Castell-Mai (May Castle) is a fabulous Georgian country house set in its own land with panoramic views down to Caernarfon Castle and the Menai Straits.
Best described as a 'gentleman's residence', this elegant property has wonderful proportions - large Georgian windows let the light flood into high-ceilinged rooms.
The house is reached by its own sweeping drive, and was built with a simple symmetry - essentially being four large bedrooms above four large reception rooms.
When Castell-Mai was built in the early nineteenth century, the classical designs of Greece and Rome were the order of the day. Today long-haul travel is much easier than in Georgian days, and it is the designs of India, Thailand and the far East that fill these spacious rooms.
Renovated by textile/interiors designer Sioned Emrys, Castell-Mai is available to let for much of the year through Under the Thatch while Sioned is working in India and Europe. So this doesn't feel like a house that has been renovated for holiday-makers, but a warm and welcoming family home full of books, and art objects.
Inside is an eclectic mixture of antique Welsh, European and Indian furniture, but the large rooms mean that it doesn't feel cluttered, and a sense of Eastern tranquility pervades.
Indulgence yourself in two pages of wonderful images from Castell-Mai here, and you'll see why this lovely property made it into the first Welsh interiors coffee-table book.
The house is set in approximately 15 acres of its own land with no near neighbours. The property manager lives in a rear wing that has independent entrances, parking etc.
Stay here to enjoy the house (it feels like a luxury indulgence), and to admire the fine views to the Menai Straits, the Isle of Anglesey, and Caernarfon Castle. You probably don't need me to tell you that this World Heritage Site is one of the finest medieval castles in the world.
The walled-town of Caernarfon is interesting as well, and at under a mile distant is walkable. I like the fantastic new arts centre - Y Galeri.
Take an aerial tour of the nearby locations you can visit as day-trips from Castell-Mai here. You can take a pleasure flight from Caernarfon while on holiday. This video gives you an idea of what you'll see.
See an aerial photgraph centred on Castell-Mai here.
We can recommend the nearby Highland Railway as a daytrip, or a trip over the bridge to Anglesey.
The Snowdonia National Park is just 4 miles away or 5 miles to Glinllifon Country Park. Young kids will love the Fun Centre in town or nearby Greenwood Forest Park or Electric Mountain (7 miles).
See two pages of wonderful images from Castell-Mai here.
The property is centrally-heated throughout and the cost of this is included in the holiday. Free Wi-Fi Broadband included (bring own laptop).
There are also several open fires. The first basket of logs is provided, but guests are responsible for getting further baskets if they require them (garage just 1 mile away sells them).
- Georgian houses always have grand hallways, and Castell-Mai doesn't disappoint.
Elegant fanlight, doors off to each of the three reception rooms and kitchen, and also rear toilet. Note the entrance is up two steps.
Elegant Georgian staircase rising to first floor.
- Every elegant house needs a drawing room to retire to after dining, and Castell-Mai has a large, comfortable room with Knowle sofas covered in antique kilims and wonderful original bay windows with views across the grounds down to Caernarfon and the castle.
Working antique fireplace. Writing desk to take advantage of the view.
- The second major reception room is for dining, and also has beautiful bay windows and views to Caernarfon and the Menai Straits.
Furnished with the same taste and elegance as the rest of the house.
- The third reception room is informal and cosy - decorated with rich oriental colours and with a Moroccan style fireplace.
A fantastic bolthole for the winter, and with a well-stocked book-case.
The painted Indian screens work as window-shutters and are just beautiful. Television and DVD player (also plays CDs and has Radio reception).
The kitchen is a piece of simple, rustic country styling, inspired by the cottage kitchens of Ibiza.
Rayburn cooker and modern cooker and microwave. Double Belfast sinks, and informal dining area.
-There is a good-sized toilet to the ground floor (down one small step).
- Four large bedrooms and a luxury bathroom.
- Irish Half Tester antique double bed and wonderful views to the front.
Hand-embroidered crewel-work curtains from Kashmir adorn the windows.
- A pair of antique Swedish country beds in pine. They are wider than average singles, but we consider the room as a twin. Nordic Armoire.
- French oak day-bed with drapes, probably best considered as a single. A small crystal chandelier adds to the drama.
- Completely different in style - this room hasn't a sniff of an antique. Simple contemporary furniture and Kingsize bed. Would be ideal for a teenager.
- Castell-Mai has only one bathroom, but it equals half a dozen nasty little en-suites.
A truly fabulous room with luxury bath (shower attachment), twin handbasins and Jali screens.
Castell-Mai is approached by its own long, sweeping private drive.
There is no shortage of outside space.
Parking for up to 7 cars.
Large front lawns, and access to several fields. The property has approximately 15 acres. There are often horses kept in these fields, children will need to be aware of potential dangers.
Travel cot and high chair available on request. Guests to bring own cot bedding.
Like all Under the Thatch accommodation, this property is entirely non-smoking inside.
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