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Yesterday I visited the Glan Faenol Mausoleum and was genuinely impressed by both the building and its history.Located i...
18/06/2026

Yesterday I visited the Glan Faenol Mausoleum and was genuinely impressed by both the building and its history.

Located in woodland near the Menai Strait, the mausoleum was built in the late 1870s as the burial place of the Assheton-Smith family, owners of the Faenol Estate. The family played an important role in the area’s history and had strong connections to the slate industry, which helped shape much of North Wales during the Victorian period.

The mausoleum was designed by Bangor architect Henry Kennedy and is a great example of Victorian Gothic architecture. Although the building has suffered from years of neglect, many of its original features can still be seen, and it’s easy to appreciate the quality of the craftsmanship that went into its construction.

What I found most interesting was how hidden the building is. Despite its size and historical significance, it sits quietly among the trees and is often overlooked by visitors to the area. It feels like one of North Wales’ lesser-known historic landmarks.

Visiting the mausoleum was a reminder of how much local history can be found away from the more popular tourist attractions. It’s an important part of the area’s heritage and a fascinating place to explore if you’re interested in history, architecture, or the stories of the families who helped shape the region.

The lonely Tree❤️
17/06/2026

The lonely Tree❤️

Dolbadarn Castle is one of the most important surviving castles built by the native Welsh princes before the conquest of...
17/06/2026

Dolbadarn Castle is one of the most important surviving castles built by the native Welsh princes before the conquest of Wales by Edward I. Standing above Llyn Padarn at the entrance to the Llanberis Pass in Eryri, its position allowed it to control a key route through the mountains while also acting as a powerful symbol of the Kingdom of Gwynedd. The castle was probably built during the 1220s or early 1230s by Llywelyn ap Iorwerth, better known as Llywelyn the Great, the most powerful Welsh ruler of his time.

The most striking feature is the great round stone tower, regarded as one of the finest examples of Welsh castle architecture from the medieval period. Unlike many castles in Wales built by Norman or English lords, Dolbadarn was constructed by Welsh rulers themselves as both a fortress and a statement of authority. One of the castle’s most famous stories concerns Owain ap Gruffudd, who was imprisoned there by his brother, Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, for around twenty years following a dispute over power within the ruling family.

The castle’s importance declined after Edward I’s conquest of Wales in 1282–83, when Gwynedd fell under English control and new centres of power emerged elsewhere. Over time the buildings fell into ruin, but the tower remained a prominent landmark above the lake.

By the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, Dolbadarn had become one of the most celebrated ruins in Wales. Artists, writers and travellers were drawn to its dramatic setting, and painters such as J. M. W. Turner helped make the castle famous far beyond Wales. The graffiti visible today is largely a legacy of this period. Many visitors carved their names, initials and dates into the stone, something that was often considered an acceptable way of marking a visit rather than an act of vandalism.

These inscriptions have become part of the castle’s story. Some record full names and dates, while others consist only of initials or decorative lettering. Together they offer a glimpse into the lives of ordinary people who visited the site more than a century ago and left behind a personal record of their journey.

What makes Dolbadarn so fascinating is that it reflects several layers of history at once. It is a monument to the medieval princes of Gwynedd, a reminder of the struggle for Welsh independence, a celebrated Romantic ruin, and a record of early tourism in Wales. The medieval stonework and the nineteenth-century graffiti belong to different eras, yet both tell the story of how people have connected with this remarkable place over the centuries.

17/06/2026

A view hardly changed for centuries

The Church of St Mary in Beddgelert is one of the most historically significant churches in Eryri (Snowdonia), standing ...
16/06/2026

The Church of St Mary in Beddgelert is one of the most historically significant churches in Eryri (Snowdonia), standing on a site that may have been a centre of Christian worship since the 6th or 7th century. The location is believed to have been home to an early Celtic religious community, making it one of the oldest ecclesiastical sites in Wales.

In the early 13th century, the church became part of an Augustinian priory established under the patronage of the Welsh princes, particularly Llywelyn the Great. The priory grew into one of the most important monastic houses in Wales and played a significant role in the religious and cultural life of the region.

Over the centuries, the site experienced periods of turmoil, including damage during the English conquest of Wales and the effects of several destructive fires. Following the Dissolution of the Monasteries under Henry VIII in 1535, the priory was closed, but the church continued to serve the local community as a parish church, covering a large area of Snowdonia.

Visitors can still see many features dating from the medieval period, including stonework from around 1220–1230, elegant lancet windows and surviving architectural elements from the priory. Victorian restoration work and later stained-glass windows add further character to the building, while the church also contains several historic memorials.

The church is closely linked to the history and traditions of Beddgelert. Although many people associate the village with the famous legend of Gelert, the faithful hound, historians believe the name Beddgelert is more likely connected to an early Christian saint of the same name. Set within a peaceful churchyard in the heart of the village, St Mary’s remains an active place of worship and an important reminder of the area’s rich religious and medieval heritage.

One of the most visited landmarks in the Welsh village of Beddgelert is Gelert’s Grave, a stone monument linked to one o...
16/06/2026

One of the most visited landmarks in the Welsh village of Beddgelert is Gelert’s Grave, a stone monument linked to one of Wales’ most enduring legends. According to the tale, Gelert was the faithful hunting dog of Prince Llywelyn the Great. Returning home one day, Llywelyn found the child’s cradle overturned and Gelert covered in blood. Believing the dog had attacked and killed his infant son, he drew his sword and killed him. Moments later, he heard the child crying nearby and discovered the body of a wolf that Gelert had fought and killed while protecting the baby. Realising his terrible mistake, Llywelyn was overcome with grief and buried his loyal companion with great honour.

The grave, situated beside the River Glaslyn a short walk from the centre of the village, commemorates this moving story and attracts thousands of visitors each year. Stone inscriptions recount the legend in both Welsh and English, and the site has become one of the most recognisable symbols of Beddgelert.

Although the story is widely known and often repeated as local history, most historians believe it is folklore rather than fact. Research suggests that the grave itself was established in the late eighteenth century, possibly by David Pritchard, landlord of the Goat Hotel, who recognised the appeal the tale would have for visitors. Similar stories of faithful dogs wrongly blamed for harming children can be found in folklore across Europe and Asia, indicating that the legend existed long before it became associated with Beddgelert. The village name is also thought to derive not from the dog, but from an early Christian saint known as Celert.

Close to the grave stands a bronze statue of Gelert, depicting the hound in an alert and dignified pose. The sculpture has become a popular feature for visitors and photographers, adding a visual focus to the legend. Set among the remains of an old stone building traditionally linked to Llywelyn, the statue reinforces the connection between the village and the story, regardless of its historical accuracy.

Whether viewed as a genuine historical site or a clever piece of eighteenth-century storytelling, Gelert’s Grave remains an important part of Welsh cultural heritage. The legend continues to resonate because it speaks to themes of loyalty, trust, love and regret, ensuring that the story of Gelert endures long after the truth behind it has faded into folklore.

16/06/2026

The walk to the faithful fella’s final resting place❤️🐾

15/06/2026

What an amazing start to my exploring adventure ❤️✈️

Most people know Fishguard for the Last Invasion of Britain in 1797, but the story actually begins almost twenty years e...
15/06/2026

Most people know Fishguard for the Last Invasion of Britain in 1797, but the story actually begins almost twenty years earlier with an attack by an American privateer.

In 1779, Fishguard was a busy port involved in the trade of herring, timber, coal and limestone. During the American War of Independence, the town was targeted by the Black Prince, a privateer commanded by Stephen Manhant, a Boston native operating with French support. Arriving under a French flag, Manhant demanded a ransom of £1,000 from the townspeople. When they refused, the ship opened fire on the town, damaging homes and St Mary’s Church before eventually being driven off by a local vessel.

The attack highlighted how exposed Fishguard was to seaborne raids, and local residents quickly pushed for better defences. Their appeals were successful, and permission was granted to build a fort overlooking the harbour. Sir Hugh Owen, Lord Lieutenant of Pembrokeshire, helped fund the project, and work soon began on Castle Point.

Completed in 1781, Fishguard Fort was a relatively modest coastal battery armed with eight 9-pounder cannons. Its purpose was simple: to protect the harbour and deter any future attacks from the sea. Although small, it would soon find itself connected to one of the most famous events in British history.

In February 1797, during the French Revolutionary Wars, a force of around 1,400 French troops under Colonel William Tate landed near Fishguard in an attempt to stir up rebellion in Britain. The invasion quickly unravelled, and within two days the French had surrendered. The event has since become known as the Last Invasion of Britain.

The invasion also produced some of Pembrokeshire’s most enduring stories. Local heroine Jemima Nicholas is said to have rounded up French soldiers armed only with a pitchfork, while another popular tale claims that Welsh women wearing traditional red shawls and tall black hats were mistaken for British soldiers by the invaders.

The remains of Fishguard Fort still overlook the harbour, standing as a reminder of a time when this small Welsh port found itself at the centre of international conflict. Built in response to an American privateer attack and later associated with the defeat of the French invasion of 1797, the fort remains an important link to one of the most remarkable chapters in British history.

A little heads-up that a little gang of us are heading off on an adventure for a few days! This time we’ll be discoverin...
14/06/2026

A little heads-up that a little gang of us are heading off on an adventure for a few days!

This time we’ll be discovering parts of North Wales that I’ve never visited before, and I can’t wait to see what hidden gems, stunning landscapes, and unexpected surprises we find along the way.

I’ll be taking plenty of photos and sharing snippets from the journey, so keep an eye out for updates. Here’s to new places, good company, and a few days of exploring off the beaten path.

North Wales here we come!!

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