Plan the Perfect Snowdonia Cottage Holiday!
Snowdonia Cottage Holiday 2026: Plan Your Perfect Eryri Break
A Snowdonia cottage holiday in Eryri National Park is one of the finest self-catering breaks in Britain — a base in the heart of the Welsh mountains, within minutes of world-class walking, cycling and outdoor adventure, with cosy stone farmhouses, log burners and views that hotel rooms simply cannot match. This guide covers the best villages to stay in, what to do across all seasons, how much a Snowdonia cottage costs in 2026 and everything you need to plan your Eryri break.
Best Villages for a Snowdonia Cottage Holiday
Choosing the right base for your Eryri cottage holiday depends on what you want to do.
Each village has a distinct character and access to different parts of the national park.
— Best All-Round Snowdonia Holiday Village
Best for: Families, first-time visitors, mountain biking, central location
Betws-y-Coed is the most popular Snowdonia holiday village and with good reason.
It sits at the heart of the national park where three river valleys meet, with excellent road connections in all directions, a good range of cafes, restaurants and outdoor shops, and the widest selection of holiday cottages in the area.
Beics Brenin bike hire is on the doorstep; Swallow Falls is a 20-minute walk; the whole national park is within 30 minutes by car.
The village is busy in summer but immediately tranquil once you leave the main street.
Beddgelert — Most Picturesque Snowdonia Cottage Village
Best for: Couples, walkers, Watkin Path, Beddgelert Forest mountain biking, Welsh Highland Railway
Beddgelert is the most beautiful village in Eryri — a cluster of stone cottages at the confluence of the Glaslyn and Colwyn rivers, surrounded by wooded hillsides with mountain peaks behind.
The legendary grave of Gelert and the Beddgelert Forest trail network start from the village itself; the Welsh Highland Railway stops here.
Cottage stock is more limited than Betws-y-Coed but quality is high.
Book well ahead for peak season.
Betws Y Coed
Llanberis — Best Snowdonia Base for Snowdon Walks and Adventure Activities
Best for: Snowdon summit walks, Zip World, climbing, lake walks, adventure breaks
Llanberis sits directly below Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) and is the start of the Llanberis Path — the most accessible Snowdon route.
It is also the gateway to Zip World Velocity (world’s fastest zip line) and the Electric Mountain underground tours.
Pete’s Eats — the legendary hillwalkers’ cafe — is here, as is the National Slate Museum (free entry) and the Llanberis Lake Railway.
Most cottages are dog-friendly.
Nant Gwynant — Most Scenic and Remote Snowdonia Cottage Location
Best for: Couples, photographers, complete peace, Llyn Gwynant wild swimming
The Nant Gwynant valley between Beddgelert and Pen-y-Pass is one of the most beautiful valleys in Wales.
Llyn Gwynant lake mirrors the Snowdon massif above; ancient oak woodland covers the lower slopes.
Cottages here are isolated and rural — smaller selection but unmatched immersion in the landscape.
Capel Curig — Best Snowdonia Base for Serious Hill Walkers
Best for: Experienced walkers, Moel Siabod, Glyderau, Carneddau, Cwm Idwal
Capel Curig is the most mountain-focused of the Snowdonia villages — a small settlement on the A5 with the Pinnacle Cafe, an outdoor gear shop and direct access to Moel Siabod, the Glyderau ridge and Cwm Idwal without driving.
Limited cottage stock; extremely popular with experienced walking groups.
Book months ahead.
How Much Does a Snowdonia Cottage Holiday Cost in 2026?
Snowdonia cottage prices vary by size, location, season and facilities. A general 2026 guide:
2-bedroom cottage (sleeps 4)
£600–1,200 per week peak summer (July/August)
£350–700 spring/autumn
£250–500 winter (excluding Christmas/New Year).
4-bedroom cottage (sleeps 8)
£1,200–2,200 per week peak
£700–£1,400 Spring/Autumn
£500–900 winter.
Premium properties with hot tubs, exceptional views or locations in Beddgelert and Nant Gwynant command a premium above these ranges.
Book 3–6 months ahead for summer and school holiday weeks.
Short breaks (3–4 nights) are available at most properties October–March.
What to Do on a Snowdonia Cottage Holiday — by Season
Spring Snowdonia Cottage Holiday (March–May) — Best for Walkers and Wildlife
Spring is the finest season for walking in Eryri — snowdrops and bluebells in the valley woodlands, waterfalls at full flow after winter rain, and the mountains clearing of snow as April turns May.
Crowds are minimal in March and April; paths are quiet and villages genuinely peaceful. Red kites nest in the valley woodlands; otters are active on the rivers.
The Snowdon sunrise hike is at its best in May when mornings are clear and days are long.
Summer Snowdonia Family Cottage Holiday (June–August) — Best for Families with Children
Summer is the peak season — mountain paths are safe and accessible, Zip World, the Snowdon Mountain Railway and the Welsh Highland Railway are fully operational, and Llyn Gwynant is warm enough for wild swimming by July.
The best day hikes can be completed in a single long summer day.
Book accommodation 4–6 months ahead for July and August.
Autumn Snowdonia Cottage Break (September–November) — Best Season Overall
Autumn is arguably the finest season for a Snowdonia cottage holiday — the sessile oak woodlands turn bronze and gold, waterfalls run full again after summer dryness, mountain paths are uncrowded and the light has a quality photographers travel from across Britain to capture.
September in particular offers all the summer attractions at lower prices and with a fraction of the July/August footfall.
Winter Snowdonia Cottage Holiday (December–February) — Best for Couples
A Snowdonia winter break is one of the most romantic cottage holidays in Wales — a log burner inside while snow covers the peaks outside, frosted paths through empty woodland and hot tub evenings under extraordinary dark skies.
Many owners offer significant off-season discounts November–February outside Christmas.
Stick to valley trails in genuine winter conditions; the mountain summits require full winter mountaineering kit from November to March.
What to Do in Snowdonia When It Rains
Eryri (Snowdonia) has some of the highest rainfall in Britain and the mountains generate their own weather systems. Having a rainy day plan is essential. The best options:
Electric Mountain, Llanberis
Guided underground tour of the Dinorwig hydroelectric power station, carved into the mountain beside Llanberis.
One of the most impressive engineering achievements in Britain.
From around £12 per adult; book ahead.
National Slate Museum, Llanberis
Free entry.
The former Dinorwig quarry workshops preserved as a working museum with live slate-splitting demonstrations, Victorian machinery and a cafe.
Zip World Caverns, Blaenau Ffestiniog
The world’s largest underground trampoline park inside Victorian slate caverns.
Completely weather-proof and genuinely exhilarating.
Pre-book; from around £20 per person.
Ffestiniog Railway
A narrow-gauge steam railway journey through the mountains from Porthmadog to Blaenau Ffestiniog.
Rain on the windows makes the landscape even more atmospheric.
From around £27 single.
Waterfall walks
Swallow Falls at Betws-y-Coed and Aber Falls near Bethesda are at their most spectacular after heavy rain.
Take waterproofs and embrace the weather.
Frequently Asked Questions: Snowdonia Cottage Holidays
Where is the best place to stay in Snowdonia?
The best place to stay in Snowdonia depends on your priorities. Betws-y-Coed is the most versatile all-round base — central, well-connected and with the widest range of holiday cottages. Beddgelert is the most picturesque village, ideal for couples and walkers. Llanberis is best for direct access to Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) and Zip World adventure activities. Nant Gwynant offers the most immersive and scenic rural experience. Capel Curig suits experienced mountain walkers wanting immediate access to the main ridges.
How much does a cottage in Snowdonia cost?
Snowdonia holiday cottage prices range from around £350 per week for a 2-bedroom property in spring to £2,200+ per week for a large premium property in July or August. A typical 4-bedroom cottage sleeping 8 costs approximately £1,200–1,600 per week in peak season. Short breaks (3–4 nights) are available at most properties October–March. Book 3–6 months ahead for summer and school holiday weeks.
What is there to do in Snowdonia when it rains?
The best rainy day activities in Snowdonia include the Electric Mountain underground tour in Llanberis (from £12), the National Slate Museum in Llanberis (free), Zip World Caverns underground trampoline experience in Blaenau Ffestiniog (from £20), and the Ffestiniog Railway from Porthmadog (from £27). Waterfall walks — particularly Swallow Falls at Betws-y-Coed and Aber Falls — are actually best in heavy rain.
Are Snowdonia holiday cottages dog-friendly?
The majority of holiday cottages in Snowdonia are dog-friendly. Most properties accept 1–2 dogs; some accept more for a small supplement. The national park’s walking and cycling trails are almost entirely dog-accessible, though dogs must be kept on leads near livestock and during lambing season (March–May). Always carry water for your dog on mountain days.
For things to do during your Snowdonia cottage holiday, see our guides to the best walks in Snowdonia, the best hikes in North Wales, mountain biking in Snowdonia and weird and wacky things to do in Wales.
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