Access Statement

Pen Y Banc Holiday Cottage

Sarnau,

Bala.

Gwynedd LL23 7LG

Introduction

Pen Y Banc Cottage, (this means top of the bank) is located in the small hamlet of Sarnau, 3.5 miles east of the town of Bala and approximately 5.4 miles west from the A5 trunk road between Corwen and Betws Y Coed. The A 494 leads from the A5 to Bala and passes Sarnau which is on the right,

Availability is from 4.pm and guest are requested to leave by 10.30 to allow preparation for other guests.

Pen y Banc, is a two storey, split level, stone built detached, but not an isolated property so you do not need a four wheel drive vehicle. It is set into the bank and hill slope and differing levels. It was built about 1850. People were generally smaller than they are now, hence most doors on the ground floor are of generally of standard width but slightly smaller in height than average size. The two bedroom doors upstairs are slightly lower in height than standard.

Pen Y Banc front garden and entrance door is approached via a small double gate off the lane by the parking area. There are four shallow steps, graduated as you travel along the flagged path towards the front door which is protected by an open porch. There is a porch light. The door is situated in the centre of the cottage and on entering Pen Y Banc small entrance hall; you turn left into the living room, right into the Snug room and through the dining room down two steps into the lower level. The Utility room is on the right and turn left into the Kitchen/Diner. Continue through this area to the Shower Room on the Right and facing you next to the Shower Room is the Double Bedroom.

Floors in the living room and Snug are oak laminate and the remaining level is slate other than double bedroom which has a pile carpet. From the dining area a rear entrance opens onto the parking area. The door is wider then average and only has a threshold step. The here are French door opening into a patio area with several steps up the terrace to the rear garden Steps and patio are slate.

To access upstairs from the small hall, you proceed directly ahead up the carpeted, turned staircase and onto the landing. There is a banister to the right hand side of the stairs.

Off the landing to the left is the bathroom and toilet. The toilet is comfort height. The bath has handles each side. There is a slip mat. The electric shower is over the bath. The floor is non-slip washable Vinyl. Past the bathroom to the right you will find the main bedroom with king-size bed with a Tempur Mattress. This room has a velux window. If you turn left off the landing you find the second double bedroom. It is approached down two steps since this end of en y Banc is a lower level. Care must be taken to “duck” under the door frame and oak beam, avoiding head injury on entering the bedroom. There is a sign reminding guests that this is an “Olde Worlde Cottage” so duck before entering. The landing has exposed stone work, a Velux window and is well lit. Bedrooms, landing and stairs are covered in 100% wool Berber carpet.

All windows have window locks so that parents can lock larger windows if small children are staying.

In the kitchen and Utility units and work tops are of standard height. The oven is standard height. The shower room has a comfort height toilet. Sink at standard height and small lip onto shower tray. There is a perching stool and the legs can be adjusted for height.

There is a light in the patio area. The garden paths are paved, slate or gravel. The garden has two sloping lawns, surrounded by flower and shrub beds, fruit trees and roses. There is a wild life pond that is mostly bog unless we have rain. Access to the garden can also be gained by walking around the side of the cottage up three small graduated steps. There is a wooden gate which should be closed at all times to ensure the safety of children and pets.

Whilst the back garden is generally secure, surrounded by fence and stone walls with a garden gate to the side of the cottage, the front garden is generally secure but again the gates must be secured.

Utilities

The water supply is from the mains. There is a septic tank for waste removal. Nappies, nappy wipes, cosmetic wipes and sanitary products should not be flushed down the toilet to avoid blockages. Electric main supply. PG Gas for heating. There is no mains gas. The snug stove uses Coal and logs.

General

• Public Transport is very limited locally. There are bus services from Llandderfel, Bala and Corwen serving the coast and Wrexham and several towns and villages in between. The nearest train service is Wrexham or Betws Y Coed which can connect to major UK cities. The nearest Airports are at Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham. There are private airport facilities at Hawarden. It is strongly advised that you have a car, Motor Bikes or Bikes for personal transport.
• The nearest shops, medical and leisure facilities including swimming pool, cinema, cafe’s restaurants and public houses are in the market town of Bala. The new Cinema is in the school and has a bar. Blockbuster films at fantastic prices. The nearest supermarket is the Cooperative in Bala and Spar. They both have very good stock but generally you can find most things you need other than designer fashion goods.
• For information regarding leisure facilities and activities look at Visit Wales Tourism Site. Information is also provided in the cottage.
• The RAF (Royal Air force) use Snowdonia National Park and the Dee Valley as a training area for Military Air craft and for transport
• Not all Mobile telephones work and signals may also be weather dependent. The cottage has free Wi-Fi.
• You are strongly advised to maintain national speed restrictions whilst visiting North Wales..
• Most garages in the country areas in North Wales close by 10pm.

Updated February 2023