of Katy Cliffe’s family holiday at Dolgoch in May 2017.
Wanting to escape the pressures of every day life, my husband and I booked a weekend at Dolgoch hostel in the Cambrian Mountains of mid Wales. We had hired the whole hostel, the party including our two children, aged 3 years and one year, other family members and friends, 12 in total.
Two members of the group elected to camp; the rest of us enjoyed the very comfortable facilities the hostel had to offer. Our eldest daughter was very excited to see the bunk bed where she would be sleeping. Friday evening consisted of a family meal, prepared in the well equipped kitchen. And then we enjoyed an evening chatting and playing games all sat round the gently crackling log burner.
The following morning the children had a great time helping Nicola the warden to fill the bird feeders and counting the number of birds coming to the bird feeders. During the coast of the weekend we saw finches, several jays and even the Woodpecker.
The hostel has a handy guide book of local walks, so on the Saturday morning the more energetic of the group set out to walk to Moel Prysgu bothy a walk of 11 miles. The rest of us drove to Cors Caron nature reserve near Tregaron, the boarded walk meant it was suitable for the buggy.
A gentle stroll along this walk afforded many opportunities to spot the local wildlife including an adder, grass snakes and lots of birds and insects. Our 3 year old was in her element!
After the walk we enjoyed an authentic Welsh afternoon tea in the small Red Kite museum in Tregaron. Back at the hostel we all enjoyed another home cooked meal and the warden Nicola had laid on a treasure hunt to keep the children occupied. A perfect day.
On Sunday we decided to explore further afield, and chose to visit Bwlch Nant yr Arian Nature Reserve and see the red kites being fed. I would recommend this as a family day out, lots of activities for the children plus a real sense of being back with nature.
This weekend at Dolgoch Hostel was a wonderful experience for all the family and a great way to escape the stresses of modern day life by stepping into a simpler world and appreciating the important things in life; no wi fi; no mobile signal!
Dolgcoh Hostel ! We will be back.
You can find out more about Dolgoch Hostel here and check availability for your holiday by Book Online.