Uwchmynydd

Uwchmynydd
Caernarfonshire
Bryn Chwilog, Uwchmynydd
Location
Grid reference:	SH154262
Location:	52°48’8"N, 4°44’22"W
Data
Postcode:	LL53
Local Government
Council:	Gwynedd

Uwchmynydd is a hamlet at the furthermost end of the Llŷn Peninsula in Caernarfonshire. It stands 1.8 miles to the south west of Aberdaron.

Mankind has left traces at this tip of Llŷn from ancient ages. Mesolithic flints have been found in the area, and a Neolithic stone axe was discovered on Mynydd Mawr. Hut circles are visible on the summits, and part of a Roman anchor was recovered off Trwyn Bychestyn.

Headlands

At Mynydd Mawr the picnic site has views which, on a fine day, take in Cardigan Bay, Bardsey Island and on a clear day the Wicklow Mountains. At night, South Stack Lighthouse is visible in the distance. A road to the summit, owned by the National Trust, was built during the Second World War to provide access to the heights, where men were posted to give early warning to Liverpool of Luftwaffe air raids. The former Coastguard lookout point, manned for almost 80 years before becoming redundant in 1990, provides views over Bardsey Sound to the island. The hut contains an exhibition to the natural history of the area, and a mural created by local children.

The headland at Braich y Pwll is the only known location on the British mainland of the spotted rock rose, which produces bright yellow petals that last only one day. The coast here has open grass heath land and mountain, giving way to rugged sea cliffs and coves. There is a profusion of wildlife, and it is an ideal vantage point to watch the spring and autumn bird migrations. Choughs, peregrine falcons, kestrels, puffins, stonechats, guillemots and Manx shearwaters can be seen, and dolphins, porpoises and seals can be spotted in the water.

Above the sea cliffs are the remains of Capel Mair ("St Mary's Chapel"), where it was customary for pilgrims to invoke the protection of the Virgin Mary before making the dangerous crossing to Bardsey Island.

At the foot of Mynydd Mawr is Ffynnon Fair ("Mary's Well"), the last stop for pilgrims crossing to the island; the well is a freshwater spring which is covered twice daily by the sea, emerging from the ebbing tide with crystal clear water.

Cwrt

Cwrt is now a large farm, but once it was the administrative centre of Bardsey Abbey's mainland estates, and was known as the "Court of Bardsey".

Y Parwyd

The steepest cliffs in the Llŷn Peninsula are at Y Parwyd, the scene of a local ghost story. In 1794 a newly married couple moved into a cottage nearby. Within a few years they were disturbed by a phantom, but when they read a verse from the Bible, the phantom would retreat towards Y Parwyd and hover over the cliff edge before disappearing; the couple finally moved to Bodferin.

In 1801 a ship pilot was put ashore on the rocks below the cliffs. Although very drunk, he managed to climb the cliff face and, reaching the top, fell asleep in a sheep pen. In the early morning, he awoke and, still drunk, headed for home; he walked in the wrong direction, however, and disappeared over the cliff edge into the sea.

Porth Meudwy

Porth Meudwy: the traditional embarkation point for pilgrims heading to Bardsey Island

The traditional embarkation point for pilgrims crossing to Bardsey Island was at Porth Meudwy (Welsh for "Hermit's Cove"). It is now a lobster fishing cove. Further south is Porth y Pistyll, which has good views of Ynysoedd Gwylanod, home to puffin and guillemot colonies; and Pen y Cil, where the Precambrian pillow lavas are exposed, revealing how they have been contorted over time.