Local Pubs & Restaurants
The villages and valleys surrounding Moel Famau are home to some excellent traditional Welsh pubs, serving hearty food and well-kept ales. After a long day on the mountain, few things beat a warm fire and a good meal. Always check opening times before visiting — hours can vary seasonally.
The Druid Inn 🍺
📍 Llanferres, Mold, CH7 5SN
Perched in the village of Llanferres on the edge of the Clwydian Range, The Druid Inn is the closest pub to Moel Famau and a firm favourite with walkers. This characterful stone-built village inn has been serving the local community for generations, offering a warm welcome whether you arrive in muddy boots or Sunday best.
The pub serves traditional pub food alongside Welsh ales and is renowned for its friendly atmosphere. The village of Llanferres itself sits in a beautiful location with views up towards the hills — a perfect base for exploring Moel Famau. On fine evenings, the outdoor seating is a wonderful spot to enjoy the views over Big Covert Woods as the sun goes down.
We Three Loggerheads 🌲
📍 Loggerheads, Mold, CH7 5LH
Set in the wooded beauty of the Loggerheads area on the A494 between Mold and Ruthin, We Three Loggerheads has one of the most distinctive names of any pub in North Wales. The name derives from an old inn sign tradition — three foolish faces painted on the board, the joke being that the viewer was the third loggerhead.
Adjacent to the popular Loggerheads Country Park (managed by Denbighshire County Council), the pub is a popular stopping point for families, walkers and cyclists exploring the area. The wooded gorge of the River Alyn nearby is a beautiful spot, and well-marked trails connect Loggerheads to the wider Moel Famau area.
The Raven 🐦⬛
📍 Llanarmon-yn-Ial, Mold, CH7 4QE
The Raven occupies a prime position in the picturesque village of Llanarmon-yn-Ial (pronounced roughly Hlan-AR-mon-in-Yal), set in a quiet valley surrounded by the hills of the Clwydian Range. This traditional Welsh village pub embodies everything that makes rural North Wales so appealing — warmth, character and community.
The village itself is one of the most charming in the area, with its ancient church and handsome stone buildings. The Raven serves as the heart of village life, and makes an excellent destination for walkers exploring the southern end of the Clwydian Range. The surrounding countryside is largely unspoilt and off the main tourist trail.
The Miners Arms ⛏️
📍 Maeshafn, Mold, CH7 5LR
Maeshafn is a small hilltop village with a rich industrial heritage — lead and calcite mining once dominated these hills, and the pub's name remembers that era. Perched high above the Alyn Valley with wonderful views, The Miners Arms is a traditional country pub that has retained much of its original character.
The village is a well-kept secret among those who know the area — tucked away in the hills between Loggerheads and Llanferres, it sees fewer visitors than its neighbours but rewards those who seek it out. The Miners Arms is popular with walkers exploring the surrounding countryside and provides a genuinely warm welcome.
The White Horse Inn 🐴
📍 Cilcain, Mold, CH7 5NN
Sitting at the very foot of Moel Famau in the pretty village of Cilcain, The White Horse Inn is one of the most conveniently placed pubs for walkers coming off the mountain via the northern paths. The village itself is a gem — a cluster of stone cottages around a Norman church, set in a quiet valley with the Clwydian hills rising all around.
A proper community local, The White Horse serves home-cooked food alongside locally-sourced real ales. It is well known for its warm welcome to walkers and their dogs, making it an ideal reward after a day on the hill. Simple, honest pub food done well — exactly what you want after a long walk.
The Griffin Inn 🦅
📍 Llanbedr Dyffryn Clwyd, LL15 1UP
Tucked into the village of Llanbedr Dyffryn Clwyd at the foot of the Clwydian Range, The Griffin Inn sits within the National Landscape with easy access to the Vale of Clwyd and Offa's Dyke Path. Recently refurbished, it combines a traditional character — snug, bar, and dining room — with a welcoming, community-focused atmosphere.
The kitchen serves lunch and dinner, with menus that offer something a little beyond the usual pub fare. The Griffin also holds an AA 4-star rating and offers guest accommodation, making it a convenient base for walkers and cyclists exploring the western slopes of the Clwydian Range. The outdoor garden is a fine spot in summer.
Pub Locations Map
All six pubs shown relative to Moel Famau and the Bwlch Penbarras car park. Click each marker for details.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Locations are approximate.
Tips for Visiting
Booking & Opening Hours
Rural Welsh pubs can have variable opening hours, and some may close on certain days or limit food service to specific sessions. It is always advisable to call ahead or check the pub's website or social media before making a special journey — particularly midweek, in winter, or for groups.
Dogs & Walking Boots
All four pubs listed here are known to be welcoming to dogs and muddy walkers, but please check with individual pubs about their current arrangements. Some pubs ask that dogs remain in bar areas rather than dining rooms.
Getting There
Public transport to these villages is limited. Most visitors arrive by car. The A494 (Mold to Ruthin) is the main access road and passes close to Loggerheads. Llanferres and Maeshafn are signposted from the A494, and Llanarmon-yn-Ial is reached via minor roads from Ruthin or Mold.
Loggerheads Country Park
Adjacent to We Three Loggerheads pub, Loggerheads Country Park offers a visitor centre, café, children's play area and marked walking trails through the Alyn Valley gorge. It is managed by Denbighshire County Council and is an excellent family destination in its own right.