Today on the Oakeley blog, we’re continuing our journey of discovery into the myths and legends of Wales. Have you heard the legend of Nant Gwrtheyrn? Get your tissues at the ready, because this is a sad one!

Now the home of a Welsh Language Centre, Nant Gwrtheyrn is a small bay and community on the northern coast of the Llyn Peninsula, just a short drive from the Oakeley Arms.

The legend of Nant Gwrtheyrn tells of a young couple from the village, Rhys and Meinir. Rhys and Meinir were childhood sweethearts who had loved each other for many years, and couldn’t wait to be married. They would often meet under a mighty oak tree to discuss their wedding plans, and it soon became their favourite place and safe haven.

Following the local custom and ancient traditions, on the morning of the wedding Meinir ran to hide, while the groom was sent to hunt for her. However, the bride was nowhere to be seen. A search party was sent out, but she had vanished. Rhys and the wedding party searched for hours and then days, but they couldn’t find Meinir. The wedding was called. Poor Rhys was heartbroken and spent the following months and years traipsing over lonely hills and beaches in search for his sweetheart.

One day over thirty years later, Rhys took shelter from a storm under the mighty oak tree. Suddenly, a great bolt of lightning split the great trunk in half, and out fell the skeletal corpse of his beloved Meinir, still in her wedding finery. When he realised what had happened, a grief stricken Rhys collapsed and died instantly of a broken heart.

Some visitors claim to have seen two ghostly figures walking hand in hand on the beach, united in death and together forever in their hearts and homeland ……

We told you it was a sad one! Check back next week for a walk around this beautiful coast and perhaps you too will catch a glimpse of the heartbroken lovers?

The bay of Nant Gwrtheyrn (wikicommons)