Steeped in history,
wrapped in elegance
TÅ· Glyn is a place where history and landscape are deeply intertwined. The Gentry house has long stood as a landmark of the Aeron Valley, bearing witness to centuries of change. Once a private estate, it welcomed poets, creatives, and visitors drawn to the serenity of Ciliau Aeron and the River Aeron flowing nearby. Known as Ty Glyn Uchaf in the 18th century and it was the High Sherriff David James that built the first Ty Glyn-uchaf between the present Ty Glyn and Pont newydd.
The estate returned to the James family through John James, a merchant from Aberystwyth, who married Anne, the daughter of David Jenkins of Presteigne. Their daughter, Bridget, brought disgrace to the family by marrying the groom, David Rees of Cunglas, Cribyn.
John’s son, David James, inherited the estate and later sold the house, Tyglyn-uchaf, to Alban Thomas Jones Gwynne (1751–1819), who renamed it TyGlyn Aeron.
After Alban died, his widow Susannah found out the estate was in serious debt. She handed it over to the courts (Chancery), and in 1824 it was sold at auction. It was bought for £4,099 by Thomas Winwood (1784–1838), a businessman from Bristol who made his money in canal and railway work. In 1825, Thomas Winwood built the current Ty Glyn Aeron house on a new site.
During the 1930s, under the ownership of Geoffrey Faber, T.S.Eliot was a regular guest, staying every summer from 1933 to1941. Here, he drew inspiration for Old Possum’s Book o f Practical Cats, which later became the musical Cats.In the 1950s, TÅ· Glyn was owned by the Wilton Clark family. Gillian “Bobby” Wilton Clark was a war heroine — one of only six women ever to receive the George Medal — who later became a celebrated rally car driver, competing in many Monte Carlo races.
Our design story
Our design is inspired by the creative spirit that has always lived within TÅ· Glyn. Poets and writers once came here for inspiration, and today guests are invited to slow down, breathe, and feel that same connection to nature and history.
Highlights include the honeymoon suite, transformed into a serene retreat with a canopy bed and marble bathroom framed by indulgent views of the valley. Lighting has been carefully planned — daylight celebrated by day, soft feature lighting adding intimacy by night.
Sustainability and authenticity are at the heart of the design. Local tradespeople and materials were used wherever possible ,ensuring that the story of TÅ· Glyn is grounded in its community.
We hope you feel the calm, creativity, and sense of place that make TÅ· Glyn unique — and that your stay leaves you refreshed, inspired and connected to the beauty around you.
Located just five miles from Cardigan Bay’s wild coastline and the picturesque harbour town of Aberaeron, we’re easy to find with plenty things to see & explore just a stone’s throw away from our venue.
A new chapter begins...
While the house was built in 1825, you may notice that the entrance to the restaurant displays the date 1876. This is because, during the restoration, a downpipe carved with that date was discovered, revealing that an extension had been built during this period.
In the bar, you’ll also find a unique feature: a wooden bench crafted from the original beam above the fireplace. The beam had been salvaged because it contained many coins hammered into it. This tradition is part of a wider Welsh folklore practice —originally a healing ritual dating back to the 1700s. People believed that hammering a coin into wood could transfer illness into the tree or beam, while removing the coin meant inheriting the ailment.
Over time, it evolved into a wish-making ritual, much like tossing coins into fountains. In fireplaces and hearths, coins were often placed for good luck and protection. These details connect TÅ· Glyn not just to the history of Ceredigion, but also to centuries-old Welsh traditions of resilience, ritual, and creativity. After multiple owners, the house endured a devastating fire in the mid-1980s but was restored by Stan and Eleri Thomas, preserving what remained. Now a celebrated hotel, TÅ· Glyn offers guests an elegant escape, where history meets sophistication. Whether indulging at our restaurant, exploring the gardens, or unwinding in one of our suites, visitors become part of a living legacy shaped by centuries of ambition, artistry, and resilience.
Welcome to the new chapter of Ty Glyn...