Wales' Abandoned Churches,

Peter was killing time recently, and paid a visit to the old abandoned church near Traeth Penllech on the north coast of the Lleyn Peninsula. In these more secular times, there are many churches and chapels which have fallen into disuse. Some of these, such as St Mary's church as at Penllech are still open to the public, and are worth a visit for their peaceful (or spooky depending on your point of view) atmosphere.

The church was founded in the medieval period and part of the structure remaining today dates from the 15th century. The stone structure is that of a traditional Llyn church single nave with solitary bell, but inside there is a whitewashed Georgian interior with box pews, a pulpit with a sounding board, and two biers upon which the dead would be carried into Church and which served as reminder of the inevitability of death.

If you want to pay a visit, the church is about a mile inland from Traeth Penllech (Penllech Beach), just off a narrow lane that passes through a farmyard. The grid reference is SH 219 343.