Guests say
Fron Dderw is a spacious cottage with beautiful views, ideal for large groups and family gatherings. Guests appreciate the ample outdoor space, proximity to Bala town and lake, and the well-equipped kitchen. The property's charm and layout facilitate both celebration and relaxation.
Several reviews mention cleanliness issues, including a musty smell, dirty bins, and litter outside. However, one review notes the property was beautifully clean on arrival. The mixed feedback suggests room for improvement in this area.
The location is highly praised for stunning views and being within walking distance to Bala town and lake. It's considered ideal for family getaways and group activities, contributing to a memorable experience.
Guests find the beds comfy and appreciate the space for large groups. However, there are reports of uncomfortable dining chairs, squeaky beds, and issues with hot water affecting comfort levels.
The property boasts a well-stocked kitchen and good sleeping arrangements. Nonetheless, there are several mentions of maintenance issues such as leaks, dampness, and problems with showers and heating, indicating a need for facility upgrades.
There is no mention of gifts or special touches that would indicate thoughtfulness from the hosts. Therefore, it is not possible to assess this category based on the reviews provided.
About this property
Tucked away on the rural outskirts of Bala, a bustling town in the heart of Gwynedd, lies this outstanding, nine-bedroom holiday home, Fron Dderw. A large, manor-style house, boasting off-road parking, pristine lawned gardens, and magnificent views that gaze out upon Bala Lake and the surrounding Welsh countryside, this marvellous stay welcomes large families looking for a relaxing, self-catered escape within the beautiful setting of the Eryri National Park. Park up and step into your fabulous new home-from-home, where you'll discover a plethora of tastefully-presented living spaces. A sleek kitchen/diner awaits eager chefs who will find all the appliances they'll need to whip up delicious feasts for the whole family to enjoy across the two dining tables in the dining room. When your bellies are full, branch out and find a spot within the home to kick back and unwind. A plush sitting room with a Smart TV and woodburning stove awaits those looking for a chilled film night, whilst a cute snug with its very own TV, woodburning stove and ample seating offers a chance to escape and get lost within a book or partake in a boardgame with your loved ones; the games room is also available for those feeling competitive. On longer days in warmer months, the huge, multi-level garden serves as the perfect spot for the whole group to gather to enjoy some alfresco dining with the help of a barbecue, or even just chill with a glass of your favourite tipple. When sleep calls, you'll be spoilt for choice as nine inviting bedrooms, seven of which come with an en-suite bath or shower, await to whisk you and the family for a night of much-needed rest. When you fancy exploring your local area, head into Bala where you'll find plenty to do and see. Stock up on essentials at the Co-op Food, pick up some fresh meat for the barbecue from Cigydd Bala Butcher, and sit down for hearty pub lunch at The Bull's Head or Plas Yn Dre. During your stay in town, be sure to head out onto the water by hiring a kayak from the Bala Adventure and Watersports Centre, or even embark on a scenic walk or bike ride along the many pathways and cycle trails that traverse the awe-inspiring mountain ranges of Aran and Arenig. For the ultimate family getaway in North Wales, look no further than Fron Dderw.
The bustling market town of Bala lies within the beautiful Snowdonia National Park and is located at the head of Llyn Tegid, Bala’s famous lake, which is the largest natural lake in Wales and home to a unique fish called the Gwyniad, a relic of the Ice Age. Renowned as a centre for great watersports including fishing, sailing, canoeing, windsurfing and whitewater rafting, Bala is also the headquarters of the narrow gauge Bala Lake Railway. The town itself is steeped in history and has a range of interesting shops, inns and restaurants, and an historical Town Walk. Surrounded by the wonderful Berwyn Mountains on one side and the beautiful Snowdonia Mountain Range on the other, this is a mecca for climbing, walking, mountain biking and many other outdoor activities. An ideal location for touring all of North and Mid Wales including the stunning Cambrian Bay Coast with the six-mile long Harlech Beach, overlooked by its majestic medieval castle. A truly wonderful part of Wales catering for all interests.
Accommodation
Nine bedrooms: 2 x king-size with en-suite bath, shower over, basin and WC, 3 x double with en-suite walk-in shower, basin and WC, 1 x family room with double and 2x single with en-suite walk-in shower, basin and WC, 1 x family room with king-size and bunk with en-suite walk-in shower, basin and WC, 1 x family room with two bunks and single, 1 x bunk.
Bathroom with bath, walk-in shower, basin and WC.
Cloakroom with basin, heated towel rail and WC.
Kitchen/diner.
Utility.
Dining room with woodburning stove.
Sitting room with woodburning stove.
Snug with woodburning stove.
Games room with woodburning stove
Central heating.
2 x electric Range cooker with oven and hob, microwave, large freestanding fridge/freezer, washing machine, tumble dryer, dishwasher.
2 x Smart TVs and WiFi, Xbox, selection of books and games, arcade games.
Fuel and power included in rent.
Bed linen and towels included in rent.
Highchair and travel cot available.
Private driveway for 5 cars.
Large, multi-level garden with lawn, patio, furniture and barbecue.
External fire pit area.
One well-behaved dog welcome (£25 per dog per stay).
Sorry, no smoking.
Shop, pub and lake, 0.6 miles.
Note: Check-in from 4pm, check-out by 10am Note: Internal steps are present.
Reviews (13)
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Peter
It retains old world charm and is ideal for large family/ or groups of friends. The kitchen facilities are excellent and the overall abience of the house is just wonderfull. We were a a group of 15 very close friends and did many walks, both from the house and afar. We took our own logs and enjoyed sitting and playing live music in the snug room and games in the main sitting room in the evenings. We all came home feeling that Fron Ddrerw is a country house well worth a second visit!.
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Clare
Lots of space for our huge family re-union. The ground floor bedroom was perfect for my niece with her 5 month old baby. It was beautifully clean on arrival. It took us a while to master the hot water and we ended up with some scalding showers! The shower in Bala canât be fully turned off and has no temperature control, has no cover for the drain outlet. One of the white âAntâ chairs collapsed, landing another niece on the floor (un-hurt thankfully). We added that chair to the other chair corpses at the back of the house. But we didnât mind these quirks, it was just part of a lovely week.
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Maureen
Ideal location for big family get away. Plenty of pots pans etc for cooking. Enough space to spread out. litter left outside, dirty under beds couches etc. Barbecues full of ash needed good clean. Purchased disposal barbecues to use. Mattresses need replacing. Freezers full of Ice. Taps lose on sinks. Showers continually running thermostat control poor as they just got hotter and hotter. Mice in kitchen. Septic tank overflowing should have been checked and emptied prior to arrival not during stay.