Take a few steps off the beaten track at this lodge retreat, tucked away down a tree-lined private lane over the Elwy River on the eastern edge of Snowdonia. Built after World War I by Walter Aubrey Thomas – the famed architect who designed the world-renowned Royal Liver Building in Liverpool – this place is steeped in history and charm. Inside, everywhere is elegantly updated for modern living while retaining all the cottagecore vibes you're chasing. On wintery days, get together for catch-ups and board games around that farmhouse dining table. Take your pick from two wood-panelled sitting rooms with roaring fires to curl up beside as you drink up the riverside vistas. Or sneak away to that deep, freestanding bathtub for a well-deserved bubbly soak. Fine days are all about the private hot tub and vast gardens outside. With the Elwy River babbling by and the dairy cows lazily grazing in the paddocks beyond, it would be impossible not to relax here. And if you're lucky, you may spot some of the local wildlife – from wild deer and foxes to buzzards and kites. When it's time to dive into the great outdoors, take your pick from on-site river fishing or...Read more bracing walks along the shingle beach of Pensarn (a fifteen-minute drive) – its scenic coastal paths are award winning. And, of course, there's always the mighty Snowdonia National Park (a thirty-five-minute drive) – how could we forget.Read less