Why visit Penygroes
Townapedia lists 4 museums and landmarks, 1 park or trail, 7 places to eat, 1 place to stay and 1 attraction in and around town.
Highlights include Pant Du Vineyard and Orchard.
Weather in Penygroes
Forecast from MET Norway (CC BY 4.0). Full forecast
About Penygroes
Pen-y-groes (Welsh pronunciation: [ˌpɛnəˈɡroːɨs] , also spelled as Penygroes) is a village in Gwynedd, Wales. The village is located to the south of Caernarfon, and north of Porthmadog, by the A487 road. Pen-y-groes' population stands at 1,793 at the 2011 census, of which 88% are Welsh-speaking, making it one of the most predominantly Welsh-speaking areas of the country. The population of Llanllyfni community, which includes Pen-y-groes and Llanllyfni village, which practically adjoins Pen-y-groes, plus Talysarn, is 4,135 according to the 2011 census.
From the Wikipedia article Pen-y-groes, Gwynedd (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Things to do1
Museums and landmarks4
Parks, trails and playgrounds1
Restaurants and cafes7
Pekish Kebab & Pizza
Restaurant · Italian, Pizza, Kebab
16 Heol y Dŵr, Caernarfon
History
Pen-y-groes is located in the former slate quarrying area of Dyffryn Nantlle, although most of the quarries are now closed down. However, it remains the valley's main shopping and administrative centre. Its biggest employer was a paper-converting plant producing hand tissues and toilet rolls.
It lies in the community of Llanllyfni, and nearby villages are Llanllyfni, Carmel, Talysarn, Nantlle, Tanrallt, Nebo, and Groeslon.
It is the site of Nantlle Vale F.C., which used to be managed by the professional wrestler and promoter Orig Williams, better known by his ring name of "El Bandito". The club's former social complex has in recent years been demolished, and a new police station now occupies the site.
The cycle path Lôn Eifion passes near the village, following the route of the former Carnarvonshire Railway, which ran from Caernarfon to Afon Wen and closed in 1964.
Pen-y-groes lies by the edge of Lord Newborough's former estate at Glynllifon, from which several medieval legends have emanated. The character Lleu Llaw Gyffes, who features in the ages-old legends of the Mabinogi (sometimes inaccurately referred to as the Mabinogion), was said to have lived in the area. The Iron Age hillfort at Dinas Dinlleu and the village of Nantlle—originally spelt as Nantlleu—are said to have been named after him.
From the History section of Pen-y-groes, Gwynedd on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
More about Penygroes
Education
Ysgol Bro Lleu provides Welsh-medium primary education to the village and the surrounding area. As of 2023, there are 199 pupils on roll at the school; 78 per cent of statutory school age pupils speak Welsh at home.
Ysgol Dyffryn Nantlle provides secondary education in the village. At least 80 percent of subjects (apart from English and Welsh) are taught only through the medium of Welsh to all pupils. 401 pupils were enrolled at the school in 2023; 82.5 per cent of pupils speak Welsh at home.
From the Wikipedia article Pen-y-groes, Gwynedd, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Notable people from Penygroes
Owain Fôn WilliamsWelsh association football player (born 1987)Photo: Steindy ( talk ) 16:18, 10 November..., CC BY-SA 3.0
Gareth ThomasBritish politician (born 1954)Photo: Llywelyn2000, CC BY-SA 4.0- Bill Pendergastassociation football player (1915-2001)
Born in Penygroes, according to Wikidata (CC0). Each name links to its Wikipedia article.
Where to stay1
Churches and places of worship5
Shopping1
Schools, colleges and libraries5
Healthcare2
Map of Penygroes
27 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Getting there and nearby towns
RAF Valley - Anglesey Airport (VLY) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 17 miles away.
- Porthmadog 11 mi southeast, about 17 min by car
- Tregarth 12 mi northeast, about 20 min by car
- Pwllheli 13 mi southwest, about 20 min by car
- Bangor 14 mi northeast, about 22 min by car
- Rhosneigr 15 mi northwest, about 25 min by car
- Valley 20 mi northwest, about 32 min by car
- Holyhead 23 mi northwest, about 36 min by car
- Llandudno 26 mi northeast, about 43 min by car
- Colwyn Bay 28 mi northeast, about 46 min by car
- Abergele 33 mi northeast, about 53 min by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Towns near Penygroes
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Keep exploring
Local news
Headlines from INDB.
Reviews, tips and questions
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Sources and licences
- GeoNames (CC BY 4.0): population, coordinates, regions and time zone
- Mapillary (see each image): photos
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): elevation, founding date, time zone, website
- Wikimedia Commons (see each image): photos
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Photo credits
- Austin Hopkinson Factory Childrens Party at Penygroes (8266957436), Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru / The National Library of Wales from Wales/Cymru, No restrictions
- Salem Welsh Independent Chapel (1), GeraintTudur2, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Christchurch, Pen-y-groes, Sojourner in the earth, CC0
- Street-level photo, gness, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Street-level photo, gness, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Street-level photo, gness, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Street-level photo, gness, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Street-level photo, gness, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Street-level photo, gness, CC BY-SA 4.0
Page built November 10, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us or suggest a place.