SYCHNANT PASS HOUSE

Welcoming country house in scenic Snowdonia

MIX TOGETHER A SNOWDONIAN mountain setting, rooms with four posters and plump sofas, plenty of animals and a huge dollop of Irish charm and you get Sychnant Pass House. Tucked in the prettiest corner of North Wales, this comfy Edwardian house looks over the lovely Vale of Conwy. 

Outside, where wild sheep and ponies roam the mountain slopes, all is blissfully beautiful.  You can bring your pooch along here – four legged guests are given the freedom of the grounds – so there's no excuse for not striding out into the hills.

Talking of four-legged guests, it also helps if you like cats. Or cats’ names at least. Bedrooms at Sychnant Pass are named after the characters in TS Eliot’s Book of Practical Cats, so you might bed down with Rumtugtugger, Mister Mistoffelees or Shimbleshanks.

Each room is different in style and size. All share indulgent touches like Gilchrist & Soames smellies, waffle robes and a dram of sherry.

Literary quarters

Our favourites include McCavity’s, with its terrific mountain views, ornate wooden headboard and richly patterned fabrics, and Old Deuteronomy – one of two swish new balconied suites. Growltiger has a private deck with a hot tub, while Jennyanydots has a traditional oak four poster. Cat Morgan has more of a girly feel with a four poster swathed in pretty violet and white voile, while a couple of the upper rooms have sloping ceilings where strapping chaps over six feet may have to duck.

So much for your quarters. There’s also a comfy lounge where a fire crackles, and a library with hundreds of videos. If the weather scuppers your walking plans, there are also indoor (and outdoor) pools, a sauna and gym plus a hot tub on the terrace where you can stargaze while sipping a glass of bubbly.

Bre hails from Tipperary, and guests get the kind of welcome they’d receive from cheerful friends.   Husband Graham is the chef, and the cooking here wins plaudits galore.


Synchant Pass House was reviewed by Room for Romance

Click on any picture to enlarge it and move through the gallery.

Dining in
Dining here is award winningly delicious, and seasonally inspired menus major on bistro-style favourites. Graham Carrington-Sykes serves dishes like fillet steak on a bed of buttered spinach with fried leeks and a stilton sauce, and – since eating lamb in Wales is almost de rigueur –  cannon of lamb on creamy mashed potato with a light peppercorn sauce.

Breakfast
Full breakfast is served until 9:30am, or 10am on Sundays.

Room service
No – though there are always staff around who will happily brings drinks and food to your room.




See & Do
Hit the walking trails in the beautiful Conwy Valley and Snowdonia National Park. For nature that's a little less rugged, head to Bodnant Garden – arguably the loveliest in Wales – above the River Conwy. Wales is full of historic castles and Conwy and Penrhyn castles are among the best.

Diary Dates
August Bank Holiday
Get along to singer Bryn Terfel's Faenol Music Festival near Bangor for a feast of music – both Welsh and international.

Varies
Watch the yacht races and colourful cruisers at the Conwy River Festival.

GETTING THERE

Location
Conwy, North Wales LL32 8BJ

Parking
There is free guest parking

Trains
Conwy station – 2 miles

Taxis
GBP 5 from the station, or GBP 45 from the airport

Airport
Liverpool – 70 miles

ESSENTIAL INFO

Rates guide
From GBP 100

Open/closed
Normally open year-round apart from Christmas

Check-in
2pm

Check-out
11am

Minimum night stay?
Two nights at weekends

Children
Kids are welcome, though only well-behaved parents are.

Pets
Most are welcome, but it’s best to ring in advance if you have a large dog.

Air conditioning
No

Wedding license?
Yes, up to 150 guests can be catered for in a marquee.