Penmaenuchaf Hall Hotel

Penmaenuchaf Hall Hotel is situated in the outstanding natural beauty of the Snowdonia National Park. The only luxury country house hotel near Dolgellau, Gwynedd, North Wales Of all the luxury country house hotels in North Wales, few can offer the romantic charm of Penmaenuchaf Hall.

Situated just above Penmaenpool, with wonderful views of the famous Mawddach Estuary and close to the market town of Dolgellau, the hotel is ideally situated for visitors looking to explore North Wales and the Snowdonia National Park.

Penmaenuchaf Hall is a country house hotel that combines the best of contemporary accommodation and classic charm. The hotel’s splendid reception and dining rooms will delight you. Recommended for over twenty-five years by the Michelin Guide and the AA Restaurant Guide.

We are confident that Penmaenuchaf Hall Hotel, North Wales will fulfill all your wishes with a blend of dignity and style, supreme comfort and an abundance of outstanding qualities.

Each of our fourteen bedrooms boasts wonderful views out to the Mawddach valley and Welsh mountains beyond, across the landscaped gardens and to the wooded hillside, the herb and sunken gardens. The rooms come in all shapes and sizes, the big being huge, the smaller being warm and cosy!

All rooms have in common, exquisite furnishings, luxurious drapes, bathrobes and 21st century amenities throughout, including WiFi, Digital TVs, iPod/iPhone player chargers, CD HiFi systems, mini bars, tea & coffee making facilities, radio alarm clocks and direct dial telephones.

The hotel bedrooms are serviced twice daily to ensure your comfort and fresh fruit baskets and sweet platters are offered along all bedroom corridors. Relax in the grand oak panelled drawing room. This room has a truly romantic, warm and convivial ambience.

Fall into the comfy leather sofas in front of the stone arched fireplace, complete with bygone family coats of arms and enjoy those Cambrian mountain views, yet again. Or perhaps be entertained on the fine grand piano whilst sipping an aperitif and musing over the dinner menu and wine list.

Whilst you may be tempted to linger in the comfort of the hotel, beyond its stone walls there are so many places to visit in the National Park, you will be spoilt for choice.

Whether it’s an afternoon climbing Cader Idris; a round of golf at Aberdovey; mountain biking at Coed-y-Brenin; salmon fishing on the Mawddach Estuary or an afternoon on the beach. There is someting for everyone within easy reach of the hotel.

Penmaenuchaf Hall is a magnificent luxury country house hotel set in the south of the Snowdonia National Park where Mid Wales meets North Wales.

It is close to the market town of Dolgellau and the beaches at Barmouth and Fairbourne. The luxury hotel boasts wonderful views over the Mawddach Estuary and the mountains beyond.

RESTAURANT
When you visit the hotel restaurant, we are sure you will be delighted with the superb food prepared by our talented, award winning chefs, of whom we are justly proud.

Mackerel dish served up with freshly podded peas.The hotel’s Head Chef Daniel Peate and his team produce contemporary British food with an emphasis on flavour, use of local produce and simple, careful presentation.

Home grown herbs, salads and vegetables from our hotel gardens along with exceptional local suppliers combine to create imaginative cuisine. Dining in the hotel restaurant promises to be one of the highlights of your visit to Snowdonia.

The garden room restaurant, Llygad yr Haul, has a contemporary feel, with a stunning Welsh slate floor, oak panelling, gothic windows and yet again, those wonderful Snowdonia views.

This elegant candlelit dining room has tables draped with heavy cloths and topped with fine linen, crystal and polished silver cutlery. The tables are always adorned with fresh cut flowers.

At Penmaenuchaf Hall we have a passion for wine and are continually striving to present a list that is well balanced, representative of today’s wines, reasonably priced, accurate and user friendly.

In selecting these wines we have enjoyed visiting many wine fairs, wine tastings and vineyards throughout the world where we have met many people dedicated and passionate about the wonderful wines they are producing.

A romantic and idyllic venue for your wedding day
Penmaenuchaf Hall Hotel is fully licenced as a venue for civil wedding and civil partnership ceremonies. As a wedding venue, this beautiful, old country hall enjoys one of the most idyllic locations in Snowdonia.

With its secluded grounds and private woodland, the hotel nestles above the Mawddach estuary in the foothills of Cader Idris. A more romantic location one could not imagine.

With its magical combination of luxury and informality, this truly stunning location is the perfect setting for your wedding ceremony or wedding reception.

The happy couples can mingle with their wedding guests in the hotel’s landscaped gardens, or celebrate with friends and family in the comfort of the elegant hotel lounges.

Depending upon your requirements, the hall can be placed entirely at your exclusive disposal for the most special day and night of your life. Or, for a smaller wedding celebration, accommodation packages can include just one or two rooms but with all the same unforgettable, romantic flair.

Wedding reception packages
During your reception, you and your guests will be served delicious food and wines and attended to by our friendly and professional staff. We strive to offer unrivalled wedding reception packages with alternative menus within a wide price range.

From gourmet wedding fare to fresh flowers, cake and Champagne, we can take care of it all. We will even provide a dedicated wedding planner to help guide you through every stage of your wedding arrangements.

No matter what the season, our beautiful grounds are the perfect backdrop for your wedding photography: a carpet of Welsh daffodils in Spring; a riot of colour in the summer; flame-red Virginia Creepers in the Autumn and frosted lights to festoon the trees in winter. The perfect showcase to treasure all your wedding day memories.

Our beautiful hotel grounds are the perfect backdrop for your wedding photography. For long-distance guests wishing to stay the night before or after the wedding, the hotel offers fourteen sumptuous, individually-furnished bedrooms with an especially attractive tariff available for the wedding party.

Indeed, our Deluxe suites would make an excellent start to any honeymoon.

House parties
The Garden Room ready for a special occasion dinnerLooking for somewhere unique to celebrate that special occasion, maybe a milestone birthday or a family reunion? Then look no further.

From the moment you drive through the gates into the private wooded grounds you will be enthralled by the impressive country house setting and start to unwind and enjoy the occasion.

Whether you are looking for exclusive use or taking over several rooms, we can set the scene and organise a very special event. Cocktail receptions are a speciality as are gourmet dinners with fine wines. End the evening with a bang – we stage the most spectacular firework displays.

We would be pleased to discuss your requirements and put together a programme of events. For further information please contact Lorraine Fielding.

Corporate events & conferences
An ideal location for conferences, day meetings, corporate entertainment or incentive weekends. With the opportunity of exclusive use for complete privacy for director level interviews, executive management meetings or brainstorming sessions.

A full secretarial service is available to complement our range of on-site facilities. With its quiet and tranquil setting guaranteed to boost your productivity, Penmaenuchaf Hall Hotel is also equipped with all the practical and technical facilities required to make it an ideal location in Wales for your board meetings, conferences or corporate events.

We can offer any package to suit your individual requirements – be they for one day meetings or conferences, corporate entertaining, incentive weekends, brainstorming sessions or director-level interviews, with the opportunity of exclusive use for complete privacy.

Team-building events
If you organisation needs a venue for team-building away days, Penmaenuchaf is the ideal location, with a wealth of outdoor activities to offer any group a challenge. From climbing Cader Idris or white water rafting to golf at one of the nearby courses.

Beaches and swimming
Barmouth and Fairbourne are just a twenty minute drive along the Mawddach estuary from the hotel. The traditional seaside town of Barmouth is blessed with wide, open beaches and crashing waves suitable for surfing.

At Fairbourne, the coastline meanders around towards the point of the estuary mouth and here lies hidden sand dunes. Cader Idris looms large over both beaches to provide a spectacular, mountainous backdrop.

Spanning the mile and a half estuary is the famous Mawddach railway bridge. This is also open to walkers and cyclists providing a fabulous, scenic connection between the two locations.

Wild water outdoor swimming
There are many hidden lakes and pools within easy reach for wild water swimming. To keep them secluded, we do not publicise them here. The hotel has a number it can recommend. Please ask for further information.

The Hurly Burly 10K

The Hurly Burly (Bwrlwm Bermo) is an autumn ten kilometre swim held on the Mawddach estuary. There is also a run-swim option (11K run along the Mawddach Trail, followed by the 10K swim).

With tail-currents it is likely to be the fastest 10K swim you will ever do. Billed as “the most beautiful swim we have ever found” by The Outdoor Swimming Society. The swim starts on the sandy beach of Barmouth, and takes swimmers underneath the iconic Barmouth Bridge.

The first part of the swim is up the wide and sandy estuary with mountains on either side, and then through “the narrows” and into a more sheltered and pastoral part of the estuary, finishing at Penmaenpool with welcoming fire pits and good times.

The whole swim takes place on a fast, incoming Spring tide that works like a bore to assist your swim. Even if you are not taking part – come along and cheer them on!

Gone fishing!
Leave mundane troubles far behind when you go angling in the tranquility of Snowdonia’s most breathtaking surroundings. Cast a line, relax, unwind on one of the many nearby lakes.

Or, if you’re an angler set on catching a salmon for dinner, you will find mile after mile of sea trout and salmon beats on the river Wnion and the beautiful Mawddach estuary.

Just a short run up the estuary from Penmaenpool, where the Mawddach reaches Barmouth, sea fishing enthusiasts will delight in the harbours and jetties from which to lure the bass and mackerel.

Sea trout and salmon fishing
Penmaenuchaf Hall Hotel is privileged to have complimentary fishing permits with the Dolgellau Angling Association. These fishing permits cover thirteen miles of prime sea trout and salmon pools on the spectacular Mawddach estuary and its tributary the river Wnion.

The original Penmaenuchaf Home Beat is along the Mawddach estuary just a short walk from the hotel. For up-to-the-minute reports, refer to the “Trout & Salmon” magazine or contact us. Proprietor, Mark Watson, is himself a keen angler and is always pleased to advise.

Golf course information
Penmaenuchaf Hall provides an excellent base for golfers wishing to play some of the most scenic golf courses in Wales. No matter if your drive cuts an occasional slice, your spirits are sure to be lifted by the beauty of these golfing locations. Enjoy a golfing break in Snowdonia and visit some truly memorable courses.

Aberdovey Golf Club
Take a scenic run down the Mawddach Estuary to Aberdovey, and you will discover a classic links golf course tucked between the sand dunes and the rolling hills.

Reputedly, Aberdovey golf course started off in the 1880s with nine flower pots sunk into the turf. Aberdovey is now a wonderful 18 hole golf course which you’ll enjoy just as much as club members Ian Woosnam and and Peter Baker.

Royals St David’s Golf Club at Harlech
Not many golf courses can claim to be in the shadow of an ancient castle, but that much is true of Royal St David’s at Harlech where the bent and fescue fairways are watched over by this historical stone bastion built by Edward I.

Royal St David’s is a traditional championship links course with a succession of long testing par fours and five short holes which seldom head in the same direction.

Porthmadog Golf Club
Porthmadog is another favourite course with hotel guests; half links, half parkland and while the front nine holes are generally away from the sea, as players go around Samson’s Bay on the 12th, the bracing frets can turn the fate of many a game.

The 14th has been dubbed the “Himalayas” where golfers must keep their faith whilst driving over a huge natural bunker to the fairway hidden from the tee.

Fairbourne Golf Course
Located near Fairbourne beach, the golf course is a 1,000 yard par three, nine hole links course also playable as 18 holes (2,697 yards). Green fees from £ 3, suitable for beginners or those wishing to practice their short game.

History of Penmaenuchaf Estate
Visitors interested in the history of estates and formal gardens will be fascinated to tour the grounds at Penmaenuchaf Hall. CADW, which lists heritage sites in Wales, has written a detailed report on the development of Penmaenuchaf’s grounds and estate from the late 1800s.

With CADW’s kind permission a copy of the report is available to download and print off. We thoroughly recommend a good walk around the gardens with this as a guide to provide an insight into the history of Penmaenuchaf.

Dolgellau Town Trail
The Dolgellau Civic Society have produced a carefully researched and beautifully illustrated guide for visitors to the town. A copy of the Dolgellau trail guide can be bought at the hotel or downloaded here with their kind permission.

The “Mach Loop” Aviation Sightseeing
For anyone interested in aviation and the Royal Air Force, some of the most exciting aircraft training routes are within easy reach of Penmaenuchaf. Jet over to Corris, Bwlch, Cader East and West and get a close-up view of all manner of planes from Hawk training aircraft to Typhoons and heavy propeller planes.

The low-level, aerobatic manoeuvres are beyond belief. Even if the planes are not training, some of the viewing points offer spectacular panoramas in their own right.

Coed y Brenin and beyond
For the mountain bike enthusiast we have some of the best rides in Wales! The mountain bike haven of Coed-y-Brenin forest, just a few miles from the hotel, is home to an ever-increasing network of fantastic hand-built, all weather single tracks and even a dual slalom course.

The technical roller coaster riding will have you grinning like a fool, with stunning mountain views of surrounding Snowdonia and the coast that’ll take your breath away. There is a range of trails to suit different mountain biking skills and fitness levels. Each trail carries a difficulty grade ranging from easy to severe.

Cycling and cycle touring
If mountain biking is a bit too energetic for you, there are lots of quiet country lanes to explore in the area. There is a circular ride from the hotel which takes in many panoramic views.

The clockwise route proceeds up the Cader Road, around Cregennan Lakes, descends down a gated ‘B’ road and then back along the Mawddach railway trail to Penmaenpool. The hotel owners are keen cyclists and will be happy to provide recommended bike rides to places of interest.

A recent visitor to Penmaenuchaf wrote: “The hazard in touring cycling is that it’s difficult to balance the need for safety with the urge to twist around in the saddle and gaze at the splendid scenery.

If you ride north from Barmouth to Harlech and beyond on the coast road, this problem is neatly solved by the Llyn Peninsula. All the way – if the weather is clear – you can easily glance up from the road and feast on the outline and changing colours with little or no risk.”

Mawddach Trail
The hotel is within easy reach of some of the best walks in Snowdonia. One such walk is the Morfa Mawddach Trail which runs from Dolgellau to Morfa Mawddach and thence to Barmouth across the impressive Barmouth Bridge.

Julia Bradbury on the Mawddach TrailThe walk will fascinate historians and railway enthusiasts as the walk follows the old Barmouth branch line of the Great Western Railway which fell under the “Beeching Axe” in 1964.

The walk is about 9 miles from Dolgellau to Barmouth but it is possible to join the trail at Penmaenpool by the wooden toll bridge.

Being flat almost throughout, it is suitable for the occasional walker, children and cyclists. Excellent views of the Mawddach Estuary are afforded along the way and from the Barmouth Bridge. A “must” for any visitor to Penmaenuchaf.

New Precipice Walk
A walk along the Arran Mountains affording spectacular panoramic views from the North side of the Mawddach Estuary. The start of the walk is just a short drive from the hotel across the Penmaenpool Toll Bridge. Along the way, the walk passes abandoned gold mines and tranquil lakes in the forest.

Website: www.penhall.co.uk

Rooms: 14

Price: from 229 EUR per night