Who’s been enjoying the gorgeous sunshine that the country has been basking in this week? Here at the Oakeley Arms, we have that’s for sure! We’ve been pretty busy, but there’s always time to stick our heads out of the door and drink in the stunning view in the lovely sunshine.

And the view that’s greeting us is absolutely beautiful at the moment, in all it’s spring glory. The leaves on the trees are thriving, the flowers blossoming and we’re lucky to be placed right beside the gorgeous River Dwyryd.

Pronounced Dooirid, in English, the name literally means “two fords”. This gorgeous river rises in the hills above Blaenau Ffestiniog and as it works it’s watery way through the Vale of Ffestiniog it’s joined by several other rivers including the Goedol and the Cynfal. As it reaches the wide valley bottom it passes by the village of Maentwrog and then onwards towards the sea. The river plains here are used for agriculture, but are often flooded in the winter months.

The gorgeous river Dwyryd has a long tidal estuary as it flows under the old Bont Briwet, and just beyond the peninsula of Portmeirion it meets the River Glaslyn before flooding out into the Irish Sea.

The gorgeous River Dwyryd’s watery journey to the sea is about 15 miles long; it passes through some of the most stunning scenery in southern Snowdonia. And despite having an industrial past when sections of the river were utilised for mining, agriculture and production, the river Dwyryd these days boasts crystal clear waters and is home to a healthy population of Sea Trout, Grey Mullet and even the occasional Salmon.

So next time you’re enjoying a lovely summer refresher in our beer garden, don’t forget to drink in the view across the gorgeous River Dwyryd too.