The Llŷn Peninsular in North Wales is a treasure trove of often-overlooked destinations waiting to be discovered. One of those is Criccieth which I had overlooked myself until recently when I stopped by to enjoy a day in the delightful coastal town.
Although dominated by the well-known medieval castle, there are plenty of other things to do in Criccieth as I’ll uncover in this article.
1. Visit Criccieth Castle
Perched dramatically on its own rocky headland between two picturesque beaches, no Criccieth travel guide would be complete without a mention of the Castle.
Constructed by Welsh rulers in the 13th century, the castle boasts an immense gatehouse, stone towers, and an outer ward with curtain walls. Although considered a ruin, it’s well-preserved and stands as a testament to its former glory.
On a visit to the castle, you can first learn about its history in the visitor centre before heading up to freely wander the fortress itself. Although you can’t climb the towers of this one which is a shame.
For me, the highlight of visiting the castle was the panoramic views offered from the stronghold, across the town and beyond the coastline. The castle is managed by CADW so it’s free if you have a membership.
2. Relax on one of Criccieth’s beaches
Criccieth is blessed with two stunning beaches and both are well sheltered from the wind so you have plenty of opportunity to relax and enjoy those sunny days.
The first is simply known as Criccieth Beach and sits along the town’s main promenade. Near the castle, the beach is mostly shingle, but you can find a good spot at the other end where it becomes sandier. This is the best beach if you want to relax or if you have children as the water is calmer and shallower.
Alternatively, there is Marine Beach which is separated from the main beach by the castle. This is iconic because it’s overlooked by a row of colourful houses which make a great photo.
Both beaches have areas suitable for dogs and areas where dogs are restricted so follow the signage if travelling with four-legged friends.
3. Visit Penarth Fawr Medieval House and St Cygbi’s Well
Penarth Fawr is a 15th-century stone house that would have been lived in during the middle ages. You can head inside to see exactly how the Welsh gentry would have lived. You can explore the great hall and admire the impressive roof with its carved timber beams.
The attraction is managed by CADW and is totally free to visit. However, note that this attraction is only open between April and October - check the CADW website for specific dates.
Not too far from Penarth Fawr is St Cygbi’s Well (about 8 minutes drive between the two) so you can combine these together.
The well is dedicated to Cygbi, a 6th-century saint who lived in the area and is said to have healing powers. This is also free to visit and has the same opening schedule as Penarth Fawr.
4. Enjoy food with a view at the iconic Dylan's restaurant
No visit to Criccieth would be complete without stopping off for a bite to eat at Dylan's. This is one of three Dylans restaurants in North Wales, with the others on Anglesey and in Llandudno. They are known for their use of locally sourced ingredients and seasonal produce.
Their Criccieth restaurant is housed in an iconic grade-II listed, glass-fronted building that was designed by none other than Clough Williams Ellis, the same man behind the Italian village at Portmeirion,
I recommend grabbing an outdoor table (if it’s not too windy) so you can watch the world pass by while dining on top grub.
Dylan’s specialises in seafood (which is fresh from the Menai Strait) and pizza. Although I wasn’t in the mood for either of those things so I had the burger which was delightful. The standout of the meal was the freshly baked bread which we shared as a starter.
5. Get a hole-in-one at Criccieth Multigolf
If you’re not sure what Multigolf is then you’re not alone as I was also new to the concept. It’s a 9-hole golf course but you can choose whether to play footgolf, frisbee golf, or a more traditional pitch-and-putt, meaning that there’s something for everyone.
Plus, it’s also very reasonably priced at £7 for adults and £6 for children.
If golf isn’t up your street, they also have Pétanque (not too dissimilar from lawn bowls) and croquet.
The downside is that Criccieth Multigolf is only open during school holidays and bank holiday weekends so it wasn’t open during my visit. I recommend you check their website for more specific opening dates as school holidays can vary.
6. Shop the independent high street
Criccieth has a charming high street that has escaped the grip of chain shops that have taken over many other Welsh high streets. Instead, it is lined with cute independent shops selling a range of gifts and homeware that would make great souvenirs to take home.
You’ll also find some antique and vintage shops (such as Yr Oriel Criccieth) selling pre-loved items that could be perfect in the hands of a collector.
It’s not just about the gift shops, there is also a thriving food scene with a cute café called No.46 Coffee Shop and even an Indian restaurant in an old bank building.
If it’s Welsh cuisine you’re looking for, head into Deli Newydd (New Deli) for a range of local produce ranging from condiments to cheese.
7. Go kayaking or paddleboarding in the sea
Criccieth’s two beaches are sheltered from the westerly winds by the Llŷn Peninsular so the water tends to be quite calm and it also benefits from warm currents from the Gulf Stream. This means that it’s perfect for some watersports such as kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding.
You can pick up a kayak or paddleboard from Criccieth Multigolf which I mentioned above. Prices start at £30/2 hours for a single kayak or £35/2 hours for a SUP. This includes all required equipment and buoyancy aids.
Keep in mind that they are only open during school holidays and bank holiday weekends, however, groups of 4 or more may be able to pre-arrange to collect equipment outside of these times.
Even though Criccieth has a lifeboat station, neither of the beaches have a lifeguard service so you’ll need to take extra care. If you are not confident by yourself, they also run guided sessions where you’ll be in the water with a professional. These run at set times each day during opening season.
8. Trek with Llamas at Black Rock Llamas
My final recommended activity in Criccieth involves hanging out with a double-Guiness World Record holder. However, at this point, I should mention that his name is Caspa and he’s a Llama.
Caspa is one of a family of Llamas you can go ‘trekking’ with at Black Rock Llamas. Others include Ant and Dec, Popeye, and Louie.
You can spend an hour and a half with the llamas where you’ll learn all about them, take them for a walk, and even feed them. This experience is suitable for anyone over the age of 7. Find out more over on their website.
Published: 2 June 2023 · Last updated: 22 August 2023