History of Bryn Noddfa

Bryn Noddfa was built as family home by Captain Robert Roberts at some point in the 1870s, but it has a long history as a guest house.

Captain Robert Johnson Roberts was born in 1847 in Porth Dinorwig. He married Mary Jones, born 1846, who lived in Muriau, Tudweiliog. He was on the 1871 Census living there with his family, listed as Mariner age 24.

He sailed on several ships and did well carrying cargo around the world. He also lived in Britannia Terrace, and Marine Terrace, both in Morfa Nefyn, whilst Bryn Noddfa was built for him. His last ship he commanded was the ‘County of Caernarfon’, which sadly sunk in 1889, and he and his eldest son Robert drowned. The ship is featured on the front of Bryn Noddfa and is the inspiration for the new logo.

The ship had left Newcastle Australia bound for the port of Valparaiso on 1st June 1889. Wreckage was found in Spirits Bay, North Island, New Zealand.

Captain Roberts and his wife had six children and she was now a widow. With only a small pension she had to open the house as a guest house.

The house remained in the same family until the 1970s. It was the new owners who converted it into a hotel, adding the modern extensions.