Criccieth is a magical place and once you fall under its spell, either as an inhabitant or visitor, you find yourself being drawn back time and time again – we once lived there ourselves and were hooked, hence Tirwyddan, our much loved holiday home! Traditionally called the’ pearl of the North Wales coast’, the original mediaeval town grew in the shadow of the 13th castle, developed as a Victorian seaside town and has now blossomed into a thriving seaside town with a wide range of shops and excellent restaurants while remaining largely unspoiled. Despite its sleepy, tranquil air, Criccieth is a vibrant, outward looking community. It has an annual festival in June, and has won numerous awards in Wales and Britain in Bloom. Local groups, and societies flourish. The volunteer lifeboat station is well supported by the community and saves many lives each year. The sound of the maroons going off and the launching of the lifeboat is a regular occurrence, especially in the summer months.
It used to be said one could buy anything in Criccieth, and it is still almost true today. Alongside the gift shops you expect to find in a tourist resort, there is a carpet shop, florist, super delicatessen, well stocked Spar, newsagent, good butchery, bakery, shoe shop, numerous hair-dressers, beautician, antique shops, art shop and picture framer, and post-office - all in a compact little town. There are great restaurants, cafés, pubs, hotels, a traditional Welsh tea-room, good fish and chip shop and Criccieth’s renowned locally-made ice-cream parlour– Cadwaladr’s. Criccieth has retained much of its Welsh character. You will frequently hear Welsh being spoken and all signs are bilingual so you can have fun trying to get your tongue around some of our place names and perhaps learning a few words– we have left a pronunciation guide and list of useful words and phrases in Tirwyddan to assist you.
Criccieth has a long tradition of welcoming visitors young and old, which, continues to today. Let us extend a warm welsh welcome to you too, but be warned, you will probably have to come back again soon, when you will be greeted with “Croeso nol!” – “Welcome back!”