The Grapes Cottage

A cosy cottage retreat at a historic inn in Maentwrog

In the pretty village of Maentwrog, in the beautiful Vale of Ffestiniog, The Grapes is a Grade II-listed 17th-century inn offering home-cooked food, real ales and a range of characterful places to stay — including a cosy cottage for two. It is a lovely spot to base yourself in southern Snowdonia: you get the charm and convenience of a traditional Welsh inn, with its own restaurant and bar right there, plus the privacy of your own cottage retreat and some of the finest scenery and little railways in Wales close at hand.

A characterful base for two

The cottage sleeps two and makes a romantic, comfortable retreat, while the inn itself offers a range of other rooms — doubles, twins, kings (some with mountain views) and family suites — should you be travelling as a group. Throughout, it blends genuine 17th-century character, including real log fires, with modern comforts, tea and coffee facilities and free Wi-Fi.

Food, drink and a proper inn

One of the joys of staying here is having a proper inn on site: the restaurant serves home-cooked food for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and the bar pours real ales by the log fire. There is a garden, a pool table and a games room, and the area is made for active days out — cycling, hiking, fishing and canoeing are all on the doorstep. Free parking is provided.

At a glance

• Cosy cottage for two at a Grade II-listed 17th-century inn
• Home-cooked restaurant and a real-ale bar on site
• Real log fires, tea/coffee and free Wi-Fi
• Garden, pool table and games room
• Free parking; in the heart of the Vale of Ffestiniog
• Great for walking, cycling, fishing and canoeing

Exploring Maentwrog and the Vale of Ffestiniog

Maentwrog sits in the green Vale of Ffestiniog, one of the loveliest valleys in Snowdonia. The narrow-gauge Ffestiniog Railway winds through the hills nearby, the magical Italianate village of Portmeirion is a short drive away, and the slate town of Blaenau Ffestiniog — with Zip World’s underground adventures and the Llechwedd caverns — is close by. The harbour town of Porthmadog, Harlech Castle and Snowdon itself are all within easy reach, making this a brilliant base for exploring southern Snowdonia. For more places to stay and things to do across the region, see our guide to accommodation in Snowdonia.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of place is it? A Grade II-listed 17th-century inn with a restaurant and bar, offering a cosy cottage for two among its rooms.

How many does the cottage sleep? Two — ideal for a couple.

Is there food and drink on site? Yes — a restaurant serving home-cooked food and a bar with real ales.

Is there parking? Yes, free parking is available.

What’s nearby? The Ffestiniog Railway, Portmeirion, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Porthmadog and Snowdon.

Having a traditional inn around you makes for an easy, sociable kind of stay — a real ale by the fire, a home-cooked dinner without going anywhere, and your own cottage to retreat to afterwards. It is a particularly good base for outdoorsy breaks, with the valley and its little railways on the doorstep.

When is the best time to visit? Snowdonia is lovely year-round — spring to autumn for walking and the railways, and cosy by the log fire in winter.

Is it good for couples? Yes — the cottage is a romantic retreat for two, with the inn’s comforts right there.

Book your Snowdonia break

For a cosy cottage retreat with a characterful inn, restaurant and bar on site in the Vale of Ffestiniog, check availability and book your stay using the booking options on this page.