Plas Dolau Country Estate Accommodation Aberystwyth

What makes us a great choice for education?

Set in the peaceful countryside yet easily accessible from the A44, Plas Dolau is ideally located within a short distance of some of Ceredigion’s most interesting historical, geographical and educational sites.

To name a few:

The Rheidol valley its self is abundant in natural sites of interest from the Red Kite feeding centre in the foothills of the Plynlimon mountains to the river that runs its course, perfect for geographical surveys.

Learn about the future of sustainable living at the Centre for Alternative Technology.

Take in the stunning valley views on the the Vale of Rhiedol Railway up to the famous Devil’s bridge, steeped in myth and legend.

Accreditation and Awards

4 Star Hostel accommodation and 3 Star Guesthouse.

What is typically included on our school trips?

We are currently working towards providing onsite activities. We should be able to offer archery and a games area within the coming year. Please enquire for more information on programs that we offer. 

Group Sizes Catered For

48 in Plas Dolau with an additional 13 spaces if you wish to use the guest house as well.

Materials, Resources & Information Provided

We will do all we can to help you achieve your objectives. We can be hands off, offering advice and contacts in the area or our staff can take a more active part in your programme, tailoring our input to meet your needs. Many of our groups return year after year.

Photography, Filming & Audio Restrictions

You are welcome to take photographs etc. on site for your own use. We ask for an acknowledgement of source if photograph are published.

Risk Assessment Details

Our own risk assessments are updated regularly and we are happy for your staff to visit and carry out their own or to complete a form for you in line with your own lea requirements. We do weekly fire tests, annual maintenance of the equipment by a professional company and we have an annual inspection by the local Fire Officer. Our kitchens are inspected regularly by the local Environmental Health Officer and the catering equipment is regularly maintained. We have full employer's and public liability insurance, which can also be viewed, but we encourage groups to have their own group travel insurance.

Pricing Information

As we provide such a range of options, it is hard to give definite costs.

Typically, 2018 prices have ranged from £20 per night for bed and breakfast to £37 full board. A pre-visit stay for one or two staff and help with planning your programme is generally free if the group makes a definite booking. For our staff involvement in your programme (eg. accompanied visits to local habitats with age appropriate worksheets, art workshops with materials, nature walks or treasure hunts or pond dipping with small children, music or dance workshops etc.) please consult.

Clothing Requirements

This depends on time of year and activities proposed but always a good idea to have warm, comfortable outdoor clothes and shoes, wind and waterproof coats, wellingtons and a torch.

First Aid Information

We have first aid kits in both houses but our qualified first aiders are not always on site. So, schools should also bring their own suitably qualified staff. Remember that you may need someone when you are travelling or not on site here. We have our own doctor and Aberystwyth Accident and Emergency Department is about 2.5 miles away, with an excellent ambulance and paramedic service.

Available Facilities

• Catering kitchen
• Meeting room (white boards and screens available on request)
• Gamesroom
• 2 lounges
• Dining room
• Drying room
• Onsite parking
• Fire pit area 
• Gardens to explore

Accessibility & Disabled Facilities

We are mindful of the needs of people with disabilities and have an ongoing programme of improvements. An annual accessibility audit helps us identify practicable modifications to improve access within the constraints of our historic grade 2 listed mansion. The ground floors of both houses have guest toilets and are all on one level. The guesthouse has a downstairs twin bedroom including a large shower with a seat and we occasionally adapt a room in the mansion as a ground floor bedroom, close to washing facilities.

We recognise that this is not ideal and we recommend that we discuss your requirements and that you visit to check us out. Plas Dolau is not suitable for groups with more than a couple of people having special mobility requirements.

Opening Hours & Information

Open all year round.

Location Information

Plas Dolau Country Estate is set in 25 acres of peaceful countryside in the heart of the Rheidol Valley just 3 miles from the sea and the bustling University town of Aberystwyth, in Wales, with the untouched wildness of the Cambrian Mountains stretching away to the East.

Off site activities:

Historical

• Aberystwyth castle 
• Devil’s bridge 
• Silver Mountain experience 
• Strata florida abbey

Geographical 

• Borth petrified forest and marsh
• Cambrian mountains 
• Rheidol Valley
• Costal path

Environmental 

• Rheidol butterfly house 
• Centre for Alternative Technology 
• Rheidol Hydroelectric station 

Room Sizes and Facilities

The Main House has five dormitory rooms mixed with bunks and some beds:

The Fern suite sleeps 15 in interlinked rooms with a washroom area containing 3 showers, 3 loos and 3 washbasins with an extra 3 washbasins in the bigger bedroom.

Jade has bedspaces for 3.

Primrose has bedspaces for 5.

Rose has bedspaces for 10.

Each has its own washroom with loo and washbasin and extra washbasins in the Rose room. These three rooms share two showers and a bathroom with shower over bath and an extra loo. Small groups can be allocated exclusive use of part of the washing facilities.

The West Wing has three bedrooms: Peach en-suite family room, Honeysuckle double and Cranberry family room sharing a bathroom.

Booking information

You can make a booking enquiry:

Via email: pat@plasdolau.co.uk

Or by phone: 01970 617 834