thinking of north wales in august with 2 kids and a dog . any ideas ? thanks

Bodnant Estates have a few cottages a bit pricey though!

yes a little pricey cheers

Opposite end of the scale:

http://www.shawsholidays.com/s/s01.html

We use this place a lot. It suits us perfectly. Remote enough to get no bother from anyone, good and basic but totally habitable, mahoosive views of proper hills, Llanberis is just down the hill, Snowdon is easily within cycling distance. Safe grounds for kids, loads of places for hide and seek if that’s your game.

I tend to look through the owner adverts, like holiday-rentals, home-away, vrbo, as they tend to be cheaper than those going through a third party. I’ve also had luck finding cheap cottages through Sykes cottages out of high season, but emailing the owner directly to reduce the fees. e.g. £500 for a week, in Penmachno.

we used Sykes cottages (and got lucky with the May good part)

Plas Porth Y Arthur (*Spelling extremely dubious), 3 bed house, just inside Caernarfon town wall, sea 30 ft, pub 2 mins, (lots of)facilities 5 mins, couple of ‘family’ cycles nearly out of door, brilliant scenery just a short hop

Harbour Cottage, Barmouth (1 bed here), truly beautiful place, slightly bucket and spade but the local facilities were (*for us) BRILLIANT, wander down pier, along prom/beach, train journey down coast, local walks, local bike bimble (Mawddach estuary *can add proper mtb bits)), local drives over gated roads with stunning views

edit (Barmouth poss better for kids – beach/seaside etc)

also check ebay – as you can sometimes get something there

Try:
http://www.underthethatch.co.uk/

Some amazing places….

Look up Benar cottages on google, stayed there a couple of years ago was great and they take pets! The cottages are in Penmachno, had parking, and bike storage.

http://www.selfcateringwales.co.uk/ great location, only 10 mins to Llandegla and the clwyds, not far to CyB either a good pub down the road or Chester in a cab for a night out.