ACTIVITIES AT CYFIE FARM
Our hot tub and spa suite, featuring a sauna, has been designed to provide privacy ...and make the most of Cyfie Farms stunning views. On hot days it’s the perfect place to relax, invigorate mind and body and take in the panoramic views, if it’s raining there is something magical about sitting under shelter, enjoying the therapeutic effects of the hot tub while watching the changing face of nature ...but on starlit evenings the Spa suite really comes into its own: There’s no better vantage point to appreciate just how remote and untouched this part of Wales really us.
There are many different walks from the farm, which is near to the Ann Griffiths Walk and Glydwr’s Way, both in the Vyrnwy valley below the farm. There are gentle short walks around the farm which take in some breathtaking scenery with 360 degree panoramas across the width of Wales.
There are other walks with tea shops and as pub inter-dispersed along your route – ask us for details.
Lake Vyrnwy has many different walks from high ground to waterfalls. The Berwyn Mountains are nearby and provide both a stunning backdrop to many lower walks and some opportunities for something a little more challenging –Arran 3000+feet and Cader Berwyn 2700 feet.
Mountains
Snowdonia, the hauntingly beautiful heartland of North Wales, has been attracting visitors for generations. Take a trip on a Great Little Train, marvel at the myths and legends or explore underground. Industrial heritage, museums, stately homes and adventure playgrounds - there is something for everyone. One of the most ancient and hauntingly beautiful areas in Europe.
The Coast
We may be close to the English border, but stunning coastal scenery is only an hours drive from Cyfie Farm.
Take a look at some examples by clicking this link
Places like Aberdyfi - a thriving little harbour resort set within the Snowdonia National Park, where the river Dyfi meets the blue waters of Cardigan Bay. Aberdyfi has water sports galore - sailing, sail boarding, rowing, canoeing, fishing and boat trips. In the summer, there are yachting regattas and other water spectacles along with family entertainment on its award-winning beaches.
There’s the unexpected, too.
No wonder Clough Williams-Ellis chose to build the fantasy Italianate village of Portmeirion on the Snowdonia coast. Or that 19th century architect Thomas Hopper built Penrhyn Castle in a fairy-tale style.
Our gardens are in a spectacular setting overlooking the Vrynwy Valley, with views across to The Long Mynd and Stiperstones. Our garden has been included in The National Garden Scheme (NGS) for the first time this year. We are open on Monday 26 May between 2 and 5 p.m. or by appointment. Entry is £3.50 for adults, children are free. All proceeds go to the charities selected by the NGS.
We have a one-acre hillside country garden with spectacular views across the Vyrnwy Valley and Welsh Hills. Our Terraced formal areas with roses, mature shrubs, herbaceous borders are peppered with walks through the garden on different levels, leading to an informal areas with mature trees, rhododendrons, azaleas, heathers. There is a stepped path to the upper and lower summerhouses where wild garden, with bluebell bank views and the peaceful location are best enjoyed.
We have been featured in the Amateur Gardening Magazine of 12 April 2008 and an article from the Wales View magazine, produced by Visit Wales, of which 500K copies were distributed last year across the world!
The great lake escape that will thrill nature and art lovers alike.
Whether you are a culture vulture or simply revel in the great outdoors, no stay in northern Mid-Wales is complete without a visit to this enchanting spot. Set to the backdrop the majestic Berwyn mountains, the tranquil shores of this crystal-clear lake are fringed by the largest intact heather moor in Wales. This beautiful, ancient landscape is home to a whole host of rare and captivating wildlife, from the tiny goldcrest to the majestic hen harrier. Vyrnwy has a wonderful dam and beautiful straining tower too, both testaments to victorian engineering, and which add to magical mood of this special place.
Thankfully this important natural treasure has been preserved by the RSPB, and can be enjoyed by everyone. The warden will even give you a guided tour if you phone ahead, well worth doing.
In addition to its plentiful natural assets, Lake Vyrnwy also boasts an award-winning sculpture park. Home to over fifty stunning works of art created by master sculptors from across the world, this is an unmissable opportunity to enjoy high culture in the most spine-tingling of settings The Lake is also home to Wales’ tallest tree and highest road pass and ancient pilgrims’ route, above the Lake, at Bwlch y Groes (Hellfire Pass)!. All this is for free too, and there’s plenty of space for parking, places to eat and craft shop.
We have many rare and wonderful birds at the farm. With the Lake Vyrnwy RSPB reserve so near there are many opportunities for watching many varieties of birds in different habitats from water to moorland; from Hen Harriers to Crossbills. See our blog for recent visitors to the farm and the RSPB Lake Vyrnwy blog for details of what’s on at the Lake.
Birds you can see in this area include the following:
Barn Owl : Blackbird : Blue Tit : Brambling : Bullfinch : Buzzard : Chaffinch : Chiff Chaff : Coal Tit : Collard Dove : Common Gull : Crow : Cuckoo : Curlew : Dunnock : Fieldfare : French Partridge : Goldcrest : Goldfinch : Greenfinch : Great Tit : Greater Spotted Woodpecker : Green Woodpecker : Hedge Sparrow : House Martin : House Sparrow : Jay : Little Owl : Long Tailed Tit : Magpie : Peregrine Falcon : Pheasant : Pied Flycatcher : Red Kite : Redstart : Redwing : Spotted Flycatcher : Raven : Robin : Rook : Snipe : Siskin : Sparrow : Sparrow hawk : Starling : Swallow : Swift : Tawny Owl : Wheatear : Willow Warbler : Wren : Woodcock : Wood Pidgeon. In the area: Crossbill : Dipper : Hen Harrier : Marsh Harrier : Merganser : Ring Ouzel : Osprey
Historic Houses and Castles
Cyfie Farm is an ideal base for exploring the countryside of the Welsh Marches, which are full of history and there are many castles and other forts along the border
Powis Castle is built on a high rock overlooking the garden terraces and has been the home of the Earls of Powis for many generations. There is a wealth of fine paintings and furniture, one of the finest collections in Wales. Laid out under the influence of Italian and French styles, the garden still has its original lead statues, an orangery and an aviary on the terraces.
North and Mid Wales is renowned for its mighty castles - some of the world's finest - constructed during the troubled medieval period. Standing supreme is the quartet of castles at Beaumaris , Caernarfon , Conwy and Harlech , landmarks in the development of medieval military architecture, their lofty position recognised by their status as World Heritage Sites.
The great fortress-palace of Caernarfon , with its soaring walls and imperious towers, is perhaps the most famous of the four. Yet all are equally inspiring. Spectacularly sited Harlech is perched on a crag overlooking sea and mountain. Gritty Conwy , aided and abetted by a ring of amazingly well-preserved town walls, conjures up a convincing medieval atmosphere. And at Beaumaris we have, in pure architectural terms, the most accomplished medieval fortress in Britain.
This part of the world is known as the navel of Wales: The source of no fewer than three superb rivers can be found in these mountains. The River Dee, River Dovey and the River Vyrnwy all provide excellent sport from crystal clear waters running through breathtaking countryside. Lake Vyrnwy, too, is famed for the quality of its fishing – and as you would guess, in countryside that is steeped in angling history there are local ghillies who can help you find the best locations and who can help you get the most from your sport, whether you are a beginner or an old hand.
There are 2 Golf courses within 15 minutes of the Farm –Welshpool and Llanymynech.
Welshpool Golf Club
Welshpool Golf Club is a James Braid designed mountain top golf course located on the Golfa hilltops outside Welshpool with breathtaking scenery like no other.
With its stunning views and 18 full holes, the club is sure to be both a treat and a test for all abilities of golfers and walkers alike, providing year round play with no temporary greens during the winter months.
Llanymynech Golf Club
Perched on top of a prominent hill and surrounded by sheer cliff faces, Llanymynech Golf Club offers a unique challenge to all golfers from the aspiring amateur to the seasoned pro.
The course boasts a unique claim to fame in that you can play one round of golf in two separate countries, courtesy of Offa's Dyke running through our course. On the 4th hole you tee off in Wales and putt out in England. The 5th and 6th hole remain in England before you are cordially welcomed back into Wales on the 7th tee.
You don’t have to be an expert to enjoy life on the water. At Lake Vyrnwy you can hire sailing dinghies, rowing boats and canoes by the day or simply for an hour – and they will arrange lessons for you, too. So whether you are a novice or an “old hand” you will receive a warm welcome and all the support you need.
If you are looking for something a little more adventurous there are even local companies that will organise white water canoeing on the local rivers.
Cyfie Farm is the ideal retreat for doing nothing. You can stay and relax in your suite of rooms all day. If you prefer the outdoor life – we have 2 summer houses in which to relax and take in the views and our gardens.
There is no background traffic noise, the pace of life is unhurried and the locals very friendly.
Summary:
We have a brand new spa complex, with a hot tub and Sauna.There are many different walks. Our award-winning gardens are in a spectacular setting. Lake Vyrnwy is nearby for birdwatching, sailing, boating and canoeing. There is also fishing, golf, or simply doing nothing!