Tŷ Hyll (The Ugly House)
About
A cottage of huge undressed boulders on the A5 between Betws and Capel Curig, where the road crosses the Llugwy, about four kilometres west of the village centre in a straight line and a little past Swallow Falls. It belongs to the Snowdonia Society, the Eryri conservation charity, which keeps the garden and woodland open every day all year and charges nothing to see the house, the Honeybee Room or the garden. The tearoom that used to run here is now permanently closed, so bring your own lunch. Legend has it built overnight in the 15th century; Cadw thinks it more likely went up in the early 19th century, around the time of Telford's road, and calls the story a piece of Romantic myth-making for the tourist trade. Cadw lists it Grade II.
Photos
Highlights
- ✓Grade II listed boulder cottage on the A5
- ✓Garden and woodland open every day, free
- ✓The Honeybee Room
- ✓A short stop on the same road as Swallow Falls
Tips
- →The tearoom is permanently closed, per the Snowdonia Society.
- →The main entrance is not wheelchair accessible; the Society suggests the second entrance about 10 metres up the side road, and keeps one Blue Badge space in the upper car park.
- →A footpath runs along the north bank of the Llugwy from Betws to Tŷ Hyll, per the Society.
Best Season
Accessibility
Per the Snowdonia Society: main entrance not wheelchair accessible, second entrance about 10m up the side road suggested; one Blue Badge space in the upper car park; assistance dogs welcome in the house and grounds.
Last verified 2026-10-16
