14 quirky luxury homes in North Wales you can swap to get a cheap holiday

In the hope of getting a cheap holiday, Conwy couple Xander and Lleucu are willing to giving up their “cosy” stone cottage for a week or two.

They don’t mind who they swap it with, or where, so long as they can show their baby daughter Malo “some amazing places”.

Likewise Sioned, a dentist, and partner Hywel, who works in education, are offering to give up their newly renovated barn conversion in Denbighshire.

They hope to holiday in a property of similar style and quality. They’re not too fussed where: right now, “anywhere” is their dream destination.

READ MORE: North Wales gardens voted most ‘Instagrammable’ in country

Last month Sioned and Hywel became the latest converts to the home-exchange holiday trend.

They signed up to the Love Home Swap website which, between February and March, saw membership jump by 31%.

Home-exchange platforms have been dubbed “Tinder for homeowners”. Members pay an annual subscription to browse the homes of other members, then organise swaps.

Many dream of finding French chateaux or Tuscan villas but the Covid pandemic has put the brakes on overseas exchanges. Instead domestic swaps are in demand and accommodation has been booking up fast.

The system relies on mutual trust. Many people worry their homes will be burgled while they’re away – or they’ll return home to find it trashed.

In reality this doesn’t happen as the system is self-policing: anyone who drops a review star will quickly find themselves out in the cold.

Besides, many members are sensible retirees who are more flexible with their travel plans. Post-lockdown, more families are signing up too, keen to get a break without it costing the earth.

In North Wales, especially around the coast, a large number of house swaps involve properties that are holiday or second homes.

They belong to owners who are keen to maximise the use of flats and cottages that are otherwise empty for part of the year.

The vast majority of exchanges go well, providing properties are well matched: demand is high for a stunning seven-bedroom house with its own beach on the Menai Strait, but the chances of a swap are low for anyone with a two-bedroom semi in Dudley. The owners of the Anglesey property are insisting on exchanges of “similar size and quality”.

Members often return home to find it cleaner than they left it. But not all house swaps are completely hassle-free.

An idyllic cottage near Llandynog offers the ideal base for exploring the Tanat valley and beyond – providing guests have first fed and watered the resident pair of miniature Shetland ponies.

Below are 14 properties in North Wales listed on the Love Home Swap website.

Its members can choose a “Classic Swap”, where they exchange houses with another member, either at the same time or on different dates.

Or they can opt for a “Points Swap”, allowing them to travel without having to match their plans with another member.

Modern apartment in listed church, Criccieth

• Bedrooms: 1; Sleeps: 4; Bathrooms: 1; Points: 100pts

Located in the centre of Criccieth, swappers describe this holiday apartment in a former church as “very quirky” and “full of character”.

The flat is on the ground floor of the Grade-2 listed church.

It lacks a TV signal or wifi but there is a DVD player and mobile signal.

“This is our holiday home, used by friends and family,” said the owners, a semi-retired couple.

This year they are accepting direct swaps only.

• Notes: Allocated parking space, communal garden, no pets, no smoking.

Stone barn conversion in Denbighshire countryside

• Bedrooms: 4; Sleeps: 7: Bathrooms: 3

A beautiful character property owned by a local Welsh couple who “love seeing different parts of the world – but also love coming home” to the cottage.

The couple, a dentist and her husband, are happy to swap with anyone, anywhere.

They have a young daughter and they joined the site just a few weeks ago.

Located in the Denbighshire countryside, between Prion and Llanrhaeadr, the stone property is a barn conversion that’s a marriage of character features and modern fittings.

Outside there the large garden and parking area extends to 1.3 acres.

“This is an ideal location in which to relax and escape ‘the madding crowd’,” say the owners.

• Notes: No smoking, no pets.

Shetland pony cottage, Llangygnog

• Bedrooms: 4; Sleeps: 5; Bathrooms: 1; Points: 100pts

This traditional stone-and-slate cottage near Llangygnog, Powys, is owned by a pair of retired teachers who have been swapping out their home for many years.

Located on a hillside, overlooking the Tanat valley, with a parking area about 60m from the house, it has a conservatory and open fires in two rooms.

Most of the furniture is antique and the 150-year-old house is “full of books”.

The garden is a wonder but there is a catch: home swappers are required to look after the couple’s two miniature Shetland ponies, Rosie and Poppy, who are kept in a field nearby.

The owners said: “We would be especially interested in staying close to water, ideally with access to a boat.”

• Notes: No smoking. As the house is on several levels, and built on a hillside, it is not very suitable for people with impaired mobility.

Large beach house on Menai Strait, Anglesey

• Bedrooms: 7; Sleeps: 14; Bathrooms: 4

A large holiday home overlooking the Menai Strait that’s owned by a property developer and his wife, a property management agent.

It has terraced gardens and its own private beach, where guests can moor their boats, jet skis or kayaks.

There’s private parking for up to five cars and the Llandegfan property was one of the first houses in Wales to have ultra fast 900mbps broadband.

“That’s the highest you can get anywhere in the UK,” said the owners.

“So come here to work and sit by the sea!”

The couple and their two young daughters are accepting exchanges only for properties of a “similar size and quality” in Europe, Thailand or South Africa. Their ideal is Kalkan, Turkey.

• Notes: Cable TV, no smoking, pet-friendly

17th century mill, Llanerfyl

• Bedrooms: 3; Sleeps: 6; Bathrooms: 2; Points: 250pts

Old Mill is a rural retreat on 4.5 acres next to the Banwy river in Llanerfyl, near Welshpool.

The river is, naturally, a big draw, offering access to salmon, trout and greyling

“Perfect for both fly and course fishing,” said its owners, who also have their own narrowboat.

“The river runs the length of the property, so there is plenty of space to find your perfect place to sit and read a book… or, of course, go fishing.”

Among the couple’s “dream destinations” is Australia, Brenda being originally from Melbourne and a fluent Japanese speaker.

• Notes: No smoking, no pets.

Nautical retreat near Harlech

• Bedrooms: 6; Sleeps: 8; Bathrooms: 2; Points: 200pts

An unusual and “architecturally unique” holiday property near Llanbedr, Gwynedd, this offers quick access to the area’s beaches and mountains.

Several rooms are wood-panelled, others are sleek and modern with wood burners and signature porthole windows.

The house lacks vehicle access, meaning visitors have to walk to it along a public footpath, across a field and alongside a river.

“It takes about 10 minutes, and is well worth it once you get there!” says the owners, a couple with teenage children.

The house has five-star reviews. “We had a wonderful time in Julia’s beautiful home,” said one.

“There is a great kitchen and living space with everything we needed to enjoy our four-day stay with our four kids and grandparents.”

Coastal farmhouse in Conwy

• Bedrooms: 4; Sleeps: 8; Bathrooms: 2

This 300-year old Welsh farmhouse, now a vacation home, comes with 18 acres of private land.

The property, in Gorddinog. near Llanfairfechan, has plenty of period detail and impressive formal gardens with a gravel seating area.

It’s owned by a couple who also swap a terraced apartment near Caernarfon Castle (see below).

At present they’ve suspended exchanges. “We have so many points to use that, until we use up some of them, we won’t be doing doing swaps,” they said.

House with sea views and beach hut, Abersoch

• Bedrooms: 4; Sleeps: 8; Bathrooms: 3; Points: 300pts

As well as offering accommodation for up to eight people, this Abersoch property also has access to a beach hut nearby.

The modern, three-storey holiday home has a garden and a balcony which offers views out to Cardigan Bay.

Its owner, who runs her own small computer company, also has a 16th century cottage in a Staffordshire village of Brewood.

It too is available for swaps. “So it could a two-holiday stay!” she said.

Cosy cottage near Llanrwst

• Bedrooms: 2; Sleeps: 3; Bathrooms: 1; Points: 100pts

This two-bedroom cottage is owned by a young couple who dream of swapping the house so they can show their baby “some amazing places”.

The owners, a stonemason and his artist partner, are relative newcomers to house swapping, having signed up to the site 12 months ago.

Their stone cottage has plenty of charm, with a range cooker and a wood stove in a large inglenook.

It’s located on the Abergele road out of Llanrwst.

“There are lovely fields and rivers to explore around the house, and a garden to relax in,” said the owners.

“But if you just want to chill, get your feet up round the wood burner and chill!”

They also recommend grabbing a pint In the Eagles Hotel and watching the “chaos that unfolds” as drivers argue over the right of way on Llanrwst’s narrow bridge.

• Notes: Cable TV, no pets.

Sea captain’s home near Barmouth

• Bedrooms: 3; Sleeps: 6; Bathrooms: 2

This traditional stone and slate cottage near Barmouth dates back to 1740 and was once a sea captain’s home.

Recently renovated by its owners, a local farming family, the three-bedroom holiday property offers “truly spectacular” views over the Mawddach estuary towards Cader Idris.

Old oak beams are a feature, with a log burner in the living room’s original inglenook fireplace.

The cottage has five-star reviews. “Just loved it,” said one.

“So peaceful, with amazing views and not another house in sight but just a few miles walk over the moors into Barmouth.”

• Notes: No smoking, no pets

‘Semi-rural retreat’ near Wrexham

• Bedrooms: 2; Sleeps: 6; Bathrooms: 2; Points: 100pts.

This renovated detached house near Wrexham has a large but steep garden that its owners say is “great if you like a bit of a hike!”

Beyond the top of the tiered garden is a footpath that used to be the old railway line carrying steel and passengers from Brymbo.

The stone property lies within an area that has plenty of industrial heritage but lots of green space too.

Its owners, a professional couple with four grown-up children, have just two “usable” double bedrooms as one is delegated as a dressing room.

Inside is tastefully furnished but the garden is the star: outside dining with a chiminea, fire pit and barbecue – and a hammock on the upper terrace.

“It really is a garden where you can follow the sun!” said the owners.

• Notes: Cable TV, no smoking, no pets.

Victorian town house in Llandudno

• Bedrooms: 4; Sleeps: 8; Bathrooms: 1; Points: 200pts

A three-storey Victorian town house that’s a two-minute walk from Llandudno’s promenade and beach,.

It’s owned by a professional couple and their two teenagers who use the property as a holiday home.

Swappers appreciate the “nice garden spaces” and tranquility despite the property’s proximity to shops and restaurants.

The owners are looking for swaps in places like Barcelona, New Orleans, New York, Paris and Venice.

• Notes: No smoking, no pets, limited availability.

Victorian Gentleman’s residence, Arthog

• Bedrooms: 9; Sleeps: 19; Bathrooms: 4; Points: 200pts

Another holiday home, this large period property is located near Arthog on the Mawddach estuary looking across to Barmouth.

Its owners, a family from North Yorkshire, describe the location of the “former Victorian Gentleman’s residence” as “simply stunning”.

“The house is perfect for large family gatherings or holidays,” they said.

The family is currently looking for a week’s skiing for 10 people and will swap “summer weeks” at the property in return.

Apartment near Caernarfon Castle

• Bedrooms: 1; Sleeps: 2; Bathrooms: 1

This is a small but cosy holiday apartment in Caernarfon that is part of a grade 2-listed property built in 1828.

The property part of a terrace that overlooks the Seiont estuary and is just round the corner from Caernarfon Castle.

Run by a retired couple, the place offers parking and is pet-friendly.

Would you let strangers into your home for a house swap? Share your thoughts in the comments below.