North of England
Scotland
Nyth Dryw is a simply idyllic stone-built cottage with tremendous countryside views, settled into the rural outskirts of Criccieth. While there is one neighbouring property nearby, the cottage otherwise enjoys a wonderfully secluded setting.
Close to local beaches, the Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park, and with the added opulence of a hot tub and woodburning stove, this incredible abode is a dreamy escape to Gwynedd for two. Upon arrival you will be greeted by stunning countryside views out across the mountains of the Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park, and towards local beaches, towards the sea beyond, an inspiring backdrop for keen explorers looking for a characterful stay in Gwynedd.
Be welcomed into this picturesque stone-built property, offering an open-plan living space with everything you will need to cater to your stay, including a handy utility and a contemporary kitchen for home cooking. Within this space there is also a dining space for romantic meals complemented by a glass of fizz, and a sitting area encouraging guests to lounge beside the ambient crackle of the woodburning stove after a long day of exploring the local area.
From here, discover a sleek ground-floor shower room, a first floor snug, a good hideaway for a spot of reading, and a beautiful double bedroom with charming A-frame wooden beams. Be captivated by the breath-taking views boasted by this home from the outdoor sitting area, where guests can enjoy a tipple as the sun sets, and why not take an indulgent dip in the hot tub, marveling at the starry skies and the sounds of wildlife amidst the tranquility?
Criccieth is a fantastic location just a short distance from the property, offering local shops, pubs, eateries, a sandy beach, and a golf course. Here there is a fantastic castle, and you can explore more history at Harlech Castle.
The best-known attractions within an easy drive of Nyth Dryw, with real driving times.
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: 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: 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: 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: LL28 5UY
A 37-acre zoo near Colwyn Bay with chimpanzees, red pandas, otters, lemurs and a children's farm.
The Welsh Mountain Zoo is a zoological garden near Colwyn Bay in Conwy County Borough. It covers 37 acres and has been open since 1963, so it has built up a good range of animal areas over the years.
Tip: Check the zoo's website before you go, as the sources note that animal exhibits such as the sea lions have changed over time.
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: 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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