On one of our visits to Wales, we stayed near Caernarvon, and having a bit of time to spare, we decided we would visit Glynllifon.
Glynllifon is an old estate that once belonged to Lord Newborough and can be found near the village of Llandwrog. As you drive from Caernarvon to Pwhelli on the A499, it lies on your left; you can’t miss the gateway….
The original Regency style mansion is now privately owned and run as a Country House Hotel and wedding venue. According to legend there have been settlements here for over 1000 years.
There are walks through the gardens, and there are wonderful buildings, ponds and even Redwood and Giant Red Cedar trees. It’s a photographer’s paradise. Every twist and turn in the path throws something new at you, it’s no wonder we took so long to get around it.
The first thing we came across was a lovely little waterfall and iron bridge.
Just beyond it was an old boathouse and pond. It was so quiet and peaceful there.
The water had wonderful reflections of the trees, bushes and buildings……..
Thee pathway led through the woods and as we turned the corner we spotted the mansion itself, and the series of bridges in the lawns in front of it.
Then it was back to the woodland walk; there are loads of interconnected pathways that weave their way through the woodlands. There are derelict buildings, covered in moss, and surrounded by ferns. I love the way the sunlight filtered through the overhead canopy…..
The paths twist and turn; there are hidden caves and wonderful little streams that you cross back and forth over.
Towards the end of the path is an amphitheater set into the hillside. I wonder what was staged there and who sat in the stone seats clapping?
So we turned and headed back and passed this beautiful fountain; hard to spot where the water ended and the lawns began.
And then we found the best wood carvings; it was a mother otter and her cub carved from a fallen tree. It was simply beautiful work!
On the way out we stopped at the craft shop for a quick cuppa and a browse around; there’s lot’s of pieces made by local craft workers.
Another great place to visit.
Viking Lady Aine 
I visited Glynllifon today for the 1st time in 50 years.
As a little girl, aged 7, I stayed at the mansion as part of a school project that was open to many schools in Wales.
I spoke to the lovely staff at the tea rooms, and they went out of their way to allow me to revisit my youth.
I told them that I remembered being taken to see a grotto.
They didn’t know about this but thought that it may have been closed.
I knew exactly where to look for the entrance, which is surprising given that I have trouble remembering where I have put my glasses.
Found entrance.
Sadly it was chained an padlocked.
Wonderful gardens.
Tranquil and stunning.
Wish that I could have gone inside to see the “dorms” that I stayed in.
Have vague memories of being told that the outer wall was built by one man as punishment for some crime.