Known as “Snowdon’s Arm” this wildly beautiful peninsula wraps you in a strong embrace. The Llyn’s mix of culture and heritage is quite unlike anything else that you will find in Wales – or elsewhere for that matter! The dominant feature of course is majestic SNOWDON (ERYRI)  – Wales’ highest mountain, the climbing of which can be a lifetime’s achievement. https://snowdonia.gov.wales/discover/ On a clear day you can see Ireland, Scotland, England and even the Isle of Man. However, for those wanting an easier ascent, you can take either the traditional or heritage steam train. ​This magnificent landscape,, which boasts almost 200 miles of glittering coastline, is on your doorstep. Some of it is rocky and wild, other stretches with golden sands, hidden coves and picturesque views, are among Britain’s most idyllic. Although you will find your favourite beach/castle/restaurant, here are some of our recommendations.

 

BEACHES AND SWIMMING

On the doorstep are BLACK ROCK SANDS which stretch for 2 miles – plenty of rock pools and caves to explore…..HARLECH with its huge sand dunes….CRICCIETH (with its magical castle) is pebbly and perfect for beachcombing)…PWLLHELI with its rolling waves (great for windsurfing)…..NEFYN with its dramatic setting (walk across the sands to visit Ty Coch http://www.tycoch.co.uk/  which is officially in the top ten beach bars in the world!)…Pretty LLANBEDROG with its colourful beach huts and handy café…

 

CASTLES AND HOUSES

For those with National Trust membership, within easy reach are https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wales PLAS NEWYDD HOUSE AND GARDENS on Anglesey…BODNANT GARDENS (The house is beautiful but the Grade I listed 80 acre garden is the real attraction)…… Magical PENRHYN CASTLE near Bangor,  with its lovely gardens and meadows (on Thursday’s you can play tennis on the lawn)…..PLAS NEWYDD House and Garden (with Rex Whistler’s famous 58 ft mural and numerous works of art) has breathtaking views across the Menai Straits…..

 

CONWY Castle -  a magnificent medieval fortress that still towers over the town after 700 years…..

 

HARLECH Castle crowns a sheer rocky crag overlooking the dunes below (when completely cut off by the rebellion of Madog ap Llewelyn, the castle held out thanks to the “Way from the Sea” – a path of 108 steps rising steeply up the rock face which allowed the besieged defenders to be fed and watered by ship)…….

 

CAERNARFON Castle is recognised as one of the greatest buildings of the Middle Ages……Caernarfon is a castle of dreams and even after 700 years still stirs the imagination..

 

DAYS OUT

Visiting PORTMEIRION is a must and only 4 miles away https://portmeirion.wales/. Clough Williams-Ellis’ aim was to show how a naturally beautiful site could be developed without spoiling it. Today this quirky Italianate village is one of Wales’ premier visitor attractions – especially for afficionados of  “The Prisoner” (the 1960’s cult series) which was filmed in the village.

 

SNOWDON RAILWAY https://snowdonrailway.co.uk/, with its stunning scenery and breathtaking views, runs to the summit of the mountain from April until the end of October (weather permitting).

 

FFESTINIOG & WELSH HIGHLAND RAILWAYS https://www.festrail.co.uk/ check their website for special activities. The Ffestiniog Railway is the world’s oldest narrow gauge railway and takes you on a 13 ½ mile journey from the harbour in Porthmadog to Blaenau Ffestiniog. The Welsh Highland Railway is the UK’s longest heritage line which runs for 25 miles from Caernarfon, past Snowdon and Beddgelert (via the Aberglaslyn Pass) to Porthmadog.

 

BARDSEY ISLAND https://www.bardsey.org/visit - known as the “island of 20,000 saints”,  is located 1.9 miles off the Llyn Peninsula. Claiming to be the burial site of Merlin, Bardsey is famous for it’s wildlife and rugged scenery. Open between March and October, day trips must be booked in advance.

 

THE LLYN COASTAL PATH is 84 miles long and extends from Caernarfon along the north coast towards Porthmadog. https://walescoastpath.co.uk/llyn-peninsula-llyn/  

 

 

ACTIVITIES FOR FAMILIES

LLECHWEDD Slate Quary is the home of Titan, Caverns and Bounce Below!

https://llechwedd.co.uk/zip-world -  The mountain has the very best above and underground adventures! You can either fly down Europe’s largest zipping zone and soak up the amazing quarry views…………. or/and……Bounce Below – a unique experience which allows you to bounce and slide your way via trampoline nets into an area twice the size of St. Paul’s Cathedral……….or/and…enjoy the challenging underground course that takes up to 3hours!

 

You can hire e-bikes, paddle boards or kayaks in nearby Criccieth https://www.discoverllyn.com/ebike

https://www.cricciethmultigolf.com/paddleboarding.html

 

FOR FOODIES….

Quickly becoming a magnet for “foodies”, the Llyn has much to offer. These are three of our favourite’s that are definitely worth a visit:

 

BODNANT Welsh Food

https://www.bodnant-welshfood.co.uk/;

SOUTH CAERNARFON CREAMERIES:  https://www.sccwales.co.uk/ GWINLLAN CONWY VINEYARD https://gwinllanconwy.co.uk/

 

EATING OUT

DYLANS in nearby Criccieth (Booking is essential)       

https://dylansrestaurant.co.uk/:

​

CARIAD GELATO (Porthmadog)

https://www.facebook.com/cariadgelato/

 

CADWALLERS (Criccieth)

https://cadwaladers.co.uk/

 

WHITEHALL (Pwllheli)

https://whitehall.cymru/

 

PORTMEIRION

https://portmeirion.wales/eat 

 

THE OLD BUTCHERS

https://sosbanandtheoldbutchers.com/

 

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST………….ART AND CULTURE

 

ORIEL PLAS GLYN Y WEDDW at Llanbedrog has changing exhibitions and is worth a visit if only for their home-made cakes! See David’s sculpture “LOUISE” in the gardens.  After lunch, wander down the lane to the beach.

https://www.oriel.org.uk/

 

On Anglesey is the wonderful ORIEL MON GALLERY which has a fantastic collection of the work of the renowned Welsh Artist Kyffin Williams.

https://www.orielmon.org/en-gb

 

edrychwn ymlaen at eich gweld!