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Spring is here! Although the weather may not be shouting Spring at the moment, there’s plenty of time for the nice weather to make a show. But, what can you get up to this Spring in North Wales, you ask? Well, we have collated the perfect guide to get you out and about this season. From family fun adventures to historical landmarks and sites - let’s take a look! Llandudno Victorian Extravaganza It’s almost that time of year. If you didn’t already know, Llandudno, just 40 minutes from The Old Mill Holiday Cottages, opens its streets to the Llandudno Victorian Extravaganza. You can expect three days filled with vintage attractions, great entertainment and fun fair rides, perfect for the whole family. Established for 37 years, this year's Extravaganza takes place between 4th and 6th May 2024. This free event is a yearly popular attraction which invites the local community and visitors to enjoy. So, if you’re planning on visiting us this Spring, enjoy a visit to this exciting event in Llandudno too for a fun-packed day out! St. Winefride's Well & Shrine If you’re looking to learn some historical new facts on your next break, then St. Winefride's Well & Shrine may be worth a visit. Located in Holywell, and just a 10 minute drive away from The Old Mill Holiday Cottages, the St. Winefride's Well & Shrine is a site of religious pilgrimage with great historical significance. It is believed to be one of the oldest pilgrimage sites in Britain, dating back to the 7th century. St. Winefride’s well is renowned for its healing waters, with a beautiful stone structure and pool in the centre. As well as St. Winefride's Well, a shrine sits adjacent, which is commonly used as a place of worship. The shrine includes a chapel dedicated to St. Winefride, where visitors can attend Mass, receive blessings, and offer prayers. So, if you’re looking to explore something new on your visit to North Wales, this is one location to get boxed off! Oriel Glasfryn Gallery Being the only independent art gallery in North East Wales, the Oriel Glasfryn Gallery sits in the historical town of Caerwys, and is just a 5 minute drive away from The Old Mill Holiday Cottages. The new Spring exhibition, Impressions of Wales opened recently on April 5th. If you wish to appreciate local artists, the work of eight artists sits across Glasfryn Hall, where you can read about their work, inspiration and even purchase if you find a piece you love! We love the work of our local artists, which is why we have beautiful prints by local artists in our holiday cottages, including The Roost. Theatr Clwyd If you’re looking for an evening of entertainment, Theatr Clwyd, just a 15 minute drive from The Old Mill Holiday Cottages, has regular theatre, music and workshops on offer. From comedy shows to live music performances, there is something for all to enjoy under one roof! To note, there are currently some refurbishments taking place, so a temporary arena is currently open at present. Due to these refurbishments, the Theatr Clwyd's Café Bar and Restaurant isn’t currently open. There are temporary facilities with a bar open. If you are searching for a bite to eat before or after watching a show, then the Glasfryn pub is just a 3 minute walk from Theatr Clwyd! Erddig Hall, Wrexham Erddig Hall is a historic country house located near Wrexham in North Wales. This property was built in the 17th century and is renowned for its well-preserved interiors, extensive gardens and stunning architecture to reflect the styles of different periods, including Georgian, Victorian and Jacobean designs. Think grand staircases, ornate ceilings and beautifully furnished rooms - that’s what you can expect on your visit to Erddig Hall. As well as admiring the beautifully crafted architecture, you can take a stop at the Hayloft Restaurant, which offers afternoon tea to enjoy inside, outside in the tea garden, or even to take away. After a bite to eat, why not take advantage of the 1,200 acre landscape pleasure park - a haven of peace and natural beauty. This is also an ideal spot to enjoy a picnic whilst admiring the stunning location. Are you an avid book reader? Visit the second-hand bookshop before you leave, stocked with pre-loved books of all genres. There are also shops which stock unique gifts, homeware, accessories, locally sourced products and plants - the ideal spot to pick up a souvenir for your trip! Hopefully, this has given you some ideas on where to visit this Spring in North Wales. Aside from the above, there are a plethora of stunning local walking routes in North Wales, close to The Old Mill Holiday Cottages. So, if this is another avenue you wish to explore on your next break in North Wales, take your pick!

This relaxing wellness retreat in Wales is a wonderful opportunity to escape the hectic pace of everyday life and immerse yourself in nature with some restorative me time. 3 Night Well Being Retreat - Summer Solstice Weekend 21-24 June’24 We are super excited to invite you to our very first Well Being Retreat hosted by The Old Mill Holiday Cottages, collaborating with 2 fabulous local businesses Sorel & Sage Woodland Wisdom & Polly’s Yoga. Package Overview 3 Nights accommodation in 4-Star Holiday Apartments (Location - The Old Mill Holiday Cottages) Welcome drink (Join us for drinks on our NEW Summer patio!) Breakfast hamper (Suitable for 3 mornings) Feel reinvigorated with a Woodland Wellness Day at Sorrel & Sage Woodland Wisdom, to include, meditation, foraging, lunch, snacks, balm making, yoga, breath work and forest bathing. Aerial Yoga Self-guided walk suggestions Your Hosts: The Old Mill Holiday Cottages / Liz Stack A warm welcome awaits you at The Old Mill Holiday Cottages, award-winning self-catering cottages, located in the beautiful Clwydian hills, in North Wales, an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The lovingly restored 4-star accommodation is nestled within the landscaped grounds of a picturesque and historic mill, opposite the owners home.  Our family run business, was established in 2014.  With a passion for travel, great hospitality, and a keen eye for detail, this is at the heart of everything we offer. The self-catering accommodation is tastefully decorated, providing you with a wonderful well-equipped home, oozing charm, and character, the perfect escape for a relaxing weekend away. Sorrel & Sage Woodland Wisdom - Jane & Sarah Located within ancient woodland just 2 miles away from The Old Mill.  Jane & Sarah have curated a magical environment, providing individually tailored woodland wellness packages.  Your well-being experience will include meditation, foraging, forest bathing, campfire cooking and yoga.  This full day of nurturing selfcare, will leave you feeling relaxed, grounded, and reconnected with your inner self, your energy system boosted by all that we, and mother nature has to offer. You will be supported by a level 3 Forest School leader, within a small intimate group, where you can connect with your peaceful surroundings, relax and enjoy the wonderful healing environment. Yoga with Polly Polly is a Mum of 3 with a passion for Yoga, her wish is to share this passion to improve people's physical and mental well-being. Polly has been in the fitness industry since 2007 and has found yoga to help with her own mental health.  ‘Straight away it made a difference to how I felt and I was completely hooked’. Polly’s yoga classes are suitable for all levels and combine physical exercise, breath work and meditation in an accessible way. The Aerial Yoga class will take place at The Garage Yoga & Fitness Studio, a purpose-built facility, just 1-mile from the accommodation.  This class takes its roots from traditional yoga but with the use of a suspended silk hammock that supports your body. This is a fun full-body workout, because your weight is fully supported by the hammock it allows you to explore inverts and other fun moves whilst relaxing, stretching and feeling safe. No prior experience is needed just an open mind! Self-Guided Walks Located within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, we are passionate about our local area.  Sharing our knowledge and local experience with you, we will recommend stunning local walks, which are blissfully un-crowed with magnificent views. This special time of year around the Summer Solstice is a wonderful opportunity to make the most of the light evenings.  We have personalised maps with walks immediately from the doorstep of the cottages to pretty country villages, each with cosy foodie pubs.  Or alternatively, take a short 2-mile drive to the start of hidden gem walks. All walks are very accessible and can be tailored to suit all abilities. Find Out More? This fabulous wellbeing package is the perfect opportunity to invest in some much needed me time; reset, restore and rebalance, within wonderful surroundings. With prices from £353 based on 4 people sharing. (Two-bedroom holiday apartment). £499 for a one-bedroom holiday apartment all to yourself. To find out more and to book please go to Wellness and Walking

Are you stuck between choosing a holiday cottage in North Wales or a hotel this Spring? Of course, we suggest a holiday cottage, and we have plenty of reasons to assure you this is a great decision for your next break. From getting your own space, cooking in your own home from home, and enjoying time in a family holiday cottage, let’s dive into why you should choose a holiday cottage this season. 1. Own Private Space When staying in a holiday cottage, you get your own private space, without the presence of other holidaymakers in the same building. Having your very own cottage to holiday in gives you a chance to really relax and unwind comfortably. With a holiday cottage, you’re getting a few rooms to call home, in comparison to the one room you may get if you chose to stay in a hotel. Cottages are typically more spacious, with outdoor areas you can enjoy your morning coffee in too. Picture this - you bring your little ones with you to our holiday cottage and when you put them to bed early, its not an abrupt end to your night, later you and your partner can enjoy time together, watch a film in the living room, or even prepare a romantic meal for two. All without having to tip toe around the cottage - bliss! Hotels often don’t have the home comforts that can be found in a holiday cottage. When staying in a cottage, you’ll have a fully equipped kitchen, living area and bedroom to enjoy. You can relax and put your feet up in the evening as you watch the sunset outside. Searching for the perfect romantic getaway? Choosing a holiday cottage holds the ideal romantic setting, privacy and scenic surroundings. 2. Flexibility Avoid the scheduled meal times and cook whenever you wish! Staying in a holiday cottage will give you flexibility to have meals whenever you want, allowing you to dine without hotel regulations. Some holiday cottages will have space for a family, so you can all share a living space together, without being in separate hotel rooms. The perfect opportunity to share lasting memories together. 3. Pet-Friendly Holiday Cottage in North Wales Don’t leave your canine friends behind, but bring them with you on holiday. Many holiday cottages are dog friendly, so you can rest assured you don’t have to worry about finding somewhere for your pets to stay whilst you’re away - bring them with you! When staying in a holiday cottage, little personal touches are commonly added by the hosts. This could include sweet treats in hampers or even some surprises for your canine friends. 4. Unique Accommodation Many hotels can look the same, with no character. But, holiday cottages offer great design and character, with some even holding unique historical charm that sets them apart from traditional hotel rooms. Not forgetting the picturesque setting that can be found in these locations, you can enjoy peace and tranquillity in a secluded environment. No matter the season, staying at a holiday cottage in the countryside offers seasonal charm throughout the year. From enjoying cosy nights in Winter, to enjoying the Summer weather right outside - any season is the perfect season! 5. Local Amenities If you’re not one for cooking, particularly when you're on holiday, you can enjoy the local food comforts, which are typically found a short distance away in local towns. Kindly, hosts of holiday cottages will often have an ideal guide to give you some ideas on where to shop, eat and which attractions you can visit locally. We also have our own North Wales guide for the local area of Flintshire. Staying in a holiday cottage allows you to interact with the locals and immerse yourself into the culture and community. This will leave room to meet new people, explore the local area with others or even just take in the historical facts of the nearby area. 6. Economical Choice Lastly, choosing a holiday cottage in North Wales over a hotel can be more economical on several factors, particularly when choosing to stay longer. When paying for an entire property, this can be cost-effective for groups or families in particular - lowering the cost per night in comparison to paying for a hotel room each night. Other factors include Wi-Fi, self-catering facilities such as a kitchen area, privacy and reduced entertainment expenses, as you will have the space for some home entertainment in your holiday cottage in North Wales, reducing the chance of spending on external entertainment to escape the one hotel room. Our Cottages We have four beautiful holiday cottages available at the Old Mill in North Wales, including The Long Barn, The Hayloft, The Roost and Millers Cottage. With our cottages located in Wales, we are at the centre of outstanding natural beauty. Browse our range of accommodation and find the right one for you and your next stay in North Wales.

Our North Wales Holiday Cottages are known as The Old Mill Holiday Cottages. Nestled within a small picturesque mill complex within stunning landscaped grounds, AND with a pub restaurant just next door! Located within Clwydian Range Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, we highly recommend that during your stay, you immerse yourself within the idyllic local countryside - Make your stay even more special, by treating yourself and your loved ones, to one of these fabulous local experiences, (Personally tried and tested by us!) Making it a truly memorable holiday. Vale Vineyard – Vineyard Tour with Wine & Cheese Tasting Distance from The Old Mill – 6 miles *Cost – £30 Per Person Surrounded by the stunning Clwydian range countryside and enjoying a micro-climate, Vale Vineyard is just a 10-minute drive from the cottages. While you may not automatically think of Wales being famous for its wine, we have tried for ourselves, and can highly recommend sampling the award-winning wines and local cheeses! This is a gorgeous and relaxing way to spend the afternoon.  The vineyard tour is extremely informative and provides you with an introduction to the grape varieties, production process and the opportunity to wandered amongst the vines. The wine and cheese tasting takes places within a gorgeous brick and timber Tythe Barn. Open from May – Sept only £30 per person (*Prices correct Dec'23) Sorrel & Sage Woodland Wisdom Distance from The Old Mill - 3 miles Cost - E.g. Half Day Workshop £45 (*Prices Correct Dec'23) Focusing on the healing benefits of being within nature, Sorrel & Sage Woodland Wisdom, offer a range of wonderful woodland experiences to help you reignite your well-being by disconnecting from the busy day to day. Seasonal woodland workshops include a range of crafts, camp-fire cooking, well-being coaching, and yoga. The beautiful private woodland is an oasis of calm, with a central camp fire cooking and seating area. Try forest bathing in hammocks, listening to bird song under the canopy of the trees, or enjoy yoga or craft sessions, undercover in a billowing tented canopy, known as the cathedral. Llan E-Bikes - E-Bike Hire Distance from The Old Mill - 3 miles Cost - Full Day Hire £45.00* (Prices correct Dec'23) Adventure awaits! Explore the beautiful local area by e-bike, it’s a great way to see the sights, get some fresh air and exercise, all at the same time! The e-bikes are a brilliant way of giving you that extra umph to get up the hills, or simply cycle further with the knowledge that you’ve got extra power to get you back. Llan E-bikes offer a great service and can offer a free of charge bike delivery and collection within your chosen location, anywhere within Flintshire, Denbighshire and Conwy.  E-Bike hire is very competitively priced, offering half-day, full and multiday hire.++ Llan E-Bikes are a local business and can offer suggestions on routes locally for all abilities.  Some popular flat routes include, The North Wales Costal path, the cycle path from St Asaph to Rhuddlan, or the cycle path around Llyn Brenin reservoir. We hope our recommendations give you lots of inspiration to help you plan your trip! If you’d like to learn more about our gorgeous cottages (Including dog friendly options), please see our website www.old-mill.co.uk where you can check availability and book online. Or, if you’re looking for some more ideas, you may like to read one of our other popular blogs including Our Top 5 Stunning Local Walks - North Wales (old-mill.co.uk) and Dog friendly Beaches North Wales (old-mill.co.uk) We look forward to welcoming you!

Our North Wales Holiday Cottages are nestled within the Clwydian Range Area of Outstanding Beauty, only a one-hour drive from Liverpool. On arrival at The Old Mill Holiday Cottages, you are immediately transported into a slower pace of life. Surrounded by stunning Welsh countryside and rolling hills, The cottages are set within a picturesque mill complex, within 1.5 acres of landscaped grounds, and woodland. This is the perfect place for you to relax, we have four gorgeous and well equipped cottages for you to choose from, including 3 one-bedroom cottages ideal for couples, plus a large two-bedroom cottage, ideal for families or friends sharing. 1. Dog Friendly As dog owners ourselves, we know your fury friends are very much part of the family. We welcome dogs in our ground floor cottages, Millers Cottage and The Long Barn. We provide a dog, bed, muddy paws towel and treat for your four-legged friend. For your convenience, we also have a dedicated dog walk within our grounds. 2. Fabulous Reviews Established in 2014, The Old Mill Holiday Cottages are a family run business, managed by myself Liz Stack. We live on site, you’ll often see me to say hi to, while I’m gardening in the grounds or walking our dog Eli. With a passion for travel, and a very keen eye for high standards and great hospitality, this is at the heart of everything we do. With over 200+ 5 out of 5 reviews, see our guest reviews here. 3. Dog Friendly Pub – Next Door! Just next door to the cottages, is the fabulous Cherry Pie Inn. Open from Wednesday to Sunday lunchtime. This is a firm favourite with our guests. Offering a great selection of home cooked foods and with renowned hospitality from the owners Simon & Lel, this is such a wonderful addition to have on our doorstep. (Leave the car parked up, it’s less than a 100m walk away!). 4. Location, Location, Location! The cottages are in a very convenient location with easy access to the popular towns and attractions of North Wales, plus there are many beautiful walks and beaches closeby, you are spoilt for choice! Within a one-hour radius you can explore, Llandundo, Conwy, Colwyn Bay, Anglesey & Llangollen (To name a few 😊. Or, just over the board in England, is the historic Roman city of Chester which is just 25 minutes away. If you are looking for local recommendations, we are happy to help, or you may like to get some inspiration from one of our other blogs. 5. Beaches We’re very look to have a range of beaches easily accessible from the cottages, including many dog friendly beaches. Our closest beach is Talacre, just 20 minutes away; it has an iconic lighthouse and boasts miles of sand and dunes, it’s a wonderful spot, and better still its dog friendly all year round! 6. Book Direct & Save! Its great that you've found us directly, its a smart move!! We do advertise on well-known booking sites, but by booking direct via our website www.old-mill.co.uk you save on average 15%, we charge no commission or booking fees and you’re booking direct with me the owner, Liz. 7. National Trust Properties & Castles Within 1 hour radius, there are 3 beautiful National trust properties to choose from, Chirk Castle, Erddig Hall, and the very popular Bodnant Gardens - famed for its Laburnum Arch which blooms in May. In addition, we can highly recommend Conwy Castle, Gwrych Castle (Filming location for I’m a celebrity Get Me Out of Here!) and definitely one not to miss is the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Pontcysyllte Aquaduct, where you can walk, canoe or take a canal barge cruise over the aqueduct. 8. Large Guest Car Park & 7 Kw EV Charge We have a large, dedicated guest car park, with plenty of space, so no struggling to find a car parking space. New for (Feb 2024) is a 7 kw EV Charger, just download the app, charge and go. 9. Walks From The Doorstep Explore the stunning AONB countryside locally, with picturesque walks direct from the doorstep. Wander along the quiet country lanes or follow the footpaths through ancient woodland to the pretty rural villages of Nannerch, Ysceifiog, and Lixwm. Each village has a cosy country pub serving food. To help you explore locally we’ve produced an illustrated map of local walks, which you can find within each cottage. 10. Celebrating a Special Event? We can take some of the hassle away for you, we have a range of hampers available to order via our booking page, including breakfast hampers, sweet and savoury celebration hampers. Just add the hamper to your booking and the hamper will be ready in your cottage for your arrival – Ta Da! 11. Pamper Treatments (Pre-Book) Brand new for 2024! We are super exited to be able to offer 'Pamper Treatments' within the comfort of your cottage. The perfect opportunity to have some dedicated me time to relax and unwind during your stay. we have teamed up with the fabulous Love Pamper Company, a luxurious beauty therapy service delivering 5* quality treatments. Please book ahead to avoid disappointment. To learn more please click here. Spa Beauty Treatments | The Old Mill Wales (old-mill.co.uk) If you would like to learn more about our cottages, please take a look at our website, where you can read reviews, see photos and take a look at our 360 degree virtual tours. In addition, you may like to read one of our other blogs, where we share our local knowledge and recommendations on places to visit locally. We hope to provide inspiration to help you plan your trip. We look forward to welcoming you! Best wishes Liz.

Our holiday cottages are near the North Wales Coast and are surrounded by beautiful countryside. We’ve been welcoming guests to The Old Mill Holiday Cottages since 2015. We feel very lucky to live in North Wales and we're thrilled to receive lots of wonderful reviews and have many returning guests. The Old Mill Holiday Cottages are located within a picturesque mill complex, nestled within the Clwydian range AONB. We have dog friendly accommodation available, plus there’s also a popular dog friendly pub restaurant just next door! Our self-catering accommodation is conveniently located to explore the stunning local countryside, popular tourist towns and beaches. We hope you find our guide to the local beaches useful. Talacre Beach Car Park Postcode CH8 9RD Public Toilets – Yes (Opposite Cash & Carry) Distance 15 miles / 20 minutes Café’s / Restaurant Recommendation – Lola & Suggs Cafe Huge stretches of golden sands backed by sand dunes, with an iconic ‘Point of Ayr’ lighthouse, which features in many photographs of the local area! A wonderful area for wildlife. Walk to the end of Station Road and you’ll pick up the footpath to the beach, which is clearly marked - Straight on takes you directly to the beach, or branch left and there’s a small nature reserve with short wooden boardwalk path, which enables you to do a 30 minute loop, by walking over the sand dunes and back along the beach. Talacre Beach is dog friendly all year round. Even in the busy Summer months, you can get away from the crowds by taking a short stroll along the beach. Prestatyn Car Park Postcode LL19 9AA Public Toilets – Yes Distance 15 miles / 25 minutes Café’s / Restaurant Recommendation – Red Boat Ice Cream Parlour & Nova Centre Behind the Nova centre is a colourful series of buildings with an outdoor seating area, great for alfresco dining and cocktails in the Summer. We also recommend trying the red boat café for ice-creams. The sandy beach extends for miles here, with allocated areas that are dog friendly. Alongside the beach is a flat tarmac promenade, ideal for walkers and cyclists, and it’s also perfect for prams and mobility scooters. Do check tide times as its surprising how far the tide comes in at certain times of day. Rhos On Sea Car Park Postcode LL28 4EN Public Toilets – Yes (Near town centre tourist information) Distance 25 miles / 30 minutes Café’s / Restaurants Recommendation – Coast Café & Forte’s Ice Cream Parlour Small traditional seaside town with a long sea front walk. The area has currently undergone significant investment improving the promenade, creating outdoor seating, beach side cafes, and children’s play areas. The promenade is a beautiful spot to enjoy a flat walk along the coast, its ideal for walkers, buggies and cyclists. Rhos-on-Sea retains a charming vibe, with a range of independent style boutique gift shops, cafes and ice cream parlours, without any of the brash slot machine arcades that you may associate with seaside towns. It also benefits from a large grassy central park, children’s play park, mini golf and lido, which is very popular with families in the summer. Take a short 5-minute walk along the promenade from the town centre in the direction of Llandudno and you’ll find the smallest church in the UK, just set back from the cycle path. It seats just 4 people and its fascinating to have a look inside. Llandudno Town Beach (North Shore) Car Park Postcode (Promenade) LL30 1YR Public Toilets – Yes (Although midway down the pier) Distance 30 miles / 40 minutes Café’s / Restaurants Recommendation – Dylan’s, East Parade 😊 Fun family friendly beach, with donkey rides and speed boat rides in the Summer. This beach is located at the end of the prom very close to the pier, which is a real hub of activity in the summer. If you’re looking for souvenirs, slot machine arcades, Punch and Judy shows and fairground rides, head out to the beautiful old Victoria pier. Do watch out for Seagulls, they are extremely over-confident and have a habit of mobbing you for your food – They’re particularly partial to ice-cream, chips and sandwiches! Llandudno West Shore Car Park Postcode LL30 2BG Toilets – Yes (Within West Shore Cafe) Distance 31 miles / 40 minutes Café’s / Restaurants Recommendation – Dylan’s, East Parade 😊 Our favourite of the Llandudno beaches, this is the wild and undeveloped sister of town beach. It has a good-sized pay car park, with café and toilet facilities. From the car park (With the café behind you, walk to the left) there’s a large stretch of unspoilt rugged beach and sand dunes, with lots of private spots ideal for picnicking. If you are carrying bags etc and have young children with you, it is more of an effort (15/20 minute walk to the sand dunes) but the surroundings are very beautiful, flanked by mountains in the distance. In the summer months its fun to watch the paragliders overhead. Want to learn more about Fun Family & Dog Friendly Attractions North Wales (old-mill.co.uk) or read Our Top 5 Stunning Local Walks - North Wales (old-mill.co.uk) Dog friendly Beaches North Wales (old-mill.co.uk) If you'd like to learn more about our accommodation please see our properties below. Which one will you choose? The Hayloft - Sleeps 2. Comfy, cosy accommodation, with characterful beams. Well equipped with everything you need for a great stay. Millers Cottage - Sleeps 2 (Dog Friendly) Cosy ground floor accommodation, well equipped, and comfortable. The Roost - Sleeps 2. Stylish and charachterful, high quality accommodation, designed for your comfort. An ideal retreat for two. The Long Barn - Sleeps 4 (Dog friendly) spacious two bedroom, two bathroom property, ground floor accommodation. Well equipped and with everything you need for a self catering break.

**WIN £50 VOUCHER Off YOUR NEXT STAY** Would you like to win a £50 voucher to put towards your next stay at The Old Mill Holiday Cottages? Guests at The Old Mill, know we love our four-legged friends. We welcome dogs to stay in either Millers Cottage (One Bedroom Cottage) or The Long Barn (Two Bedroom Cottage). We also provide a dog bed, dog towel and treats for your pooch. We have a 100m nature walk within our grounds, which is perfect for a short dog walk. Plus, the popular Cherry Pie Inn just next door also welcomes dogs, so it's an ideal opportunity to grab a drink or bite to eat and your dog can come along too! To enter our competition all you have to do is show us your favourite photo of your dog using the hash tag #TheOldMillDogComp on one of our social media pages · You can attach your photo in a comments/response on the competition post on The Old Mill Holiday Cottages Facebook page. Or · Tag @theoldmillholidaycottages on Facebook OR · @oldmillholidaycottages on Instagram in a new Facebook or Instagram post and use the hashtag #TheOldMillDogComp You have until 12-noon on the 30th October’22 to enter the competition. The winner of the competition will be the photo with the most likes, across our Instagram and Facebook pages and you can enter as many photos as you like. Here’s a photo of our gorgeous Mini Schnauzer Eli, with The Old Mill Holiday Cottages in the background. The £50 voucher can be redeemed against any future booking. A minimum 3-night stay applies, and the voucher is valid for 12 months until 30.10.23. The voucher is non-transferable, and no cash alternatives provided. If you're interested in dog friendly walks, dog friendly pubs and attractions locally, here are a few more of our local recommendations Blog | The Old Mill Holiday Cottages (old-mill.co.uk)

Nestled within the Clwydian Range AONB The Old Mill Holiday Cottages are in a convenient location to explore the popular countryside and coast of North Wales and Cheshire. Just over the border is the beautiful city of Chester, which is only a 30-minute drive away. Don’t miss a visit to this attractive city, which is oozing with history, charm, and character. With fabulous parklands as well as riverside and canal areas, there something for everyone to enjoy. 1. The Rows Chester is famed for its cobbled streets, and quaint Tudor style architecture. ‘The Rows’ are a unique feature of Chester, they consist of medieval brick and timber covered walkways, located above the four main streets of the city centre which are known as ‘The Cross’. The rows lead to a range of shops, restaurants, and cafes, they also offer a good vantage point for looking out on the streets below. 2. Roman Amphitheatre & Grosvenor Park Chester is home to the largest Roman amphitheatre in the UK, and it has the most complete Roman city walls within Britain. Take an entertaining walking tour with ‘Romantoursuk’ and learn about the fascinating facts and influence the Romans had on the city. In this area you’ll also find Grosvenor Park, which is a stunning 20-acre parkland above the River Dee, thought to be one of the best examples of a Victorian park in the North-West of England. Look out for Grosvenor Park Events (Theatre and Outdoor Cinema) which take place during the summer months. 3. Historic Walls Simply enjoy a walk along the historic walls (For Free!) which provide you with a great introduction to the city’s beautiful architecture and parks. The walls are famed to be the most complete circuit within the UK, extending to approx. 2 miles in total, parts of which are almost 2000 years old. Popular starting points include access via the steps leading from the clock tower and access from the Cathedral gardens. 4. Riverside Area & Walk Chester also benefits from picturesque riverside and canal side areas; both are bustling with al fresco cafes and restaurants, why not to sit a while and watch the world go by! Riverside Walk - Park at Little Roodee Car Park - Satnav CH1 1SL (Card Payments taken) Walk along the River Dee, with the University on your left-hand side. Cross the bridge and continue straight for approx. 100 meters into the pedestrian area. This is the hub of the riverside area, it has a great atmosphere, with live entertainment and buskers during the summer months. You’ll find a good range of riverside cafes, ice cream parlours and restaurants here, plus, there’s regular boat trips, and reasonably priced pedalo and rowing boat hire also available. To walk into to town from here, turn left under the ornate bridge. The steps lead to the Roman amphitheatre or branch right to explore Grosvenor Park, (As mentioned above). An ideal spot to picnic during the summer months. 5. Chester Zoo Is the number 1 most visited zoo in the UK - And we know why! Chester zoo is fantastic, their animal conservation projects, and huge enclosures are very well thought out, with animal welfare at heart. It’s a fantastic day out for all ages. The monorail and islands boat ride are very popular and for families with young children (Like us) we also love the great outdoor spaces, multiple adventure play parks and water play area. It’s not a cheap day out, but it’s worth every penny! The only downside is that one day may not be enough! We hope our guide to the '5 Things Not to Miss in Chester' helps you get the best out of your time exploring. If you'd like some more inspiration on places to visit locally, we've listed a few of our other popular blogs below. Fun Family and Dog Friendly Attractions North Wales Our Top 5 Stunning Local Walks North Wales Dog Friendly Beaches North Wales If you'd like to learn more about our fabulous self catering accommodation, including our dog friendly cottages, you can find out more here The Old Mill Holiday Cottages

Many of our guests at The Old Mill Holiday Cottages are National Trust members, so we thought it would be useful to share our recommendations on ‘Our top 3 National Trust Properties in North Wales’. All accessible within an hours’ drive of the cottages. Chirk Castle Located on the Welsh-English border Chirk Castle is an imposing medieval castle set within 480 acres of grounds, it also has award winning manicured gardens covering 5.5 acres a shop and café. The castle was turned into the elegant family home of the Myddelton Family from 1595. The interiors of the castle are open to the public and showcase 400 years of changing tastes, beautifully preserved rooms, with antique furniture, lavish soft furnishings, tapestries and paintings of the day. Sat Nav Postcode LL14 5AF Travel Time 47 minutes (28 miles) Opening Hours Some seasonality, please check website before travel Chirk Castle | National Trust Pontcysyllte Aqueduct Chirk Castle is located very close to the UNESCOs Heritage site of Pontcysyllte Aqueduct (Only a 10 -minute drive further on). Why not combine your visit with an afternoon exploring the stunning scenery of the aqueduct and marvel at this amazing engineering feat? The aqueduct was completed in 1805 and it remains the highest canal aqueduct in the world! For those of you with a head for heights, you can walk over the aqueduct, enjoy a canal boat ride over, or even kayak (Which I was lucky enough to do a few years ago!). Sat Nav Postcode LL20 7TG Travel Time (From the cottages) 43 minutes (26 miles) Erddig Enjoy a day exploring the fascinating and vast, Grade I stately home of Erddig, beautifully presented within stunning 1,900-acre park land. The behind-the-scenes insight you get from exploring the huge servants’ quarters, gives you an appreciation of the sheer work and number of staff that were involved in running a stately home of this size, including stable yard, laundry, kitchens, housekeeping, game keepers and gardeners. There is also a unique collection of over 200 years of Erddigs’ family and servants documented in portraits, and photos, which is on display, apparently nothing of such breath survives anywhere else in the world. Sat Nav Postcode LL13 0YT Travel Time 40 minutes (22 miles) Opening Hours Some seasonality, please check website before travel Erddig | National Trust Bodnant Gardens Is a stunning garden for all seasons! Established in 1874 (Just 12 years before The Old Mill was built!) by scientist, businessman and Politician Henry Pochin. The gardens have been developed by 5 generations of one family, and span 80 acres of hillside, sweeping lawns, grand terraces, and lush woodland. The gardens are stocked full of rare and beautiful plants from around the world and sit amidst a picturesque back drop of the Carneddau Mountains of Snowdonia. The rose gardens are said to be one of the finest in Wales, and the Laburnum Arch which forms a huge golden tunnel of blooms in May, has become a real bucket list attraction. With a great range of restaurants, plant nurseries, craft, and boutique gifts shops available, Bodnant Gardens is said to be ‘A Welsh inspiration for Gardeners, Art and Craft Lovers’ and a great place to visit whatever the weather! Sat Nav Postcode - LL28 5RE Travel Time 38 minutes (30 miles) Website Bodnant Garden | National Trust Opening Hours – Some seasonality, please check website before travel. Winter - 10.00 -16.00 (last entry 15.00) The Old Mill Holiday Cottages Looking for somewhere to stay while exploring North Wales? Check out our small family run, self-catering complex, located on a unique and picturesque mill complex www.old-mill.co.uk With over 80+ 5-star reviews and a popular (Dog friendly) pub restaurant just next door. We have x4 cottages to choose from: * Millers Cottage, Sleeps 2 + 1 dog prices from £295 per week. * The Long Barn, Sleeps 4 + up to 2 dogs’ prices from £429 per week. * The Roost, sleeps 2 (Sorry no pets) prices from £361 per week * The Hayloft, sleeps 2 (Sorry no pets) prices from £295 per week X3 night short breaks also available. We look forward to welcoming you!

Hi! I’m Liz the Owner and Manager of The Old Mill Holiday Cottages - Dog friendly cottages North Wales. Many of our guests, bring their four-legged members of the family to stay at our cottages, and as a Mum of x2 young girls and a dog owner, I understand the importance of finding dog friendly attractions in North Wales, that will to keep the whole family entertained. I’ve listed our top 5 places we enjoy within a 1 hour radius of the cottages - I hope you enjoy as much as we do! If you would like to find-out more about our gorgeous cottages in this stunning part of North Wales please click on the links below: We advertise on well known accommodation websites, but you SAVE up to 15% by booking directly with us! The Long Barn Sleeps 4 - Spacious 2 bedroom 2 bathroom cottage. Family friendly and x2 Dogs welcome (Any size) From £375 - £795 per week Millers Cottage Sleeps 2, plus x2 S/M Dogs welcome. From £275 - £495 per week The Hayloft Sleeps 2 (No Pets). From £275 - £495 per week x3 night short breaks available. Any questions just ask me Liz, 01352 742175 / info@old-mill.co.uk Crocky Trail - CH3 7PH Distance from The Cottages – 25 miles Age Range – 5+ to Teen Time at Activity Full day Cost - Cost – Adults £10 / Children Age 5 – 21 years £12 / Under 5’s free Open – February to November (Please check for seasonal hours and book tickets ahead) Parking – Free, onsite Website - www.crockytrail.co.uk Dogs welcome on a lead Crocky Trail is set in a large farmland area in the Cheshire countryside. It’s a crazy and quirky outdoor adventure park, with a whole range of gravity defying scary slides, as well as popular rides such the Spinning Disk, Titanic and the terrifying Flusher. There is also a mile long Crocky Trail path, which winds its way through fields, passing over obstacles that you have to master, including scrambling through trees, climbing over crooked bridges and swinging over the Crocky stream. After the adrenalin of the adventure park, there are many areas you can relax and grab a coffee, plus picnic area and food outlets are available. Do dress for the weather, as the Crocky Trail path can get rather muddy! Greenfield Valley Heritage Park – CH7 7GH Distance from The Cottages – 6 miles Age Range – Approx. 3 – 8 years Time at Activity – Recommend ½ Day Cost – Adult £6.70 / Child £3.90 /Family Tickets available - Check online for discounts Open – 13th April to 3rd November Parking – Multiple car parks clearly sign posted Website www.greenfieldvalley.com Dogs welcome on a lead Consisting of 70 acres of country park, woodland, reservoirs, visitors centre with museums (Packed full of industrial heritage) café, play parks, and a beautiful ancient abbey - There is plenty to see and do! There are many woodland trails that you can explore, completely for free. Plus, dogs on a lead are welcome inside the visitors centre. The visitors centre is beautifully well kept and consists of a range of historic buildings, and museums that capture a by-gone era – e.g. Tudor farmhouse, a large barn with historical farming machinery, and an old school-house. As a family, our children have enjoyed many trips here, finding out what ‘Life would have been like in the olden days’. The maze and adventure playground with picnic area’s very popular. For pre-school children there’s also a small indoor soft play and ride on tractors. During the spring and summer months there’s a lovely calendar of events e.g. craft activities, vintage fair, discovery and nature themes (Check online for details). Llangollen Wharf - Horse Drawn Canal Boat Trip – LL20 8TA Distance from The Cottages – 22 miles Age Range – Suitable for the whole family Time at Activity – Boat trips last 45 minutes to 2 hours. However, you can easily spend a day exploring Llangollen. Cost – Adult £8, Child £4, Family Ticket £21 Open - Mid March to Early November Website www.horsedrawnboats.co.uk Dogs on a lead welcome One of the oldest visitor attractions in North Wales est. 1884! Sit back enjoy a slower pace as you mender along the Llangollen canal taking in the beautiful scenery on this unique horse drawn boat trip. Please note, the boats can get rather busy in the summer months, but well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome on the 45-minute and 2-hour trips. There is also a dog friendly Tea-Room at the Wharf which we recommend. After a boat trip, there is plenty to keep you busy during a full day sight-seeing in Llangollen, including cafes, ice-cream parlours, and gift shops to look around. The Corn Mill is a dog and family friendly pub, which we recommend. 4 miles further on is the World Heritage site at Pontcysyllte Aqueduct this is a MUST SEE. You can walk over the aqua-duct and take in the stunning views, however, dogs are NOT able to go on the boat trips at this point, due to food being served on-board the boats. Greenwood Forest Park – LL56 4QN Distance from The Cottages – 47 miles Age Range – 5 to 12 years Time at Activity – All Day Cost – Best Prices Online – Book 7 days in advance (Super Saver) £66.00 – Family of 4 Open – 14th March - End of the season Parking – Free on-site. Website - www.greenwoodfamilypark.co.uk Dogs welcome on a lead We love it here! This is a fantastic family theme park, with a lovely ‘Outdoor and Eco’ ethos – where dogs are also welcome – which is a brilliant bonus! It’s never crowded (So far so good!) Our children love the thrill of the Solar Splash Water Ride, the ‘People Powered-Roller Coaster’ and the grass sledges are a big hit, but, in addition, the more traditional archery, stilt walking, theatre participation, bare foot walk, and giant bouncy-castle 'Pillow' are also big favourites with our girls. You’re sure to have a great day out here! Llandudno Snow Sports Centre Distance from The Cottages – 30 miles Age Range – 4 years to Adult! Time at Activity ½ day Cost – Alpine Golf £4 per round / Sno-tubing £7.50 (30 mins) Tobogganing £7.00 (2 rides) Open - All year round (Please check website for more info) Parking - On site Website www.jnlllandudno.co.uk Dogs welcome on a lead This is a fabulous activity centre, offering not only ski-ing, snowboarding, and alpine golf, but my girls have had so much fun racing down the hill tobogganing and sno-tubing here. The crazy golf has also recently been updated and it looks fantastic! Dogs are welcome on a lead, and you just take in turns to try out the activities. There is also a lovely dog friendly ‘Chalet’ style café, with great home cooked food and fabulous views over Llandudno. If you want to make a full day of it, we highly recommend taking a stroll along Llandudno’s promenade and pier. There is plenty to keep everyone happy here. *All prices valid March 2020 Other blogs you may find of interest? https://www.old-mill.co.uk/post/days-out-with-children-in-north-wales https://www.old-mill.co.uk/post/dog-friendly-beaches-north-wales https://www.old-mill.co.uk/post/dog-friendly-holiday-cottages-dog-friendly-pubs-in-north-wales

Hello, I’m Liz, the Owner and Manager of The Old Mill Holiday Cottages in North Wales (And this is Eli our gorgeous mini Schnauzer!) I love North Wales and I feel very lucky to live here. If you are visiting the area for the first time, or if you’re simply looking for new places to go, I hope you enjoy my recommendations of dog friendly attractions, as much as we do! (All recommendations are within 1 hour radius of our self-catering cottages). Our dog friendly accommodation includes Millers Cottage and The Long Barn. Please follow the link If you would like to find out more The Old Mill Holiday Cottages - Dog Friendly cottages in North Wales (old-mill.co.uk) National Waterways Museum, Ellesmere Port Distance From the Cottages – 35 miles (45 minutes) SatNav: CH65 4FW Time at Activity – Half a day Cost – Adults £9.75, Children £6.00 Under 5’s free Open – All year round (Please check website for times) Parking - Yes Website National Waterways Museum | Ellesmere Port, Cheshire | Canal & River Trust Dogs Welcome on a lead This is a beautiful canal-side location, where the Shropshire Canal meets the Manchester ship Canal and River Mersey. Tucked away in a surprising corner of Ellesmere Port it is a real hidden gem. This museum celebrates the history of what it was like to live and work on the waterways over the last 200 years. There are canal-boats you can go on-board and explore, a terraced street presented in styles through the ages, plus loads of interactive experiences and events. There is a good gift shop and café, plus picnic areas and play park. Gwrych Castle Distance from The Cottages – 19 miles (35 minutes) SatNav: LL22 8ET Time at Activity – A couple of hours (Longer if picnicking!) Cost – Adults £5 / Children £2.50 / Family Ticket 2 Adults & x3 Children £15 Open – 10am – 5pm Parking – Yes Suitable for the whole family (Due to a hill and steep steps, push-chair access would be difficult) Website www.gwrychcastle.co.uk Dogs Welcome on a lead Gwrych Castle, has become famous as the recent venue for ITV’s ‘I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here!’ Gwrych Castle is truly a unique fairy tale castle - Its ramparts hug the towering cliff tops, and stretch for what seems like miles, with fabulous views over-looking the sea. The main building is in ruin, but there is an ambitious plan to convert the castles and grounds back to its former glory. We love wandering around here, taking in the pretty winding steps, immaculate gardens and view-points at every corner. We really hope its new-found fame will provide a much needed cash injection into this beautiful place. Accessibility - The main building is a ruin so there is currently no public access. Please read accessibility statement on the website. The gardens and grounds are open to explore. Ruthin Castle Distance From Cottages – 15 miles (26 minutes) SAtNav: LL15 2NU Time at Activity – Good location for lunch. Allow ½ a day if exploring Ruthin. Cost – Nil Open – All year round Parking – Yes Bar & restaurant open for non-residents Dogs welcome on a lead Ruthin Castle and Grounds - A prominent medieval castle in the picturesque and historic town of Ruthin. We enjoy walking around the landscaped grounds, while the children look out for peacocks! The castle operates as a popular wedding venue locally, however, it is open for non-residents and has an attractive bar, and out-side terrace serving food and drinks. Dogs are welcome inside the castle. I also recommend a stroll around Ruthin, it has a range of independent shops and cafes, plus popular Craft Centre. In addition, Ruthin Gaol is also worth a visit – Now converted into an interesting museum, find out what life was like in a Victorian Goal..! (Also dog friendly) Bala Lake Railway Distance From the Cottages – 35 miles (45 minutes) SatNav: LL23 7DD Time at Activity – Half a day Cost – x2 Adults x2 Children £28.00, Adult Return £12.00, Dogs £1.00 Open – End of March – End of October (Check time-table for more info). Parking – Limited Dogs welcome on a lead Website: Bala Lake Railway – Home of Alice the Little Welsh Engine (bala-lake-railway.co.uk) Located on the banks of Lake Bala (The largest natural lake in Wales) this small stream train takes you on a 9-mile return journey alongside the lake and into the beautiful Snowdonia National Park. There is a small lake-side picnic area where you can dis-embark the train and relax for a while if you wish. At the end of the route there is a small station with gift shop where you can buy refreshments and ice-creams. Great Orme Mines, Llandudno Distance From the Cottages – 32 miles (45 minutes) SatNav: LL30 2XG Time at Activity – Half a day Cost – x2 Adults x2 Children £24.50 (Adult £9.00, Children £6.00, Under 5’s Free). Open – Please check website for details Parking – Visitor car park available on site Dogs welcome on a lead Website: Great Orme Mines Discovered in 1987, in an area of the Great Orme, this is a fascinating copper mine that dates back 4,000 years to the Bronze Age. It is thought to be the largest prehistoric mine, so far discovered in the world. This is a self-guided tour, which takes you underground for approximately 200 meters. Inside the mine it is very atmospheric, with cooler temperatures, sloping walls, and low head height (Safety helmets are issued). Although it is dimly light inside the mine, my children love exploring and learning about its incredible history. Café and gift shop on site. Dogs are welcome underground as well, although please note, there are metal grates and staircases that not all dogs like. Our dog Eli is only small so we can carry him up the steps. Access: Not suitable for prams or wheelchairs. Please see full access statement on the attraction website. You may also find these dog friendly blogs useful: Fun Family & Dog Friendly Attractions North Wales (old-mill.co.uk) Our Top 5 Stunning Local Walks - North Wales (old-mill.co.uk) Dog Friendly Holiday Cottages & Dog Friendly Pubs In North Wales (old-mill.co.uk) Dog friendly Beaches North Wales (old-mill.co.uk)

It’s been a long lockdown for everybody. So we are delighted to start welcoming you back from the 13th July’20. We hope that you and your loved ones have kept safe and well during this unprecedented time. We’re working hard implementing the government guidelines for re-opening, to make sure our accommodation is as safe as possible for you and our staff. We know that guests come to The Old Mill Holiday Cottages for a well-earned break and a chance to switch off. We are very lucky to be surrounded by stunning countryside with plenty of open space, to take advantage of. We are also very fortunate to have large landscaped gardens, with plenty of space to spread out, which is ideal post the lockdown period. This short guide highlights the adjustments we've made to keep us all safe and well during your stay, and I hope that this puts your mind at rest before your arrival. Changes including: ​ Self-Check in / Check Out To minimise contact, we will provide guests with key safe codes for self-check in & check-out. ​ House Keeping Rooms sanitized before arrival and will only be serviced on check-out. To ensure your privacy, there will be no interim cleans for longer stays. Additional ‘Double Clean’ protocol to be adhered to using anti-viral products. PPE has been provided and will be worn by our staff during cleaning. Cleaners will wash and sanitizer their hands frequently. ​ Later Check-in Times Your check in time will be 5pm to allow for the additional cleaning protocols. |Check out time will continue to be 10am. At the moment, earlier or later check-in or check-out times will not be available. We appreciate your support in observing these times. ​ Decluttering Unnecessary soft furnishings will be removed. Books and games will remain available but will NOT be sanitized and can be used at your own risk – please bear this in mind. ​ Play Park, Out-Door Seating Areas & Summerhouse Will remain open but will NOT be sanitized, please use at your own discretion. ​ Social Distancing All staff will adhere to the 2m social distancing guidelines. Local Pubs/Restaurants & Eateries As you can appreciate things are fast moving. We can provide a list of restaurants that are open locally and take-away options for guests on request. ​ Guidelines for Guests Please adhere to the 2m social distance rule - If you are meeting visitors at the cottages, please meet in the outside garden area, not inside the accommodation - thanks. ​ Covid Symptoms The Welsh government have advised, in the event that you develop any symptoms of Covid-19 during your stay: • Return to your primary residence immediately and self-isolate for 7 days (14 days for everyone else in the party) as instructed by the British and Welsh Government guidance. • Please inform Liz by phone and email immediately as our cleaning protocols are different in this scenario. Needless to say if one of your party develops symptoms in the days prior to your scheduled stay with us, or if you have been told to self isolate as part of the track and trace programme please follow Government guidance – self isolate, get tested and DO NOT TRAVEL. Please go ahead and book with us as usual. We will make sure that you get all of the information you need ahead of your stay. Hopefully this will answer all of your questions about staying at The Old Mill Holiday Cottages, post-lockdown, but If you have any specific concerns, please don’t hesitate to get in touch and I’m always happy to help. Best Wishes Liz The Old Mill Holiday Cottages.