I was recently commissioned by the Elenydd Wilderness Hostel Trust to paint ‘Ty’n Cornel’, one of their hostels high up in the Cambrian Mountains of Mid Wales.

Ty’n Cornel has been called the most remote hostel in Wales. It lies next to a stony track across the mountains, from which there is little sign of the hostel until you round the final bend. Its full Welsh name is ‘Tyddyn yn y Cornel’ which means ‘Smallholding in the Corner’. (It is also sometimes spelled ‘Tyncornel’.)

Ty’n Cornel hostel painting | 20×16 inches | Oil on canvas.

Built in the early nineteenth century, Ty’n Cornel was one of a scattering of farms in the area, many of them now in ruins. The last family moved out in 1952 and the farmhouse has been a youth hostel since the 1960’s. It has been run by volunteer wardens since 1987 and has only had electricity since 2004.

Charles, Elin and myself, the painting presentation.

Originally a Welsh farmhouse, for many years it was a Youth Hostel Association Hostel owned and run by the YHA. Now a independent hostel owned and run by the Elenydd Wilderness Hostel Trust. I was asked if I’d come along to the presentation, held on the terrace at Ty’n Cornel in wonderful summer sunshine.

Charles, Elin and trust chairperson, Marilyn Barrack.

Find out much more about the Elenydd Widerness Hostel Trust and their beautiful hostels high up in the Cambrian mountains of Wales at their website –  Elenydd Wilderness Hostel Trust here.

Happy painting!

Chris