An epic weekend exploring North Wales most beautiful wild swimming spots.
Leave your kids at home, turn your phone off and immerse yourself in an incredible landscape.
You’ll stay at Tŷ Newydd Writing Centre on the banks of the Afon Dwyfor.
All meals are provided, and there’s plenty of homemade cake to fuel those swims.
Tumbling rivers, amazing waterfalls and lakes cradled in the mountains. We’ll swim in at least four different glorious locations during the weekend.
Most of our swim spots require short walks on uneven footpaths and can include some uphill hiking. A reasonable level of fitness is needed for our swim retreats.
We want to give you the confidence to plan your own wild swims. Wild swimming is good for the soul. This retreat is suitable for adults only.
No fancy kit is needed, just a swimsuit, towel and some shoes to wear in the water. You might choose to bring a changing robe.
Emma lives, works and plays in north Wales and has been leading groups of people in the outdoors for 20 years. She’s a qualified Mountain Leader, Rock Climbing Instructor and Open Water Lifeguard, with loads of local knowledge and experience. She loves sharing the best of what Eryri has to offer. Iconic landscapes and secret spots. When she’s not out and about with groups she’s in the mountains with her husband and (massive) dog Bear.
Facebook: Wild Wales
Instagram: @wildwales_
Tŷ Newydd is a magical place of words and friendships, the sound of the sea and the sight of blooming flowers. You can look down the garden, through the hole in the hedge and see the billowing sea, or else the next line of a poem, hanging there, waiting to be picked.
If you're looking to develop your writing skills in a supportive, relaxed environment, then Tŷ Newydd writing courses is the place to be! The centre welcomes writers at all levels, and the food, accommodation, and surroundings are simply wonderful.
I leave Tŷ Newydd with gifts: the participants on our course were willing to go out on a limb, to go deep, to share; they made recommendations for reading, asked questions that were meaningful, and they made work that was important. A privilege to share this journey with them.
Tŷ Newydd is an idyllic, magical place to teach. I had a wonderful time.
A wonderful writing centre in a dream location. A traditional, character house with all modern amenities in the extensions. A library to dream for with views of the sea. If you like writing and want somewhere welcoming and inspiring, Ty Newydd is the place. Quite magical!
Ein tŷ ni yw Tŷ Newydd! Lle sydd wastad yn synnu yn ei allu i dawelu'r corff a'r meddwl er mwyn ymroi i'r gwaith.
Lle bach rhyfeddol ydi Tŷ Newydd, mae'r holl staff yno'n deall yn union sut mae creu awyrgylch berffaith i 'sgwennu.
Tŷ Newydd really does give writers, and those new to writing, exactly what they need and crave. Who knows I would ever have become a writer without the boost a Tŷ Newydd course gave me when I was starting out. It’s such a joy to be able to share that experience now as a tutor. It’s a tonic and a little piece of heaven.
Tŷ Newydd is a fantastic place for writers – inspirational, welcoming. There’s a kind of magic in its stones – words find you there.
Tŷ Newydd is a beautiful place – incredibly special.
I’ve been told by other writers that Tŷ Newydd is a place like no other but I assumed they were exaggerating, however, if anything, they undersold it. Walking up the path to the house felt as if I were stepping into a time capsule. I was transported by the gardens and views of the sea which drew me in; I knew that I would be inspired to write and teach in the many areas the grounds have to offer.
Waeth be’ mae neb yn ddweud, mae Tŷ Newydd yn rhewi amser. Y mae’n sugno’r trugareddau a’r pethau o’n bywyd bob dydd a’u toddi’n ddim.. Mae’n benthyg i ni lyfrgell sy’n toddi’r dydd yn nos. Ac yn eu lle, mae Tŷ Newydd yn rhoi i ni anadl i greu. Lle felly ydi o. A diolch amdano.
This is a beautiful place and an ideal environment to concentrate and write. I had heard so much about Tŷ Newydd but it surpassed all expectations!
"If you want to brush up your writing skills there's no better place than Tŷ Newydd for setting, facilities, peace and quiet, and value for money."
"You can stay in an average hotel and eat out for more than it costs to stay at the beautiful Tŷ Newydd and have top class food and accommodation – and brilliant tutoring about writing as well!"
Tŷ Newydd is a wonderfully warm and welcoming place. It’s a space that allows you to connect with your writing and focus entirely on that. The location, staff and house all come together to create the perfect home away from home for creativity and inspiration.
On the final evening of our course, one student hit ‘send’ on a submission to a literary agent and the whole room cheered for her. That says everything you need to know about the course. As a tutor, it was a real privilege to be part of such an inspiring few days.
A warm welcoming writing centre with lots of space and fantastic grounds. We had rich discussions on writing about climate change; stayed up late discussing denial, anger, grief for the world and hope for the future. A few bottles of wine, candlelight and delicious food.
A weekend at Tŷ Newydd is an escape to a romantic literary past. The modern day falls away, forgotten. What remains is the whitewashed house, the gardens and the stretch of sea in the distance. What remains is the writing and the inspiration that powers it. And what remains are the new friends experiencing the same thing at the same time.
I always come away from Tŷ Newydd feeling enthused and creative. It’s a tonic, a fresh eye on life. A rest for the mind and a fire for the heart. It makes me want to craft words, tell stories, write.
Lle delfrydol i gyfarfod yr awen.
Mae gan Dŷ Newydd rhyw swyn greradigol sy'n ffeindio'i ffordd i fewn i bob rhan o'ch cyfnod yma. Dwi wedi mynychu a tiwtora mewn cyrsiau yma ac wedi ffeindio'r llonyddwch, yr harddwch a chyfeillgarwch y staff yno yn sbardun i ysgrifennu ac arlunio bob tro. Mae'r ffaith fy mod yn edrych ymlaen i ddychwelyd yma i fod yn rhan o'r cyfnod creadigol, dim ots beth yw'r cwrs na'r cwmni yn destament i lwyddiant Tŷ Newydd.
Do it! As well as the focused period of writing, and excellent tuition, you will make a lot of contacts with other writers and these can be invaluable in exploring mutual opportunities for publication and readings. You will gather a lot of material for drawing on later. You will enjoy the wonderful Dwyfor valley, the coast and surrounding countryside. The accommodation is comfortable ... and the food very enjoyable! (Sorry, that’s longer than a sentence!)
Cerwch amdani! Mae’r arbenigedd a rennir gan diwtoriaid yn amhrisiadwy a’r gwmnïaeth a’r lluniaeth yn ychwanegu’r fawr at y profiad.
Os ydych yn dod am y tro cyntaf, dewch gyda meddwl agored a bod yn benderfynol o elwa, naill ai drwy ddarganfod eich dawn chi eich hun neu ddawn rhywun arall. Os yn dod ar encil, gofalwch eich bod chi’n cael popeth mewn trefn CYN dod ar yr encil er mwyn cael y budd mwyaf o lonydd i sgwennu.
Mae awyrgylch Tŷ Newydd cyn bwysiced â'r cwrs. Mwyhewch y llonyddwch, y bwyd a'r cwmni, a holwch eich tiwtoriaid yn ddi-baid. Oni bai y gwnewch chi hyn, fyddwch chi wedi gwastraffu cyfle.
Ewch! Mae ymroddiad y tiwtoriaid a’r staff heb ei ail; mae’r profiad o fod gyda phobl eraill sy’n ymddiddori mewn gwaith creadigol - a’r profiad o Dŷ Newydd ei hun (yr adeilad, yr ardd, y wlad o gwmpas) yn werthfawr iawn
Tŷ Newydd holds a special place in my heart. I’ve grown through every residential course I’ve attended and to return as a tutor is a real honour. It’s a delight to work in such creative surroundings and to have the opportunity to practice my Cymraeg.
Tŷ Newydd is a wonderfully warm and welcoming place. It’s a space that allows you to connect with your writing and focus entirely on that. The location, staff and house all come together to create the perfect home away from home for creativity and inspiration.
This is a beautiful place and an ideal environment to concentrate and write. I had heard so much about Tŷ Newydd but it surpassed all expectations!
Tŷ Newydd is my favourite writers’ centre – warm, welcoming, like a home from home, and the setting is stunning – sea views, huge gardens, picturesque river walks. You are doing a great job and huge contribution to the literary life, attracting many talented and promising writers who are a dream to teach – thank you!
The location itself is crucial to the course, offering as it does a quiet, serene venue for people to get down to work free of outside influences and the stress of daily life. The peace and the layout of the house – lots of nooks and corners for people to disappear into to write – means that even with 16 people on the course we at no time felt cramped or under each other’s feet.
My thanks as always to the staff at Tŷ Newydd for their unobtrusive but supportive presence throughout the course. They make it a pleasure to be there.
It is my favourite place for teaching creative writing anywhere in these islands – I love the setting and the atmosphere it creates, and the groups I’ve taught over the years have never been anything but amenable and good fun – and talented!
And if anyone wanted proof of the Tŷ Newydd effect, and the quality of writing it can produce, get a hold of the anthology produced at the end of the week, ‘Tales from Tŷ Newydd’, and read the ‘Letter from David Lloyd George’ that a school pupil, aged 11, wrote in twenty five minutes, in the library, on a Thursday morning. It’s extraordinary!
On the final evening of our course, one student hit ‘send’ on a submission to a literary agent and the whole room cheered for her. That says everything you need to know about the course. As a tutor, it was a real privilege to be part of such an inspiring few days.
The tutor was outstanding - I've been twice before and I learn more and more each time. Kaite is rigoras, supportive and exciting to work with.
"Roedd y tiwtoriaid yn ffantastic. Wedi bod yn gyfle gwych i gael dysgu wrthyn nhw ac oddi wrth fy nghyd-fyfyrwyr."
I feel enlightened, like all the static in my head that I always wished would stop has finally turned into song.
Yssu i ddod yma ar gwrs arall yn barod!
Roedd yn braf cael rhyddid a llonydd i fynd ar eich liwt eich hun, ond cael y cyngor gan y tiwtoriaid os roedden ni angen hynny. Bwyd hyfryd, gwely a chyfleusterau glan a chyfforddus. Tan tro nesaf, Tŷ Newydd.
It feels like home. I never want to leave.
My favorite writing centre by far! The setting and the house are so conducive to creative work. Being surrounded by beauty, natural and home-wise, makes all the difference.
Tŷ Newydd offers an unforgettable experience for writers. It is unique among writing centres I know in its beautiful, picturesque seaside location. Working there as a tutor was a greatly rewarding experience. It was brilliant to see how writers developed during the week, and how quickly a sense of a writing community developed among people who started the week as strangers. As a tutor, it was a thrill to be inspired by the students’ work and by the atmosphere of the place. This is very definitely one of the best experiences I’ve had as a writer and teacher.
Lle i enaid gael llonydd - a thanio!
Mae awyrgylch unigryw yn Nhŷ Newydd, ac unwaith mae rhywun yn cyrraedd mae modd canolbwyntio ar yr elfen greadigol. Mae’r safle mewn lle delfrydol a rywsut mae holl ethos y lle yn eich meddiannu wrth ddod yma, ac mae pobl yn llwyddo i greu ac ymagor ac i gyd-dynnu yn arbennig. Lle sydd yn agos iawn at fy nghalon i fel mynychwr cyrsiau ac fel tiwtor. Hoffwn dreulio mwy o amser yma i weithio ar waith penodol fy hun hefyd.
Tŷ Newydd is a very special place. Writers often seek inspiration and it is difficult not to find it here. Inside, the house is handsome, comfortable and heaving with books – not to mention chef Tony’s mouth-watering creations. Outside, the natural setting is extraordinarily beautiful, a world of mountains and rivers, woodland walks and the stretching sea. As a writerly escape from the busy world, a place of reflection and laughter, it takes some beating.
Wales’s best kept secret. The house has loads of character and is labyrinthine – so many nooks and crannies and the best library ever. You instantly feel at home. The food is home cooked and wonderful and the staff welcoming. And a 15-minute walk away is an unspoilt rocky beach with a path all the way to Cricieth. If you seek inspiration you will find it here: in the workshops at Ty Newydd; on the bardic chair in the garden; all along the wild coastline.
