Nant Writers’ Retreat FAQs

Check in is 3.00 pm, and check out is at 10.00 am.

We will let you know if an earlier or later check in / check out is possible closer to the dates of your stay.

You can let yourself in using our key box, or during office hours a staff member might be available to meet you.

Tŷ Newydd can be accessed by various forms of public transport. More information on our location and how to get to Tŷ Newydd can be found here. Please enquire about travel options when booking.

If you arrive on a week-day, during office hours, a member of staff can collect you from Cricieth; or, can help facilitate a taxi pick up from Bangor station.

Yes, we have a key box so that you can let yourself in. Please let us know your estimated arrival time in advance.

Yes. There is a parking space located directly outside the cottage.

Usually you would find staff members the Centre most weekdays between 9.00 am – 5.30 pm, except for Bank Holidays. Many of our staff members live very close by, and an emergency contact number for a staff member on duty will be made available to you.

There will be one large bath towel provided for each guest, with a bathmat and hand towel provided in the shared bathroom.

We have Faith in Nature toiletries in the bathroom which you are welcome to use: shampoo, conditioner and body wash. There is also Faith in Nature hand wash in the bathroom and by the kitchen sink.

Yes, Wi-Fi is available throughout Nant.

Yes. But if you forget anything, please don’t hesitate to ask at the office if it’s open.

No. Also mobile phone signal can at times be sporadic at times, though Wi-Fi is available throughout.

Not in the cottage itself, but you are welcome to use the Centre’s washing machine which is three doors down. Please ask a member of staff for details.

No, but there is a large walk-in shower.

No. But printing and photocopying facilities are available at the Centre during office hours for a small fee.

Yes.

Yes, a Smart TV, but it isn’t connected to any areal, therefore you can only watch programmes on streaming services such as BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime, Netflix etc.

There is also an Alexa Echo device in the kitchen.

No, our retreats are self-catering. There is a large kitchen in the cottage including an oven with hobs, microwave, toaster and kettle, plus essentials such as tea, coffee and sugar. We also have a coffee machine and a coffee bean grinder, but you will need to bring your own coffee beans / ground coffee.

There is a small freezer compartment in the fridge. If you’re bringing lots of food items that need to be frozen, please contact us in advance to check that we have space in the freezer inside the main Centre.

There are small local shops in nearby Cricieth (including a bakery, butchers, deli and a Spar), as well as larger supermarkets in nearby Porthmadog and Pwllheli, a 10-minute drive away. Several supermarkets also deliver to Tŷ Newydd.

During Tŷ Newydd Writing Centre residential courses, catering may be available for a small additional fee. Please contact us to discuss options further.

Unfortunately due to the age of the cottage and the fact that it is a Grade II* listed building, it was not possible to significantly alter the structure of the cottage during the renovation works to make it fully accessible. There are three small steps up to the front door and a narrow staircase leading up to the bathroom and bedrooms.

However, we have two accessible rooms at Tŷ Newydd Writing Centre which can be used as a fully catered retreat space during residential courses, please contact us for more details.

The cottage will not be cleaned during your stay. Contact us if you would like to add cleaning services for your stay and we can make arrangements for an additional fee.

The cottage is cleaned thoroughly before your stay.

Yes, it’s very likely. Staff members work from the office, and there might even be a course on at the centre during your retreat.

This will depend on what is happening at the Centre during your stay. The main house will not be available to use during residential school courses, or during periods of private let at Tŷ Newydd. A staff member will let you know on arrival, or at the point of booking, whether it is possible for you to have access to the main house.

This will depend on what is happening at the Centre during your stay. The garden will not be available to use during residential school courses, or during periods of private let at Tŷ Newydd. A staff member will let you know on arrival, or at the point of booking, whether it is possible to use the garden.

We have bursaries available. Please contact us for more information.

For information on refunds and cancellations please see our booking terms and conditions.

Though we love dogs, unfortunately, only guide dogs are permitted at Nant.

You can walk down to the seaside from Nant – via Tŷ Newydd’s garden – in about 25 minutes. Staff can provide maps and information on local walks and attractions.

Yes, plenty!

People swim in the nearby river, Afon Dwyfor, and also in the sea. There is a local swimming group who meet every Sunday morning and every Monday evening at Cricieth beach. Search for The Woolly Hatters on Social Media. A member of our team is also a keen outdoor swimmer and will be able to advise on safe swimming spots nearby and in the local vicinity.

The nearest convenient shops are located in Cricieth, a 30-minute walk or 5-minute drive from the Centre. You will find a bakery, a butcher, a deli and a Spar in Cricieth in addition to many small cafes and pubs. It’s a small but lively seaside town. For a larger supermarket, you will need to travel to Porthmadog (5 miles).

Y Plu (The Feathers Inn) is located in Llanystumdwy itself, a 5-minute walk from the cottage. Perhaps bring a torch with you as the walk back to Tŷ Newydd is very dark. They are not currently serving food, however there are also plenty of cafes and restaurants in nearby Cricieth, Chwilog and Glandwyfach, which are open all year round.