‘Magaluf of Wales’ sick of rowdy vacationers as fears of ‘anti-English’ hate spikes
A small Welsh village dubbed the “Magaluf of Wales” is struggling to cope with unruly tourists, sparking huge anti-English sentiment.
With a permanent population of just 2,000, Llanberis is a popular spot for climbers and hikers due to its location on the slopes of Mount Snowdon. But frustrated locals have grown troubled by an influx of rowdy visitors.
Complaints include late-night street brawls and wild parties at Airbnbs. Recent incidents include a woman seen buying fish and chips wearing only a thong and drunken yobs in fancy dress fighting in the street.
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Tensions became public after a group of seven tourists claimed they faced anti-English abuse during a four-day hiking holiday. The Lancashire women, aged between 55 and 70, vowed never to return after being snubbed in pubs and experiencing hostile behaviour from locals.
Now, the MailOnline has visited and found the story appears to check out. In Llanberis, an angry resident told how she had become used to hearing locals speaking in Welsh, adding of English tourists: “I wish they’d just f*** off”.
(Image: Daily Post Wales)
Local Linda Owen, 58, referred to the notorious Welsh nationalist movement of the 1980s. A group called Meibion Glyndwr — or ‘Sons of Glendower’ named after a medieval Welsh prince who fought against English invasion — burned down homes belonging to English people.
Linda, a mother of one, said: “All the tourists are a nuisance. There are so many English here that it does not feel like you are in Wales anymore.”
Emlyn Roberts, 53, added: ‘There is definitely more anti-English hatred now than in recent years. People are angry that they have bought up so many houses.”
(Image: John Horrigan/Daily Post Wales)
Despite these claims, however, others argue anti-English bias is not widespread in the area. The village remains a popular destination for tourists and Netflix recently began filming The Witcher at nearby Lake Padarn.
But in neighbouring Botwnnog, plans to build 18 homes were halted amid anti-English fears. Gwynedd council rejected the proposal by one vote, citing concerns about the impact on the Welsh language and the potential for properties to be turned into Airbnbs.
New mother Tamara Davies, 28, was worried about the impact on privacy. She said: “It’s not an anti-English thing, my mum is English. I would like to see a list of who is waiting for housing. Do people want to come to Botwnnog?”
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