Special Places to Stay - More than a bed for the night

On a quiet side street in town this 19th-century cottage has interesting views over the rooftops and nearby hills. Walk straight in to a sitting room with a wood-burner in the inglenook (logs on the house), a shelf of books, fresh flowers, toys, DVD player, and plenty of comfy seating; rugs and pretty fabrics add splashes of colour to the sisal carpet. (There's masses of baby kit too – just ask.) Up a rather windy staircase, fine for the sprightly, are two bedrooms (one is larger), traditional and pretty, intimate because of their size, and served by one small spotless shower room. Downstairs is the cheerful kitchen, well stocked with plenty of pots and pans, an oak dining table, a dresser bright with china, a sofa for chatting on and a bright red range cooker. From here you can enter the courtyard with its sandstone patio, pots with shrubs and a decked area. Owners Christina and David meet, greet and leave you a bottle of wine. You can walk to pubs, shops and restaurants in Dolgellau, and the best of Snowdonia lies outside the door; climb Cadair Idris, visit the seaside, cycle or stroll across the bridge to Barmouth.