Christmas Greetings from Aberdaron

Advent Sunday at Felin Uchaf

This is to wish all our customers a happy Christmas and a healthy and prosperous New Year! The striking photo above is of the Advent celebrations at the Iron Age roundhouse in Felin Uchaf - truly a magical way to start the Christmas season.

2015 has been a good year for us.

The Wales Coast Path continues to be upgraded by the local authorities with funding from the Welsh Assembly Government. The way is clearer and the signage is much better.

The coast path near Traeth Penllech. 

New for 2015 - a wonderful section which goes all the way along the coast from near Aberdaron to Rhiw. This is 8 miles of some of the best coastal scenery in the world and as good a reason as any for coming back to Aberdaron and enjoying this unspoiled and tranquil part of the world.

The WCP's distinctive "Dragon Shell" logo.

New route along the coast from Rhiw to Aberdaron.

In late October we were visited by a film crew preparing a program for Channel 4 about the walk around the Mynydd Mawr headland. We helped the crew research the route and gave some advice on what to see. The program will be presented by Ben Fogle (and his lovely Labrador puppy Storm) and should be broadcast in the spring.

Ben and Storm at Porth Oer

The film crew on Whistling Sands

Peter has made an investment in the future of the business by buying a disused shop in Uwchmynydd, west of Aberdaron. While the building may not seem terribly prepossessing at first glance, Peter has some big plans for it. First we will be running Llŷn Cycle Hire from here which will free up some space in Dolfor and Manaros. 

The old shop at Uwchmynydd. It has potential... very well hidden potential.

But the views from it are fabulous.

We’ve had some considerable success in letting out Glandwr cottage down in the village. Glandwr is owned by a friend of Peter’s family and we’ve been letting it out as self-catering holiday accommodation on his behalf. The property is a cosy little fisherman’s cottage directly opposite the slipway to the beach between St Hywyn’s church and the Ty Newydd Inn, and is an ideal getaway location for a small, budget conscious family or group of friends. Prices for a week’s rental start at £275 with short breaks also available. For more information see www.aberdaron-glandwr.co.uk.

Glandwr's situation in the village, opposite the beach.

Cosy living room.

Our nearest town Pwllheli has seen some substantial investment in the past year with the opening of the new sailing academy Plas Heli. We’re hoping that this will bring a lot more visitors to the area to take advantage of these new facilities.

The futuristic Plas Heli Centre at Pwllheli harbour.

The Edge of Wales Walk has had a very good year, with one of our busiest summers for years. We’ve been lucky enough to have several big groups from North America doing the walk that we put up in Manaros.

 

The Ontario Walking Club from Canada, led by Mr Colin Banfield

Gay Elliot and friends, also from Canada, enjoying a meal at Manaros.

The church has a new roof and a new vicar. Aberdaron is turning very much into a popular food centre which offers a variety of meals from special seafood supper at the Ship, a meal overlooking the beach at the Ty Newydd or a takeaway fish and chips in the Sblash restaurant overlooking the river or a fantastic takeaway pizza from Eleri Stores’ new kitchen at the back of the shop.

Looking forward to 2016, we are spending time and money upgrading Manaros, including buying some new bedroom furniture and repainting to keep things looking fresh and sharp.

We have extended our walking holidays southwards to Cardigan Bay, another magnificent area with some beautiful river valleys leading down to the sea. We can carry your bags all the way to Aberystwyth.

The mountains of Southern Snowdonia that form a stunning backdrop to the Coast Path in Ceredigion.

One of the beautiful estuaries that break up the coastline.

Bookings are proceeding nicely for Manaros, Glandwr and Edge of Wales Walk, so get in touch now to avoid disappointment! Our availability page is filling up but, as it happens, we do still have the Christmas period available up until the morning of the 27th. We are offering the 6 nights beginning Monday the 21st for £900. You can phone us to book this, or any other period of interest in Manaros or on the walking route on 01758 760652, or you can email us. You will be assured of a warm welcome!