Along the coastline of North Wales are some incredible beaches, from small scenic coves to long stretches of sand. While each one is worth visiting, not all of them can lay claim to having one of the oldest beach cafes in the country.
The picturesque village of Aberdaron is located on the western tip of the Llyn Peninsula and overlooks a mile-long stretch of beach sharing the same name. Nestled between two headlands, it’s a stunning bay with gorgeous views out to sea.
Among the village’s pretty cottages is Y Gegin Fawr, an ancient cafe housed in a tiny white-washed building. A small wall surrounds it, creating a small outdoor seating area, while the interior features dark wooden beams and an open fireplace.
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Y Gegin Fawr translates into English as ‘The Big Kitchen’ and it’s said to be one of the oldest beach cafes in the country. The current building dates back to the 17th century but a kitchen serving meals has been on the site since 1300, when pilgrims heading to nearby Bardsey Island would stop there for food.
Today it’s a magnet for visitors thanks to its olde-world charm and delicious selection of Welsh delicacies, including Bara Brith, a Welsh tea loaf. The tea room has dozens of five star ratings on TripAdvisor. One visitor described the cafe as “super quaint and lovely” while another wrote: “Just being in this little old cafe is an experience, it radiates history in every stone.” A third reviewer called it “a little gem”.
On a summer’s day the seating area is known to be a sun trap and it’s a lovely spot to relax and watch the world go by. Next door to the cafe is an ice cream parlour serving up a range of mouth watering flavours. It’s been described as "ice cream heaven" by one visitor on TripAdvisor.
Although Y Gegin Fawr doesn’t quite have views of the sea, it’s only a short walk away from Aberdaron beach. It’s a popular spot for sailing, surfing, kayaking and windsurfing, or if you prefer you can simply enjoy a paddle in the waves. It’s extremely easy to access making it perfect for families, and dogs are also allowed on certain areas of the beach.
During your visit to Aberdaron you can even follow in the footsteps of the pilgrims with a boat trip to Bardsey Island (Ynys Enlli). Located two miles off the mainland, the island is a national nature reserve and you can see seabirds, seals and even porpoises in the waters that surround it.
Historically the island was of huge religious importance and 20,000 ‘saints’ are reputedly buried there. The remains of the thirteenth century Augustinian Abbey of St Mary can still be seen on the island.
The boat trips depart from nearby Porth Meudwy, a tiny but very picturesque fishing cove. It costs £45 per adult and £25 per child and you get to spend around four hours on the island, you can find out more information here.
Aberdaron is just under a three-hour drive from Greater Manchester and there is a National Trust car park in the centre of the village. There are several hotels, guest houses and campsites in and around the village.
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