Review - Torrent Walk Bunkhouse

Torrent Walk bunkhouse is situated just off the A470 between Brithdir and Dolgellau, approx 5 miles from the Bwlch, CAD East and CAD West. On the same site there is also a comfortable Bed & Breakfast, a caravan park and a campsite. It provides possibly the best value for money accomodation available for those visiting the Mach Loop.

We have stayed at the Bunkhouse on a few occassions, each a single night stay, our first visit was in September 2009, and our review is based on our stays there during that month.

Bookings can be made by calling Torrent Walk on 01341 422269. The postcode is LL40 2AB. You can also visit the Torrent Walk website, where you can find the current daily rates.

Overview

The Bunkhouse, which appears to be a pre-fabricated stable building, consists of 6 rooms and a shared kitchen. There is hard standing parking to the rear of the building as pictured, which is sufficient for perhaps 10 or so cars in total, although there are plenty of other spots to park throughout the Torrent Walk site if needed. Excellent toilet and shower facilities are available on site

The Rooms

Each room (see picture right), is approximately 9 feet square, has plastered and painted walls which appear to be insulated, is carpeted, has a central heating radiator, a single light bulb, smoke alarm and 3 double bunks. The matresses are comfortable, clean and fitted with a cover. In the room pictured there was also an extra mattress, stored under one of the bunks. A single pillow is provided for each bunk, but no pillow cases. No other bedding is provided, although duvets are available for hire if required. We just take along our own pillows and sleeping bags!

The one thing missing from the rooms is an electrical socket. If you want to charge any batteries or your mobile phone, you will need to use the sockets in the kitchen.

The rooms are secured with a combination lock, and we noted that between visits the combination was not changed. Given that fact and the lightweight construction of the doors, we would not advise leaving anything valuable in your room when unattended. We are sure the crime rate in the area is very low, but better safe than sorry.

The Kitchen

The Kitchen is large and fitted out with :

• A fridge;
• 2 x 4 burner gas hobs;
• 2 x sinks;
• 3 x Microwave ovens (although only 2 were working during our visits);
• Tables and chairs; and
• A Flat screen TV with Sky!

All pots and pans, crockery and cutlery are provided. While we were there, washing up liquid and tea towels were also available. The kitchen is obviously a high traffic area and the cleanliness relies heavily on the guests cleaning up properly after themselves. Our impression was that the kitchen was basically clean, but not as clean as we would maintain at home. For example, the tops of the microwave ovens were a bit greasy, and the tea towels looked like they could have done with being changed a bit more frequently than they are. Having said that, we were very happy to use the kitchen facilities.

Toilet and Shower Facilities

The toilet and shower facilities are located in a separate block, just a few yards from the bunkhouse and are for the use of those staying in the caravan park and campsite as well as the bunkhouse. Our comments are based on the Gentlemens facilities.

The toilet / shower block is heated and was always sufficiently warm whilst we were there. The facilities are pleasant and clean and free to use (no feeding showers with 20p pieces).

There are urinals, 2 toilet cubicles, some washing cubicles with wash hand basins, strip light, shavers points and lockable doors, 2 thermostaically controlled showers, and what appears to be a wet room and toilet for disabled use, There is a key operated lock on the disabled facilities but no latch, so it would appear you need to ask for the key at the house if you wish to use those facilities.

Hot water was plentiful, the thermostatic showers worked well, and the cubicles were roomy enough to be used comfortably. Coat hooks are provided on the back of the cubicle door and a small bench is also in each cubicle.

Miscellaneous

If you don't want to cook your own breakfast, you can have one at the Bed and Breakfast at Torrent Walk. Prices are on their website. Breakfast is served from 8am, which as we like to be at the hill by that time, was a little late for us.

There is a petrol station with a small convenience store very close by, and a Little Chef, although the Little Chef does seem pretty expensive. A EuroSpar supermarket can be found about 2 miles from Torrent Walk (see the map on our Mach Loop Information page for details).Unfortunately there are no pubs within walking distance, although there are plenty in Dolgellau, but we found evening parking to be a challenge.

Conclusion

The bunkhouse is excellent value for money, with generally very clean and comfortable facilities (see comments above re kitchen). It is difficult to think where else you could get a warm, dry roof over your head with shower faciltiies and close proximity of other conveniences (pub excepted) for so little money. The shower and toilet facilities are some of the best we have seen on a campsite. The bunkhouse will be our first choice for accomodation when visiting the Mach Loop.

In high season you may have to share a room with a stranger (which may put some off using the bunkhouse), but our experience was that in September, not only did we get a room to ourselves, there was no need to pre-book. If you really don't want to risk having to share with a stranger, the next step up (in price), which will give you your own room is the Red Lion in Dinas Mawddwy (review coming soon).