Hotel for sale on the world’s steepest street
IF YOU decide to tackle climbing the newly-crowned ‘steepest street in the world’, you will be glad to know there is a top-rated restaurant, bar and hotel at the top where you can catch your breath and down a cold drink to revive.
Castle Cottage is located at the top of Ffordd Pen Llech, Herlech, which, after a passionate campaign by local residents, was recently officially named the steepest street in the world by Guinness World Records.
The award knocked the previous world record holder, Baldwin Street in New Zealand, off the top spot. The Welsh road was found to have a gradient of 37.45%, 2% steeper than Baldwin Street.
But Castle Cottage owners Glyn and Jacqueline Roberts were already easing into a well-deserved retirement after 30 years before the street hit international headlines.
The couple have reduced the business operating hours to a four-day week between Easter and October and are opening only on a Friday and Saturday during the ‘off season’.
The property not only has a prime spot on the steepest street, it boasts the magnificent 13th century Harlech Castle as its neighbour.
And it is this popular tourist destination that played a huge role in the couple’s life at the boutique hotel.
Whilst visiting the castle on honeymoon, the couple fell in love with the period property as well as the location.
It then took them two long years for Castle Cottage to actually become their property.
Glyn and Jacqueline then moved from London to Harlech in 1989 and to their new home with the ambition to realise their dream of developing a boutique hotel.
And so began an exciting venture, which allowed the couple to incorporate their leisure and catering experience into their new property; Glyn having previously worked for Greenhouse Restaurant in Mayfair, whilst Jacqueline was at the Cafe Royal.
Over the years the property has been expanded and transformed.
The couple acquired the neighbouring Grade II-listed coaching inn which allowed for the creation of an extra four luxury rooms.
The original stone cottage is thought to date back to about 1585. It has a lace valley roof dating back to the period and is thought to be one of only four of its kind from the Tudor era in Gwynedd.
According to Fleurets, who are the agents selling the property, the business has a current turnover of approximately £178,000. But there is potential to expand the business.
Lesley Watmough, from Fleurets, said: “Our clients consider this (steepest street) award will change the influx of visitors – overseas holiday makers, walkers, cyclists and day visitors.
“If Castle Cottage were run on a seven-day operation in the season, it would be a virtual gold mine at the top of the steepest street in the world!”
■ The business and home is on the market for £645,000 with Fleurets, call Lesley on 0161 683 5445 for further details.