17-05-2025
Pub grub in scenic village that's makes heading off the A55 worthwhile
Many years ago, the pretty village of Dwygyfylchi was a staging post for travellers criss crossing between Anglesey and north east Wales. That's one of the reasons why pubs like the Fairy Glen Hotel sprang up.
Today it is just off the beaten track but it's definitely worth veering off the A55 Expressway to come here for a bite to eat, a drink of something cool and to savour the beautiful surroundings.
I'd passed it many times but called in for a visit for the first time on one of this glorious Spring's sunny days last week.
It's the kind of pub I love - packed with character, wooden beams and pictures on the walls dedicated to its rich, local history. A grainy print shows horses and carts bringing passengers down the nearby Sychnant Pass probably in the early 1900s. There is even a list of local accidents.
No donated photo or picture is refused, apparently, meaning there isn't much available wall space left. There are also photos of former Hollywood luminaries Audrey Hepburn and Sophia Loren along with the Brat Pack.
This was late on a Tuesday lunchtime and it was quiet. I picked a cool table indoors and checked the menu. It offers a range of intriguing choices - Luxury Fisherman's Pie (£18.45), Deep Fried Reformed Scampi (£18.45) and also a vegetarian Spinach and Ricotta Cannelloni (also £18.45).
But I wanted to see what a "homemade" dish was like so opted for the Homemade Chicken and Ham Pie. It came with chunky chips and a salad.
The pie was filling with decent pieces of tender chicken and slightly salty ham. They were in a lovely creamy, herb sauce in the pie. The puff pastry topping was light and delicate.
The desserts are traditional so I went for the Apple Crumble and vanilla ice cream. It was very good although on the slightly stodgy side.
On this visit I had an orange cordial. But another time I might have had one of the lagers or a bitter.
The Fairy Glen offers a good selection of lagers including San Miguel, and a Flintshire bitter of Holywell but only at weekends when it's busier.
The facts
Food: Varied and hearty
Service: Friendly and quick
Atmosphere: Traditional country pub with period features
