An Unplugged Cabin Stay Near Snowdonia
I feel like I say it all the time, but I can't believe we're already past halfway through summer. May was an incredibly fun month for me, filled with three trips, live music and lots of spring walks, but June left me feeling a little creatively stuck. I'm only just getting my rhythm back, and it was definitely helped by a trip to Eryri National Park (aka Snowdonia) at the start of July.
I was kindly gifted a three-night stay with Unplugged at Bronwyn, one of their most remote off-grid cabins, and it couldn't have come at a better time. Whilst the idea is to completely switch off from your phone and the constant distractions of everyday life, I also used the trip to reconnect with nature, rediscover my creativity and simply slow down for a few days.
If you’ve been following my content and blog, you’ll know this type of stay is my dream. Spending all day out in nature and coming back to a cosy, comfy bed. This little cabin is tucked away on the edge of Eryri National Park so it offered the perfect balance of peacefulness and easy access to some of the most beautiful walks in North Wales. I would highly recommend the location to anyone craving a proper reset.
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How to get to Bronwyn, Unplugged
A lot of the Unplugged cabins are accessibly by train, including this one. The nearest railway station is Betws-y-Coed, one of the gateway villages to Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park. From there, it's just a short taxi journey to the cabin. From London, you can expect the journey to take around 4-5 hours by train.
HOWEVER (and it’s a big “however”), there were huge delays on the day I travelled so I missed my connecting train from Chester to Llandudno/Betws-y-Coed. The trains between these stations are incredibly infrequent (every 3 hours on the day I was travelling…) so overall, my journey was delayed by over 3 hours. This can happen even if your original train is only 15 mins delayed because the connection times aren’t the best. If you are able to, I highly recommend driving. You’ll want a car once you’re there too to easily pick up groceries and travel to the best hiking spots. If you're driving, detailed directions are sent before your arrival, and there's parking close to the cabin.
Inside the cabin
Unplugged Cabins are an invitation to slow down. When you arrive, you're encouraged to lock your smartphone away for the duration of your stay. Instead, you're given a basic Nokia phone for emergencies, leaving you free to spend your time reading, cooking, walking, playing board games or simply enjoying being surrounded by nature.
The cabins are compact but have everything you need for a long weekend stay. Inside, you'll find a VERY comfortable double bed (with the dreamiest Piglet in Bed bedding), a small kitchenette with everything you need to prepare simple meals (no microwave or toaster btw), a small dining table, a wood-burning stove and bathroom. Large windows frame the surrounding countryside, making nature feel like part of the cabin itself. Outside, there's a deck with seating, making it the perfect spot for your morning coffee or an evening drink as the sun begins to set. With no traffic noise and very little around you, it's incredibly peaceful.
Things to do in Eryri National Park (Snowdonia)
Whilst it is tempting to spend all your time at the cabin, it's also brilliantly positioned for exploring Eryri National Park and the surrounding area. We had lots on our list but didn’t manage to cover everything. Whether you’re looking for challenging hikes, easy countryside walks, cosy cafes or scenic spots to simply slow down and enjoy the views, there is something for every kind of trip. These are some of my favourite things we did during our stay:
Hike Yr Wyddfa (aka Snowdon) - No trip to Snowdonia would be complete without climbing the highest mountain in Wales. We took the easiest route up via Llanberis. Unfortunately, there was lots of low cloud so we didn’t get a view at the top. I’d strongly recommend packing waterproofs and checking the weather forecast before setting off, as conditions can change quickly.
Coffee and pastry at Rise Bakery - If you’re arriving by train, Rise Bakery is the perfect first stop. Located right next to Betws-y-Coed station, it’s an easy place to grab a coffee and pastry before exploring the village. The pastries were genuinely some of the best I’ve had in a while - I’d recommend getting two because choosing just one was hard!
Explore Betws-y-Coed shops - Despite being small, there are plenty of independent shops, outdoor stores, cafes, restaurants and traditional pubs to explore. If you’re visiting at the weekend, I’d recommend booking restaurants in advance.
Llyn Idwal (below) - This was one of my favourite places we visited during our trip. Surrounded by dramatic mountain scenery, it feels incredibly peaceful. Parking at the National Trust car park is limited, so I’d recommend arriving early or parking in one of the smaller road parking areas nearby (around a 15-minute walk from the start point). Once there, you can simply walk down to the lake and enjoy the views, or complete the circular lakeshore walk which takes around 1.5 hours. This was one of those places where I could have happily spent the entire afternoon.
Secret Cafe at Gwern Gof Isaf Farm Campsite - One of my favourite discoveries from the trip was a tiny cafe we stumbled across on the way to Llyn Idwal. Hidden away at a campsite, this charming coffee truck serves drinks and light breakfast/lunch food with incredible views of the surrounding countryside. It wasn’t somewhere we had planned to visit, but it ended up being one of the highlights of the trip!
Takeaway pizza from Hangin Pizzeria - After a day of exploring, picking up takeaway pizza from Hangin Pizzeria in Betws-y-Coed was the perfect low-key dinner. I’d recommend ordering your pizzas to take away and eating them by the river. There are a few benches where you can sit and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. It was such a simple but memorable way to end the day.
Capel Curig walk - Capel Curig is another beautiful spot to explore nearby, surrounded by some of the most dramatic scenery in Eryri. It’s a great area for a gentle countryside walk and a good place to stop if you’re exploring the surrounding mountains.
Conwy Falls - Conwy Falls is an easy addition to any Eryri itinerary and makes a great short stop if you don’t have time for a longer walk. The walk to the waterfall takes around 15 minutes and takes you through beautiful woodland. It’s a lovely option for a final morning or a quick scenic break between destinations.
Conwy Morfa beach - If you’re travelling back by train, Conwy Morfa Beach makes a lovely final stop before heading home. It’s close to Llandudno Junction, where you can catch trains onwards towards Chester and London. It’s a peaceful place to enjoy one last walk by the coast and a nice way to end a North Wales getaway.
Whilst the stay was gifted, all opinions are my own and I will definitely be back (just not by train…)! If you're looking for a unique UK getaway, a romantic cabin stay or somewhere to escape the busyness of everyday life, I'd definitely recommend an Unplugged Cabin, especially this lovely one near Snowdonia. Whether you spend your days hiking through Eryri National Park or simply enjoying a good book and a cup of coffee, it's the kind of place that encourages you to pause and appreciate the simple things. Alternatively, there are lots of cabins near London too, making it the perfect escape from the city.
Find inspiration for more cabin stays here!
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