Local Area

The cottages are situated on the western edge of the Snowdonia National Park, equidistant from the beaches on the northern and southern coasts of eastern Llŷn.

The Llŷn Peninsula has a stunning, sweeping coastline with the backdrop of the foothills of Snowdonia. Between Aberdaron, departure point for Ynys Enlli (Bardsey Island - one of Wales' Holy Islands) and the bustling resorts of Abersoch, Porthmadog and Pwllheli lie some of the loveliest beaches of North Wales, sandy coves in unspoilt rural surroundings.

There are spectacular golf courses, modern marinas, riding stables and activity centres, and for families there are slate caverns, museums and castles waiting to be explored. Locally - Bryncir Woollen Mill turns Welsh wool from fleece to flannel before your eyes using traditional spinning and weaving looms powered by a water wheel - soft fleecy woollens make perfect holiday souvenirs.

The cycle track that begins down our lane stretches from Bryncir to Caernarfon following the old railway line, and there are miles of coastal footpaths for walkers. This is a timeless land where the old traditions are strong, and where you will be made most welcome.

Restaurants & Pubs

Local restaurants and pubs include:
The Goat, Bryncir
The Union, Tremadog
Y Llong (The Ship), Porthmadog
Portmeirion Hotel
Castell Deudraeth
Bron Eifion, Cricieth

There are also pubs in nearby Clynnog Fawr, Llandwrog, Caernarfon and Beddgelert.

Beaches

You are never far from a fantastic beach. There are several superb beaches all with something unique and different to offer:

Black Rock Sands
Black Rock Sands Beach is one of the most beautiful in Britain. Dogs are allowed on the beach in certain areas. You may take your car on the beach for £3.00 and the beach closes to cars at 8pm.

Cricieth: Morannedd Beach
Morannedd Beach stretches from the Black Rock towards the Morannedd Cafe. It is a pebbly beach, and dogs are allowed. The Morannedd Cafe has good food and a soft play area for smaller children and a snooker table for older ones!

Cricieth: Prominade Beach
The Prominade Beach starts by the Morannedd Cafe and ends at the foot of Cricieth Castle. This beach is a mixture of sand and shingle. Dogs are not allowed on this beach between May and September.

Cricieth: West Beach
The west beach, from the west side of the castle towards Llanystumdwy is again a very pebbly beach where dogs are not allowed.

Borth-y-Gest Beaches
Borth-y-Gest is nestled on the side of the Glaslyn Estuary, and there are many sandy coves and small bays nearby. These beaches enjoy beautiful views towards Ardudwy. Dogs are permitted on the pathways by the beaches, but not on the beaches themselves in the summer. These beaches are definately my personal favourites.

Harlech Beach
Here you will find golden sand stretching from the Dwyryd Estaury towards Llandanwg. A car park is situated appoximately 5 minutes walk from the beach. For some years now, Harlech Beach has been part of a National Nature Reserve. The main reason for this is the sophisticated chain of sand dunes which run along the back of the beach. These dunes are extremely important for the protection of this coastal region. Dogs are permitted on the right hand side of the beach only.

There are many more beautiful beaches on the Llŷn Peninsula, Anglesey and the Caerarfon area (eg. Dinas Dinlle/Aberdesach).

Sports

There are facilities for many sports nearby, including:
Cycling - See Cycling North Wales for local illustrated bike rides.
Horse Riding
Golf
Walking
Mountain Biking
Fishing (a river runs through our land)

Places to Visit

Dwyfor Rabbit Farm in Llanystumdwy
A popular attraction with both adults and children. Various breeds of rabbits can be watched, and the farm is also home to farm animals such as ponies and lambs. Children will love handling sheepdog puppies and baby rabbits, feeding farmyard animals and poultry, and taking a pony and trap ride. The farm is open daily from Easter to October, so make sure you head here during the season.

Bodnant Garden (National Trust)
One of the most beautiful gardens in the UK, spanning some 80 acres above the River Conwy. Bodnant Garden, Tal-y-Cafn, Nr Colwyn Bay, Conwy, LL28 5RE Telephone: 01492 650 460

Portmeirion Village and Gardens
Classic Italian village and gardens designed by Clough Williams-Ellis, used as setting for "The Prisoner" 01766 772440

Welsh Mountain Zoo
Featuring Snow Leopards, Chimpanzees, Red Pandas and Sumatran Tigers! The Welsh Mountain Zoo, Colwyn Bay, North Wales, LL28 5UY Telephone: 01492 532 938

Anglesey Sea Zoo
Wales' largest marine aquarium. Tel: (01248) 430411 Fax: (01248) 430213
Anglesey Sea Zoo, Brynsiencyn Isle of Anglesey / Ynys Mon LL61 6TQ

Llechwedd Slate Caverns
Llechwedd Slate Caverns is not your average museum! Set in 2000 acres of land above the town of Blaenau Ffestiniog, it’s a living, working slate mine that has been active since opening in 1836 with underground rides through the caverns.
Tel: 01766 830306

Steam Railways
There are many narrow gauge railways including world famous route from the sea at Porthmadog into the mountains at Blaenau Ffestiniog and the Llanberis Lake Railway Blaenau Ffestiniog Tel: 01766 516 000
Llanberis Tel: 01286 870 549

Plas Yn Rhiw
National Trust part 16th century Manor House with ornamental gardens down to the sea & fantastic views across Cardigan Bay. Rhiw, Pwllheli, Gwynedd LL53 8AB
Telephone: 01758 780219

Greenwood Forest Park
A children's adventure and discovery centre. Situated in a wooded valley in Snowdonia this wonderful Adventure Park promises you fun family days out whatever the weather! GreenWood Forest Park, Y Felinheli, Gwynedd, LL56 4QN Telephone: 01248 671493

Glasfryn Parc: Go Karts and Quadbikes
Whether you decide to take the challenge of the GO-KARTING circuit, the QUAD BIKE SAFARI or try your hand at TEN-PIN BOWLING, FISHING or ARCHERY, we offer the ideal family day out for everyone aged from three years up…just don’t forget your camera. Tel. 01766 810 202

Electric Mountain
If you’re looking for a truly electrifying day out, why not visit the Electric Mountain Visitors’ Centre on the edge of the beautiful Snowdonia National Park. You’ll discover the amazing powers of pumped storage hydro-electricity in a totally entertaining and educational environment. Ffestiniog Power Station Tan-y-Grisiau Blaenau Ffestiniog, Gwynedd, LL41 3TP Tel: 01766 830465

www.ukrafting.co.uk
Based near Bala, North Wales, the first commercial white water rafting operation in the UK, started in 1986, and since then has grown to become the largest and most well-respected whitewater rafting organisation in the UK. Tel: 01678 521083

Fishing and Seal Trips
Take a trip to St Tudwal’s Islands, two tiny islands just off Abersoch, to see dolphins, seals and other wildlife in their natural habitat. Alternatively you can take a fishing trip around the islands. For more information and to book a trip call 01758 712646.

Bardsey Island
In the 6th Century, the age of the saints, St Cadfaen built a monastery upon Bardsey Island, which became a focal point for Christian pilgrims who would walk for hundreds of miles to reach the island. Today the island can be visited in a more relaxed manner but you will still need to catch a boat from Porth Meudwy, at Aberdaron, or alternatively Pwllheli. You will then have three and a half hours to explore this magnificent island, with its church ruins, its scenery and its views spanning out across the Irish Sea.

Gwynedd T-shirt Centre
Embroidery and printing services in Llanystumdwy.

Castles

Cricieth Castle dominates the towns skyline and is perched overlooking Tremadog Bay and Harlech Castle on the other side.

Conwy Castle is a gritty, dark stoned fortress which has the rare ability to evoke an authentic medieval atmosphere. Tel: 01492 592358

Mighty Caernarfon is possibly the most famous of Wales's castles. Its sheer scale and commanding presence easily set it apart from the rest, and to this day, still trumpet in no uncertain terms the intention of its builder Edward I. Tel: 01286 677617

Bodelwyddan Castle is situated in Denbighshire, North Wales. Set in 260 acres of magnificent parkland, the Castle is a partner of the National Portrait Gallery and is open to the public most days throughout the year. Tel: 01745 584060

Beaumaris, begun in 1295, was the last and largest of the castles to be built by King Edward I in Wales. Raised on an entirely new site, without earlier buildings to fetter its designer's creative genius, it is possibly the most sophisticated example of medieval military architecture in Britain. Garden is one of the most beautiful gardens in the area. www.castlewales.com

Dolbadarn Castle rests on a rocky hillock at the tip of Llyn Padarn, perched above a roadway near Llanberis, in Gwynedd, North Wales www.castlewales.com

Dolwyddelan is traditionally the birthplace of Llywelyn ap Iorwerth, though the actual site was perhaps the vanished castle of the rocky knoll in the valley floor. There is no evidence for any building at the present castle site earlier than the early 13th century, when the area came under Llywelyn's control. The site covers two routes into Snowdonia, and admirably demonstrates Llywelyn's scheme of defence and control.

Wildlife

We manage our 90 acres of land sympathetically, with the preservation and nurture of wildlife being paramount.

There are Otters in the stream and other rare mammals such as the Pine Marten. The surrounding heath and wetland are home to rare plants and a wide variety of bird life.