Or so said William Cullen Bryant. What do you think?
We've had great news! We can stay open during November this year.... YEAH!! Those of you who know us well will know that we usually have to close for the whole of November due to a planning restriction but with the tourism industry having lost out so much during 2020, the Snowdonia National Park Authority have agreed that we (and some other businesses) can open when we'd normally have to close. EXCEPT FOR... 30TH NOVEMBER! I don't know... there's obviously some logic in there.
Read what we love doing during the Autumn and Winter and see what we're giving away to guests who come to stay in November!
Given this here are some of the great reasons to come to visit us during the Autumn and Winter months.
This is the time of the year when my husband and I tend to come away for a few days stay at the cabins. We sat down and made a list of the things that we really enjoy about our Autumn and Winter stays.
We Love Seeing The Autumn Colour
From late September until December (in some years) the colour in the trees is turning and they're losing their leaves. Because the area is on so many different levels (sea level up to however high Snowdon is) and because of the different type of ground and trees, it happens at different times in different places, so goes on for longer. If you like walks (or drives) through the fallen leaves there is usually somewhere to go to see it.
When did you last collect pine cones? Is THIS the year when you'll do it again?
We love the drive down the A5 from Capel Curig to Betws y Coed. The colour down there, especially near to Swallow Falls, can be especially beautiful. But a walk in Coed y Brenin can be stunning or around Beddgelert.
It's A Joy Having The Beach To Ourselves
We love to walk on the beach and OK it might be a bit chilly or windy (I think that my mother called it "bracing") but we love it. Walking on the beach with the waves crashing in is a feeling that I love. I must admit that I'm a water baby and even in the Winter I'll go in for a paddle given half a chance. This is me on the beach at Dinas Dinlle one December day. My husband holds my coat, shoes and socks... and I'm in!
On more than one occasion I've had to finish the walk with wet trousers after a slightly bigger wave has "snook up" behind me!
Wild swimming is now being acknowledge as therapy for all sorts of ailments and especially for mental health issues. Even though I only tend to go in up to my knees I can vouch for the exhilarating effect of cold water and the "Yes - I'm crazy enough to do this" adrenaline rush.
You might not be mad enough to go in the water but having the beach to yourself is a fantastic feeling too. Being able to turn full circle and see nobody (or maybe just somebody in the distance). Great beaches for doing this are Harlech and Llandanwg, Black Rock Sands, Barmouth and Fairbourne. Obviously be especially careful but it's well worth wrapping up to enjoy.
Enjoying Hot Chocolate, Coffee, Cake After A Walk
And if you can find a tea rooms or a pub with an open fire even better! Which is your favourite? Are you a frothy coffee lover or do you like to have your hot chocolate piled high with whipped cream and marshmallows? My husband is a coffee fan but I enjoy hot chocolate! He also loves Victoria Sandwich (check out Trawsfynydd Lake Cafe's portion!) whereas I'm more of a Lemon Drizzle girl.
During these strange times we can't be sure where will be open but we'll keep everybody updated as best as we can via social media about who's open and what they're offering. Why not join our Tasty Places To Eat Facebook group by clicking HERE? We post the details about restaurants, tea rooms, pubs and menus here to save clogging up the feeds of people who aren't interested in that much detail... yet!
Book to stay with us in November 2020 and we'll include hot chocolate and marshmallows in your welcome pack... just in case you can't find a cafe... or for when you're sitting out on the deck looking at the night sky. CLICK HERE to see log cabin availability and prices.
Sitting Out Under Starry Nights
Whilst we're talking about hot chocolate on the deck we ought to talk about sitting outside, wrapped in a blanket, with a hot water bottle on your knee watching for shooting stars! Have you ever seen a shooting star? They are magical things to spot. We love sitting outside, at home or at the cabins, holding hands and watching for the next one to appear. My husband seems to be looking in the right place to spot them more often than me... but I see my fair share. What will you wish for when you see one?
Wouldn't it be a magical time to propose under a meteor shower? Imagine producing a sparkling diamond ring at the point when you'd both spotted a shooting star?
Our log cabins have all been accredited as part of the Snowdonia Dark Sky Reserve. This means that you should get a fantastic view of the night sky, of stars, planets, the Milky Way and of any shooting stars (cloud permitting). The autumn and winter months are prime Milky Way spotting time.
What could you see and when?
19th - 27th October Leonis Meteor Shower Details HERE
6th - 30th November Leonids Meteor Shower Details HERE
13th November - 6th December November Orionid Meteor Shower Details HERE
28th November - 9th December Pheonicid Meteor Shower Details HERE
1st - 8th December December φ-Cassiopeid Meteor Shower Details HERE
1st - 15th December Puppid-Velid Meteor Shower Details HERE
5th - 20th December Monocerotid Meteor Shower Details HERE
3rd - 15th December σ-Hydrid Meteor Shower Details HERE
4th - 17th December Geminid Meteor Shower Details HERE
12th - 23rd December Comae Berenicid Meteor Shower Details HERE
5th December - 4th February December Leonis Minorid Meteor Shower Details HERE
WOW - you must agree that there is a fair chance of seeing a shooting star with all of that going on
The best chance of seeing a shooting star, The Milky Way or anything else in the night sky (other than the Moon) when the sky is at its darkest (14 days either side of a new Moon or before the Moon rises or after the Moon sets). If you want us to check this out for you please ask.
We Love Frosty Walks
We don't usually get snow at the level that our Snowdonia log cabins are at (approx. 220m or 720ft) until after Christmas but the surrounding hills and mountains are often capped in white (frost usually) by December. The higher mountains in northern Snowdonia may have snow on the tops from November onward (with climate change this sort of thing isn't predictable any more).
Even if you're not up high the white capped tops and the blue skies which are often evident at this time are spectacular (look down the valley to see Cader Idris with it's winter coat on). And driving around and getting a fleeting glance (or a better view) of a white mountain top is always lovely to see.
Give yourself permission to be a big kid!
Have you ever seen the sunlight sparkle on frost? I guess that's where fairy lights come from - all of the colours of the rainbow. Or cobwebs with dew or frost on them? It's OK the spider isn't usually anywhere in sight. When did you last kick through fallen leaves in the forest and heard them crackle underfoot when you stand on them?
We're not ones for climbing mountains and the autumn and winter months are not the time for us to start so we have low level walks that we enjoy. Well, I say low level but what I mean is ones without a big climb. Several of our walks start reasonably high up! Some of our favourites are the river walk at Beddgelert (with maybe an extra couple of miles down to Llyn Dinas), the Miners Path at Betws y Coed, Mawddach Trail and the waterfalls + goldmines route at Coed y Brenin, but there are lots.
Take a look at our blog about level walks HERE
If you are going out walking in the Autumn and Winter remember to wear appropriate footwear and clothing, maybe take a torch (in case you get caught out after dark) and have a map and compass (and have a good idea of how to use them). OK that last bit might be a bit over the top for the Mawddach Trail but be sensible - please!
We Love An Afternoon Mooching Around Interesting Local Shops + Galleries
Christmas is going to be a bit different this year, socially distanced, locked down or maybe not! Whatever happens the majority of us won't be trawling around big shopping centres looking for special gifts. I know that some of us will just order off Amazon or the likes, but for me it's not Christmas unless I've browsed through shops to look what's on offer... online shopping is very functional I think - you do less browsing just head straight for what you want.
We usually recommend that our Winter guests visit all of the local craft fairs / food fairs / Christmas fairs that happen but they're not going to be on this year. But there are still plenty of places to shop and our lovely local business owners will be very happy to welcome you. As shops will be even less busy than usual you will get a very personal service (you will probably be the only people in the shop) and you'll find the shops well stocked.
Fall back in love with the shopping experience
I love to spend hours wandering in and out of our lovely local shops. There are quirky things, hand made things, vintage things, things for your home and more! Plus, of course, we have local artisan food and drink suppliers too.
Take time to peer into their windows and to wander into the shops. Our local shop owners are very creative in their window displays too. Look out for the Angel Wings for taking selfie photos outside of Luvit in Barmouth for example or Glosters in Porthmadog.
There are fantastic shops to discover in Dolgellau, Porthmadog, Barmouth, Bala, Betws y Coed, Harlech, Criccieth and further afield. Stop in the coffee shops and take your time to enjoy the whole shopping experience.
Ask us for suggestions!
And finally... We Stay At The Cabins To Escape the Everyday!
Visit us at Cadair View Lodge log cabins in the coming months to enjoy the peace and quiet. Our cabins are warm and cosy and guests tell us that they have everything that they needed for a great stay. The chances are you'll hardly see a sole during your stay - unless you want to. Now that the schools are back the majority of visitors have returned home. The streets, beaches, paths are empty again.
What will you come to do?
Bring that book you wanted to read
Binge watch TV
Listen to the birds
Listen to the wind
Watch the light change on the mountains or the clouds rush by
Listen for owls
Stay warm and cosy in your PJs all day
Do nothing
Sleep!
The choice is yours and we won't be disturbing you!
If you really must - we're a great place to write a report or finish a dissertation... if you can ignore the outdoors or maybe use the outdoors or an activity as a motivator. It's up to you. Haulfryn has WiFi and the other cabins usually have a good EE and "3" data signal (I say usually as a transmitter was blown down recently - now repaired).
Or come for Christmas
Whenever you want to celebrate Christmas! We don't insist that it's done on 25th December. Our cabins will be decorated from early December. We have guests who are working over the holiday and come to celebrate early. There are other guests who have to spend Christmas apart and so like to do something special - together. Could this be you? There are some great pre-Christmas deal to be had. See the cabins at Christmas HERE.
We hope to see you soon
Guests can stay from 2 nights upwards.
We have lots of "5 nights for the price of 2" deals available.
Arrive any day of the week.
Two dogs can stay in our pet friendly cabins (extra charge applies)
Our Cancellation Policy has been amended to take lock downs and quarantine into account FIND IT HERE if you can't come (or we can't have you to stay) you won't lose out