How city dwellers set up countryside retreat near Corwen

Daniel Fishel and Alison Gillow left behind the fast-paced bustle of London to operate AliDan Holiday Cottages and Retreats - tranquil getaways in the hills of North Wales.

The couple's journey to rural life began during the Covid-19 pandemic and grew into a full-time venture.

Daniel Fishel and Alison Gillow (Image: Supplied)

Mr Fishel said: "Living here feels right. In many ways, I’ve come home."

The couple offer visitors a peaceful escape with countryside views, alpaca experiences, and a hot tub under the stars.

Guests arrive from across the UK - and further afield -seeking 'rest and rejuvenation'.

AliDan Holiday Cottages and Retreats near Corwen (Image: Supplied)

After a long career as a teacher and years spent in the capital, Mr Fishel found London life increasingly stressful.

He said: "London was stressful, and the fast-paced life can really affect your mental health.

Daniel Fishel and Alison Gillow (Image: Supplied)

"People seemed mostly focused on making money and surviving.

"It was overcrowded and polluted.

"Walks on Hampstead Heath were sometimes the only thing that kept me sane."

The move to Wales was initially meant to be temporary, but it quickly evolved into a permanent lifestyle change.

Alpaca experiences (Image: Supplied)

Mr Fishel relocated first, with Ms Gillow joining him at the start of the Covid-19 lockdown.

Their holiday cottage business started almost by chance, with a single garden cottage they decided to list online.

Encouraged by early bookings, they expanded to two more nearby properties.

Daniel Fishel (Image: Supplied)

Today, the couple are surrounded by guests and say they love the atmosphere it brings.

Mr Fishel said: "We’re very sociable, so it’s no problem at all."

The cottages now attract a wide range of guests, from couples and families to groups of friends and retreat organisers.

With easy access to Snowdonia, the North Wales coast, and Llangollen, the cottages offer an ideal base for exploring the area.

The location also carries personal meaning for Mr Fishel, who spent much of his childhood on the North Wales coast and describes his upbringing as loving but challenging.

His mother lived with bipolar disorder and his father suffered from post-traumatic stress after more than three years as a prisoner of war in Africa during the Second World War.

Despite the difficulties, time spent at the family caravan near Colwyn Bay left Mr Fishel with a lifelong love of the Welsh countryside.

A move to Bradford for university in 1976 was followed by 24 years in West Yorkshire, before eventually moving to London.

Now, in semi-retirement, Mr Fishel says returning to North Wales feels 'right' and has brought him renewed peace.

For more information about AliDan Holiday Cottages and Retreats visit the website.