Summer is just around the corner, and there is even better news for a Welsh town that has been named the 'Pearl of Wales' in a list of the best seaside resorts in the UK. Criccieth has been named one of the 30 top seaside towns by Which? and one of the main hotels has appeared high up on the Tripadvisor’s 2022 Travellers' Choice Best of the Best.
It is a huge boost for the Victorian coastal resort with views over Cardigan Bay and easy access to the Snowdonia National Park. The town has two beaches right on its doorstep, Criccieth Beach and Marine Beach. These are divided by a rocky headland on which the intimidating ruins of 13th century Criccieth Castle sit.
Read more : Beautiful historic hall set to become one of Wales' most luxurious hotels
The former, sometimes called East Beach, is the eastern of the two and made up of a mix of pebble and shingle at the castle end but becomes much more sandy as you walk up the beach. Its sheltered position and shallow water makes it the more ideal of the two for families. Look out for sunbathing seals and dolphins in the water while strolling along either.
Another reason to visit Criccieth is the Caerwylan Hotel. Set in a historic Victorian building and boasting spectacular views, this staycation spot was one of six hotels in North Wales listed in the top 25 within the ‘Small Stays’ category at Tripadvisor’s 2022 Travellers' Choice Best of the Best Awards. Read about six bloody stories behind Welsh castles that make Game of Thrones look tame here.
As NorthWalesLive reported, the 24-room four-star hotel, which came in 22nd place overall in the UK, is the only place outside of the resort of Llandudno to have made the list. The Caerwylan Hotel has five stars overall from 803 reviews on the review site.
One recent visitor to the town wrote: “We have just come back from an excellent meal in the restaurant in the Caerwylan Hotel. We booked it on the basis of Tripadvisor reviews and were not disappointed. Our food was absolutely first rate. We would recommend the mango prawn dish and the terrine as starters, the fish and the lamb main courses and the panna cotta as dessert; we would be very surprised if the other dishes on offer were not equally good.”
Another reviewer of the town said: "Views amazing. We saw dolphins swimming in the surf. Beach very pebbles [sic] but great for walking the dogs. Lots of benches to sit on to watch the view." Another said: "Lovely walk on the beach, beautifully clean, and fantastic views. Lots of benches to sit on the front and enjoy."
But not everyone agrees, another said: "Nothing in this town. The castle was shut. The cafe and takeaways on the beach front were shut. The beach is OK. Don't waste your parking money." To get more What's On news straight to your inbox subscribe to our dedicated newsletter here.
