Plas Ceiriog

This is an opportunity to be part of a group of around 22 men who love men, gathering together to enjoy the summer in North Wales. We believe this new venue will offer a bit more luxury than usual, with mainly twin or double en-suite rooms, and couples are welcome. The event is entirely self-catering and the vegetarian food for the week will be cooked by the participants in small groups.

We envisage workshops which are likely to include walking and visiting key places of interest in the area. The Ceiriog Valley is a hidden gem and offers good local walking. Some of us may wish to take a dip in the nearby Llangollen Rock Pools, the Horseshoe Falls or Fairy Glen. There will be cosy and comfortable spaces in and around the Lodge for chatting, reading, games and workshops.

Our group will have exclusive use of this property. The grounds around the Lodge provide lovely spots to enjoy on sunny days. The covered terrace offers an outside area whatever the weather. During the week we can socialise and relax or take part in the workshops offered by the participants. We invite everyone to bring along their own ideas and a willingness to share them. There is freedom to join in as much as you want and there is usually something for everyone. 

Wellbeing: If you are feeling unwell before the event, please consider if it is best not to attend as we are all in close proximity to one another.

Helping Out: Before booking, please note that all participants will need to help with the cooking, keeping the building clean and doing the washing up. We are on our own this week as there aren’t any staff to clean for us. There will be a rota where each of us ise expected to help the community during the event. It can be fun working together in this way and it keeps our environment pleasant.

Soirée: We plan to include an informal soirée during the week where those who wish are invited to share a poem, a song or something else. There's no pressure perform and we always need an audience!

Participation: As all activities are volunteered, by those attending, what actually happens is dependent on a gracious willingness to share. We are all invited to partake in this spirit.

Workshops and responsibilities: We are an intentional community - friends together. When a workshop is proposed, the facilitator will take reasonable care to create a safe environment. However, we are all responsible for our own safety and to ensure that  others are able to enjoy a safe environment too. It is on that basis that we take part. Please remember that a long walk up a challenging mountain, a swim in cold water, or a stretching exercise in a relaxation workshop may have intrinsic risks. Please only do what you are comfortable with.

Base groups/heart circle: We will have Base Groups, and possibly a Heart Circle, for an hour each day. This provides an opportunity to get to know 5 or 6 of the other participants really well and have an opportunity to support one another and share with the group how we are experiencing the week.

Essential Information

Venue: Plas Ceiriog Country, Quarry Road, Glyn Ceiriog, Llangollen, LL20 7DA

Dates: Friday 10th July 2026 – Friday 17th July 2026.

Accessibility: There is one fully-accessible bedroom and bathroom on the ground floor and another which is only slightly less accessible. The ground floor is accessible, providing workshop, eating and socialising spaces. Please contact one of the organisers prior to booking if you have any concerns about the building or grounds and how it may affect your stay. We will work with you to resolve any concerns as best we can. If you require a wheelchair-accessible taxi, please ensure you book it in advance of your arrival and departure. Whilst we are a friendly and helpful group, we are not in a position to offer any form of individual personal care.

Participants: There will be space for around 22 men. A proportion of spaces will be held for first timers to ECC until 9th May 2026. To retain a booking, balances must be paid by 10th June 2026. After that time spaces will be offered to anyone on the waiting list, should there be one.

Accommodation: Across the 14 bedrooms there are single and double beds. To offer more than 22 places on the week some men will be asked if they are prepared to share a double bed or use a camp bed. Some of the double beds can be split into twins, but some can’t, so couples and friends willing to share will increase the number of participants we can accommodate. There are no single rooms available so we will all be sharing bedrooms.

Food: Breakfast, lunch and evening meal are included and will be prepared by the community in base groups. We will also supply tea and coffee and basic snacks. Participants are welcome to bring any preferred biscuits and beverages that they feel they can’t do without. There is a fridge where personal food can be stored. 

Arrival: Please arrive after 4pm and by 6pm, if possible, on Friday 10th July. The organisers do not have access to the building before this. We ask early arrivals not to enter the building until all is ready.

Departure: We need to leave by 10am on Friday 17th July.

Travel

Travelling to and from the venue is the responsibility of participants. We will, however, help to facilitate the sharing of transport by inviting participants to join an advance WhatsApp group where they can offer or request lifts, to share taxis, and to arrange company on their journeys. The nearest railway station to Glyn Ceiriog is at Chirk, located approximately 6.25 miles away. Bus 64 runs roughly every 2 to 3 hours between Chirk Station and Glyn Ceiriog. There is no taxi rank at the railway station but taxis do operate in Chirk and the surrounding area.

WhatsApp Group: A WhatsApp group for travel and general communications will be set up before the week for people who have confirmed places on the event.

Organisers

The organisers this time are Stephen (Bookings and General enquiries), Ian (Catering, and travel enquiries). A third organiser will be announced later.

Stephen
Joining ECC has led to some of the most beautiful and special things I've ever experienced with other men who love men. I still remember clearly, my arrival at Laurieston Hall in 2016 for my first ECC event. It had been a very long drive from Southampton and all I could think of on arrival was using the loo and getting a cuppa. There were 60 or so others and most seemed to have arrived already. How I controlled my over-stretched bladder I’ll never know because wonderful, warmly welcoming men barred my way to the toilet with greetings and friendly enquiries about who I was.

The nearest comparable experiences before that day were numerous residential psychotherapy training conferences. There were always many new faces to meet, workshops to attend, conversations, meals and drinks to share. So it wasn’t the presence of so many people that took me by surprise. It was the welcoming, authentic and warm community that deeply touched me. I enjoy being a part of an event organising team and happily draw upon the event planning work I did before my retirement in 2016. It's a pleasure to set up the space with other organisers where our community gathers, and then to become a part of that community as it fills and shares that space.

Ian
I have been involved with ECC since the 1990s and keep returning, particularly re-connecting during the pandemic. I have been an organiser on quite a few official ECC events as well as unofficial ones in other countries. I look forward to going to a new venue, which is more accessible and a bit more luxurious than some of the old favourites. For me, seeing people, including myself, grow during one of these events and being part of an amazing community, is what keeps me coming back.

Additional information about the area

The tranquil and unspoilt Ceiriog Valley is renowned as a beautiful and historic walking destination in Britain, offering trails of varying difficulty with fabulous views, historical sites, and natural wonders. The surrounding area showcases impressive feats of engineering and historical landmarks, including the stunning Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, the dramatic Oswestry Hill Fort, and several historic houses and castles such as the medieval Chirk Castle and the stately home of Erddig. For those seeking more rugged terrain, Eryri National Park (Snowdonia), with its soaring peaks and dramatic natural beauty, is also accessible for a day trip.

Beyond the natural scenery and historical sites, the region offers several appealing towns for exploration. Llangollen is a picturesque town with amenities, a steam railway, the River Dee, and Plas Newydd, the home of the Ladies of Llangollen who eloped together from Ireland. The large market town of Shrewsbury boasts a medieval centre and historical connections to Darwin. Other notable towns include Welshpool, home to Powis Castle and gardens, the small town of Chirk with essential amenities, and the famous city of Chester, known for its Roman history, city walls, and unique medieval shopping galleries.

We anticipate places for this new and relatively luxurious venue will go quickly, so please note the booking date of 21st March in your diary. 

We look forward to welcoming you to Plas Ceiriog Summer 2026!