North of England
Scotland
Blackrock Gem is a delightful detached house in the charming village of Morfa Bychan, Gwynedd. This inviting property is perfect for families or friends seeking a coastal retreat, offering ample space and relaxation for a memorable holiday.
Upon entering the property, you will be greeted by four beautifully-presented bedrooms. The ground floor hosts a spacious super-king-size room, perfect for those who prefer fewer stairs.
Upstairs, you will find a further three bedrooms;one with a super-king bed and 2 king size doubles with a further single in each. One of these rooms also benefits from a private balcony, perfect for enjoying a morning coffee.
One of the king size features a charming Juliet balcony, offering lovely views of the surrounding area. The property is served by two elegant bathrooms, each fitted with a freestanding bath, a walk-in shower, a basin and a WC, providing ample space for everyone to prepare for their day in style.
Outside, the enclosed rear garden offers a safe space for children to play, while the adults can relax and unwind, perhaps with a good book or a glass of wine. This outdoor space is perfect for enjoying the tranquil surroundings and making the most of the fresh Welsh air.
For those who manage to pull themselves away from the relaxation of Blackrock Gem, the local area has no shortage of attractions and outdoor activities, with opportunities for mountain biking, fishing, kayaking, and paddle boarding readily available nearby. Immerse yourself in local history with a visit to the striking Castell Cricieth, or tantalise your taste buds at Dylan's Criccieth, a popular seafood restaurant with stunning bay views.
Train enthusiasts will be thrilled with the nearby Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways and the Welsh Highland Heritage Railway, offering unforgettable journeys through the glorious Welsh countryside. History buffs can explore the nautical tales of the region at the Maritime Museum.
The best-known attractions within an easy drive of Blackrock Gem, with real driving times.
Sat nav: LL46 2YH
A World Heritage Site castle built by Edward I on a rocky knoll close to the Irish Sea.
Harlech Castle is a medieval fortification in Gwynedd, built onto a rocky knoll close to the Irish Sea. Edward I had it built during his invasion of Wales, and it is one of the castles UNESCO includes in its World Heritage listing for the finest late 13th and early 14th century military architecture in Europe.
Sat nav: LL55 2AU
A medieval fortress begun by Edward I, part of a World Heritage Site in north-west Wales.
Caernarfon Castle is a medieval fortress in Gwynedd, north-west Wales. Edward I began replacing an earlier motte-and-bailey castle with the current stone structure in 1283, and it was built on a grand scale as the administrative centre of north Wales.
Sat nav: LL61 6TQ
An independent aquarium on the Menai Strait showing British marine life, with seahorses, octopus and lobsters.
Anglesey Sea Zoo is an independent aquarium and marine conservation centre on the south coast of Anglesey, near Brynsiencyn. Over 40 tanks show native British sea life, including octopus, lobsters, seahorses, conger eels and jellyfish. Highlights include the No Bone Zone for invertebrates, a wolf fish lair, a real crashing wave, a shipwreck and a kelp forest full of big fish.
Tip: No need to book ahead, as tickets are bought on the door. Standard and family tickets stay valid for 6 days after the day of purchase, so you can return for free in that time.
Sat nav: LL61 6DZ
A National Trust mansion and Grade I listed gardens on the Menai Strait, with red squirrels and views to Snowdonia.
Plas Newydd is a country house on the north bank of the Menai Strait, with views across the water to Snowdonia. The house has origins in 1470 and was long the seat of the Marquesses of Anglesey.
Tip: Dogs on short leads are welcome in the gardens, but not on the Terraces. Autumn is a busy season for the red squirrels, so stay quiet in the woods.
Sat nav: LL55 4UB
A Welsh prince's round-towered fortress guarding the foot of the Llanberis Pass above Llyn Padarn.
Dolbadarn Castle (Castell Dolbadarn) was built by the Welsh prince Llywelyn the Great in the early 13th century. It stands at the foot of the Llanberis Pass, overlooking the lake of Llyn Padarn, and once controlled an important mountain pass. Today it is a grade I listed building, owned by Cadw and run as a tourist attraction.
Sat nav: LL58 8BY
Edward I's unfinished, near-perfectly symmetrical moated castle on Anglesey, part of a World Heritage Site.
Beaumaris Castle on Anglesey was the last of Edward I's royal strongholds in Wales, designed by James of St George beside the Menai Strait. Four concentric rings of defences, a water-filled moat with its own dock and a near-perfect symmetrical plan make it a striking sight.
Tip: Use the main town car park opposite for the most direct route in, and watch for two-way traffic there.
Sat nav: LL25 0JD
A thirteenth-century Welsh prince's castle on a small knoll, with a restored keep and a ruined west tower.
Dolwyddelan Castle is a thirteenth-century castle in Conwy County Borough, probably begun by Llywelyn ab Iorwerth, ruler of the Kingdom of Gwynedd, to guard an east-west route through his lands. It stands on a small knoll, with a keep on the east side and a tower on the west, joined by walls to form a roughly circular enclosure.
Sat nav: LL57 4HW
A Grade I listed Neo-Norman castle near Bangor with an internationally important art collection.
Penrhyn Castle is a country house at Llandygai, near Bangor in Gwynedd, built in the style of a Norman castle. Thomas Hopper rebuilt it in this Romanesque Revival form between 1822 and 1837, and it is Grade I listed. It is regarded as Hopper's finest work and as one of the most important country houses in Wales.
Drive times are typical times by car with no traffic. Check opening times and book tickets on each attraction's own website before you go.
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