Celebrate Dydd Santes Dwynwen - Calling all Romantics

As a nation known for our passion, poetry and traditions an occasion we celebrate here in Wales is Dydd Santes Dwynwen (St Dwynwen's Day), our very own Valentine's day. Celebrated on the 25th of January we honour our Welsh patron saint of lovers by swapping cards and gifts and treating our loved ones.

So who was Dwynwen?

Dwynwen was one of King Brychan Brycheiniog’s 24 daughters. She fell in love with a local boy called Maelon. However her father King Brychan had other plans for Dwynwen and had arranged for her to marry another prince. Both Maelon and Dwynwen didn't take the news well and in her sadness Dwynwen prays to fall out of love with him. Running away to the woods she is visited by an angel who gave her a sweet potion to help her forget Maelon, and turned him into a block of ice.

God then granted Dwynwen three wishes. Her first was that Maelon be thawed; second, that God meet the hopes and dreams of true lovers; and third, that she should never marry.  All three were fulfilled, and as a mark of her thanks, Dwynwen devoted herself to God for the rest of her life and became a nun, setting up a convent on Llanddwyn Island, a beautiful little spot on Anglesey (well worth a visit). 

So why not take the opportunity to impress your other half and treat them on the 25th of January (and the 14th of February of course). A romantic break for two maybe? 

We're here to help, if you'd like some of our suggestions on cosy, romantic cottages, contact us on 01650 511101 or info@bestofwales.co.uk