At a glance
Wales's oldest licensed inn (first licensed 1573) in the Conwy Valley at Tyn-y-Groes — acclaimed food, real ales, walled garden, and accommodation. 2 miles from Bodnant Garden and Bodnant Welsh Food Centre. Booking recommended. LL32 8TN.
About The Groes Inn
The Groes Inn at Tyn-y-Groes is the oldest continuously licensed inn in Wales — the first house in the country to receive a licence to sell alcohol, granted in 1573 during the reign of Elizabeth I. The building itself is a traditional Welsh longhouse construction that predates the licence, adapted for inn-keeping in the late 16th century. Five centuries of use have softened and settled the place: thick stone walls, low beamed ceilings, fireplaces that have warmed travellers through Welsh winters, and a walled garden added in later generations.
The inn's kitchen has built a serious reputation for quality over the years, drawing on Welsh produce — lamb and beef from local farms, fish from the Conwy coast and beyond, seasonal vegetables from the valley — and presenting it without unnecessary complication. The wine list is well chosen and the bar carries real ales, including Welsh brewery beers. The combination of a historically significant building, a good kitchen, and a peaceful valley setting makes The Groes a destination in its own right rather than simply a stop on the way elsewhere.
Tyn-y-Groes sits on the A470 Conwy Valley road, 2 miles from Bodnant Garden and the Bodnant Welsh Food Centre, and 8 miles from Conwy town. The Conwy Valley Line railway has a halt at Tal-y-Cafn, 1 mile away. The inn also has accommodation rooms, making it a characterful base for exploring the valley, the Carneddau mountains to the west, and the coast. Booking ahead is essential for weekend lunches and all dinners in season.
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Frequently asked questions
The Groes Inn at Tyn-y-Groes holds the distinction of being the first house in Wales to be granted a licence to sell alcohol — the licence dates to 1573, in the reign of Elizabeth I. This makes it the oldest continuously licensed inn in Wales, a claim backed by historical records. The building itself is older, a traditional Welsh longhouse construction that was adapted for inn-keeping in the late 16th century. The inn has been updated and extended over the centuries but retains the low ceilings, thick walls, and atmosphere of a genuinely old country pub.
The Groes Inn kitchen has a long-standing reputation for quality and uses Welsh produce extensively. The menu typically features seasonal dishes drawing on local suppliers — Welsh lamb, beef, fish from the coast, and vegetables from the valley. The wine list is considered good for a country inn, and the bar carries real ales including Welsh brewery products. Lunch and dinner are served in both the bar and dining room. Booking is strongly recommended for weekend lunches and all evenings, particularly in summer.
The Groes Inn is at Tyn-y-Groes, a small hamlet in the Conwy Valley on the A470 road, approximately 8 miles south of Conwy town and 2 miles from both Bodnant Garden and the Bodnant Welsh Food Centre. The Conwy Valley Line railway passes close by with a halt at Tal-y-Cafn 1 mile away. The inn sits on a hillside above the valley floor with views across to the Conwy mountain on the opposite side.
Yes — The Groes Inn has accommodation rooms in the main building and converted outbuildings, making it one of the most characterful places to stay in the Conwy Valley. Rooms are individually decorated and the inn is a popular choice for couples and walkers using the valley as a base for Snowdonia. Check availability and rates on thegroes.co.uk. The combination of historic inn, quality kitchen, and peaceful valley location makes it a strong option for a short break.
The obvious combination is Bodnant Garden (National Trust, 2 miles) and the Bodnant Welsh Food Centre (2 miles) — all three are within easy reach in the same stretch of the Conwy Valley and make a full day out. Conwy town and its castle are 8 miles north on the A470. The Conwy Valley Railway from Llandudno Junction to Blaenau Ffestiniog passes through the valley, and the drive south from Tyn-y-Groes through Betws-y-Coed into the heart of Snowdonia is one of the finest valley routes in Wales.