Corwen and Area
If you simply want some space for
rest and refreshment Corwen is ideally situated for exploring North Wales. If
you come by car we are in easy travelling distance of many of the North Wales
beauty spots such as Snowdonia, the west
Welsh coast, Anglesey and the mountains round about us. Llangollen, where the
International Eisteddfod is held at the beginning of each July, is ten miles
away, as are Ruthin and Bala. For train enthusiasts there is the steam railway
from Llangollen to Carrog (a couple of miles from Corwen), the Bala lake railway
and the Ffestiniog railway from the slate town of Ffestiniog to the coast at
Portmadoc. The Italianate village of Portmeirion (famous as the site of the TV
series 'The prisoner') is near Portmadoc. The walled city of Chester, with many
historic sites as well as an excellent Zoo and good shopping, is about an hour's
drive away. There are castles and goldmines, farms and craft shops.
There are many places to visit as part of a pilgrimage retreat or holiday. The pilgrimage church of Pennant Melangell just over the mountain (http://www.st-melangell.org.uk ), St. Winifred's well at Holywell (http://www.saintwinefrideswell.com), Vale Crucis Abbey at Llangollen, Rhug Chapel and Llangar Old Church at Corwen, (http://www.cadw.wales.gov.uk) and Tŷ Mawr Wybrnant, the birthplace of Bishop William Morgan who translated the Bible into Welsh in the 16th century (http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk) are among the sites that are close at hand.
If
you are not coming by car you will find good walks accessible from Corwen. Buses
(not many but regular) go to Llangollen, Bala, Dolgellau and Ruthin. Corwen
itself has a small swimming pool and gym about half as mile's walk from the
house. The Library and One Stop Shop, just across the road, has local
information and internet access. The bronze age hill fort of Caer Drewyn, on the
outskirts of the town,
is a reminder that there has been a settlement on this bend of the River Dee
since ancient times. Owain Glyndŵr, the last Welshman to have held the title
'Prince of Wales', raised his standard at his estate of Glyndyfrdwy, near
Corwen, in 1400. He is commemorated with a dramatic life size bronze statue
which was installed on Corwen Square in 2007.
.
At Coleg y Groes we have a secluded garden with space to sit and relax. We have lots of books and jigsaws for rainy days