The Coach House is a large self catering property a few miles outside Bala and the Snowdonia National Park in North Wales. This impressive 8-bedroom house is on quite a posh country estate on the banks of the upper River Dee. The 8 large bedrooms means it can comfortably sleep 17 people in a combination of double and twin rooms.

The first room we have to describe is the kitchen however. This huge space includes a large breakfast table capable of sitting all 16 guests, a seating area with comfy sofas facing onto a real fire as well as a well-equipped kitchen area. Hopefully everybody will take his or her turn in the kitchen bit, but the size of the room and layout makes this a wonderfully sociable space and the real heart of the house.

Next door we have a more formal dining room. A large mahogany dining table sits on a polished hardwood floor and is flanked by the second of three log fires. You’re more likely however, to light the fire in the sitting room after dinner perhaps. Sit on a plush comfortable armchair sipping a small brandy and listening to the crackle of the fire. Warmed on the inside and out whilst ancestors of the estate look down on you from their framed confinement.

During the day this room is transformed. Bathed with sunlight from the floor to ceiling French doors that run down the entire length of the room, the space becomes the vibrant centre of your holiday. These south facing windows look out onto the enclosed and very child friendly lawned area and patio. Perfect for summer BBQ’s.

Finally downstairs we also have a large games room complete with full sized table tennis set and lots of children’s toys. There is also a twin bedroom with wet room.

Two separate staircases lead up to 8 bedrooms in total. Too many to describe individually but they are all lovely. One twin room is a bit smaller than the others. I say small, it’s actually ordinary size but small compared to the rest, so should be reserved for the younger children perhaps. Two of the bedrooms are twin rooms. There are five doubles. Three of the rooms are en-suite, two share a large jack and gill bathroom and there’s a separate family bathroom with large bath.

All the bedrooms are wonderfully appointed. Large windows furnished with sumptuous curtains look out over the inspiring grounds of the estate. The cotton bedclothes are immaculate and once the children go to sleep tranquillity is, of course, ensured.