Gwynedd

If you’re serious about immersing your soul in authentic Welsh culture, a visit to Gwynedd is a must. Along with a unique collection of unusual places to stay, here you’ll discover rolling mountains, mile upon mile of peaceful, sheep-dotted trails… and the country’s largest proportion of Welsh-speakers!

A Welsh ceremonial county, heritage-rich Gwynedd encompasses the Isle of Anglesey across the Menai Strait, with an extensive coastline and the mighty Snowdonia National Park to explore at your leisure.

Blaenau Ffestiniog is the perfect place to get under the skin of Gwynedd’s rich slate-mining history, with an opportunity to explore the slate caverns themselves, or sit back and ride the nostalgic narrow-gauge railway.

Oh, and if you’re a fan of castles, you’ll be in utter heaven. To name just two, Beaumaris Castle, an ‘iron ring’ castle on the Menai Strait, is stirringly striking, with exceptional views to Snowdonia. Caernarfon Castle, meanwhile, is known by many as Edward I’s finest, with its ten majestic towers and angular walls.

Looking for something a little more relaxed and refined? Portmeirion Village, an Italianate resort dotted with Riviera-inspired houses and an ornamental garden, is a quirky must-visit… and once featured in the 1960’s sci-fi TV classic The Prisoner!

One of the friendliest and most welcoming places in Wales, any attempt you make to learn the language will be warmly received in Gwynedd. It’ll be worth the effort, too, since you’re sure to decide that one visit just isn’t enough.