Church of St Beuno, with attached Chapel of St Beuno, Grade I listed church in Clynnog Fawr, Gwynedd, United Kingdom
Church of St Beuno is a stone building in Clynnog Fawr dating mainly to the 15th and 16th centuries, with its oldest sections being the chancel and transepts. The attached chapel connects to the main church via a passageway and sits on the site of the original church and the saint's burial place.
Saint Beuno founded this religious site in the 7th century, and pilgrims have visited his burial place ever since. The present buildings were constructed between the late 1400s and early 1500s, replacing an earlier structure that was destroyed during Viking raids and Norman attacks.
The chapel was a key stopping point for pilgrims traveling to Bardsey Island, a major pilgrimage destination where thousands of saints were buried. Local people and visitors came to seek blessings and healing, making the well and tomb central to folk devotion in the region.
The site is accessible from Easter through October, though winter visits require an appointment. Parking is available within walking distance, accessible toilets are nearby, and the grounds welcome visitors on foot, by bicycle, or with dogs.
Inside the church lies an unusual historical tool: dog-handling tongs once used during services to manage troublesome animals. The chapel itself served practical purposes, functioning as storage and even a lock-up, before being restored in 1913.
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