Glyn Cywarch | An Historic Manor House in Eryri (Snowdonia)
Published on 19 Jan 2026 by Amy GreenwoodMuch like a person, the true character of a house is determined by the accumulation of experience: the company it keeps, the conversations it nurtures, the life that unfolds over time.
At Glyn Cywarch, a Grade II listed manor in the heart of Eryri (Snowdonia National Park) in North Wales, the impression is of a house that has been shaped by generations of lives well lived: it radiates an almost tangible sense of welcome and warmth.
Dating from 1616 and surrounded by 100 acres of private estate and rolling hills, the Jacobean manor, known affectionately as ‘Glyn’, has long played host to gatherings, celebrations, and reunions. Originally a country retreat for the Wynn family of Gwydir – a prominent Welsh gentry family who claimed descent from Welsh royalty – it was clearly built with conviviality in mind. Handsome and grand, but never stuffy, the house remains an ideal setting for special gatherings and celebrations.
Set in its own secluded valley, Glyn welcomes its guests into a sanctuary of peace and calm. A gatehouse at the approach feels like an enchanting threshold; formal lawns and gardens give way to rolling meadows, with Eryri’s majestic mountains beyond.
Space For Everyone To Be Together
Sleeping up to fourteen guests, Glyn is ideally suited to guests who want to spend time together in a truly remarkable setting. With a balance of sociable shared spaces and quieter rooms, the house allows different rhythms to coexist comfortably under one roof.
Period authenticity has been skillfully blended with modern comforts and style: oak panelling, mullioned windows, and carved fireplaces evoke centuries of history, while contemporary amenities – including underfloor heating and a light-filled yoga loft – ensure the most comfortable of stays.
The Long Room is the heart of the house. With its large open fire, deep sofas and baby grand piano, it naturally draws people together. Look out for the Wynn family coat of arms above the fireplace. Next door, the study provides a quieter, cosier alternative, with its own fireplace and space for board games, reading or TV.
The kitchen is generous and extremely well equipped – designed to be used rather than admired. It is a practical yet sociable space, accommodating guests who enjoy preparing meals alongside those who prefer to watch, talk, pour a drink or lend a hand.
The large dining room allows everyone to be part of the joy of eating together. Seating all guests together, meals become an occasion, shared rather than staggered, with conversations that cross the length of the table. A large fireplace and wood panelling add to the character of the room.
Throughout the house, the interiors are calm, luxurious and unfussy, with a minimal rustic aesthetic that allows Glyn’s history to shine. Rooms are generously proportioned, bright, and thoughtfully arranged.
How Your Stay At Glyn Might Unfold
Days at Glyn Cywarch tend to take their cue from the weather and the seasons. Mornings often begin in the kitchen, where the AGA provides a natural gathering point as the day’s possibilities take shape.
You might head out to explore the mountains and lakes of Eryri or make for the coast and Harlech’s long stretch of sandy beach – perfect for surfing and swimming. Or you could choose to stay close to the house, enjoying the wild roses and apple trees in the walled garden.
Glyn is a place that encourages you to get outdoors, and woodland paths meander around acres of private estate. Look out for ancient follies and outbuildings along the way; flycatchers, pipits and redstarts flit happily between the trees.
The estate is surrounded by attractions that showcase the best of Welsh history and culture. Zip World and the Ffestiniog Railway offer new perspectives on Welsh industrial heritage, while Royal St David’s Golf Club and Harlech Castle – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – are each just a few minutes by car.
For those looking for adventures in big landscapes, nearby peaks include Cnicht and Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon). Lesser-known – but just as beautiful and arguably far more atmospheric – is the short walk to Bryn Cader Faner – a Bronze Age stone circle which lies on an ancient trackway between the Rhinogydd mountains and the sea.
A Legacy To Be Part Of
Glyn Cywarch has been the Welsh seat of the Harlech family for generations. In recent years, the house has undergone a seven-year restoration that combined painstaking craftsmanship with a commitment to sustainability. Traditional techniques – lime plaster, hand-reslating the gatehouse roof – were paired with modern environmental measures, including renewable energy and a water source heat pump.
In 2024, Glyn was recognised with the Historic Houses Restoration Award, which celebrates outstanding work undertaken to preserve Britain’s architectural heritage. Judges praised not only the thoroughness of the restoration, but the ecological sensitivity woven throughout the project.
That same care extends across the estate. The land is grazed by organic cattle and sheep, looked after by the ‘Happy Shepherdess’, while a private waterfall generates renewable power. The land and historic buildings are nurtured with equal dedication.
The names of Glyn’s first owners — William and Katherine Wynn — sit above the main entrance. More than four centuries after they welcomed their own guests into the warmth of the house, Glyn remains a place shaped by the joy of coming together: by the people it gathers, the conversations it nurtures, and the life that unfolds over time.
The Essentials
Main house
Sleeps 14, WiFi throughout the house
Ground floor
Kitchen with AGA, double ovens, and induction hob, large formal dining room, Long Room, study
The grounds
Rose garden, orchard, walled garden, lime avenue, parkland, woodland and meadows
Nearby
Harlech Castle, Yr Wyddfa, Cnicht, Royal St David’s Golf Club, Zip World, Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway, Portmeirion, Porthmadog.
