REVIEW
Plas Gwynfryn The Great Escape Excitement mounts when we spot the sign to Plas Gwynfryn. As we head up the driveway, we are immediately taken with this beautiful house…
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las Gwynfryn dates back to the turn of the 20th Century, when the house was built using granite quarried from the original 100acre grounds. Making our way up the driveway, we pass through the impressively kept eight acres of gardens includes three lawns, a lily pond, a walled kitchen garden with an orchard and beautiful flower gardens. When we reach the house itself, we are welcomed by Caroline Evans, the owner, and a roaring fire. We take a seat in the warmth, while Caroline dashes off to make us a much needed cup of tea. The entrance hall is exactly what you’d want from a Welsh country house – original wooden paneled walls, an incredible fireplace, cosy window seats and intricately carved wooden furniture. When Caroline returns we ask her how it feels to own such a property. ‘Plas Gwynfryn has been in my family since 1964, when my Grandmother bought it. It was my childhood home and so holds a lot of emotional attachment for me.’ We imagine what it would be like to grow up here; the country home has six bedrooms and can comfortably accommodate fourteen people. There is a large dining room, homey living area and a typical country-style kitchen, and most bedrooms have their own fireplace and en-suite.
that I realized the real potential Plas Gwynfryn held and just how lucky I was to have it in my family,’ says Caroline. So how did Plas Gwynfryn make the transition from family home to the business that it is today? ‘I moved to London in 2002, where I was head of marketing for an architect firm. It wasn’t until my mother had a stroke in 2005 that I was faced with the tough decision to either sell Plas Gwynfryn, or turn it into a business.’ Caroline explains that while she was trying to make her decision, she met her longterm partner, Michael Roberts, who encouraged her to give up her marketing job and move back to the village of Llanbedr, near Harlech, to focus on Plas Gwynfryn. Since then, Caroline has managed to turn Plas Gwynfryn, which loosely translates to ‘White Hill Palace’, into the perfect place to escape from reality. The holiday home is open all year around and Caroline likes to make sure everything is looked properly after.
‘This house holds a lot of emotional attachment for me’
keeping it in the family ‘When I was growing up I wanted a normal house like everyone else. When you’re younger you just want to fit in! It wasn’t until I grew up
wedding bells In 2010 Caroline hosted Plas Gwynfryn’s first wedding, there are three licensed rooms, plus veranda, for civil ceremonies and partnerships. ‘We’ve held seven or eight weddings a year since we obtained our wedding license,’ Caroline tells us. ‘On average we have about sixty guests per wedding but we offer a range of different wedding packages, each one tailored to create the perfect day.’ With eight weddings already booked this year Caroline has her hands full and I think it’s safe to say she’s incredibly grateful for Christine and Patrick Cummins, the cooks at Plas Gwynfryn. The couple’s interest is cooking with homegrown and local produce, but it’s apparent that they go out of their way to make everyone feel at home by doing everything from stocking the fridges before the guests arrive to helping to keep the fires roaring. We are shown to our rooms for the evening, which are beautifully decorated and continue the Victorian theme throughout the house.
Before dinner, we’re taunted by the delicious aromas of cooking, but don’t have long to wait. Christine and Patrick serve our starters: spicy curried parsnip soup and naan bread, followed by a veritable feast of Indian dishes, including lamb madras, Bombay potatoes, mutter paneer, green lentil curry and phool gobi with peppers. The lamb is cooked to perfection – five hours in the Aga Patrick tells us! Although the food on its own is enough to show how passionate Christine and Patrick are, their enthusiasm is obvious and its refreshing to hear them both talk about cooking. For dessert, Christine’s famous treacle toffee profiteroles, blackcurrant and blueberry jelly, lemon jelly with mandarins and plum cake. The jelly acts perfectly as a palette cleanser before the delicious profiteroles. Patrick can’t resist pouring us all a small glass of his divinely sweet, homemade sloe gin, which ends the delectable meal superbly. Food is one of the main factors while on vacation and despite the historic house being self-catering, guests can choose to have their food cooked for them by Christine and Patrick for a small extra cost. We head to bed and climb into into the comfort of the soft mattress and Egyptian cotton sheets. The next morning we’re sad to leave, as we drive home we discuss how Plas Gwynfryn could easily be ‘The Great Escape’, whether that be for your wedding, an activity filled family vacation or simply a weekend away to escape it all… y Plas Gwynfryn is located in the village of Llanbedr, near Harlech, in Snowdonia National Park. The house can sleep a total of 14 people in its six bedrooms and has three en suite rooms with kingsize beds and two family rooms. Dogs are welcome by prior arrangement for no extra fee. Plas Gwynfryn has everything you need to prepare you own food. Alternatively, you can have a home-cooked spread put on just for you. Prices run at about £25 per head. To discuss a booking or your wedding, call 01341 241363 or email enquiries@plasgwynfryn. co.uk. Find out more about Plas Gwynfryn by visiting www.plasgwynfryn.co.uk.
March/April 2013 yattaryattar magazine 89
89 Plas Gwynfryn review.indd 89
14/02/2013 17:09