Ffestiniog, Blaenau Ffestiniog, LL41

A remarkable and versatile country estate in the heart of Eryri National Park with magnificent mountain views and grounds extending to approximately 9 acres in all. Exceptionally private yet within walking distance of village amenities. 

A NORTH WALES HIDDEN GEM 

Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Moelwyn mountain range, within the spectacular landscapes of Eryri National Park, Plas Blaenddol is an exceptional Victorian country estate offering history, privacy and extraordinary versatility. 

Surrounded by approximately nine acres of beautiful grounds and commanding far reaching views across a UNESCO World Heritage landscape towards the Moelwynion and Stwlan Dam, this is far more than an impressive country residence. It is a magnificent family home, a lifestyle retreat and an established holiday accommodation business, with multiple dwellings offering exciting possibilities for multi generational living, guest accommodation or further commercial use. 

For the current owners, the story began eleven years ago when they arrived in North Wales as holidaymakers. Captivated by the landscape and way of life, they discovered Plas Blaenddol was for sale and made the life changing decision to make it their home. More than a decade later, they still regard it as one of the best decisions they ever made. 

A COUNTRY HOUSE RICH IN CHARACTER 

Plas Blaenddol stands proudly within its own private estate, approached through beautiful established grounds that immediately create a sense of arrival. 

Throughout the principal residence, the craftsmanship and heritage of the property remain wonderfully evident. Elegant sash windows, original shutters and deep window seats sit alongside extensive slate detailing, from impressive fireplaces and columns to distinctive window surrounds, celebrating the rich industrial heritage of the Ffestiniog Valley. 

Despite its considerable scale and grandeur, this has always remained, first and foremost, a much loved family home: warm, welcoming and designed to bring people together. 

The generous kitchen forms the heart of everyday life, a place where birthdays and anniversaries have been celebrated, Christmases enjoyed and generations of family and friends have gathered. The principal reception spaces provide equally impressive settings for entertaining and relaxation, including rooms where fires can be lit, doors closed and the outside world allowed to simply disappear. 

Up stairs in the principal house, are four bedrooms, including an en-suite, each enjoying its own outlook across the estate. Further areas offer scope for reconfiguration and the creation of additional bathroom accommodation, allowing future owners to adapt the house to their individual requirements. 

EXCEPTIONAL FLEXIBILITY FOR MODERN FAMILY LIFE 

One of Plas Blaenddol’s defining qualities is its remarkable versatility. 

A substantial section of the house, formerly operated as separate holiday accommodation, has now been reincorporated into the main, to provide superb ancillary living space. Connected to the principal residence yet capable of enjoying its own sense of independence, it includes a beautiful living room, kitchen, two bedrooms and a bathroom. 

Ideal for multi generational living, extended family or guests, there is also the potential to integrate the accommodation more fully with the main house if desired. 

Historically, the property has been configured as separate dwellings, with alterations thoughtfully undertaken to allow the accommodation to evolve according to changing needs. 

THE OLD BELL HOUSE 

Adding another fascinating layer to the estate’s history, the former servants’ quarters are now operated as The Old Bell House, a successful holiday let that retains wonderful reminders of its past, including the original servants’ bells. 

Providing four double bedrooms and currently arranged to accommodate up to ten guests, The Old Bell House represents an established additional income stream while offering considerable flexibility for the future. 

It could continue as holiday accommodation or be transformed into further family living, leisure or entertaining space, perhaps incorporating a private cinema, gym, games room or wellness area. Additional loft rooms provide further exciting potential. 

GREYHOUNDS COTTAGE 

Once associated with the estate’s horses and greyhounds, Greyhounds Cottage has been sensitively converted into charming additional accommodation. 

Positioned to take full advantage of its beautiful surroundings, it offers yet another dimension to life at Plas Blaenddol. Whether used for visiting family and friends, as a home office, creative studio, teenage retreat or guest accommodation, it is a characterful and highly adaptable addition to the estate. 

THE LODGE HOUSE 

The retention of the original Lodge House is an important and increasingly rare feature of an estate of this calibre. 

Positioned at the entrance to Plas Blaenddol, the Lodge provides three bedroom accommodation with comfortable living space and the flexibility to serve as a permanent residence, staff or family accommodation, or additional holiday letting accommodation. 

Where lodge houses have often been sold separately from larger estates, its inclusion here preserves the privacy, integrity and sense of completeness that makes Plas Blaenddol so special. 

APPROXIMATELY NINE ACRES OF MAGNIFICENT GROUNDS 

The gardens and surrounding landscape are every bit as captivating as the house itself. 

Approximately three acres of more formal grounds incorporate sweeping lawns, established woodland, a lake, former mill race and cooling pond, while a further six acres form part of a beautiful Site of Special Scientific Interest. 

Mature specimen trees, including Copper Beech and Japanese Cedar, sit alongside magnificent azaleas and rare rhododendrons, creating an ever changing display throughout the year. 

Spring brings carpets of snowdrops, daffodils and bluebells. Summer fills the gardens with colour, while autumn transforms the woodland into rich shades of gold and red. In winter, the estate takes on an entirely different atmosphere, peaceful, dramatic and wonderfully secluded. 

For the current owners, a morning walk through the grounds with their dogs has become part of the rhythm of life here: a simple luxury that perfectly captures what it means to call Plas Blaenddol home. 

AN EXTRAORDINARY NORTH WALES LIFESTYLE 

The estate occupies an enviable position within the Vale of Ffestiniog, surrounded by some of North Wales’ most inspiring scenery yet remaining surprisingly accessible. 

Walk directly from the estate into the mountains, explore ancient slate workings and hidden valleys, or discover some of Britain’s finest mountain biking at nearby Antur Stiniog and Coed y Brenin. Fishing, walking and outdoor pursuits are all readily accessible, while Bala offers a variety of watersports. 

Blaenau Ffestiniog lies only a short drive away, with its railway connections and historic links to the Ffestiniog Railway, while Porthmadog, Portmeirion and the beautiful coastline of North Wales are all within easy reach. The coast can be reached in less than thirty minutes, with Chester approximately ninety minutes away. 

From the marinas and beaches of the Ll n Peninsula to the mountains, lakes and forests of Eryri, this is a location where adventure and tranquillity exist side by side. 

A HOME, A BUSINESS, A WAY OF LIFE 

Plas Blaenddol presents an exceptionally rare proposition. 

For some, it will be the ultimate private family estate. For others, its extensive and adaptable accommodation offers the opportunity to create a multi generational home or continue and develop an established lifestyle business. 

The combination of the principal residence, ancillary accommodation, The Old Bell House, Greyhounds Cottage and The Lodge creates possibilities seldom found within a single estate. 

Looking further ahead, previous planning considerations have explored the potential for a ground mounted solar PV array, while the natural watercourses within the estate may also present opportunities for hydro generation, all subject to investigation and the necessary permissions. 

THE NEXT CHAPTER 

Plas Blaenddol is difficult to define in just a few words. 

It is a country house of genuine character. A private estate surrounded by extraordinary natural beauty. A versatile family home. An established lifestyle business, and above all, a place where memories are made. 

The current owners often say they have never truly felt that they owned Plas Blaenddol; rather, that they became its custodians for a chapter in its long and fascinating story. 

After eleven unforgettable years, the time has come to pass that privilege to someone new. Perhaps someone who, just as they once did, arrives in this remarkable corner of North Wales, falls in love with the landscape, the house and the lifestyle. 

 
Vendor Insight – Plas Blaenddol 

Your journey here 

11 years ago we stayed at Plas Blaenddol on holiday with our children.  We fell in love with the area, the beauty, the peace, the things to do in the local area, the abundance of walks from the doorstep and mountain biking at the 5-6 local trail centres including Coed y Brennin (15 mins) and Antur Stiniog downhill centre (less than 10 mins) 

While staying here on holiday we discovered that PB was for sale, decided to buy it and pinched ourselves for many years at how lucky we felt to be able to make this our family home as well as our business. 

First impressions & Enduring Feelings 

The sense of space and privacy - idyllic but not remote.  The history that the house and estate came with, that endures today, due to the abundance of slate features and Victorian character that the house offers.  They are truly unique features particular to the local landscape and history of the area.  Coming to PB on holiday and spending a week here was amazing.  Living here is even more so, as it allows you to fully enjoy the change in the gardens and scenery across the four seasons.  Seeing the trees and shrubs come to life in Spring.  Enjoying the snowdrops then the multitude of daffodils and bluebells is wonderful.  The estate covered in snow in wintertime is just magical. 

My husband and I have watched our children grow up here and now that they have left home, for further education and work, the house has given us the space to have them come back with their partners and our extended family, as there is room to accommodate everyone comfortably.  It has been a family home and a special place for us.   

The Story of the home 

There is a rich history to the home:  We have done a lot of internal decorating and updating during our tenure.  We have also turned the store at the back of the estate into a small property, called Greyhounds, as was used to accommodate dogs and horses.  It has an amazing view over the Moelwynian range and the Stwlan Dam.   

We restored an old stone building, by The Greyhounds, into a wood store, for the logs to be burned on the woodburning stoves in each of the properties.   

The Greyhounds is particularly special to me as I worked with local tradesmen to make it into the special little property that it is. 

Everyday life 

The living room is our go-to space for cosy evenings in, with the wood burner lit after a busy day of work. 

Having the large gardens to wander in first thing in the morning, with my dogs, is wonderful.  It is so quiet, but the birdsong is wonderful and the light is different first thing in the morning.   

Family and Connection 

Having the space for our children to have their friends to stay.  To be able to invite family and friends to stay, who don’t live close by.  Opening up our home for special family occasions, anniversaries, birthdays etc has created many lasting memories at Plas Blaenddol.  During these times, the large kitchen dining areas become the hub of activity, retiring to the living rooms later. 

Community and Lifestyle 

The local community is friendly and welcoming.  There is a community run pub, The Pengwern, about 5 minutes walk away offering local ales, food etc.  There is always a warm welcome.  Our kids like to go and play pool there when they come home to visit.  There is often a group of locals singing there on a Saturday night, which is glorious welsh music.  The village shop is 5 minutes away and is very handy for essentials.  It’s not too far to Blaenau (3 miles - 5 mins drive) to a co op/pharmacy/post office.  Porthmadog is 15 minutes away for Tesco/Lidl and Aldi and other shopping.  All the main supermarkets deliver here, as do Amazon, next day. 

Lots of beautiful walks straight from the door.   

Art work from the London galleries was stored in the slate mine at the top of the Bwlch, the road starting at the end of our driveway.  

This is also Paul’s favourite running route. 

Looking Ahead 

Probably feeling the sense of carrying forward a historically significant building.  The sense of the opportunities that it presents, due to its size and location, to establish a home and a business combined.  The opportunities are many. 

Parting Thoughts 

11 wonderful and fulfilling years in a beautiful house in an idyllic, peaceful, location. 

Additional Information  

Services: Mains electricity and water. Private drainage. LPG heating.  

Council Tax: Plas Blaenddol – C, Lake House – B, Old Bell House – D, Blaenddol Lodge – B. 

EPC: House – G, Lodge – G. 

Local Authority: Gwynedd.  

Tenure: Freehold.  

Broadband: (Information taken from checker.ofcom.org.uk)  
Standard – 17 Mpbs (highest available download speed) – 1 Mpbs (highest available upload speed)  

Superfast – 42 Mpbs (highest available download speed) –8 Mpbs (highest available upload speed)  

Mobile coverage: Good Outdoor, variable indoor (Information taken from checker.ofcom.org.uk)  

We always recommend you contact your supplier to discuss the availability of broadband and mobile coverage at this property.  

Directions: Using the app what3words type in:  

Referral Fees: Fine & Country sometimes refers vendors and purchasers to providers of conveyancing, financial services, insurance, survey & valuations services, currency exchange and staging & styling. We may receive fees from them as declared in our Referral Fees Disclosure Form which is available upon request.  

Anti-Money Laundering: Please note all buyers are required to complete anti-money laundering and proof of funds checks with our designated partner. The cost is £50 plus VAT (£60 inc VAT) per buyer. For more information, please ask the agent.  

Agent’s Notes 
Fine & Country and their clients give notice that: 
1. These sales particulars have been prepared in good faith to give a fair overall view of the property, do not form any part of a contract or offer & must not be relied upon as statements or representations of fact. 
2. Any measurements, distances or areas are approximate. The photographs, plans and text are for guidance only and are not necessarily comprehensive. It should not be assumed that the property has all necessary building regulation, planning permission or other consents and Fine & Country has not tested any services, equipment or facilities. Purchasers must satisfy themselves by inspection or otherwise. 

3. They have no authority to make or give any representations or warranties in relation to the property. 

Garden

Three acres of formal gardens including pond. Six acres of SSSi