Aimed at those wishing to develop on moving water (grade 2).

Based in the heart of North Wales, our Bunkhouse is just outside the village of Waunfawr and only a 5 minute drive from Mount Snowdon and the footpaths of Snowdon Ranger and Rhyd Ddu.

We are ideally situated whether you wish to visit the mountains, the numerous rock climbing crags or spectacular coastlines of North Wales and Anglesey.

We converted our stone barn in 2001 to provide self catering accommodation for outdoor enthusiasts into an alpine style bunkhouse

“Real Ale Pub only a 10 minute walk from the bunkhouse”.

The accommodation is split over two floors; the ground floor has a cooking area (with gas burners, microwaves,

fridge and freezer, all pots/pans cutlery provided), seating and a dining area.

The second floor is used for sleeping and can accommodate up to 16 on mattresses on five sleeping platforms 2(5)s 1(4) and 2 (1)s. Bed linen and pillow case provided you just need your sleeping bag.

Toilets with washing facilities, showers and a drying room are provided in separate blocks across the yard.

Activity Instructors available to run courses from introductory through to skill improver in Kayaking / Canoeing, Rock climbing and hill walking.

Bunkhouse Cost £10 per person per night.

Click to Check availability

Camp Site

Camping on this small campsite is suited to anyone who enjoys the peace & quiet of the countryside. Walkers, outdoor enthusiasts, bikers, one night bookings, all welcome.

Only tents are allowed, no caravans or trailer tents. Dogs are welcome at no extra cost provided they are kept under control. Please mention when booking, failure to do so may result in being refused due to numbers.

The camp site is set back from the main road with access via a 200 metre drive and is sited in approximately 1 acre next to the main house.

Toilets, washing facilities with hot water and showers are shared with the camping barn in separate blocks behind the main house. No extra charge for showers.

Easy access is gained to the many local footpaths and bridleways to the foothills of Snowdon.

Prices: Adult £5, Child £3. D of E and Scouts £3.50

Access Statement: (Pentre Bach Bunkhouse & Camping Site)

Terms & Conditions

Accommodation

Camping Barn: A deposit of one night is required to confirm your booking. The balance being due one month prior to your stay.

Bookings made within one month to your proposed stay must be paid in full.

All cancellations must be made by telephone or email with 21 days notice. Deposits are non-refundable. The balance will be refunded if we manage to re-let the accommodation.

All breakage’s and damages must be paid for in full prior to departure.

Accommodation must be left clean and tidy, and vacated by 11:00 am. Access to the Barn is normally from 4:00 pm onwards to allow for cleaning.

There are no curfews but we ask that people respect others staying in the accommodation, us and our neighbours.

Camping: Again one nights deposit is required to secure your booking. The balance being paid on arrival. Durations more than tree days must be paid in advance.

Are you looking for a challenge? Trying to organise something different from the norm for your family or friends or struggling to organise your friends Stag or Hen party?

Then why not join us on one of our adventure activities.

We offer Gorge Scrambling, Coasteering and Sea Level Traversing.

All brilliant activities exploring either hidden gorges in Snowdonia or the stunning coastlines of Anglesey or the Llyn Peninsula.

Click below to get full details

Gorge Scrambling

Working together we make our way up the gorge, rock hoping, traversing around pools or sometimes going straight through them!

The gorge is divided into a number of levels split by waterfalls and pools each providing its own challenge.

The “Elephants Bum”, the “Narrows”, and the “Washing machine” to name but a few of the enticing challenges that you will meet.

A great activity for all ages and sizes!

Coasteering

This activity is spent as much in the sea as on the rocks just above it.

We traverse along the coastline only a few feet above the sea encountering a number of challenges on the way. We continue until we either fall in or just jump in an continue by swimming.

A great way to see the coastline and its wildlife from a different view point!

Sea Level Traversing

We traverse along the shoreline just above the waves however this time if we encounter gaps we can’t jump across we make use of Tyrolean traverses to continue our journey.

Getting wet is always an option but here we try to restrict that to nearer the end of your session.

If this has whetted your appetite then give as a call or email to catch through your options.

To provide opportunities which challenge our groups both physically and mentally via a program of adventurous activities in a safe and controlled manner.

Safety:

Bach Ventures is licensed by the Adventure Activities Licensing Authority, License number L8668/R1493 and is licensed to provide specified activities under the following headings: Climbing, Trekking, Watersports.

License details can be confirmed by calling The Licensing Authority. Tel: 029 2075 5715

Activities:

Rock climbing & abseiling, kayaking or canoeing, gorge scrambling, coasteering & sea level traversing, trekking, orienteering, team building and raft building. All these activities offered allow the group’s instructor to develop our core aims to help challenge your participants.

Each activity allows us to concentrates on : Personal development, Communication Skills and Team Work.

———————————————————————————————————————-

Bookings:
The above programmes are just examples of courses we have run for other schools and youth groups. Only following discussion with yourself shall your programme be created to ensure your requirements are included.

Activities can easily be linked to curriculum subjects (eg. Geography, History, GSCE PE).

Courses are offered on a non residential basis. However we can offer self catering accommodation on-site in our bunkhouse or for those wishing a real experience by camping on our small 1 acre site.

There are a number of off-site providers we recommend; namely the Snowdon Ranger Youth Hostel (sitting at the foot of mount Snowdon) or the Bryn Gwynant Youth Hostel.

To discuss your requirement please contact us either via email or telephone: 01286 650643.

———————————————————————————————————————-

General Information
Insurance: Our cover relates to third parties and public liability. You are advised to take out your own insurance to cover accident, injury, loss of possessions and course cancellation.

Risk Assessments: We are pleased to provide copies of our risk assessments and operating procedures on request if required.

Prices: Group rates given on request, includes one free staff place per group of 12 students.

Bach Ventures would like to remind you that participation in outdoor pursuits is fun but does involve an element of risk. That although at all time you will be under the guidance of qualified instructors, participating in outdoor activities can be hazardous as all activities are dangerous and accidents can occur.

Climbing Taster Session (1/2 day course – £90 for two persons)
For those wishing to try climbing for the first time. This is a fun session for everyone, individuals / families / friends.

Pre-requisite: none, the ability to have fun!

Introduction to Rock climbing (2 Day course – £140 per person)

Going further than the ½ day taster session.

We take you through climbing techniques, belaying, and rope systems.

By the end of this fun course you’ll see whether you have a head for heights!

Pre-requisite: none

Rock improvers (2 Day course – £140 per person)

This course is especially suited to those who have climbed indoors or those who have had some experience of outdoor climbing and wish to further their knowledge.

Looking at rope techniques, selection of anchors and belaying systems.

Pre-requisite: previous experience of climbing

Prices are based on two adults, individual courses or shorter/longer courses are available. Please enquire for specific details.

Our instructors, all BCU qualified coaches live to kayak and love to pass on their passion of these great kayaking sports.

Whether this is your first time dipping your toe into the water, you wish to improve your skills in your current boat or explore the joys of Sea Kayaking then choose from one of our courses below or call to discuss your specific requirements.

Click to see 2012 course dates

————————————————————————————————————–

Kayak / Canoe Taster Session
(1/2 day course – £45 per person)

For those wishing to try kayaking or canoeing for the first time. This is a fun session for everyone, individuals / families / friends.

You will be introduced to the basic strokes, enabling you to get around.

This session may be on a local lake or a sheltered bay.

Pre-requisite• none, the ability to have fun!

Course Dates – run when you wish. Just give us a call.

————————————————————————————————————–

Introduction to Kayaking Course
(1 Day course – £70 pp / 2 Day course £130 pp)

This course goes further than the l/2 day taster session, concentrating more on stroke work but still being introduced in a fun way.

Having looked at basic strokes we will explore support strokes and simple methods of rescue.

The 2 day course will include a simple river or estuary journey where we will be able to work on the strokes developed on day one.

Pre-requisite: none

————————————————————————————————————–

Introduction to Sea Kayaking Course
(l Day course – £70 pp / 2 Day course – £l30 pp)

Aimed at those who have some kayaking experience. This course looks at boat handling skills and the differences from river boats, simple sea safety, route planning and tides.

The 2 day course allows you to build on the basic skills by putting them into action while on a simple journey along our stunning coastline.

Pre-requisite: Ability to manoeuvre a kayak happily, (2 star level).

————————————————————————————————————–

Kayak – Moving Water skills
(2 Day course – £l30 per person)

Day l
The course starts with looking at your current skills and looks at techniques to improve them. We then proceed to introduce the new skills necessary for dealing with moving water (ferry gliding – moving across the river, breaking out/in from eddies).

Having new skills to play with we will find an appropriate stretch of river to test these out.

Day 2
Back onto moving water to consolidate the skills learnt on Day l.

Pre-requisite: Ability to manoeuvre a kayak happily, (2 star level).

————————————————————————————————————–

Improvers Sea Kayaking Course
(2 Day course – £130 per person)

Aimed at those who already have an interest in sea kayking.

Day 1
Having determined your current skills we develop a program to improve them. We will also explore topics such as edging, the effect of wind on your boat and simple rescues.

Day 2
We will start with some seamanship skills (tides, weather, route planning) then head out and explore more of our spectacular coast line using those techniques learnt the day before.

Pre-requisite – Ability to manoeuvre a sea kayak happily. (2 star level).

————————————————————————————————————–

Guided Sea Kayak Trips
(1 – 2 day trips available – price on request)

You’ve heard about the beautiful coastline of Anglesey and the Llyn Peninsular and would like to explore it but feel unsure to do it on your own.

Then why don‘t you speak with us about where you’d like to go and explore.

We are happy to take guided trips of up to four persons out for one or two days, we could even do an overnight camp.

Pre-requisite: A good balance of general kayak skills (2 star level).

————————————————————————————————————–

BCU Star Awards

For those wishing to gain personal qualifications in kayaking or canoeing we offer the 1 and 2 Star Awards. These are done in both kayak and canoe craft.

The 3 Star Award is craft specific.

We offer a 2 day training course for both the 3 Star Kayak & 3 Star Sea Kayak Awards.

The Assessment is a 1 day course for these.

If your requirement isn’t covered by the above please contact us as we are happy to tailor a course to your specific requirements. The main thing is get out there and enjoy.

Click to see 2012 course dates

Based in Northern Snowdonia, this wild country area provides a challenging landscape to journey through with plenty of historic, industrial and geographical features to investigate.

Our training courses cover all aspects of the expedition section; including navigation, camp craft, equipment and food selection. We will offer advice on route selection and expedition planning however the actual route will be left to you to produce as this is an important part of the expedition process.

Assessment courses all include an acclimatisation day walk and navigation refresher. We do not pre-book campsites as we feel this is an integral part of the expedition planning process done by the participants (obviously we can provide numbers and contacts). Our supervisors and assessors liaise closely throughout the assessment expedition working together to ensure the safety and success of the venture.

Trainers / Supervisors / Assessors

For expeditions on foot; all staff hold the full Summer Mountain Leader award and are enthusiastic about the mountain environment in which they work.

Water based expeditions; staff hold either the BCU Level III Inland Kayak, Sea or Canoe coach award.

All staff are used to working with groups of young people and know how to get the most out of you. This is your expedition; we are here to ease your passage through this often challenging section of the Award.

Expeditions in kayak / canoes

We are happy to offer these courses in addition to those on foot.

Firstly, we check the participant’s current skill level and determine a programme of training from that. This would include the following; ability to handle craft safely whilst onshore, moving forwards and in reverse, sideways, looking at rescues and launching/landing techniques.

Expeditions may take place on canals, low grade rivers or on the sea. All staff allocated to this would be BCU Level III kayak or Canoe coaches. Full Personal Protection equipment would be provided and used by all participants.

Training courses

Depending on your arrival time we allow you to settle in then follow this up with sessions on camp craft and equipment / food selection.

Our first day is spent brushing up on those navigation skills. This is done mainly outside in the natural environment where it really makes a difference. Route selection, emergency planning / bad weather alternatives and recording techniques are also covered. That evening is spent planning your training expedition. At Gold level we also include a Night Walk exercise.

The following day we accompany you on the first day of your training expedition passing over gradually the responsibility of your journey to you.

Depending on your abilities we either continue with you or step back and supervise from further afield letting you take on the full challenge of your adventure. We will continue to monitor your progress and provide you will a full debriefing and make any recommendations for further training if required at the end of your adventure.

Assessment courses

We can provide both supervising staff and assessors at all levels.

The first day of your course is spent refreshing those important navigation skills and allowing you to get a feel for the countryside you are now in and getting to know your supervisor. You will then meet with your assessor who will spend some time getting to know you and finding out about the adventure you are about to undertake.

Costings (Price is per person and based on 5 participants. Expeditions will only run with 5 or more participants)

All courses can be tailored to meet your specific requirements, this might mean more or less days training or by us coming to your local area. If you require different dates than that above please contact us to discuss your requirements.