Arwel, Dolwyddelan, Wales

Lying low in the Lledr Valley in the Eyri (Snowdonia) National Park, Arwel is a five-bedroom house designed by architect Richard Griffin. Built within the stone walls of a 19th-century chapel, the home has a surprisingly modern material palette and mindful approach to energy efficiency. Outside is a quiet plot stretching just shy of an acre, set against a spectacular mountainous backdrop. There are rail connections from Dolwyddelan station, a three-minute walk away, to Blaenau Ffestiniog and Llandudno; the latter has ongoing services to London Euston.



Environmental Performance



The external elements have been specified with very high levels of insulation, triple-glazed windows and rooflights, solar panels, and an air-source heat pump.



The Tour



Designed by an architect for himself and his family, the project was completed in July 2012. Partially hidden behind three cottages along High Street (Pentre Bont), Arwel lies behind the retained walls of the minister’s house, with its three storeys extending to around 2,000 sq ft.



The original stone porchway leads into the entrance hall and through to a bright and expansive open-plan living and dining area; a warm, welcoming room with a large log burner forming a natural focal point, and solid oak underfoot.



Oak-panelled pocket doors reveal the modern kitchen, where a butler sink and appliances are set into lines of bespoke oak joinery, and glazed doors open onto a large, sheltered courtyard garden within the remains of the chapel walls. A shower room and a utility space, complete with Bosch appliances, are also on this level.



Skylights draw light down through the open-tread stairwell rising to the first and second floors. The main bedroom and its ensuite shower room open onto an outside decked terrace, with wonderful views of Moel Siabod, the local mountain. In the far distance, Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) can also be seen, as can Dolwyddelan Castle. A dressing room with fitted wardrobes lies to one side.



A galleried landing leads to a family bathroom and two further bedrooms, each with far-reaching views across the surrounding landscape. The upper level houses a fourth bedroom: a particularly bright space with cork flooring, connecting to a smaller fifth bedroom (or home work space), with double doors opening onto another decked terrace.



Outside Space



Set in approximately one acre of land, Arwel is surrounded on three sides by beautiful countryside. A large enclosed courtyard lies off the kitchen, with productive apple and crab-apple trees, a raised sundeck, a large raised and planted border, and a clay wood-fired pizza oven. There is also a small slate-roofed, stone-built outside store, currently used to house bicycles.



To the east is a large field grazed by sheep, and to the north, there is a naturalised expanse of wildflowers, small trees, heather, and gorse. A pathway from here leads to a rocky outcrop, known locally as ‘Skull Rock’, with 360-degree views.



To the west, a stone path and steps lead past a greenhouse down to the ‘secret’ garden and a treehouse set within one of the fine oaks. An orchard of fruit trees leads up to a summerhouse, with far-reaching views across the village, valley, and out to Moel Siabod. There is parking for three cars and a garden shed.



The Area



Arwel is located next to fields in the small village of Pentre Bont, on the Northern edges of Dolwyddelan, on the A470 in the Lledr Valley, some four miles from Betws y Coed to the East, and five miles from Blaenau Ffestiniog to the West.



The village has a thriving pub/restaurant, The Gwydyr, a popular small hotel, Elen’s Castle, a well-stocked shop, and a railway station on the beautiful Conwy Valley line. The village is a popular starting point for walks and has a thriving community with many clubs, a sports pavilion, a primary school, a 15th-century church, a chapel, and several community organisations. There are several annual events, including a horticultural show, a carnival, and sheep trials.



As well as all the essentials available in the village, Betws y Coed (with its range of visitor attractions), Blaenau Ffestiniog (with its famous narrow-gauge railway, zip-lines and caves), and Llanrwst are just minutes away by car and also on the Conwy Valley railway line. Llanrwst has a weekly market, a large Co-op and a Spar supermarket, and various restaurants, coffee shops, a post office, and pubs.



About 40 minutes away by car (and on the Conwy Valley railway line) is Llandudno, with its large range of shops, restaurants, and hotels; a classic seaside resort, with the famous Venue Cymru.



The Conwy Valley line runs from Blaenau Ffestiniog to Llandudno Junction, via Dolwyddelan and Betws y Coed, linking at Llandudno Junction with the main line to Chester, Manchester, Crewe, Birmingham, and London.



There are also buses provided by Conwy Flexibus and local taxis, serving the village. Dolwyddelan is a 35-minute drive from the A55 Expressway to Manchester and Liverpool airports, within easy reach of Birmingham and to motorways to the Midlands and to London.



Council Tax Band: C