The last resting place of an important Welsh saint.
The ample Church of St Beuno was mainly built in the 16th century. It stands on the site of a much earlier building, however, which contained the tomb of the 7th-century Welsh saint after whom the church is named.
Beuno is arguably North Wales’ most important saint. Originally from Powys in mid- Wales, he worked as a missionary under the protection of Cadfan, a ruler of Gwynedd. Cadfan’s son and heir, Cadwallon, fell out with Beuno after a dispute over land. Eventually the matter was settled by the intervention of Gwyddaint, Cadwallon’s cousin, and Beuno was given the township of Clynnog Fawr, where he founded a monastery. Legend credits him with some remarkable miracles, including the healing of St Winifred after she had been beheaded by a rejected suitor!
Beuno is buried at the spot where the chapel adjoining the church now stands. In medieval times pilgrims would stop here to pay their respects on their way to Bardsey Island, at the far end of the Llŷn peninsula. Many miracles of healing are said to have taken place at the tomb and the nearby St Beuno’s Well. The income derived from these visitors explains how so large a parish church came to be built in so modest a village. Beuno’s tomb was demolished in 1856, but you can see a section of an arch that surmounted it in the church today.
In the churchyard is another interesting artefact – a freestanding stone sundial. Irish in style, it probably dates from the reign of Gruffudd ap Cynan, a ruler of Gwynedd in the 11th to 12th centuries; he was born in Dublin, of a Welsh father and Irish-Viking mother. The sundial provides a vivid reminder of the strong links that existed between Wales and Ireland during Gruffudd’s reign.
Visit the well nearby and wander around the extensive churchyard.
Free Entry
The church stands in the middle of the small village of Clynnog Fawr on the A499.
10.6 miles from Pwllheli railway station.
Regular buses between Caernarfon and Pwllheli stop Clynnog Fawr. Call Traveline on 0871 200 2233 or go online at http://www.traveline-cymru.info for the latest public transport information.
The church stands in the middle of the small village of Clynnog Fawr.
The church stands in the middle of the small village of Clynnog Fawr.
Easy. No special clothing required. No dogs allowed.
Full Figure Grid Reference: NGR SH41444969 Coordinates for Garmin satnav users: -4.365432, 53.020818 OS explorer map sheet: 254