I’ll never forget the drive up to that little corner of North Wales – rain lashing the windscreen like it had a personal grudge, and me taking a wrong turn somewhere near Aberystwyth because my sat-nav decided to throw a wobbly. Instead of a straight shot, I ended up on these narrow, twisting lanes that hugged the coast, heart in my mouth as a tractor loomed out of the mist. Classic me, always managing to turn a simple journey into an unintended adventure. But honestly, by the time I pulled up to the cottage in Bow Street, I was buzzing with that proper holiday anticipation – you know, the kind where you imagine cosy evenings ahead while the real world fades away.

First impressions? Spot on. It’s this characterful two-bedroom cottage, just what we needed for me, my other half, and the dog. Tucked away in the village but close enough to grab milk from the local shop without fuss. Stepped inside and straight into the kitchen/diner – massive space with a breakfast bar screaming for lazy brunches and a proper dining table for lingering over supper. From there, it flows into the sitting area, perfect for piling onto the sofa with the electric fire flickering and a film on the Smart TV. And that hot tub out back? Game-changer after a soggy day out.

We didn’t have grand plans – just the joy of pottering about, letting the area reveal its secrets. First mishap turned gem was getting lost on a walk from the cottage. Aimed for the beach at Clarach, but veered off down a unmarked path behind the village. Stumbled on this hidden cove, barely a soul there, waves crashing on pebbly shores with seals bobbing in the distance. Felt like we’d gatecrashed someone’s private paradise. Laughed about it over tea back at base, feet up.

Next day, same story – headed towards Borth but took a detour through the back lanes near Gogerddan. Ended up at a tiny nature reserve I’d never heard of, all wildflowers and butterflies, with a bench overlooking the Dyfi Estuary. Picnicked there, proper simple stuff: cheese sarnies from the co-op. It got me thinking, doesn’t it? We’re always chasing the big Instagram spots, but it’s these accidental finds – the ones you trip over when you’re not looking – that stick. I’m as guilty as anyone, glued to my phone half the time, but this trip was a nudge to just wander and let serendipity do the work.

Evenings were bliss: bubbling in the hot tub under the stars, then inside for pasta at the bar, wine flowing, yarns about the day’s detours. One night, we chased a “lost” trail that looped back to a quiet pub in the village – discovered their legendary local ale, supped it slow while chatting with regulars who knew every hidden nook.

Bow Street and its surrounds? Pure magic for that off-the-beaten-path vibe. No crowds, just us, the cottage, and those unexpected treasures. Left feeling recharged, vowing to get lost more often. Proper tonic.