When you look at Clynnog Fawr on a map, chances are high you may write it off as just another sleepy little village on the A499, caught halfway between its better-identified neighbours Caernarfon and Pwllheli. But for such a tiny place – you can stroll from one end of the village to the opposite in under ten minutes – Clynnog Fawr has a stunning number of fascinating issues to see and do. First of all there’s an expansive beach, which can be reached both by strolling down the lane to the aspect of the church or by taking a ten-minute hike along a hedgerow-lined public footpath with spectacular views of Snowdonia’s mountains and coast. On most maps – the imprecise, online variety no less than – Clynnog Fawr is only a dot subsequent to a protracted, naked road, with no distinguishing options apart from that it is now off the principle street, since a brand new bypass was completed in 2009. On a drive from Caernarfon to Pwllheli, if it wasn’t for the spectacular outline of St Beuno’s church, you could miss Clynnog Fawr in a blink.

The beach is mostly pebbly, however when the tide goes out large areas of smooth, shimmering sand are revealed which, along with the numerous rock swimming pools, make Clynnog seashore an thrilling place for youngsters to discover. Take the church route back from the seashore, and after the first gate by Bachwen Farm, flip to the appropriate so you’re heading within the path of the mountains (you will see Gyrn Ddu to the left on the horizon, and Yr Eifl to the appropriate, dipping down into the sea). If you’re feeling energetic, stroll northwards alongside the seaside – crossing a few fast-flowing streams as you go – towards the even tinier hamlet of Aberdesach. Keep going alongside the footpath and before lengthy you’ll find yourself face to face with Dolmen Bachwen, Clynnog Fawr’s very personal Neolithic burial chamber. Alongside the way you may see many sorts of birds including shy ringed plovers, stunning pink-billed oystercatchers, and graceful herons. Regulate the sea, too; seals have been known to pop by and say whats up.

It’s surrounded by a low iron fence – presumably to protect it from sheep-inflicted harm, as the dolmen is on farm land – however this won’t stop you from reaching out and touching the stones, which have been erected by our ancestors some 4,000 years in the past. Within the churchyard is a sundial which is claimed to date from the 10th century. Beuno was an essential Celtic saint who based a monastery in Clynnog Fawr which later grew to become the church. Head back in direction of St Beuno’s church and pop in to see the attractive architecture and the exhibition. St Beuno’s is on the outdated pilgrim route to Bardsey, the place it is said that 20,000 saints are buried; tributes left by pilgrims paid for the medieval church to be inbuilt such grand model, and these were collected in a special chest, carved from a single piece of ash, which continues to be in the church immediately.

The church may be very lovely and its oldest surviving elements date back to the early 16th century, while some of the oldest gravestones within the churchyard commemorate parishioners who died in the early 1700s. The lychgate can also be very outdated; search for into the roof and you’ll see graffiti dating again to the nineteen thirties, though of course the constructing is way older than that. St Beuno was mentioned to have possessed miraculous healing talents. There are at least two legends which tell of Beuno reattaching the heads of decapitated girls; one of these miracles took place in Clynnog Fawr itself, and on the spot where the maiden was resurrected a spring appeared, which was henceforth often known as Ffynnon Beuno, or “Beuno’s Properly”. If you’re eager to see more of Clynnog Fawr and the surrounding areas, each institutions provide snug accommodation that makes the proper base when you discover the remainder of Snowdonia’s mountains and coasts. Or, take refreshment on the close by Bryn Eisteddfod nation house resort. The well is contained inside a small medieval stone walled enclosure, and it is a lovely place to sit and browse, or just enjoy the sunshine and contemporary air. You will discover Ffynnon Beuno on the previous highway (now a cycle path) on the way in which out of Clynnog Fawr – stroll south out of the village and you may see the well behind an unlocked gate to your left. End your go to to Clynnog Fawr with a refreshing pint of Welsh ale and a hearty dwelling-cooked meal on the village’s 19th century teaching inn – named, appropriately sufficient, Y Beuno.