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Pwllheli - The Area
In the 1600's piracy and smuggling was rife in the area, and throughout the 18th century single mast ships were built on Pwllheli beach. The town was developed in Victorian times and boasts quaint narrow streets with individual shops and a superb market held every Wednesday. The very popular village seaside resort of Abersoch is approx. 7 miles south of Pwllheli. This too has great beaches, internationally recognised sailing waters in a cosmopolitan atmosphere. It is here during July that the annual Wakestock festival takes place. Llanbedrog, Aberdaron, and Nefyn are all charming villages to the south of Pwllheli, again with lovely beaches, coastline and scenery.
A little further north, is Porthmadog, a bustling seaside town and the gateway to Snowdonia - 840 square miles of breathtaking National Park. It is home to the Ffestiniog Railway, Portmeirion Italian Village and the famous "Cob", built to form the deep harbour by William Madocks, from whence the town derived its name. Round the coastline we come to Harlech well known for its fine fortress castle and the inspiration during the Wars of the Roses for the stirring song "Men of Harlech" which leads us on to the curious town of Barmouth, steeped in a rich history of connections to the shipping and slate industries.
Although the port of Pwllheli has been important since the 1300's, as the traditional industries declined, tourism became more important. The award winning 420 berth, 5 star marina was built in the late 20th Century, which is now paramount to the town, hosting many major sailing events throughout each year.
The impressive scenery of the fantastic coastline with lovely beaches, wildlife and panoramic views of superb Snowdonia makes the area one to be visited.
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The Llyn Peninsula was an important
centre for early Christianity, the main centre being the Island of Bardsey on
the western tip of the peninsula, a place we frequently visit whilst on training
courses. 
To the north of Pwllheli lies Criccieth, with
it's typical Victorian seaside frontage, well known for it's castle built around
1230. With a more rocky beach, this is definitely the area to go rock
pooling! 
There are 6 golf courses in the district, some
nationally renowned, and plenty of visitor activities, should you wish to make a
family holiday of your course. Accommodation locally is varied, from self
catering in caravans and cottages, to bed and breakfast or 5 star hotels.
This whole area gives us our cruising ground
of Tremadog Bay. On the beginner courses we may be able to visit
Llanbedrog, Abersoch, Criccieth and Porthmadog, but on the more advanced courses
we can visit further afield to Barmouth, Aberdaron and Bardsey Island. The
weather on the Llyn Peninsula often has its own "micro-climate", as the long arm
of the Llyn gives shelter from the prevailing weather from the west and it also
traps the warm waters of the Gulf Stream, the sea temperature varying 10 degrees
from winter to summer - one of the biggest ranges around the British Isles
coast. At sea we are often lucky enough to catch sight of dolphins,
porpoises and seals and various sea birds, giving us a unique experience.
