The Manchester Evening News enjoyed their visit to Llanarmon and were particularly impressed when they visited the nearby waterfall at Pistyll Rhaeadr. They sum up what I like most about Llanarmon – you feel like you are driving to the middle of nowhere then all of a sudden you are in a lovely village surrounded by stunning scenery. Llanarmon is not on a main route to anywhere, so many people stumble upon it by chance.
You could say it’s in the middle of nowhere. But this ‘nowhere’ is a glorious place. A secret valley where the countryside is a spectacle to behold.
Rough Guides recommends Llanarmon as one of the six must visit places in Wales you have probably never heard of. As they mention in their write up, we have two fantastic inns in the village – which is quite amazing considering the size of the village. This is what makes Llanarmon such a great location for a weekend break in North Wales. Two great places to eat and have a drink, lovely scenery, great walks and a quiet friendly village. If you want to head out and visit Llangollen, Bala or Mid-Wales they are only a short drive away.
For such a small place, there’s not one but two impressive inns here, which – combined with some lovely walks on the doorstep, through the valleys and onto the moors – make Llanarmon DC the ideal choice for a relaxing countryside break.
I have spent many an evening in country inns when away walking on a weekend break and the Hand is one of my favourites. Great location, great beer, wonderful food and always a warm welcome from the owners. But don’t just take it from me, this is what the Daily Telegraph wrote about the Hand when they included it in their list of 30 cosiest pubs in Britain.
The Hand sits in a popular spot with walkers, mountain bikers and wildlife spotters, who will spend days in the hills before rolling down to this 16th-century drovers inn. A coal fire burns on the range in reception, a wood fire crackles in the front bar, and a wood-burner keeps things cosy in the the restaurant.
It is always a struggle when I walk from our holiday cottage into the centre of Llanarmon. Do I turn right and have a drink in the Hand or left and have a drink in the West Arms. To be honest, as they are only 20 seconds walk from each other I inevitably end up in both!
And speaking about the West Arms, here is what the Daily Post had to say about Llanarmon and the West Arms when they visited.
The exquisite approach through the Ceiriog Valley sets the scene for the pretty village of Llanarmon DC and on the main crossroads in the centre of the village is The West Arms Hotel.
I am particularly fond of sitting in the beer garden at the West Arms on a sunny evening looking over the fields and watching the birds of prey circling. Below is the view across the fields into the Berwyn Range from the beer garden of the West Arms. I think you will agree – not a bad spot to while away an hour or so on a nice evening.
