Have you ever heard about ‘The Knitted Village‘ or anything like that? I am sure there is nothing in the world like Llwyngwril, absolutely remarkable small village in North Wales whose knitting mania has put it on the map. The streets of this cute village are targeted by local yarn bombers who create street art by knitting around trees, park benches and lamp posts.

Yarn bombing is a type of graffiti or street art that employs colourful displays of knitted or crocheted yarn or fibre rather than paint or chalk. It is also called yarn storming, guerrilla knitting, kniffiti, urban knitting, or graffiti knitting.

Sitting on the Cambrian Coast, within Snowdonia National Park, Llwyngwril is home to around 500 residents. And these residents know what they’re doing with knitting needles and wool. This project was initially launched to raise money for the local community centre – Y Ganolfan Llwyngwril. The idea was to create interest in the village, by bringing in more visitors, which in turn would hopefully lead to donations in appreciation of the work involved, but at the same time also help to unite the community.

In front of the local school

Streets of the village are targeted by local yarn bombers

As a result you can see quite few people wandering around the village with huge smiles on their faces, my wife and I also enjoyed our time in Llwyngwril walking the streets and starring at brightly coloured knitted bunting festooned over fences and hedges, followed by knitted birds, bees, bugs, fish, lobsters, moles, starfish and all manner of woolly creatures.

Gwril, a 4ft knitted mascot perched on a bridge, is just one of a number of wooly attractions

Who is Gwril?

The village of Llwyngwril has a myth of a giant named Gwril. The village is over-looked by Castell-y-Gaer a prehistoric hill fort, with standing stones surrounding the area. It is said the local legend who is Gwril ruled Castell-y-Gaer and his cousin, Giant Idris, from Cader Idris Mountain used to throw rocks at each other and this is how the standing stones were formed.

The display of Poppies. This is a feature for remembrance day at Llwyngwril

Travel Tips:

There is a small car park with toilets five minutes walk away (signposted from the bridge in the village) plus a small off-licence shop by the bridge.

There are no facilities at the beach. Post code: LL37 2JT

The village of Llwyngwril is situated on the A493 between the towns of Dolgellau and Tywyn in the county of Gwynedd in West Wales. Villages close by include Arthog, Fairbourne, Llangelynnin, Rhoslefain, Llanegryn, and Friog.

There is also a railway station along the Cambrian Coast Line, where the trains stop on request. It was as part of a television series Coastal Railways with Julie Walters on Channel 4.

Llwyngwril railway station is on the Cambrian Coast line from Machynlleth to Pwllheli.

A path passing the railway station, gives access to the beach from the town. Its a beautiful walk along a stream with lots of beautiful knitted things to keep you entertained.

Path to the beach with lots of beautiful knitted things

Cute knitted creatures are everywhere

We were pleasantly surprised at all the ‘hidden’ places where knitted creatures can be found. Truly unique and memorable place.