If, as some say, the map of Wales resembles a pig wearing a flat cap and heading a football, then the Llyn is the cap’s peak.
A 25-mile finger of land jutting out into the Irish Sea, the word ‘Llyn’ comes from the old Irish word for ‘peninsula’, reflecting the strong Irish presence in this most westerly point of North Wales up until the 5th century. The scenery here is less dramatic than in nearby Snowdonia, its softer contours featuring patchwork fields, meandering lanes and whitewashed cottages.
Today, the Llyn is a stronghold of Welsh nationalism: it has retained its own culture, and Welsh remains the first language of many of its inhabitants. It’s this culture that makes the Llyn such an enticing Great Escape. It’s like going abroad, but without the ferry charges.
With great walking and various water sports, local pubs and beautiful beaches, plenty of tourist attractions and a variety of camping, the Llyn offers something for every taste.