The Smithy Holiday Cottage

St Mary and St Nicholas Church, Beaumaris — Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0

The Smithy is a tastefully converted former blacksmith’s with a datestone of 1811 — though records show a smithy at Llanfaes from the early 16th century — converted around 1985 and continually improved by its owners since. The Grade II listed cottage holds 4 stars from Visit Wales, and guests routinely describe it as a home rather than a holiday cottage.

Accommodation centres on a family living-kitchen with log-burning stove. It sits in the quiet hamlet of Llanfaes — the site of the medieval Welsh town that preceded Beaumaris, a story told in our history guide — about a mile from town: close enough to walk in for dinner, far enough for real quiet. More options in our self-catering guide.