We are planning a trip in April to southern England then a week or ten days in Wales. We think renting a cottage in Wales near a picturesque village and using it as a base for day trips would be best. Can anyone suggest such a village ? Or a lovely rental cottage ?

North, South or West? And -- your budget, and for how many people?

This is not a cottage, but we are excited about staying in lovely Gwydir Castle near Conwy. Try googling it.

Just two of us. We don't really mind where in Wales as long as it's near a lovely village, preferably near or on the coast in an interesting area. Quality ? Five star or close.

We stayed a couple of years ago in a National Trust cottage in the middle of the beautiful gardens of Powys Castle right on the border near England. Take a look at the National Trust site, to get an idea of this elegant and very charming place, an easy walk in to the town of Welshpool, where there are restaurants and shops and an information center. We were there a week and took day trips every day.

Be sure to find a Welsh Mens' Choir rehearsal to attend. Delightful and very moving.

In May this year we stayed in a superb cottage in Conwy. It was an ideal base for exploring North Wales. The cottage itself was spotlessly clean & extremely comfortable.

It was a 2 minute walk to the town centre.

There was even a view of the castle from the bathroom.

We rented it through www.northwalesholidaycottages. The cottage is called Gwynfa at 6 Stryd y gwynt.

A number of years ago, we rented a cottage on a hillside near a charming village between Conwy and Betwys-y-Coed.

It was well-equipped, extremely comfortable, had gorgeous views, and was generally convenient to everything.

BUT: the while the brochure mentioned that it was "up a finally level track", we did not inquire sufficiently what that meant. Dumb us.

Going in and out required unlocking a farm gate at the main lane (it wasn't even a road), and inching one's way up the rutted dirt track in low gear. Midway, everyone except the driver had to get out or the car would bottom out on the rocks. Then all back into the vehicle for more "up the track" to the "finally level" bit. There we parked and walked across a large and active farmyard to the house, dodging farm machinery and sheep manure all the way.

This is not a complaint. The house delivered everything promised by the brochure and even more, and in fact, it worked out fine. But it was enough trouble going in and out that we did not come back to the house during the day, only when we were ready to stay in for the night because the track was too daunting in the dark. Not that there is much to do in a Welsh village at night unless you like hearing male choruses practice.

So ask about access. And whether you are in the middle of an active a sheep farm. But that's another story.

We now think the north of Wales around Conwy would be best given there is so much to see and do in the area.

Any further suggestions appreciated.

This one is right in Conwy

http://www.curlewcottagewales.co.uk/index.html

And these are near Conwy

http://www.tremyfoel.co.uk/index.htm
http://www.werncottage.co.uk/

You'll find lots at http://www.english-country-cottages.co.uk/

As there are only two of you, you will be likely to be able to get a very well furnished cottage.
Look for one that accommodates only two or three and that says "no children or pets".

You could also look at http://www.nationaltrustcottages.co.uk/
My daughter stayed on the Stackpole estate in Pembrokeshire and really liked it.
Pembrokeshire is beautiful

Here's another..

http://www.walescottages.co.uk/