Harlech, LL46

Why Traethdy is so special:

A home where generations have watched the same tide roll in for almost a century, Traethdy is not simply an iconic beach house. It is the backdrop to a lifetime of unforgettable moments.

Some homes are owned. Others become part of a family’s story. Here, memories aren’t planned — they simply happen.

Coming to the market for the first time in almost 100 years, Traethdy in its 121 year history has been cherished by generations, admired by all who know it and is woven into the spectacular landscape that surrounds it. This remarkable timber home offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity to own not simply a property, but a piece of coastal history.

Evoking the timeless charm of a New England beach house, this exceptional four-bedroom home sits amongst the spectacular dunes of the Welsh coast. Here there is a rare sense of peace and escape. It is bordered by the Morfa dunes and with footpaths leading directly to the beach.

Traethdy is a place where childhood stretches a little longer, conversations drift effortlessly into sunset and every season creates a new tradition. Wake to the sound of waves, enjoy barefoot walks before breakfast. Build sandcastles until the tide returns. Host long summer barbecues, watch spectacular sunsets over Cardigan Bay, fall asleep beneath skies filled with stars. Wild winter storms can be watched in front of the fire from the warmth of home. Birthdays, Christmases and family gatherings become the memories that are passed from one generation to the next. These can become part of your story too.

Bathed in ever-changing coastal light, with uninterrupted sea views and the soothing rhythm of the waves, it is a place that inspires creativity, a home where artists paint, writers find their words and photographers wait for the perfect dawn.

The house is surrounded by burnet rose, which is a mass of white flowers in the early summer, gorse and blackthorn, placed as it is there are wild flowers in season and many species of birds, butterflies and moths. From 1980 onwards Traethdy has been extensively restored, running water and electricity installed in the 1930s, and subsequently much of the woodwork was stripped revealing the true character of the house; the fireplace in the main reception room is Mackintosh style. The Royal St David's Golf Club is just across the dunes and walking/ climbing enthusiasts don't have far to go, the historic castle and the town’s amenities are all just minutes away

Traethdy is ready to begin its next chapter, for almost a century it has quietly become part of one family’s story. Now it waits to be part of another. We would be delighted to show you why so many people have fallen in love with this extraordinary home.

The Owners' Experiences

My father bought Traethdy in 1931, his attention having been drawn to the house by his father-in-law, Crown Agent for Wales. Improvements followed swiftly - a water supply, electricity, and a number of outer buildings. Later my father bought the freehold.
We lived in the house for three years during the second World War, the youngest child being born in the south annexe in 1942. After the war ended we spent holidays at Traethdy, at least twice a year.
My wife and I became joint owners in 1980 and I began a major restoration. This was a labour-of-love lasting over twenty years. The emphasis was always on letting the house speak for itself, and not imposing a particular style or theme. The idea of the stripped wood came from the Mackintosh fireplace in the living room.
A detailed account of Traethdy’’s history is available in the book: ‘Traethdy, the story of a house by the sea’ which is in the sitting room bookcase and available online.

Entrance Hall

The entrance hall gives rise to the stairs and doors to the two reception rooms, kitchen and cloakroom; there is a cupboard under the stairs.

Living Room

Filled with light from the dual aspect windows providing glorious views of the castle, mountains, sea and dunes. Bursting with character, a superb Mackintosh fireplace housing log burning stove provides an Arts and Crafts atmosphere to this airy room.

Kitchen

Well equipped with a range of wall and base units and emerald tiled surfaces. A cosy log burning stove provides a focal point inviting guests to stay and chat during the meal preparation. Benefitting from a oven with electric induction hob, fridge freezer and washing machine. With wood panelled walls and ceiling and a cupboard housing a hot water tank. There is also a cupboard under the stairs in the hallway. A window above the white sink provides hill views.

Dining Room/Reception Room 2

Perfectly located With sea and dune views and exposed floorboards.

Rear Lobby

To the rear is a small lobby with door to garden and door to bathroom.

Cloak Room

With space for sandy/muddy boots, shoes and coats.

Principal Bedroom

A king sized room with views to Harlech castle and the mountains. It has exposed wooden floorboards and white painted panelling to walls and ceiling. The wooden chest of drawers and storage chest, date from the time the house was built.

Bedroom 2

A double room with exposed floorboards, white painted panelled walls and ceiling and glorious views.

Bedroom 3

A single room with a child sized bed and room for a collapsible cot under the bed

Bathroom

A spacious room with white suite comprising of bath, hand basin and WC. Wood panelled walls, ceiling and bath. Vinyl flooring, heated towel rail and window to hills.

WC

Accessed from the garden, located between the main house and the South annexe with WC.

South Annexe (including Bedroom 4)

The annexe provides a fourth bedroom and currently has two single beds, though there is room for a double bed. It has a power shower, hand basin and heated towel rail. The WC is adjacent. The sea views are glorious and this private self contained annexe benefits from its own wooden veranda. Perfect for visiting guests, dependant relatives or homeworkers.

The Shanty/Workshop

Incredibly useful and versatile space, accessed from the parking area with quarry tiled floor, dual windows and built in storage and benches with wooden worktops over. There is plentiful storage space for outdoor and beach paraphernalia as well as space for use as a workshop or hobby room.

Garage

A good sized garage with concrete floor, high rafters, power and lighting, double vehicular doors to the front plus single pedestrian and natural light from the window to the side.

Additional Information

The property is freehold and connected to mains electricity and water. Drainage is private to septic tank. Heating is via the two multi fuel stoves.

Treathdy is accessed via a private vehicular track crossing over the railway line and over the dunes (owned by Lord Harlech).

Please note, the property cannot be used as a commercial holiday let but can be used as a private holiday home or full time residence.

Due to the construction of the property this should be regarded as a CASH PURCHASE only. It is being sold with the benefit of no onward chain and most of the contents.

Morfa Dunes National Natural Nature Reserve

A rich natural treasure on your doorstep, home to a diverse range of plants and animals and to several nationally rare and scarce wildflowers and mosses; wild orchids include the lovely marsh helleborine alongside the northern marsh-orchid and beds of flag iris.
Spring is a mass of brightly coloured wildflowers, common centaury, pansies and violets put in an early appearance, followed by common restharrow, bird's-foot trefoil. Dune pansy, speedwells, wild thyme, and pyramidal orchids can be found. Prickly saltwort, thyme-leaved sandwort and sea rocket grow on the long arc of the dunes and populations of the purple flowered Autumn gentian appear.
There are colonies of the rather scarce lesser butterfly orchid. Butterflies include the small copper, dark green fritillary, gatekeeper and grayling, plus day- ying moths such as the cinnabar and six spot burnet flutter through the dunes.

History of Traethdy

Traethdy meaning “Beach House” in Welsh, was built in 1905, deep in the dunes at Harlech Bay by a young navel officer, Harold Stidston as a wind-swept life-saving fresh-air coastal refuge for the Stidstons’ baby daughter, suffering from tuberculosis; the fresh-air treatment worked, and she lived into the 1960s. The family lived there until 1930 when ownership was transferred to the current family.
The original house was built entirely from wood (with the exception of the brick foundations and chimney) including its original wooden roof tiles and without electricity or mains water. Water being carried by hand from beyond the railway line. Replacement of the wooden roof tiles with red ones gave it the local name Cottage Coch or “Red Cottage”. Now the roof is slated. This iconic property appears in a half-page photograph of Harlech Bay published in The Times on 10 December 1931.

Article 4

Class C5 Second Home or Primary Residence.

The purpose of the Article 4 Direction is to revoke the right to change of use without planning consent, for the following use:

Change of use of a main residence (use class C3) into a second home (use class C5) or short-term holiday let (use class C6) and specific mixed uses;
Change of use of a second home (use class C5) to a short-term holiday let (use class C6) and specific mixed uses;
Change of use from a short-term holiday let (use class C6) to a second home (use class C5) and specific mixed uses.

Garden

The property sits in 1.63 acres of coastal garden which merges with the surrounding dunes; wild flowers and marron grass abound. A path through the dunes lead directly to Harlech beach. A track allowing vehicular access leads through the dunes, across the golf course and railway line to lower Harlech and the main coastal road.

Parking - Driveway

There is ample parking for several cars in addition to the garage.

Disclaimer

In line with anti-money laundering legislation, purchasers must provide proof of identity and source of funds when an offer is made and before any sale can proceed.
These particulars are a general guide only and do not form part of any offer or contract. While care is taken to ensure accuracy, buyers should not rely on them as statements of fact and should satisfy themselves by inspection, survey, searches and enquiries through their solicitor.
The Agent has not tested services, appliances, fixtures, fittings, heating, electrical systems or other items and cannot confirm their condition. Information on tenure, boundaries, rights of way, planning, services, council tax, broadband/mobile coverage or similar matters is supplied by the Seller or third parties and should be verified.
Images may be AI enhanced for presentation only and not to misrepresent size, condition, layout, features, boundaries, views, location or material characteristics. Floor plans and measurements are approximat...