Tywyn holiday cottage "Idris Cottage" in abergynolwyn

Once we'd found the red door (how could I have missed it?), we fell in love with Idris Cottage. We spent a fortnight with friends who'd never been to Wales (all in our 60s). It was so quiet and the surroundings are so green. The cottage itself is beautifully appointed - it's clear the owners love it themselves - with everything from washing machine to colour TV (satellite and DVD). The beds are very good, one double in the master bedroom, one twin upstairs. Breakfast in the conservatory and, though the rooms are not big, there are plenty of them so you can withdraw if you feel like it. You will need 20p coins for the payphone (for some reason we were unable to make outgoing international calls on the phone, though it will receive calls) as there's no mobile reception nearby. You can do your shopping at the large Cooperative supermarket in Tywyn, the nearest seaside town, a 15 minutes' drive away (no shops in village), or a little further away at the Spar in Dolgellau. The village pub at the end of the road serves huge portions of good food. There's more good food to be had at the seaside towns of Aberdovey and Aberystwyth, but that involves a bit of driving.
The main attraction in the immediate vicinity is the countryside, with good walks from the back door (our favourite to the ruins of the Welsh castle of Castell-y-Bere and back), Cadair Idris is - just - within walking distance, and there's a lovely narrow gauge train service just outside the village which will take you as far as Tywyn, or just a couple of stops to nearby waterfall walks.
Further afield, Abergynolwyn is at the southern tip of Snowdonia with its hills and towns like Conwy (castle, walls, shops) to be explored.
Last but not least, the next door neighbours were always available to help if anything did go wrong - like returning the sheepdog that walked home with us and wouldn't go back.
Paul and Ingrid, thank you.