Yr Hen Ysgol, The Old School

4.7Outstanding

4.0Menai Holiday Cottages rating

8 Guests

4 Beds

2 Bathrooms

No pets

Description

Tremadog 1.8 miles.

Beautifully renovated into an attractive holiday home, this picturesque building is a former 19th Century school set on the wooded slopes of the Glaslyn Valley in the small village of Prenteg, fitted with a mixture of original character features and various contemporary facilities.

Yr Hen Ysgol boasts far-reaching views of the rural Rhinog Mountains, ideal for a large family gathering or group of friends looking for an adventurous getaway to Snowdonia National Park.

Indulge in an evening of relaxation as you choose between the various living spaces, find the heart of the home in the main sitting room, perfect for frosty nights with stylish leather suites surrounding the large TV with a sound bar whilst the woodburning stove takes centre stage.

Alternatively you can choose alone time as you curl up with a good book and a glass of wine in the snug room, a homely space offering more plush seating and another TV, there's also an extra study space with a computer if you need to nip away and get some business done during your trip.

Gather round the dining table and toast to a wonderful holiday with a bottle of fizz and delicious food cooked within the amply-equipped kitchen, where the designated chef can cook up a storm from the attractive appliances.

Also on this floor is a convenient cloakroom and utility/boot room, with plenty of hooks to hang your coats bench seating and 2 sinks, it is perfect for coming in and cleaning off your boots after a day exploring.

Whilst up on the first floor, when the evening draws to a close, find one of four beautiful bedrooms, with the master super king-size room up several more steps on a private second floor, benefiting from its own TV and character features through beams and sloped ceilings.

The rest of the bedrooms are found directly on the first floor, escape to a double with an en-suite shower room, a further double and a modest twin, all thoughtfully laid out with stylish décor and ample storage, ensuring a flexible sleeping arrangement for all types of groups.

Choose to soak in a hot bubble bath in the family bathroom, letting yourself relax as you prepare for bed, or hop into the overhead shower to start a refreshing morning.

Summer days can be spent outside in the enclosed garden with 360 degree views of the surrounding countryside and Mount Snowdon itself to enjoy an alfresco lunch on the patio.

Soak up the rural surroundings around Prenteg, recognised as a haven for birdwatchers, and associated with Wales' only nesting pair of Osprey.

Stroll over to the tranquil village of Tremadog to stock up on your self-catering essentials at the local shop before stopping off at one of the welcoming pubs for a traditional Welsh pint and some pub grub.

The colourful town of Porthmadog is home to the wonderful Ffestiniog Railway, offering nostalgic steam train journeys through the beautiful countryside, along with shops, pubs and restaurants to suit all tastes, whilst further afield is the spectacular Black Rock Sands, a paradise for watersports enthusiasts.

Discover the surrounding areas of the Snowdonia National Park, ascending onto a wealth of challenging walking and cycling trails and outdoor activities among breath-taking views, exploring the peaks of Erik Scott, Dinas Emrys, and Mount Snowdon, or enjoy a thrilling day at Zip World Slate Caverns.

Stroll along the Wales Coast Path, finding glorious sandy beaches and seaside towns, or enjoy a fun-filled day out at Portmeirion, admiring the Italian-style attractions at the Central Piazza, Riviera inspired houses, and beautiful quayside.

For a taste of history, visit Caernarfon and Harlech, boasting ancient stories throughout battle ruins, imposing castles, old buildings and dramatic landscapes.

Return year after year to the stunning Yr Hen Ysgol.

Your dates

Everything you'll need

Wifi
Baby Friendly
Dishwasher
EV Charging
Garden / Patio

Wifi
Baby Friendly
Dishwasher
EV Charging
Garden / Patio
Pets Not Allowed
National Park
Open Fire
Smoke Free
Sky TV

What guests are saying

4.7

Based on 48 reviews

Accuracy of the listing

Cleanliness

Comfort

Facilities and Maintenance

This is a great property.

Situated close to the coast and to the Snowdonia range & national park, so spoilt for choice for places to go. Prenteg is a quiet hamlet and there is not much there, however it is close to Tremadog which has grocery store, a great fish and chip shop. It also has a nice looking restaurant which we didn’t get round to trying. A few minutes further away is Porthmadog which has a big Tesco store and multiple smaller independent shops. We did go to Aberdunant Hall restaurant which was good and the early bird menu good value. It is a 3 minute walk away. The accommodation offers all that you need. A big dining kitchen with good facilities including two fridges, entrance hall/boot room, snug with tv and PlayStation to play games or watch dvd’s. A large airy lounge with wood burning stove. The bedrooms compared to the downstairs were not quite so spacious, but the beds were very comfortable. There is a small ensuite to one of the bedrooms. The other three bedrooms share a bathroom. The owners gave us very helpful information about local walks, places to visit and places to eat and drink. Overall this property may not be quite as luxurious or chic as some other properties, but it offers all that you need and more at a really good price. Excellent value!!! We hope to return next year.

NickOct 2026

Lovely school conversion with everything you need.

Ideally situated for Porthmadog and Criccieth. Easy access to plenty of other places. No issue parking two cars outside.

JeffOct 2026

Yr Hen Ysgol is a very comfortable house, with a very well stocked kitchen and additional facilities across the house.

The owners were very attentive to our needs, when our plans changed. Good instructions for the facilities. An amazing setting for walks into the hills and near to plenty of beach and countryside activities.

PaulAug 2026

The off-road parking space is awkward to access, with the gravel causing us difficulty getting traction.

Managed to use it for the first night while unloading our luggage, then parked alongside the stone wall, which we had hoped to avoid. One of the reasons we selected this property was because of the off-road parking. Neighbours also parked their vehicles alongside the wall, which limited guest's availablilty. Access to the property from the upper (off-road) parking space entailed negotiating a number of uneven, slippery, and quite steep steps. This could well prove to be an issue for less able-bodied guests, and in fact I slipped off the bottom few steps, but just managed to steady myself from falling. (I was wearing appropriate outdoor footwear.) Our fiirst impessions when entering the property were very disappointing and not welcoming. Upon opening the front door to the cluttered utility/bootroom, we were greeted by an unpleasant smell which continued as we entered the kitchen. This musty smell never left during our stay, and was also evident in the rest of the downstairs rooms, though to a lesser degree. We assumed this was due to damp, which was also noticable in some of the kitchen cupboards. Apart from the smell, another noticable issue was the general poor standard of cleanliness (mainly downstairs). Generally, there was noticable dust and cobwebs. The two sinks and work surface in the utility room were a disgrace. The tumble drier door was dirty and the top was covered in old dust. Moving to the kitchen, the table was unstable at one end, and the surface was sticky. Many of the drawers and cupboards (those that were unlocked) were cluttered and disorganised, and not particularly clean. We felt we had to wash the cutlery/utensils, crockery, and glasses before use. There was a place mat in one drawer that had jam(?) left on it. The sugar that was left in a glass jar was solid. The butter dish had something alive in it. The freezer was in dire need of defrosting, with one of the drawers stuck solid. (Ironically, there were no ice-cubes left). There was also dirt and rust around the door seal and hinges. In contrast, the new fridge seemed OK. The oven door was greasy with burnt food particles left in the hinge space, and there were no oven gloves. One of the two towels left in the kitchen (presumed to be meant as tea-towels) was stained and in holes/threadbare. There were crumbs under many of the settee seat pads. Before leaving, we ensured that we left the property as we found it, so, effectively only cleaned up after ourselves. In any case, there was very little in the way of cleaning equipment (e.g. no dustpan and brush). In contrast to this negativity, we would point out that the upstairs was generally in a better state, with clean sanitary units, bed linen/towels. We used the bedroom on the second floor, which we found comfortable. However, we are unable to recommend this property, and will not be re-visiting.

JSep 2025

Owner response:

Thank you for taking the time to share your detailed feedback. We're sorry to hear that your experience did not meet expectations. We’d like to acknowledge that many of the concerns you’ve raised, particularly regarding the off-road parking access, the steps leading to the property, and the initial impressions upon entry were also mentioned in earlier feedback. Since then, we’ve taken steps to address these issues, including improving the gravel surface for better traction, adding clearer guidance for parking, and enhancing the lighting and safety of the steps. Regarding the cleanliness and odour concerns, we’ve already implemented a more rigorous cleaning checklist and have worked with our new housekeeping team to ensure higher standards are consistently met. Regarding the smell, Welsh Water identified a blocked drain in the road, which was quickly rectified. We’re grateful this was resolved swiftly, and we’ll continue to monitor the area to prevent recurrence. We’re sorry to hear that these improvements may not have been fully reflected during your stay, and we will be following up to ensure nothing has been overlooked. We’re pleased to hear that you found the upstairs accommodation comfortable and clean, and we appreciate you highlighting that. Nonetheless, we understand your decision not to return and respect your viewpoint.

Very disappointed with the property.

Not suitable for the elderly, small children or anybody with mobility issues. The garden area is neglected and dangerous with several loose slates on the steps. Outside windowsills and garden furniture are dusty and dirty. All the furniture had to be cleaned before using.The entrances from both ways are dangerous and difficult. My husband fell on a loose slate. There are no views from any of the garden areas, except for trees. The parking is difficult in the parking space, and neighbours park, outside on the road,which limits the space. The kitchen, laundry room and downstairs toilet have a very fusty smell, as do the inside of the cupboards. The vacuum cleaner was full and had to be emptied before use, it did not work very well. There were not enough bin liners. The house was dusty with cobwebs and the windows on opening were dirty around the edges. My daughter had to vacuum her room before using as there was dirt and dust in the corner and my young grandson picked up a sleeve of half used prescription drugs. Luckily he gave them to his mum straight away. The master bedroom up the stairs does not have a bathroom so to use a toilet in the night you have to come down the dangerous stairs. The small bathroom services three double bedrooms which was a problem in the mornings. The house and garden need some refreshment and cleaning. The advertisement is deceiving as it says there are views of the mountains from the garden( maybe in winter). There is not enough detail about how it is not suitable for people with mobility issues and how difficult the parking is.

BrendaAug 2025

Owner response:

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We’re genuinely sorry to hear that your experience didn’t fully meet your expectations, and we appreciate the opportunity to respond. We pride ourselves on the high standard and comfort of Yr Hen Ysgol, and our many positive reviews across Sykes, Booking.com, and Airbnb reflect the care we put into maintaining the property. If any issues arise during a guest’s stay, we always do our utmost to resolve them promptly to ensure a wonderful holiday.Regarding the smell in the porch, we wish this had been raised during your stay so we could have investigated immediately. Following your review, Welsh Water identified a blocked drain in the road, which was quickly rectified. We’re grateful this was resolved swiftly, and we’ll continue to monitor the area to prevent recurrence.As noted in our listing, the property is in a rural mountain setting, and natural elements like leaves or dust can accumulate quickly between changeovers. Parking is described accurately in the listing. We recommend roadside parking by the slate wall boundary for easiest access—just a couple of low steps and a gentle slope to the front door. The rear driveway is accessible in one direction only due to the single-track road and mountain terrain. While it offers off-road parking and EV charging, it is further from the entrance and involves a flight of natural slate steps, which we’ve fitted with a handrail for safety.We understand that on-street parking cannot be guaranteed, but in the past five years, it has rarely been problematic. There is also a free village car park just 70 metres away, as mentioned in the listing.As for the views, they are seasonal and more visible in winter when surrounding foliage is less dense. Snow-capped mountains are often visible and add to the charm of the location.We’re very sorry to hear about the incident involving your husband and the prescription packaging. This is certainly not typical, we have investigated this thoroughly and now have a new housekeeping team on board.Lastly, we’d like to clarify that the property listing includes accurate photos, amenities, and location details. It does not state that the property is suitable for guests with mobility issues. We always encourage potential guests to reach out with any questions before booking, and we’re happy to help clarify anything to avoid misunderstandings.

Good to know

House Rules

Good housekeeping bond
This property has a Good Housekeeping bond of £250
Smoking
Not permitted
Property notes
Note: There is a Good Housekeeping Bond of £250 for this property
Note: At the top of the stairs leading to the second floor there is a smaller step, care to be taken.
Note: During extreme weather condition such as snow and ice parking at the property may become difficult, there is extra parking nearby for use in winter.

Stay Information

Check-in / Check-out
15:00 / 10:00
Property ref
1054312
Parking
Road Side

Guest & Pet Policy

Pets
Not allowed
Children
Children and infants welcome