Cwm Pennant Hostel
Golan
Gardolbenmaen
Gwynedd
LL51 9AQ
www.cpat.org.uk
Cwm Pennant Hostel was originally the stables and barn for Brynkir Hall. Building work started on what was to become known as the Brynkir estate in 1644. The estate and Manor house changed hands on a number of occasions and in 1812 the Captain Joseph Huddart purchased the property. He had made his fortune developing steam-driven machinery for binding rope, which revolutionised the previously labour-intensive process.
The estate was passed down through the Huddart family for a number of generations. However, at the end of the 19th century, financial pressures resulted in the collapse of the Brynkir estate, and the buildings were abandoned. The breakup of the estate was finalised in April 1930, when it was sold off in lots.
www.barron.co.uk
www.frheritage.org.uk
The following are suggestions of excursions that you can make from Cwm Pennant Hostel.
Portmerion Village is set on the southern shores of Snowdonia, near Porthmadog. It was created by the Welsh architect Clough Williams-Ellis. Work started in 1925 and was completed in 1976. The site covers 70 acres and consists of 50 buildings. In the 1960’s cult television programme The Prisoner, starring Patrick McGoohan, was filled here.
www.portmeirion-village.com/
Caernarfon and its walled town is, arguably, the most impressive Castle in the area. But other castles, such as Criccieth and Harlech, with their stunning locations and coastal views are well worth a visit.
www.cadw.wales.gov.uk
The Welsh High Railway runs from Porthmadogto Caernarfon via Beddgelert. The Ffestiniog railway runs 13.5 miles to Blaenau Ffestiniog. During its journey the train climb over 700 feet, passing through tranquil pastures and magnificent forests, past lakes and waterfalls. The Welsh High Railway will run from Porthmadog from the 22nd of May 2009 to Caernarfon via Beddgelert.
www.festrail.co.uk/
The mountains of Snowdonia have been mined over the last two centuries for minerals such as copper, and the quarrying of slate. Sygun Copper Mine, Beddgelert, was abandoned in 1903. You can explore the old workings on foot. There are winding tunnels and large, colourful chambers, magnificent stalactite and stalagmite formations and copper ore veins.
www.syguncoppermine.co.uk/
The National Museum of Wales in Llanberis has restored the machinery that transported slate. You can explore the workshops, iron and brass foundry, forges, loco shed and the waterpowered machinery that made the tools for quarrying slate.
www.museumwales.ac.uk
Brynkir Woollen Mill is just two miles from the Cwm Pennant hostel. Originally a corn mill it was converted to woollen manufacture during the 1830’s. Since then it has been in continuous production. Brynkir Woollen Mill produces traditionally patterned reversible Welsh Tapestry bedspreads/throws.
www.eccowales.com
A varied coastline is accessible within a 30 minute drive from the Cwm Pennant hostel. Black Rock sands is a wide sandy beach with a rocky headland and is just 5 miles from the hostel near Porthmadog. The mountains on Lleyn fall sheer into the sea, but they are broken by wide bays and rocky coves. Further south, the beaches of Shell Island and Harlech have golden sand and fantastic views back to the mountains.
Or for something slightly different, you might want to consider a day trip to Bardsey Island, off the very tip of the Lleyn peninsula.
www.enlli.org
