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Welcome to Brookside
Comfortable bed and
breakfast accommodation in the heart of Wales · How to find us by road
and rail · Accommodation
details and cost · Picture gallery - some views of the area |
Click on these images to see details
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The local areaIn this part of North Wales, the mountains rise directly out of the sea. To the East lie the major cities of northern England. To the west is the regional city of Bangor. People traveling from northern England westwards into North Wales pass through a narrow coastal strip, on which lies the Victorian village of Penmaenmawr (just say 'Pen' !). The village bridges the gap between the sea and the mountains and is an ideal starting point for tours into the wonderland of Wales, including Betwys-y-coed, Nant Ffrancon, Snowdon, Conway, Caernarfon and of course... Llanfairpwllgwyngullgolgerrigchwyndrobwyllantisiliogogogoch. |
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How to find usThe village is easily reached by road and rail link. The A55 expressway road from Manchester to Holyhead passes by the village (there are signs for Penmaenmawr at either end of the village) and buses to Bangor from Chester, Manchester and Liverpool pass through the village. Penmaenmawr railway station is on the main rail line between London and Holyhead. Brookside is just beyond the car park outside the railway station. (Please scroll down) ...............
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The houseBrookside offers comfort and service in a six-bedroom Victorian house with several floors in a secluded valley of parkland (the Dingle) in the centre of the village. A small stream runs through the gardens of the house which is within five minutes walk of the village high street, the station and the sea. Each bedroom has central heating, television, a kettle and hot and cold water. There are some family rooms with bunk-beds plus a double bed. |
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Your hostsHaving lived in many parts of the world, Barbara and Jerome Bacchus have now settled in North Wales. Barbara is Welsh speaking and has returned to her roots. Jerome, originally from Guyana, studied electronics at the University of Wales and graduated in electronic engineering at Bangor. During their travels round the world, Jerome taught at Leeds Polytechnic, at the University of Malawi and was for several years Dean of Engineering at the University of Guyana, Georgetown. They have two grown-up children. |
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Things to do in the area· Walking and climbingThe mountains of North Wales are made up of rugged extinct volcanoes and are some of the oldest rocks in Europe. Penmaenmawr is situated only one km from the North Wales Coastal walking path and is an ideal location for walking or climbing holidays in the Snowdonia National Park. There are strenuous walks up the nearby Carneddi (pronounced Karnethae) Mountains, and gentle walks on the limestone of the Great Orme and in the beautiful Aber valley leading to Aber Falls. · Industrial archeologyThe sharp, volcanic rocks on the mountain above Pen were used in the Stone Age to make stone axes. There was an international trade in these axes, some of them having been found in North Germany. Also above Pen, there is a substantial Druid's Circle, dating from the Bronze Age. The very top of Pen mountain forms a crater, only visible from the mountain-tops, where building stone was removed in the period up to about 1939. Old stone-workings can be seen on the side of the mountain, now only occupied by sheep, wild ponies and pied wagtails. On Anglesey, near Amlwch but visible from Pen over the Menai Straits, are the eery, abandoned workings of the Parys Mine. These too, were worked from the Bronze Age to the middle of the last century. They are now part of a spectacular industrial heritage site, preserved by the Amlwch Industrial Heritage Trust. · Site seeingThis was an important metal and slate mining area and there are under- and over-ground museums of mining. It is possible to take a train ride underground at the Lechwedd slate mine, on a stunning mountain railway leading up to the Blaenau Ffestiniog quarry and also on a steam railway to the top of Snowdon, the highest mountain in England and Wales. There are even Roman gold-mines on the Great Orme. A few miles to the East of Snowdonia, lie the Welsh Borderlands with much to do and see. 'Brookside' is ideally situated for daily forays into this culturally rich area.
There are many great castles within a few kilometres of Penmaenmawr, including Conway castle and Caernarfon castle, where Prince Charles was invested as the Prince of Wales. There are also many National Trust sites in the area and the famous Portmeirion Village is nearby.
· Natural historyThere are many sites of special scientific interest area, including the remote and wild valley of Cwm Idwal which contains rare alpine plants such as the Snowdon lily, left here when the glaciers retreated 40 000 years ago. Enormous and diverse colonies of seabirds can be seen on the huge limestone cliffs at Holyhead on the geologically ancient Isle of Anglesey and there are boat trips to Puffin Island to see puffins, cormorants and seals.There is a fine sea zoo on the Menai straits and adjacent to Penmaenmawr there is a well-established zoo which specialises in the fauna of Wales. The marine biology laboratory at the University of Wales in Bangor has a world-wide reputation.
· Water and other sportsIn North Wales, there are many well protected bays with sandy shores where swimming, wind-surfing and other water sports can take place in almost any state of weather and tide. The Gulf stream means that the water is relatively warm at all times of year. The only Promenade to have been built in the UK in the 20th century is at Penmaenmawr.
Wales is famous for the quality of its Welsh mountain ponies and these animals were an important source of power in the mines during the last century. Many farms in the area offer horse-riding and pony trekking on the heather and bracken clad mountains.
· Rail enthusiastsThere are many interesting preservation, archeological and other railways in the North Wales area. Railway enthusiasts often visit the Penmaenmawr station since the line carries varied loco-hauled freight and the occasional locomotive hauled passenger train.
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Business visitorsAbout one-hour's drive from the Holyhead ferry, Brookside is ideally situated for travellers passing through Holyhead on their way to or from Ireland. There are several important business enterprises in the area, and business visitors might consider staying at Brookside. With its sheltered, sunlit garden, it is in a unique position - quiet and peaceful, yet close to the sea and shops and the throbbing nightlife of Bangor and Llandudno. The quiet of the comfortable lounge will be welcome after a tiring day. On the other hand, if you have the energy, you can challenge Jerome at Scrabble!
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Accommodation detailsAccommodation is usually available between April 1 to November 30th and at other times by arrangement. Prices for Bed and Breakfast £16.50p. per person per night with full Welsh breakfast (for internet bookings) Evening meals are available at reasonable prices in and around the village. Contact us ...
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Picture gallery - Views of the area; click on images for more detail
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The Menai straits |
Gate above Penmaenmawr |
The River Conway near Penmaenmawr |
Mountain path above Penmaenmawr |
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This webpage was designed by gbd1@cant.ac.uk to be simple and quick to load. Last amended 28/12/03 - Happy New Year!