Welsh Pilgrimage Spring 2026
Our Pilgrimage around some Celtic Christian sites in Wales was a 2 ½ weeks driving tour and walking into several sites. We were aiming for the Llyn Peninsula and Anglesey which we'd not visited before so bypassed some of the famous Welsh sites like Llantwit Major and St David's on this trip. We started in the area of the Brecon Beacons and Black Mountains around Llangors Lake, I am most familiar with, ending here too, before heading through mid Wales up to the Llyn Peninsula, crossing into Snowdonia before moving on to Anglesey. The return route was similar.
I have literally just listed places we visited with a short explanatory sentence. Most are Celtic origin with one or two other interesting finds along the way. The majority have their own page write up and I have starred those of particular interest. A couple were disappointing and have no write up but it was an incredibly rich experience which I would encourage anyone to do.
We didn't follow an organised pilgrimage route but devised our own. I have endeavoured to give locations via postcodes and what3words for use with Applemaps. I've highlighted those which were special in terms of meeting with God by *** or extra special *****
I left on pilgrimage exhausted, deflated and in a complete wilderness with God. I returned replenished, joyful and faith-filled, a complete transformation.
[what3words location finder]
1. St Gaston’s Church, & Llangors Lake, Llangasty (Llyn Safaddon) Llangasty, Brecon, LD3 7PX *****
[thing.adjuster.supposed]
A place I regularly visit whenever in Wales because I always meet with God. Inside the church it is written, 'This is none other than the house of God and the gateway to heaven'. For me this couldn't be more true. Go there!
2. St Afan’sChurch, Llanfechan, Llanfechan Farm, Garth, Llangammach Wells, LD4 4BS
[springing.organic.bunny]
A tiny, off beat church next to a farm. I wasn't expecting much as we only visited because it began with 'llan' indicating a Christian settlement but I ended up having a powerful an intercessory encounter with an angel.
3. Mary Jone’s Cottage, Twyn Llanfihangel y Pennant LL36 9 TS ***
[triads.chitchat.nation]
The young teenage Mary Jones, from a tiny hamlet was the catalyst for birthing the Bible Society which still reaches millions today. Her brave story of crossing the mountains of Snowdonia by foot in order to buy a Bible in Welsh, her own language, is truly inspirational. Her cottage ruins remain and I had a powerful intercession time there. Interestingly, this could be an ancient well reopening because she lived in a hamlet founded by a Celtic Christian. Also there is a link with Howell Harris and the birth of Welsh Methodism, as his preachers led to her conversion soon after his death.
4. Dolgun Uchaf (accommodation), ancient Quaker meeting house, Dolgellau, LL40 2AB
[pedicure.noodle.chromatic
This was an unexpected prayer time. We were staying here overnight but discovered it was an ancient Quaker meeting house for people from right across Wales, during the times of persecution. My husband's family were Quakers, so we ended up in intercession.
5. St Illtud’s Church, Llaneltyd, Dolgellau LL40 2SU
[boards.mountain.covers]
We visited because Illtud has impacted me with his monastery at Llantwit Major. However the visit was disappointing and we didn't linger long.
6. Parish church Llanfachreth LL40 2ED
[paintings.unleashed.bench]
A most unusual 'llan' as it is double tiered on one side. I encountered Jesus in a vision here. That vision returned to me throughout the pilgrimage and was a simple but profound one.
7. St Tanwg Church, church in the sands, near Harlech LL46 2SD *****
[scribbled.owns.overtime]
One of the most extraordinary church settings I've ever visited, nestled within sand dunes. It affected me deeply with its ancientness and sense of holiness. I'd love to return to linger longer.
8. Llanfihangel y traethau, (Talsarnau-ynys) LL47 6TL
[assembles.arrives.intestine]
I thought this was going to be a special place, as it's remote, down a long winding road and track. The site is clearly Celtic 'edge of the world', circular 'llan' but settling to pray was really hard and we didn't linger at all.
Llyn Peninsula
9. Bardsey Island, Ynys Enlli: Priory, chapel, oratory LL53 *****
[swooning.mopped.producing]
This was the main focus for the whole pilgrimage, the island of 20,000 saints. The visit was mixed with expectation but also disappointment. Whilst I did pray and experience God's presence it wasn't as profound or even such a 'thin place' as I was expecting. Neither was there any real reference to the incredible Celtic Christian heritage which is deeply saddening. I found more honouring of these incredible Christians in tiny hamlet churches than here on the island.
10. St Hywyn’s Church, Aberdaron, Pwllheli, LL53 8BG *****
[bogus.behind.roosters]
A wonderful, welcoming, deeply spiritual church. I loved it as a place to pray and visited several times. It is also where the poet R S Thomas was vicar. He's one of my favourite poets, so that was a lovely surprise. It is the pilgrimage church for welcoming pilgrims waiting to cross to Bardsey.
11. Pilgrim Steps to Bardsey, Uwchmynedd, Analog. LL53 8 DD *****
[solve.evoke.voltage. Maybe just rough location]
This was one of the most profound experiences of our whole pilgrimage and my husband and I were deeply moved praying here and looking out to Bardsey Island. It is the original place pilgrims waiting to be rowed over to the island and goes back centuries perhaps even to Celtic times.
12. St Beuno, Pistyll, Pwllheli LL53 6LR *****
[spotty.brittle.rolled]
A fantastic place to pray! Such an open heaven, well loved church, ancient, quirky, well loved but holding the reverance and holiness of a place that has been prayed in for centuries.
13. St Beunoʼs Church, Clynnog Fawr LL54 5NH
[organ.salmon.jetted]
A complete disappointment. Beuno is one of my heroes of the faith and he is buried here. There are great and useful information boards but the whole church feels 'dead' and I couldn't pray there. It even felt creepy. I was alone for a while and felt 'stalked' in the spirit realm and couldn't leave fast enough.
14. St Beuno’s holy well Clynnog Fawr LL54 5PF ***
[drooling.encounter.tweezers]
A total surprise as we'd just been to the main church which I left in a hurry but here it was easy to pray and felt very special.
15. Pistyll Rhaeadr waterfall, Llanrhaeadr y Mochnant SY10 0BZ
[ratio.double.collide]
A magnificent waterfall and the type of place honoured by Celtic Christians. We went early in the morning before anyone else was there and whilst we didn't settle to pray, praise at God's magnificent creation was readily on our lips.
16. St Garmon’s Church, Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog LL20 7 LD
[newsprint.litters.gosh]
An unusual place with the original preaching mound where St Garmon shared the gospel. God also spoke prophetically through the sheep in the neighbouring field which led to intense intercession whilst sitting in the graveyard waiting for the church to open, as we were early.
17. St Dogfan Church, Llanrhaedr Ym Mochnant SY10 0JL ****
[ferrying.elect.harder]
A surprisingly beautiful atmosphere of God in this church. It was incredibly special. Again I suspect this is somewhere an ancient Celtic well reopened because the vicar posted here translated the whole Bible into Welsh, a hugely significant event for Wales. I loved this place. We both did but weren't able to stay for very long. I would love to return.
18. St Melangell’s Church and Shrine, Pennant Melangell, Llangyllnog, SY10 0JQ *****
[releasing.cricket.conveying]
A truly stunning location nestled at the head of a valley surrounded by mountains. I was greatly impacted in prayer here. My husband less so, as he couldn't get passed the shrine which has been re-erected. I just moved beyond this to the prayer room and met with God in a beautiful way. Truly memorable.
Anglesey via Snowdon and Swallow Falls
19. St Siriol’s Priory, Penmon, nr BeaumarisLL58 8RR
[mammal.headings.nearly]
A striking site with the ruins of a late medieval monastery on site. I didn't really enjoy being in the actual church though. There is some ancient Celtic stonework and information..
20. St Siriol’s Well and oratory, Penmon Priory, LL58 8RR ***
[mammals.headings.nearly]
I spent several visits here praying by the well in the ancient prayer oratory of St Siriol. It's worth visiting to see the foundations of the site still there, which is really quite rare. Peaceful and tranquil.
21. Llandonna LL58
[cocktail.storming.bill]
A desperately sad church, abandoned now for worship, neglected and couldn't pray there. We went because it is a 'llan' but I could sense no residue of its previous life.
22. Chapel Ligwy, Moelfre LL72 8NN
[bracelet.nuance.hairspray]
This is an interesting chapel ruin, overlooking the sea and in an isolated field. It looked like it was on a 'llan' but the only records talk about it being a much later church.
23. St Gwenllwyfo Church, Dulas, LL70 9LZ
[lifestyle.clapper.gliding]
This was a really interesting visit as we bumped into the local church warden who opened the church especially for us. It is full of rare stained glass which is stunning. However, we weren't able to access the original pray chapel of St Gwenllwyfo which is why we were there. It is in the grounds of a private house nearby. So, disappointing.
24. St Cybi’s Church, Holyhead LL65 1UW *****
[node.retire.frost]
Just an amazing place to pray. Go! Can't wait to return.
25. Holyhead Mountain LL65 1YR
[eats.suiting.revolting]
A place where there was a Celtic oratory and chapel, plus well on the summit. It is also really beautiful but I wasn't able to climb to the sites but it gives a real idea of the out of the way places they preferred and to know St Cybi would have prayed here.
26. St Gwenfaen’s Church, Rhoscolyn, LL65 2SQ ***
[comedy.both.bedrooms]
A delightful church, loved, welcoming with great information boards. Lovely to pray in too.
27. St Gwenfaen’s holy well, Rhoscolyn *****
[motel.simple.overpaid……approximate]
One of best adventures of the pilgrimage. Walking on the clifftops gave a real sense of what these Christians endured and their fervour. Loved it, although at our age the walk was quite far.
28. Llandwyn island, Ynys Llanddwyn, Newborough LL61 6DG (carpark) *****
[gymnasium.respect.deciding]
My favourite place of the whole pilgrimage. Again you have to walk in, in the footsteps of other pilgrims but the sense of holiness on this island was tangible for me. I could have stayed and stayed and stayed. We did linger for ages and prayed. We only left because it was sunset. I would return tomorrow. It felt pure and 'thin' and 'holy' - apart from the main holy well which is spiritually contaminated so I moved on from there.
29. St Cwyfan’s Church, the Church in the sea, Cribinau,LL63 5YR ***
[trades.wishing.diplomas]
A fascinating chapel well worth visiting. It was locked and I suspect is kept locked but the location is incredible. We went on a blustery wild day and sitting facing out to sea impacted me greatly. The dedication of these early Christians is astounding, to live in such an inhospitable place. It was also a great place to pray.
30. St Tysilio’s Church Menai Bridge LL59 5EP
[shots.foremost.clays]
A delightful little chapel where it was easy to pray.
31. Bangor Cathedral, LL57 1RL ***
[response.flooding.reckoned]
Whilst there are no side chapels or private areas to pray, I really encountered God whilst praying in the main nave. It was a special visit.
The journey back to Cornwall
32. Ffynnon Eidda, holy well, B4407 Betws-y-coed LL24
[neatly.musician.plug]
We .ere 'blown' by the Holy Spirit here, having lost our road out of Machynlleth. We ended up on a mountain road through moorland which turned out to be an old drovers path, where the animals for driven to market in the south east. Suddenly I spotted this well, so we stopped. I went to see if I was meant to pray and had a strange warfare time of intercession. It is the only time on this pilgrimage I had an assignment and it was short, swift and unexpected.
33. St Paulinus, Llangors Church, prayer space, LD3 7UB *****
[reframe.purifier.basic]
The vicar has set up a prayer space at the base of the tower which is open 24/7. It is a spectacular place to pray as there is such a strong presence of God. We both went several times during our 2 night stop over in Llangors, early morning and late at night. Time stands still and you are praying in the framework of eternity. I can't wait to return.
34. St Issui’s Patricio, NP7 7 LP *****
[remainder.trick.petal]
One of our 'go to' places to pray whenever we are in Wales. As always we met with God in a profound way. It is such a jewel of a holy place, 'thin' and remote.
35. St Gaston’s church, Llangasty LD3 7UG *****
[weekday.protester.wells]
Again we finished here, encountering God in the most beautiful ways.
