Thursday, July 21, 2011

The Church on the Beach

One of my favourite places on the Llyn Peninsular is the little coastal village of Aberdaron.

It's here you will find the church on the beach

St Hywyn's church is such a peaceful place to be  

If it is warm outside it is beautifully cool inside

I like the light coming through this window which overlooks the sea

Inside the church is a cairn of stones from the beach.  You can collect a stone from the beach, inscribe it with the name of someone dear to you and leave it on the cairn.  On the last Sunday in October they are returned to the sea - the full story of the cairn is - here

Next to the cairn are  tombstones, dating from the 6th century, of two early Christian priests.  Again the full story is - here.

When we set out from Aberdunant in the morning, calling at Abersoch on the way, the weather was dull and cloudy.  By the time we reached Aberdaron the sun had come out and the sky was blue.

From the beach you can see across to Bardsey Island  - Ynys Enlli 
an historic place of pilgrimage and also a well known bird observatory.

Aberdaron has a stunning beach which is wonderful to walk along and there are many more walks in the area.


The last time we visited Aberdaron, which was in the pouring rain, we had a lovely meal in the little cafe above. Y Gegin Fawr used to be a communal kitchen where pilgrims to Bardsey island could seek a meal before continuing their journey. This visit the sun was shining and we had food with us and we found a wonderful place, steeped in history, to eat our picnic. I'll tell you more in my next 'Welsh' post.

16 comments:

  1. Such a wonderful settng for a church. I like the idea of inscribing the stones and them being returned to the sea.x

    ReplyDelete
  2. Looks like a beautiful place. Lovely pictures:)

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm looking forward to the next post! What a gorgeous view from the church windows and amazing to find tombstone so old. The cairn is a lovely idea too.

    ReplyDelete
  4. That looks wonderful, lucky to have such a nice day too. Can't say I've ever been there.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Super photos.We must get down there.We can do it there and back from here in a day.The Lleyn peninsula does seem to have good weather.Do you rent a cottage?

    ReplyDelete
  6. What a lovely post Rosie - a wonderful place. I bet you had a great time. xx

    ReplyDelete
  7. Such an interesting church, I like the idea of the cairn and the old grave markers are wonderful. Hopefully I'm going to Wales for a day or two with my son and grandchildren later this year so your posts are proving very useful!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love this place!! I have a friend who has just returned from a week of quiet reflection on Bardsey :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. I can't believe it! That's the very same cafe where we stopped and had a Cream Tea a few years ago. I remember the white steps and climbing them to get into the little cafe. One of my favorite memories -- I am very partial to cream teas!

    ReplyDelete
  10. How beautiful! I love the idea of the stones and of them being returned to the sea.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I think that's my fave of all the places you've gone. I love the pile of stones, and the white walls of the inside of the stunning church.

    ReplyDelete
  12. what a truly amazing place for building a church!
    xxx

    ReplyDelete
  13. I too like the idea of the cairn of stones, and interesting to read about it. I don't think I have ever come across a church so close to the sea before? Such a wonderful setting for any occasion. x

    ReplyDelete
  14. What a tranquil spot Rosie. I love visiting old churches ~ there is such an atmosphere of peace and history.

    Marie x

    ReplyDelete
  15. It looks so beautiful, what a lovely story. I love churches next to the sea, they are always so powerfully connected to their place.

    ReplyDelete