Arriving in Aberdaron on the Llyn Peninsula (locally known as the Land’s End of Wales), I was greeted with sheeting rain and thunderous skies. Having driven for seven-and-a-half hours from Norfolk, all I wanted was a comfy, clean bed and a hot shower, and felt pretty confident as I the smartly presented Gwesty Ty Newydd hotel came into view. I was more than satisfied on all counts, and my room, at the top of the hotel, had a super view over the bay – which would have been stunning on a good day. As it was, there was something rather enjoyable and seeing the drama of a real storm unfold across the beach.
The large, well-kept room ensured a good night’s sleep, and all the usual mod-cons were there, including flat-screen TV and tea and coffee-making facilities, as well as internet connection and a drying room. There are eleven rooms in total, all en suite.
Dining in the restaurant I was impressed with my goat’s cheese and tomato salad starter, and the main course, of sesame-seared salmon, was extremely tender – it was just a pity the weather wasn’t good enough for me to sit on the newly extended terrace outside, overlooking the beach, which the hotel has obviously put a lot of effort into and will be fun and, I imagine, extremely busy, in the high season.
The one point to note if you have mobility issues or have lots of children to unload from your car is that you are unable to park at the hotel per se but the best option is the public car park, just three minutes’ walk away over the bridge but closed, locked, and inaccessible from around 7pm-9.30am (times seemed to vary).
However, after spending the day on the beach, perhaps exploring the Llyn Peninsula and or even taking a boat out to Bardsey Island, the burial place of 20,000 saints, I’d recommend that you settle in one of the town’s restaurants with some superb Aberdaron crab, and enjoy a good book by the fire or watching the sun set on the terrace.
Rooms from £85 per night, based on two people sharing. Gwesty Ty Newydd,Aberdaron, Pwllheli, Gwynedd LL53 8BE; 01758 760 207; www.gwesty-tynewydd.co.uk
Other recommended places to stay and eat in Aberdaron:
The Ship Hotel serves excellent evening meals with a roaring fire and friendly service, and booking is advised. Make sure you leave room for pudding – the creéme brulee is decadent, naughty, and absolutely delicious. They also offer rooms and a family suite. Rooms from £60 per night, low season, based on two sharing. The Ship Hotel, Aberdaron, Pwllheli, Gwynedd, LL53 8BE; 01758 760204; www.theshiphotelaberdaron.co.uk
Caffi Hen Blas sells local crafts as well as the tasty, locally caught Aberdaron crab. The cafè serves breakfast and light lunches, and I heartily recommend the fish pie. (No contact details, but next door to The Ship Hotel – you can’t miss it.)
