Groeslon Ty Mawr B&B, Llanddeiniolen

Groeslon Ty Mawr sits on its own grounds at Groeslon, a hamlet in the parish of Llanddeiniolen, with Caernarfon a few minutes one way and Bangor a few minutes the other. It’s a family-run B&B with its own licensed restaurant, and from the car park the Snowdon range fills the skyline to the south.

Inside

There are five bedrooms: two twins and three doubles, most with their own en-suite shower room and the rest sharing a bathroom along the corridor. Every room has central heating, double glazing, a television, a fridge and a tea tray, and the owners make a point of the view — Snowdon is visible from the windows. Breakfast is included, cooked or continental, served downstairs in the restaurant looking out at the same hills.

The restaurant and tea rooms

The licensed restaurant doubles as Groeslon Ty Mawr Tea Rooms, open through the day for cream teas as well as evening meals for residents. It’s a proper dining room with its own tables, not a corner of the lounge, so there’s a hot meal on hand without having to drive anywhere after a day on the hills.

Llanddeiniolen, Bangor and Caernarfon

Llanddeiniolen is listed under both Bangor and Caernarfon as its post town, which tells you roughly where it sits — close enough to both that either makes an easy trip. Caernarfon, with its castle and the walled town around it, is about ten minutes by car. Bangor, the university city on the Menai Strait with its pier and cathedral, is a similar drive the other way.

Llanberis, at the foot of Snowdon, is closer still — the mountain railway leaves from there, and the old slate quarry at Dinorwig is now the National Slate Museum, free to get into and a good option if the weather turns. Further into Snowdonia, Betws-y-Coed and Beddgelert are both within reach for a full day out, and Portmeirion, the Italianate village built by Clough Williams-Ellis, is under an hour away.

Getting there and getting about

There’s parking on site for up to twenty cars, on flat tarmac, with a space kept nearest the restaurant door. Two of the ground-floor rooms can be reached without using the stairs, though the step up from the car park and the door width mean they suit some wheelchair users better than others — worth a call first if that matters to you. Bangor’s train station is about fifteen minutes away, and there’s a bus stop right outside with an hourly service.

Assistance dogs are welcome throughout. This isn’t set up as a general pet-friendly stay, so other dogs aren’t able to come.

Prices

Rooms start from £68 a night, for two people sharing, including breakfast. The owners are happy to talk about offers outside the main season. A card is needed to confirm a booking, and there’s a 14-day cancellation window.

Who it suits

Walkers and climbers heading for Snowdon or Llanberis who want a proper breakfast and a hot meal waiting when they get back. Couples splitting a few days between Anglesey, Caernarfon and the mountains, who’d rather not pack up and move hotel each night. Anyone who wants a family-run B&B instead of a chain hotel in either town.

Common questions

How far is Groeslon Ty Mawr from Caernarfon?

About ten minutes by car.

How far is Groeslon Ty Mawr from Bangor?

About the same — ten minutes or so in the other direction.

Are the rooms en suite?

Most are. Two of the five rooms share a bathroom along the corridor, so ask when booking if an en-suite room matters to you.

Is breakfast included?

Yes, cooked or continental, served in the restaurant downstairs.

Are dogs allowed?

Assistance dogs are welcome. It isn’t set up as a general pet-friendly stay.

Is there parking?

Yes, free parking on site for up to twenty cars.