Plas-y-Nant Guest House and Conference Centre
in the Snowdonia National Park
Telephone 01286 650227
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Plas-y-Nant

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About
North Wales

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Local News

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3 friendly dogs live at Plas-y-Nant - so naturally we welcome your dogs

Plas-y-Nant Excursion Leaders Book

Local Towns

The following notes were written for the "Plas-y-Nant Excursion Leaders Book" (1951-1952)

ABERSOCH
A small village on the southern side of the Lelyn peninsula. Nothing of very great interest apart from the excellent beach. Leave at 4.45 to reach Plas at 6.00p.m. (Non stop)
Leave at 4 30 if intending to visit Clynnog Church.

Sketch map of Abersoch (circa 1950)
BANGOR
Home of the University of Wales. If you are kept in Plas during the morning bring a “C” party here in the afternoon. There are a few things to keep them busy - the University and it’s grounds, a pier, a small harbour and some shops. A large swimming pool is now an attraction
BARMOUTH
A shocking hole. Reached by a terrifically long, tedious coach ride. Don’t go if you can help it.
BEAUMARIS
Can be reached by ferry from Bangor or more usually by coach en route — to or from Benllech Bay
It is a typical - “castle and morning coffee” - town. N.B. Most of the North Wales castles can be viewed cheap if there is more than 20 people in the party. The reduction per person is from 6d to 3d I think.

BEDDGELERT.
One of the loveliest of villages, set at the confluence of the rivers Colwyn and Glaslyn, in the shadow of Hebog. Renowned for it’s fishing, it is perhaps best known as the site of " Gelerts " grave. The name means - “grave of Gelert". The legend of the hound is too well known to bear repeating here. What is not so well is the fact that the actual grave was built by the owner of the “Goat” hotel - an Englishman - to attract visitors to his hotel. No one knows the real site of the grave - if there is one.
It is a popular idea to stop “C” coaches here for morning coffee. The custom on the Friday excursions is to stop the coaches then those who wish, to do the " Fishermans Walk", being picked up again at the Aberglaslyn bridge to continue the excursion.

Sketch map of Beddgelert (circa 1950)
BENNLECH BAY
Although the writer has despatched many “knitters” to this place, he has never been. They seem to enjoy it, especially if you order a “coup o'tay (Wiganese) for them from the “Wendon café”. EXCELLENT BEACH
BETTWS-Y-COED
A pleasant little road junction village. Home of the “Fairy Glen “. Between Bettws and Capel Curig are the famous but heavily commercialised “Swallow Falls

BLANAU FFESTINIOG
A town dominated by quarries. Ugly, but a leg stretcher on the Lledr Valley excursion.

BORTH-Y-GEST
Points of stomach interest and route to what has become “Plas-y-Nant’s own beach” are shown on the sketch map. If it rains, go on to Criccieth for an hour, then go back to Plas early.
N.B. It’s safe to come here every week, people never seem to tire of it.

Sketch map of Borth-y_Gest (circa 1950)
CAERNARVON
Wednesday afternoon town. Huge castle, open air swimming bath — over toll Ferry to Angelsey very pleasant. Shops and cinema.
March 1974. The swimming pool, toll bridge and ferry are, alas, no more. Lots more places to eat though – lots more cars too, the quay being the principal parking place
CAPEL CURIG
Road junction. Famous only for its view of the “ Snowdon Horseshoe.”
Shortly before entering Capel, coming from Pen y Gwrhyd. A farm house can be seen up the hillside to the left, amid some trees. This is Dyffryn Mymbyr the setting for “I Bought a Mountain.” Two mountain equipment shops are Joe Browns and Ellis Brigham’s
CLYNNOG.
One of the oldest churches in Wales is found here. Depending on whether you like old churches or not worth a call. (Returning from Abersoch or Nevin).
COLWYN BAY
Sometimes used as a wet day alternative to Llandudno. All the usual amenities of a seaside town.

CRICCIETH
Another castle and some more shops. Notable for the “Lifeboat milk bar. Scene of a successful attempt by the writer to win a Churchmans No.1. by drinking eleven milk shakes one after the other. A record yet to be beaten.
March 1974 AN interestingly dated bragging remark - the writer hasn’t smoked for years.

HARLECH
Yet another castle and a good beach. The beach is however l0 mins walk away down a steep hill and across the golf course. Leave at 5-00pm. to get back to Plas for 6-00pm

HOLYHEAD
The approach is by a somewhat tedious run across Anglesey. The harbour is the starting point for the Irish mail ships. Get the coach to drive the town then up to the South Stack lighthouse cliffs. Lunch here - there is a cafe and pay & visit to the lighthouse. Down a stone staircase of over 400 steps, which zig—zag down to the lighthouse island, reached by a small suspension bridge. The spectacular cliffs can be seen to advantage rising vertically from the sea. Back to the coaches — hard work up all those steps - and then to Tre Arddur Bay for an hour or so. A lovely land. looked bay, ideal for swimming. Back across the island — with a view of all the North Wales. It is a good plan to stop at Menai Bridge en route for morning coffee. Leave at 4-45 to get back to Plas for 6-00pm.

LLANDUDNO
Another shocking hole. Ice cream – beer - chips and bodies, don’t give the ozone a chance. It seems to appeal to the masses however. When the mist comes down low and the rain sets in for the day, bring the bodies here, dump them, and have a sleep in the coach. Collect them at 4-15/4-30 and return to Plas.
LLANFAIRFECHAN.
Quiet little seaside town. O.K. for an hours stop sometime.
MENAI BRIDGE
Morning coffee on excursions into Anglesey, and a view from and off the bridge.

NEVIN
A pleasant Afternoon beach party can be enjoyed here.

Sketch map of Nevin (circa 1950)

PENNMAENMAWR
As Llanfairfechan. Home of “Bryn Hedd” one of the other C.E. homes. Completely spoilt by quarry workings behind the town.
PEN-Y-GWRHYD
Famous climbing hotel. Mr. Briggs the owner, is leader of the North Wales mountain rescue teams. Come over the Glyders and Tryfan on a hot day, and the cider here is worthy of all that has been said of it.
PONT ABEROLASLYN.
“ The most photographed view in Wales,” and justly so. The bridge - very old - is at the end of the “Fishermans Walk”, this is the site of one of the proposed Hydro Electric power stations.
PORT DINORWIC.
A small yacht village, on the Menai Straits. The “Outward bound sea school training ship is anchored near by. MARCH 1974 Now no more - the ship sank in a gale
PORTMADOC.
Shops and cafes. Shops useful for the purchase of prizes for tennis etc.
MARCH 1974 Terminus of narrow gauge railway. “Cob Record” shop, craft shops. Developed considerably in last 10 years. Within walking distance 15 mins of Borth-y-Gest.

PWLLHELI
A small market town. A number of shops and cafes, notably the “Gwalia cafe. A couple of miles before entering Pwllheli on the road from Criccieth on the left hand side will be seen Billy Butlins Tin Town. It is customary make suitable rude noises while passing.

Sketch map of Pwllheli (circa 1950)

RHYD DDU.
Starting point for one of the Snowdon tracks, and the Nantle ridge. Mountain rescue post for South Snowdon and Hebog group here. About a mile on the Beddgelert side of this village is the famous “Pitt’s Read” rock. On the right hand side going to Beddgelert, just before the road crosses the old railway track and river. Shoulder Aran walk also starts here, as does the walk to Beddgelert through the forest.

Sketch map of Rhyd-Ddu (circa 1950)
TRE ARDDUR BAY.
See Holyhead Notes.
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The opinions expressed may not reflect the views of the current management
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