An archetypal country house hotel, Plas Bodegroes sits on the south coast of the beautiful Llyn Peninsula.
With classic Georgian architecture, a garlanded restaurant and acres of well-kempt parkland, it takes good care of the nature-lovers and romantics who are drawn to north-west Wales’s wild and windswept beaches.
What to do
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
A few hundred yards from the nearest public road, the hotel is surrounded by parkland and forest, which guests are free to explore - quite possibly in the company of the owner’s cat, who likes to keep an eye on visitors as they stroll around the property. Pwllheli beach is a mile or so away - and from there you can set out along the Wales Coastal Path.
A ten-minute drive across the peninsula is Morfa Nefyn’s “real hidden gem” of a beach, says The Times, “a gorgeous crescent with safe bathing and golden sands”. A little further west is Porth Iago, “with golden sands, clear waters and an ancient hillfort above”, says The Guardian. “You can even wild camp here: it’s included in the parking fee. The rocks are a good place for bass fishing.”
The eccentric gardens of Portmeirion and impressive castle at Caernarfon are both about 20 miles away.
What to eat
Plas Bodegroes has long been a draw for foodies - and held a Michelin star for almost two decades. The light-filled dining room overlooking the garden is an attractive setting for a menu rich in local and seasonal produce - particularly seafood.
In late April, a generous fillet of turbot was set off nicely with crisp asparagus and a well-made hollandaise sauce, and a meaty monkfish starter came with crisped ham from Carmarthen. Other options on the ever-changing menu included loin and cutlet of Welsh lamb, lemon roasted cod, confit duck leg and pan-fried brill.
The following morning, a hearty breakfast will fortify you for whatever the Welsh landscape (or climate) has in store. After a choice of cereals and toasts, the hot options include deliciously comforting smoked haddock with poached eggs, as well as more conventional breakfast options.
How to get there
Plas Bodegroes is a three-hour drive from Birmingham and about five hours from London. The nearest railway station is Pwlhelli, half a mile away, at the end of the Cambrian Coast Line, which is about five hours from Birmingham via Machynlleth.
From £120 per room per night for two people, including breakfast. A three-course meal in the restaurant is £45 per person. For more information see the Plas Bodegroes website
-
How China is battling the chikungunya virusUnder The Radar Thousands of cases of the debilitating disease have been found in the country
-
Deep thoughts: AI shows its math chopsFeature Google's Gemini is the first AI system to win gold at the International Mathematical Olympiad
-
Book reviews: 'Face With Tears of Joy: A Natural History of Emoji' and 'Blood Harmony: The Everly Brothers Story'Feature The surprising history of emojis and the brother duo who changed pop music
-
Friendship: 'bromance' comedy starring Paul Rudd and Tim RobinsonThe Week Recommends 'Lampooning and embracing' middle-aged male loneliness, this film is 'enjoyable and funny'
-
Best Caribbean restaurants in LondonThe Week Recommends From bold flavours to twists on tradition, these restaurants serve up a rich tapestry of food culture from across the West Indies
-
How London fell back in love with the brasserieThe Blend From Brasserie Zédel to Café François, we sample the best bistros in town
-
The Count of Monte Cristo review: 'indecently spectacular' adaptationThe Week Recommends Dumas's classic 19th-century novel is once again given new life in this 'fast-moving' film
-
Death of England: Closing Time review – 'bold, brash reflection on racism'The Week Recommends The final part of this trilogy deftly explores rising political tensions across the country
-
Sing Sing review: prison drama bursts with 'charm, energy and optimism'The Week Recommends Colman Domingo plays a real-life prisoner in a performance likely to be an Oscars shoo-in
-
Kaos review: comic retelling of Greek mythology starring Jeff GoldblumThe Week Recommends The new series captures audiences as it 'never takes itself too seriously'
-
Blink Twice review: a 'stylish and savage' black comedy thrillerThe Week Recommends Channing Tatum and Naomi Ackie stun in this film on the hedonistic rich directed by Zoë Kravitz
