Hotel linked to Welsh legend in one of the UK's most beautiful villages has been sold

A Beddgelert hotel linked to one of the most famous Welsh legends has been sold - with plans to revamp the site. The Royal Goat Hotel was originally built as the Beddgelert Hotel in 1802 by Thomas Jones, whose wife had inherited the Beddgelert estate in Eryri.

The hotel is perhaps best known as the place where the legend of Prince Llywelyn and his faithful hound Gelert was sold to the world. It was conceived to cater for the increasing numbers of tourists visiting Yr Wyddfa and was the birthplace of a marketing masterstroke by the first tenant manager David Pritchard.

He promoted the story of Gelert, the loyal hound mistakenly slain by his master Prince Llywelyn and created a monument known as Gelert’s Grave in a nearby field in an attempt to further boost tourism. It worked, as the legend became a talking point in Victorian homes and to this day thousands of people visit Gelert’s grave.

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The hotel became the Royal Goat in the 1870s to commemorate a visit by Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught. Gelert's grave was certainly not the only reason to visit with Beddgelert recently named among the most beautiful places to visit in the UK.

The hotel was placed on the market last year for £800,000. Today specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co announced that the site had been sold.

David and Valerie Cattrall, owners for the last five years, said: “The Royal Goat is a beautiful building, and we wish the new owner all the best with his plans of renovation - it will make a stunning hotel.”

The hotel has been purchased by Grant Kangley and family of Your Travel Stop Ltd, who have exciting renovation plans for the hotel.

They said: “The Royal Goat is a stunning hotel in the heart of Snowdonia(Eryri) and perfectly located for guests to enjoy everything that North Wales has to offer. It is a fantastic addition to our portfolio of hotels throughout North Wales. Many thanks to Tom O’Malley from the Christie & Co, who we have worked with before, and hope to work with again soon.”

Tom O’Malley, Associate Director at Christie & Co who handled the sale, said: “We are delighted to announce the sale of The Royal Goat after a sales process that generated significant buyer interest and competitive offers from a number or parties."