Criccieth & Llanystumdwy - Thursday 5 September 2024
Route
Criccieth - Cefn Castell - Glan-y-mor - Dwyfor - Llanystumdwy - Ynysgain - Cefn Castell - Criccieth
Parking
Lots of parking in Criccieth town centre. We parked on Marine Crescent (Free) below the ramparts of Criccieth Castle. The Grid Reference is SH 49924 37759 and the postcode is LL52 0EA.
Mileage
5.5 miles
Terrain
Good paths throughout
Weather
Overcast with light breezes
Time Taken
1hr 35mins
Total Ascent
341ft (104m)
Map
OS 254 Lleyn Peninsula East
Walkers
Dave & Angie
Criccieth - Cefn Castell - Glan-y-mor - Dwyfor - Llanystumdwy - Ynysgain - Cefn Castell - Criccieth
Parking
Lots of parking in Criccieth town centre. We parked on Marine Crescent (Free) below the ramparts of Criccieth Castle. The Grid Reference is SH 49924 37759 and the postcode is LL52 0EA.
Mileage
5.5 miles
Terrain
Good paths throughout
Weather
Overcast with light breezes
Time Taken
1hr 35mins
Total Ascent
341ft (104m)
Map
OS 254 Lleyn Peninsula East
Walkers
Dave & Angie
GPX File
If the above GPX file fails to download or presents itself as an XML file once downloaded then please feel free to contact me and I will send you the GPX file via e-mail.
Route Map
The free parking on Marina Crescent below Criccieth Castle
The castle dates from the thirteenth century and is now maintained by Cadw, the historic environment service of the Welsh Government, and is open to the public. It was designated a grade I listed building in 1949, and both the castle and its outer defences are scheduled monuments.
The castle dates from the thirteenth century and is now maintained by Cadw, the historic environment service of the Welsh Government, and is open to the public. It was designated a grade I listed building in 1949, and both the castle and its outer defences are scheduled monuments.
The route begins by heading west along the seafront
Nice to see some upcycling of old maritime craft
At the end of the seafront a track on the right gives access to the coast path
We were now on the Wales Coast Path
Correct - we didn't see any
Looking back to Criccieth Castle from the coast path. The lump behind the castle is Moel y Gest whose summit features Iron Age ruins including a stone-walled hillfort which have been the subject of archaeological investigations.
Leaving the sea, the route heads inland initially along the Afon Dwyfor
At two disused buildings the route heads north towards Llanystumdwy
After weaving its way along various tracks, the route arrives at the Pwllheli to Criccieth road which we crossed to take the path opposite
The path continues along a field edge path to reach a set of steps leading to an ornate gate
Once through the ornate gate the route arrives at Ty Newydd
Tŷ Newydd (New House) dates from the 15th Century and was the the home of David Lloyd George, the Welsh politician who served as British Prime Minister during the First World War and lived at the property from 1942 until his death in 1945. Lloyd George was born in Chorlton-on-Medlock, Manchester on 17 January 1863. Within months of his birth, his father, William George, moved the family to Pembrokeshire. His father's death the next year saw the family move again, to his mother's home village of Llanystumdwy, in what was then the county of Caernarfonshire (now Gwynedd), where they lived with Lloyd George's uncle, Robert Lloyd. Since 1990 it has housed the National Writing Centre of Wales. The centre specialises in residential creative writing and retreats. The courses are in both the English and Welsh languages, and cover many genres, forms and styles. The centre also holds regular seminars and forums.
Tŷ Newydd (New House) dates from the 15th Century and was the the home of David Lloyd George, the Welsh politician who served as British Prime Minister during the First World War and lived at the property from 1942 until his death in 1945. Lloyd George was born in Chorlton-on-Medlock, Manchester on 17 January 1863. Within months of his birth, his father, William George, moved the family to Pembrokeshire. His father's death the next year saw the family move again, to his mother's home village of Llanystumdwy, in what was then the county of Caernarfonshire (now Gwynedd), where they lived with Lloyd George's uncle, Robert Lloyd. Since 1990 it has housed the National Writing Centre of Wales. The centre specialises in residential creative writing and retreats. The courses are in both the English and Welsh languages, and cover many genres, forms and styles. The centre also holds regular seminars and forums.
A builder with a sense of humour
David Lloyd George's Grave in Llanystumdwy
The oval enclosure, surrounded by a wall is constructed of local stone rubble. Entry is through a decorative gate of wrought iron set into an arch; above the gate, carved onto a plaque of Welsh slate, is an englyn (a traditional Welsh poetic form, a short poem that uses quantitative meters and specific rhyme and half-rhyme patterns) by Lloyd George's nephew, W. R. P. George, the lettering by Jonah Jones, and a Oeil-de-boeuf (small window) opening with the initials DLG, again sculpted in wrought iron. On both internal sides of the gate wall are two further plaques carved with the name, David Lloyd George, and the years of his birth and death. From the gate, the walls, 1m high, curve round to the river, while the encircling path descends 14 steps ending at the river bank, at eye level with the boulder.
The grave and memorial was designed by the renowned Welsh architect Clough Williams-Ellis who is best known for the design of the nearby Italian style village of Portmeirion.
The oval enclosure, surrounded by a wall is constructed of local stone rubble. Entry is through a decorative gate of wrought iron set into an arch; above the gate, carved onto a plaque of Welsh slate, is an englyn (a traditional Welsh poetic form, a short poem that uses quantitative meters and specific rhyme and half-rhyme patterns) by Lloyd George's nephew, W. R. P. George, the lettering by Jonah Jones, and a Oeil-de-boeuf (small window) opening with the initials DLG, again sculpted in wrought iron. On both internal sides of the gate wall are two further plaques carved with the name, David Lloyd George, and the years of his birth and death. From the gate, the walls, 1m high, curve round to the river, while the encircling path descends 14 steps ending at the river bank, at eye level with the boulder.
The grave and memorial was designed by the renowned Welsh architect Clough Williams-Ellis who is best known for the design of the nearby Italian style village of Portmeirion.
The centrepiece of the design is a large boulder from the Afon Dwyfor, on which Lloyd George used to sit, and under which he is buried. It rests on a plinth decorated with pebbles from the beach at Criccieth.
The Afon Dwyfor below the grave
A short distance from the grave is the David Lloyd George Museum
Among the artefacts at the museum is Lloyd George's draft copy of the Conditions of Peace at Versailles. Other exhibits include deeds of freedom, documents and photographs
Among the artefacts at the museum is Lloyd George's draft copy of the Conditions of Peace at Versailles. Other exhibits include deeds of freedom, documents and photographs
A bust of the great man himself stands in the gardens of the museum
The plaque outside the museum entrance. The main exhibition was opened in 1960.
Directly opposite the museum stands the former Moriah Chapel
The chapel was built in 1866 and rebuilt (after a fire) in 1936. The present chapel was also designed by the Welsh architect Clough Williams-Ellis (creator of Portmeirion) and is built in a mix of various designs including the Arts and Craft style. The chapel is Grade 2 listed and was granted planning permission in 2021 to convert it into a private house. Passing it today, it doesn't look like much progress has been made since then.
The chapel was built in 1866 and rebuilt (after a fire) in 1936. The present chapel was also designed by the Welsh architect Clough Williams-Ellis (creator of Portmeirion) and is built in a mix of various designs including the Arts and Craft style. The chapel is Grade 2 listed and was granted planning permission in 2021 to convert it into a private house. Passing it today, it doesn't look like much progress has been made since then.
The community run shop in Llanystumdwy
The shop sits right next door to the village pub, the Tafarn y Plu. Both the pub and the shop are run by Menter y Plu which was founded in September 2018 as a Community Benefit Society.
The shop sits right next door to the village pub, the Tafarn y Plu. Both the pub and the shop are run by Menter y Plu which was founded in September 2018 as a Community Benefit Society.
Reaching the Criccieth/Pwllheli road the route turns to the left along it for about 200 yards. Crossing over the road leads to a public footpath towards Ynysgain Bach.
The footpath eventually joins the outward route and returns to Criccieth
Criccieth Castle
Whilst relatively short, this route is a delightful afternoon or early evening wander and is full of interest
Whilst relatively short, this route is a delightful afternoon or early evening wander and is full of interest