The area: On the flanks of Cader Idris

The Old Rectory on the lake stands on the foothills of Cader Idris which is fifty foot short of 3,000 feet. Locals claim that the mountain is haunted and that anyone who spends the night on the top will wake up either a madman or a poet. We are not poets!

Welsh legend has it that the giant, Idris lived there - Cader Idris means seat of Idris. Many of our guests walk up this imposing and dramatic mountain from our own front door, taking with them a packed lunch from our kitchens.

Steeped in history

The Old Rectory has been standing on Tal-y-Llyn for just over a century. Yr hen Reithordy - as it is known in Welsh - was originally the home to the vicar who looked after St Mary's opposite.

St Mary's Church - Tal-y-Llyn

The church at Tal-y-Llyn is one of the oldest in Wales - a stone plaque originally states it was founded in the 9th century but historians say it must have been built in the 6th or 7th century at the latest - or even earlier!

The wooden roof structure is incredible and made from the heart of Welsh oak.

There are some intricate painted panels above the altar which some experts suggest could have been done in the 5th century. There are twelve faces representing the twelve Apostles.

One interesting grave in the churchyard is that of Jenny Jones who died in 1884 at the age of 94. Mrs Jones gained notoriety by going with her husband to the Battle of Waterloo where she acted as nurse. Regarded as a 'Florence Nightingale' figure by many she was on the battle field for three days tending the injured Royal Welsh Fusiliers.