The Llyn Peninsula
Pen y Berth Bungalows snuggle in an area of outstanding natural beauty on the Llyn Peninsula. Tucked away beyond Snowdonia’s craggiest peaks, the Llyn wraps you in it’s warm embrace. No wonder that travellers have flocked here over the years and although we are tempted to keep its secrets to ourselves, you will be welcomed to enjoy its charms. This is a wild landscape of unspoilt natural scenery, ringed by an unbeatable coastline – the beaches are divine – some sandy and some pebbly but each offers its own charm. This is great walking country – in its entirety, the Llyn Coastal Path is 84 miles long and is recognised as having national importance for its outstanding scenery, wildlife and historic features. The views alter with the seasons – small coves and wide expanses of sand, rugged cliffs and ever changing seas Carreg Defaid is the closest beach to the bungalows and is just a short drive away.
https://www.walescoastpath.gov.uk/?lang=en
Although you will discover your own favourite beach or bay or restaurant, these are a few of our recommendations:
The small market town of Pwllheli, with its award winning marina and blue flag beach is 2 miles away. Pwllheli boasts a sports centre, swimming pool, a cinema and library. The Whitehall Pub is an excellent eatery https://whitehall.cymru/. There are many shops, cafes and restaurants to choose from. Abersoch with it's smart shops, trendy cafes and sandy beaches is only 15 minutes away. Renowned for sailing and watersports, the town hosts an annual summer jazz festival, a regatta and music festival.
The dominant feature of North Wales is Snowdon, Wales’ highest mountain at 3,560 ft. Climbing this mountain peak can be a lifetime’s achievement! The first recorded ascent of the mountain was in 1639, although there are tales of earlier ascents going back to the time of Edward 1st’s conquest of Wales in 1284. On a clear day you can see Ireland, Scotland, England and the Isle of Man – and allegedly 24 counties, 29 lakes and 17 islands!
Portmeirion. Only 45 minutes away from Pen y Berth is the delightful Italianate village designed and built by Clough Williams-Ellis between 1923 & 1939. The aim was to develop a naturally beautiful site without spoiling it and that with sufficient skill and care, the natural environment could actually be enhanced. The village is definitely worth a visit and the 60 acre surrounding gardens, with woodland paths, are famous for their fine displays of rhododendrons, azaleas, hydrangeas and (due to the mild climate) sub-tropical flora. It is usually half price after 15.30!
http://www.portmeirion-village.com Tel: 01766 770000
The Welsh Highland Railway Project is Wales’ newest – and the UK’s longest – Heritage railway which runs from Caernarfon to the Ffestiniog Railway’s Harbour Station in Porthmadog. These two lines offer visitors a journey over 40 miles in length across Snowdonia, past the foot of Snowdon and the lovely village of Beddgelert and along the length of Aberglaslyn Pass – voted the most scenic area in the UK by members of the National Trust.
http://www.festrail.co.uk/main.shtml Tel 01766 516000
CASTLES, HOUSES AND GARDENS
The Brondanw Estate lies within the Snowdonia National Park between Snowdon and the sea. Plas Brondanw is the principal house on the Estate, which is owned by the Portmeirion Foundation. The wonderful gardens, designed by Clough Williams-Ellis, are open to the public. “It had been at about my twenty-fifth birthday that my father unexpectedly handed over to me the control of the old family property of Plas Brondanw which I would ultimately inherit” wrote Clough Williams-Ellis “Gradually but surely the old house and its rehabilitation became my chief absorbing interest outside my profession”
http://www.brondanw.org/english/index.html Tel 01766 772 772
Penrhyn Castle, close to Bangor, is an enormous, 19th Century fantasy castle that sits between Snowdonia and the Menai Straits. It was built by Thomas Hopper between 1820 and 1845 for the wealthy Pennant family, who made their fortune from Jamaican sugar and Welsh slate. It is crammed with fascinating artefacts, including a one-ton slate bed made for Queen Victoria and Rembrandt’s painting of Catrina Hooghsaet. Well worth a visit.
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-penrhyncastle Tel 01248 363219
https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2018/apr/27/holiday-guide-to-the-llyn-peninsula-north-wales