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Wales Online
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
You can stay in the idyllic house that features in Matt Baker's Our Dream Farm
You can stay in the idyllic house that features in Matt Baker's Our Dream Farm You won't have to milk any cows or deliver any lambs though at this Channel 4 television property Llyn Isaf has been onTV and now it can be in your holiday snaps as your place to stay in Wales (Image: Pic Alan Dop Photography | ) If you're looking for a special location in Wales to truly immerse yourself in the staggering beauty of the area, then Eryri Snowdonia is surely a main contender for your free time and holiday budget. There are so many choices of gorgeous places to stay in the national park but maybe you fancy a property that has starred as the property and setting in Channel 4's Our Dream Farm? In the second series of this popular programme, presented by BBC Countryfile and The One Show star Matt Baker, seven applicants that comprised of three individuals and four couples bid to win a 15-year tenancy on the 600-acre National Trust farm in Eryri called Llyndy Isaf, a nature-rich farm comprising lowland fields, woodland and mountain pasture. But there was more to the farm for the applicants to handle; a four-bedroom farmhouse on the shores of Llyn Dinas lake with a two-bedroom annex and two bothies, so welcoming tourists to the site also formed part of the tenancy. For more property stories sent to your inbox twice a week sign up to the property newsletter here. Matt Baker presents Channel 4's Our Dream Farm (Image: Steven Landles / Channel 4 ) The eight-part television series followed the applicants with a passion for sustainable farming as they were given the opportunity to present business plans and discuss their vision for the future of the farm and the land. But, equally as important to the strategy for the future was the reality of life on the estate, so the applicants were given real-life farming tasks and experiences, such as handling livestock, going to auction, selling produce at a market in Portmeirion, and welcoming tourists to the farm's holiday lets. Channel 4's Our Dream Home winners Sara Jenkins and Ioan Jones at Llyndy Isaf farm (Image: National Trust Images Iolo Penri ) The competitors were observed over a three-week filming period by Giles Hunt, the National Trust's land and estates director, and the National Trust's general manager for Eryri, Trystan Edwards, who together selected the successful applicant. Matt told TV Times: "This isn't a competition where you win a trophy - this is a life change. To be offering that opportunity is incredible. It's not a job, it's a lifestyle, and viewers are fascinated by the passion that applicants have to embrace it." Well positioned to explore Eryri National Park (Image: Pic Alan Dop Photography | ) When filming came to an end, Matt posted on his Instagram account: "I've loved shining a light on what our farmers do, a community I'm so proud to be part of, those who care for our countryside, produce our food, and look after our landscape all at the same time." The winners of the second series, and the new tenants of Llyndy Isaf, were Ioan Jones and Sara Jenkins, both aged 28 and who both come from Welsh farming backgrounds with Ioan growing up on his parent's beef and sheep farm in Boduan, Gwynedd, and Sara on her family farm in Tal-y-Bont, Ceredigion. Truly idyllic location (Image: Pic Alan Dop Photography | ) Since moving into the property just before Christmas, 2024, to begin their dream of living at and running the farm, the couple have also got engaged. The couple told WalesOnline in May, 2025, they were currently living in the annex while letting out the farmhouse, which is now receiving bookings for 2025, although now with limited availability for summer, and into 2026 via booking website Holiday Cottages. Cosy lounge perfect for gathering by the log burner (Image: Pic Alan Dop Photography | ) Llyndy Isaf sleeps six people and two dogs and boasts sweeping views over Llyn Dinas lake as well as easy access to the Nant Gwynant Valley's most iconic trails and landscapes. The Watkin Path to Yr Wyddfa Snowdon is just a mile away and is considered the most challenging and rewarding ascent, meaning walkers and outdoor enthusiasts are in for a treat. For gentler adventures, the charming and much-loved village of Beddgelert is just three miles away, offering riverside strolls, traditional pubs, cafés, and even heritage journeys on the Welsh Highland Railway. Dining room has log burner for winter, French doors for summer (Image: Pic Alan Dop Photography | ) The farmhouse is described as having a well-equipped kitchen, perfect for crafting hearty breakfasts using local produce from the village, and a spacious table in the dining room that can happily host the whole group. A wood burner adds warmth when needed and French doors frame breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape as well providing instant access out into the garden to be immersed in nature. After a day of adventure, return to the cosy lounge, light the wood burner, sink into the sofas, and unwind with a film on the Smart TV, or surely reruns of Our Dream Farm? Plus, there's a games barn nearby offering air hockey, a pool table, and table tennis. Well-equipped kitchen inside Llyndy Isaf (Image: Pic Alan Dop Photography | ) When it's time to rest, retreat upstairs to one of four beautifully appointed bedrooms, two king-size and two doubles, each offering a haven of comfort and its own mesmerising view of the landscape. The modern bathroom offers the choice of a leisurely soak in the bath or a refreshing shower. Four bedrooms means Llyndy Isaf sleeps up to six people (Image: Pic Alan Dop Photography | ) There are a number of special spots outside to enjoy alfresco dining as a group, a quiet morning coffee or evening drinks under the stars. On the practical side of things, there's a covered store for bikes and paddleboards, as well as private parking for two cars. Bookings have already been confirmed at this unique TV property in a truly stunning part of Wales, with seven-night stays starting from £563, depending on the time of year of course. This modern bathroom has a separate shower (Image: Pic Alan Dop Photography | ) Sara said in May, 2025: 'The farmhouse is fully booked this month so it's going well", and Ioan added: "The bothy has also been very busy with guests so far and we hope to open a second bothy by the start of the summer. Hopefully they will be successful and get busier and busier as word spreads on social media." There are two bothies at the farm and one is available to book (Image: Pic Alan Dop Photography | ) But if you fancy a stay at Llyndy Isaf you might have to fight it out to secure a booking with a certain Matt Baker, who said at the time the couple were announced as winners: "I'm so delighted that Sara and Ioan were awarded the tenancy by the National Trust. "Not only are they a wonderful couple, they're passionate farmers and talented land managers who I'm sure will be an asset to the farm and the Trust. I can't wait to go and stay in their B&B!" For more homes and property television stories join our Amazing Welsh Homes Facebook group here. Article continues below Find your own property, maybe even a farm, for sale here:
Wales Online
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Our Dream Farm: This family have just won a 15-year tenancy at one of Wales' most remote farms
Our Dream Farm: This family have just won a 15-year tenancy at one of Wales' most remote farms The newly-engaged couple, who both come from Welsh farming backgrounds, moved into the farm just before Christmas Ioan Jones and Sara Jenkins won the farm on the second series of Our Dream Home (Image: National Trust Images Iolo Penri ) One lucky couple have won a 15-year tenancy of a 613-acre farm in the foothills of Yr Wyddfa. In the series finale of the Channel 4 series Our Dream Farm saw a Welsh couple win a picturesque four-bedroom farmhouse in what they described as a dream. Ioan Jones and Sara Jenkins, both 28, come from Welsh farming backgrounds with Ioan growing up on his parent's beef and sheep farm in Boduan, Gwynedd and Sara on her family farm in Tal-y-Bont, Ceredigion. Since moving into the farm just before Christmas they got engaged on it. The show, which concluded on May 3, follows seven applicants passionate about sustainable farming compete to win a farm. They must present business plans, discuss their vision for the farm and experience life on the National Trust Cymru estate by taking part in real-life farming tasks and experiences. Some of the tests include handling livestock, going to auction, selling produce at a market in Portmeirion, welcoming tourists to the farm's holiday lets and more. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter . Presenter Matt Baker said he had no doubts the pair would be "brilliant tenants" (Image: National Trust Images Iolo Penri ) The farmhouse, Llyndy Isad, has lowland fields, woodlands and mountain pasture and a four-bedroom farmhouse on the shores of Llyn Dinas. It also comes with a two-bedroom annex and two bothies, which are free to use shelters for hikers. Article continues below The couple moved in just before Christmas and said it had been a dream to have their own family farm. They are currently living in the annex while letting the four-bedroom farmhouse as a holiday home, which Sara added was fully booked this month. Ioan said: "We're so glad to have been chosen and can't wait to build a life here together in this beautiful location. Farm tenancies are hard to come by and opportunities like this don't come up very often and so you have to seize the opportunity when it comes up and go for it like we did." The farmhouse from across the Llyn Dinas (Image: National Trust Images Iolo Penri ) He added: "We have been busy over the past few months getting to know the farm and landscape, settling in and tending to our flock of 65 sheep. We are currently in the middle of our first lambing season. Fortunately, it's been great weather which is a massive help for lambing. "We are also looking for Welsh black heifers to buy so we can start our own herd. "The bothy has also been very busy with guests so far and we hope to open a second bothy by the start of the summer. Hopefully they will be successful and get busier and busier as word spreads on social media." Since acquiring the farm the couple have also been working with the National Trust and Eryri National Park to discuss creating a small overflow car park for hikers and a small campsite on their land. They are also in the process of adding beds and other comforts to the bothy. One of two bothies which comes with the farmhouse (Image: National Trust Images Iolo Penri ) They have also keep in contact with the other contestants through a group chat, having recently gone for Sunday lunch with Ryan, Lowri and Greg. Article continues below Presenter Matt Baker said he was "delighted" the couple had won. He added: Over the three weeks they proved to be very at home in the challenging landscape of Eryri and I have no doubt that they'll be brilliant tenants. Not only are they a wonderful couple, they're passionate farmers and talented land managers who I'm sure will be an asset to the farm and the Trust."
