Situation
Cefn Camberth sits in a stunning position on the hillside in a part wooded oasis above Cardigan Bay with breathtaking views to the Llyn Peninsula and Bardsey Island, with a backdrop of the SnowdoniaMountains. The beautiful Tonfanau beach and the Dysynni Estuary are just below the house and within 800 metres walking distance.
Situated within Snowdonia National Park, Cefn Camberth has the benefit of exceptional unspoilt countryside for walking, climbing, fishing and bird watching. The coast offers miles of beaches and only nine miles to the south is the popular seaside and sailing village of Aberdovey which boasts a highly regarded links golf course. The nearby town of Tywyn offers good local amenities including a selection of shops, supermarkets and leisure centre, while the county town of Dolgellau is fourteen
miles.
The scenic Cambrian Coast Line railway, which runs a service between Shrewsbury and Pwllheli , enjoys a beautiful coastal stretch with a request stop at Tonfanau. Trains running to the north include stops at Barmouth, Harlech and the Italianate village of Portmerion before travelling onwards to the Llyn Peninsular. To the south it takes in Aberdovey,Machynlleth and Aberystwyth.
History
The present house known as Cefn Camberth “the house on the ridge of the bent trees” is thought to date from 1680 although it is likely there was a previous house on the site due to its commanding position, natural water supply and comparative shelter afforded by the hillside. The first known occupier is thought to have been Hugh and Catherine Vaughan who would appear to have been
gentleman farmers and at a later date the house was bought by the neighbouring estate of Llanfendigaid. The house has evolved over the centuries with Georgian and Victorian additions. In 1935 it was taken over by the Ministry of Defence as home for the Camp Commander of the wartime Tonfanau army camp. In the 1970’s the house returned to private ownership and has been
enjoyed as a family home by the present incumbents for over three decades.
Accommodation
Cefn Camberth is an enchanting country house and cottage standing in an idyllic setting with outstanding views over Cardigan Bay. The house is enhanced by magical gardens and wooded grounds with a traditional range of versatile barns.
The house, which is built of immense local stone under a slate roof, offers spacious and light family accommodation encompassing many period features. These include sash windows, many with their original shutters, moulded ceilings, panelled doors and open fireplaces with an impressive inglenook in the drawing room. The main reception rooms lead off the hallway and have views over the garden and seascapes beyond. The traditional kitchen is now a large breakfast room with an oil fired
AGA and adjoining working kitchen which has recently been re-fitted with a range of base and wall cupboards. Beyond is a large room presently used as a games room. An attractive oak staircase leads to the first floor landing off which lead the spacious and light double bedrooms, all but one of which, offer spectacular views. A further staircase leads up to extensive attic rooms which could be
refurbished to provide further accommodation if required.
While Cefn Camberth has been a much loved family home for over 30 years it is presently being let as a successful holiday home with the potential to accommodate two to three families at any one time.
Cottage
This former coach house, now renovated, is tucked away from the main house. It enjoys a sheltered location beside the former walled kitchen garden with a paved terrace to the front and lawned garden with traditional open bay barn to the back. The accommodation includes a well fitted kitchen/breakfast room, two bedrooms and an upstairs sitting room with sea views.
The cottage is presently used as staff accommodation but would be a very special holiday cottage, or suitable for a dependant relative.
Outbuildings
Cefn Camberth enjoys an extensive range of attractive and versatile period outbuildings and barns including a traditional stable, wood store, workshop, and potential garaging.
Gardens and grounds
Approached up a long driveway, Cefn Camberth stands in magical mature wooded gardens and grounds nestled into the hillside and contained within a ring fence. A green oasis of beautiful trees, the long established garden boasts stocked borders and wisteria and rose clad archways, paved walkways and sheltered seating areas and suntraps. To the front of the house is a sweeping
lawn contained within a stone wall with the original ty bach to one corner. An attractive paved courtyard to the south of the house serves as an outdoor dining area. The walled kitchen garden is no longer productive but still offers an ideal environment to produce vegetables and fruit for the house. Above the house is woodland which in the spring has a floor of bluebells and spring flowers
and a former water garden where a spring surfaces.
Directions
FromMachynlleth take the A493 along the coastal road heading north, passing through Aberdovey, Tywyn and Bryncrug. On reaching Rhoslefain, turn left opposite the bus shelter, signposted to Tonfanau. Continue for approximately 2 miles and the driveway to Cefn Camberth will be found on the left 100m beyond the small rural train station of Tonfanau.
