The Refurbishment of Penmaenuchaf is Complete

After four years, three phases and countless thoughtful decisions, the transformation of Penmaenuchaf is now complete.

Set beneath the slopes of Cadair Idris and overlooking the Mawddach Estuary, our historic country house has been gradually reimagined as a mountain retreat shaped by Welsh landscape, craftsmanship and storytelling. Guided by the Welsh concept of hiraeth, a deep emotional connection to place and a longing for somewhere that feels like home, the refurbishment has brought together all fourteen bedrooms and the house’s shared spaces into a more connected and complete experience.

The final phase marks the completion of a carefully considered programme of refurbishment that has unfolded over four years. The remaining five bedrooms have been redesigned, alongside the introduction of a new Music Room and Morning Room, a reimagined Afon Restaurant and an expanded library. Together, they complete a house that feels warm, welcoming and deeply connected to its surroundings.

For owner and Seren Collection founder Neil Kedward, the completion of the project marks the end of a journey that has shaped much of the past four years.

“Throughout the project we kept asking ourselves how the house should feel, rather than simply how it should look. We wanted it to feel warm, welcoming and deeply connected to its surroundings. Looking around now, it feels as though the building has found its rhythm again, and that’s probably the most rewarding part of all.”

Working alongside renowned interior designer Nicola Harding, the ambition was never simply to create a particular look. Instead, the focus was on creating a house that feels entirely at home within its landscape. Drawing inspiration from the Victorian character of the building, the landscapes of Eryri and Wales’ rich craft traditions, the interiors have evolved through layers of colour, texture and craftsmanship to create spaces that feel deeply rooted in place.

The refurbishment unfolded gradually over three phases, giving the house time to reveal its possibilities. Rather than working towards a fixed outcome, the project evolved as the building itself evolved, with each phase refining and deepening the relationship between the interiors, the landscape and the wider guest experience.

As Nicola Harding reflects:

“What made Penmaenuchaf so compelling was that it already had soul. There was never any desire to reinvent it. The most successful projects are often those where you listen carefully to what is already there, and this house had a remarkable sense of place from the beginning. Our aim was simply to deepen that connection and create interiors that feel entirely at home within the landscape.”

Completing the Collection of Bedrooms

The final five bedrooms complete Penmaenuchaf’s collection of individually designed rooms.

Named after Welsh landscapes, historical figures and mythology, Meirionnydd, Ogwen, Cregennan, Glyndŵr and Rhiannon each tell their own story through carefully selected furnishings, layered textiles and handcrafted details. Among them is a new master suite with a private balcony overlooking the gardens, while Ogwen features a private outdoor terrace with a copper spa bath, offering uninterrupted views across the surrounding landscape.

Each room draws on a different strand of Welsh identity while remaining connected to the wider spirit of the house and its surroundings.

Spaces Designed for Slower Moments

Beyond the bedrooms, the refurbishment has introduced a collection of spaces designed to encourage guests to slow down and spend time within the house.

The new Music Room retains its original oak panelling and Victorian anaglypta ceiling, creating a richly atmospheric setting for evenings beside the fire accompanied by a curated vinyl collection. The Morning Room offers a lighter space overlooking the gardens, while an adjoining library, enveloped in deep burgundy tones, provides a quiet retreat for reading and reflection.

Reflecting many of the values that sit at the heart of Penmaenuchaf itself, the library brings together a rich and meaningful collection of books inspired by people, place and a deep sense of curiosity. Developed in collaboration with Penrallt Gallery Bookshop in nearby Machynlleth, the shelves explore Welsh history, literature and culture alongside landscape, the arts, politics, adventure, creativity and more sustainable ways of living, encouraging guests to discover new ideas, challenge assumptions and explore different perspectives.

Together, these rooms create opportunities for reading, conversation and reflection, encouraging guests to engage more deeply with the character of North Wales and the ideas that have shaped it. They form the intellectual and cultural heart of the house, reflecting a belief that hospitality should inspire curiosity and discovery as much as comfort and rest.

A New Look for Afon Restaurant

Afon Restaurant, named after the Welsh word for river, takes inspiration from the Afon Mawddach and estuary that unfold below the house.

A tented ceiling in deep green-blue fabric reflects the changing colours of water, light and landscape, creating a softer and more intimate atmosphere that complements Head Chef Dan Andrée’s seasonal approach to cooking. Here, Welsh produce and the flavours of North Wales remain at the heart of the dining experience.

Rooted in Welsh Craftsmanship

Local craftsmanship has been central to the refurbishment, with makers, suppliers and tradespeople from across North Wales involved throughout the project. Wherever possible, the team looked locally for both skill and inspiration, drawing on a rich network of Welsh makers, including those connected through Makers Guild Wales, alongside craftspeople such as weaver Margaret Hansford, rug maker Kathy Williams and Anvil Pottery in Llanrhaeadr. Beyond the objects themselves, this approach reflects a wider commitment to supporting local creativity and ensuring the house remains connected to the people, skills and traditions that continue to shape this part of Wales.

The same philosophy guided every decision throughout the refurbishment. As Zoë Kedward explains:

“From the outset, we wanted to understand the house rather than reinvent it. Penmaenuchaf never felt like a blank canvas. It already had a strong identity and our role was to listen carefully to that. The process involved thousands of decisions, but that constant dialogue between the house, the designers and the team ultimately made the interiors feel more authentic.”

The completion of the project marks an important milestone for Neil and Zoë Kedward and the Seren Collection. As the second major country house refurbishment undertaken by the family-owned hospitality group, following the transformation of Grove of Narberth over fifteen years and ten phases, Penmaenuchaf represents the next chapter in their commitment to creating deeply rooted hospitality experiences shaped by place, people and story.

With all fourteen bedrooms now complete and a collection of newly reimagined guest spaces throughout the house, Penmaenuchaf enters a new chapter of its own. The result is a deeply personal mountain retreat shaped by the landscapes, stories and craftsmanship of North Wales, where comfort, curiosity and a strong sense of place sit at the heart of the guest experience.