How to embrace Welsh word 'cwtch' on your next holiday

You’ve heard of “hygge” (the Danish word for warm, cosy living); perhaps you’ve sampled “friluftsliv” (the Norwegian love for the outdoors) and you’ve read up on “mys” (the Swedish art of slowing down). But have you heard about “cwtch”, the untranslatable Welsh word which has hit the headlines this month?

Broadly translating as “hug” (but with a meaning that runs far deeper than that), “cwtch” made the news earlier this month when it was uttered in Parliament for the very first time. Brecon and Radnorshire MP Fay Jones said the word while questioning Boris Johnson in the House of Commons on January 5.

The Tory MP was criticising Wales’s Covid restrictions and said: "On Friday, I will be holding my team meeting in the local pub because under Welsh government rules we are not allowed to go to our socially distanced office.

"We cannot do Parkrun and we cannot watch outdoor sport on the touchline, but we can cwtch up together in the clubhouse to watch it.”

Every word uttered in Parliament is recorded verbatim by Hansard, and they flagged last week that Fay Jones was the first person in parliamentary history to say the word “cwtch”. So what does it mean?

Kerry Walker, Telegraph Travel’s Wales expert, says: “What could be more Welsh than a cwtch (pronounced ‘kuch’, rhymes with ‘butch’)? The English translation of ‘cuddle’ falls hopelessly short of this emotional embrace. 

“There are cwtches (cubbyholes) at home, where you stash things away, and in pubs – often the cosy nook nearest the fire. Deeply ingrained in the Welsh psyche, a cwtch invokes the life-affirming bear hugs of childhood – it’s wrapping your arms around someone in a way that makes them feel safe, warm, comforted and nurtured.”

I put the question to Twitter to find similar variations on the definition. Jemma Lowman wrote: “Cwtch is Hugs! Or ‘cwtchy’ means cosy. For example: I have a very cwtchy blanket on.” Lesley Bound wrote: “Home. A comforting cuddle. I miss my Mum’s cwtches.” Martin Puddifer wrote: “The best cuddle there is, and I’m talking a cosy, warm bear cuddle here, a place of safety and security.” Victoria Trott said: “Several things: cuddle, nest/den and we used to say to the dog ‘go and cwtch’ meaning ‘go and lie in your basket’.”

Doctor Manon Jones, Senior Lecturer in Psychology at Bangor University explains the psychological depth of cwtch. “What’s particularly interesting about the cwtch is that it isn’t just felt on our arms. When we embrace someone, a hormone called oxytocin is released. That’s the hormone which generates human connection and underlies trust; in simple terms, it makes us feel warm and fuzzy. 

“Combine these physiological reactions with the receiver’s linguistic understanding of what the word ‘cwtch’ implies and that’s a potent mix for strong social bonding. No wonder the Welsh have a reputation for being a friendly and affectionate nation.”

There are theories that the London youth slang word “cotch”, which is used to describe feeling comfortable and relaxed, could derive from cwtch. And the word has taken hold elsewhere in popular culture; independent craft brewery Tiny Rebel’s flagship beer is called, you guessed it, Cwtch. You’ll increasingly find it on pumps east of the border, and could do far worse than ordering a pint of the red ale brewed with Citra hops.

The good news for anyone hoping to go on holiday in Wales this winter is that Mark Drakeford last week announced the easing of Covid restrictions. Outdoor event capacity will rise from 50 to 500, and all outdoor activities will move to alert level zero, meaning there will be no limits on the number of people who can socialise in open spaces.

Later in the month, from January 28 restrictions will further ease on indoor activities in Wales, the First Minister said, adding that the country "may be turning a corner" with "some early positive signs of improvement" in tackling the spread of the omicron variant. Until then, pubs and restaurants are restricted to table service, with the rule of six in place, while shops have been required to impose social distancing measures. 

But after that date, it will be far easier to cwtch up together indoors with friends and family. Here are five ways to embrace the cosier life across the border.

Five places to embrace ‘cwtch’ this winter

Ty Nodyn, Ceredigion

This old cabin has gone through something of a transformation since the days when two Jersey cows were milked here. There’s music in the bones of this hut, which translates as “house of note”. The king-sized bed is framed by two pianos, with a ship’s ladder leading up to a mezzanine level with a single bed. A keyboard and guitar can be found in the cottage, if you feel inspired to serenade your loved one.

Ty Nodyn costs £113 per night, with plenty of availability for the rest of the winter and beyond (0117 204 7830; canopyandstars.co.uk).

The Bothy at Coch Hir, Caernarfon

This beautiful bothy hunkers on a hillside overlooking fields to Anglesey, with the mountains of Snowdonia looming behind. There are plenty of activities to enjoy nearby – kayaking, paddle-boarding, and a range of National Trust spots to explore – but you may rather just get cosy by the wood-burner and then retreat to bed in the low-raftered mezzanine. No luxury mod cons here, but perfect for a laid-back couple looking to escape from everything.

From £65 per night, with ample availability in the coming months (01286 870314; sawdays.co.uk).

Poppit Cottage, Brecon Beacons

A splendid option to hunker down in a group. Poppit Cottage sits in the Brecon Beacons, in a stunning position overlooking Cardigan Bay and Poppit Sands. Expect warm wooden floors throughout, with comfy sofas and two dining areas to choose from. Large picture windows throughout make things feel light and airy, and maximise on the glorious views that surround the property.

Prices from £983 for three nights; sleeps six. Availability in the coming months (0333 888 0205; oliverstravels.com).

Hobbits Hollow, Llanidloes

Top choice for lovers of Tolkien’s universe. Set on a four-acre smallholding, with the River Severn running along the bottom of the garden, this turf-covered roundhouse is set amid peaceful grounds. Go fishing for your supper, if you wish, and spend the evening around the fire pit – or nestle inside on colder evenings and let the underfloor heating do its job.

Prices from £341 for three nights, sleeps two. Availability in the coming months (01873 776238; sugarandloaf.com).

Dragon's Eye / Llygad y Ddraig, New Quay

The Dragon’s Eye featured on Channel 4’s show ‘Cabins in the Wild’ and has won awards for its idiosyncratic architectural and decorative flourishes. Take the rotating bed, for example, which can adjust depending on which view you would prefer, and the elevated patio with sweeping views of the lakeside setting. An obligatory wood burner and sheep’s wool insulation will ensure things stay cwtchy.

Sleeps two; from £72 per night, with select availability in the coming months (03332 020899; walescottageholidays.co.uk).

Five other hard-to-translate Welsh words

by Kerry Walker

Igam-ogam

Literally translating as “from step to step”, “igam-ogam” (pronounced roughly as it is written for once) means to not travel in a straight line – or to follow a zigzag course. It’s a handy one for all of those twisty single-track roads or to describe the off-piste journeys on long, winding roads through the valleys and hills.

Hiraeth

“Hiraeth” (pronounced ‘here-eyeth’) is a tough nut. Look it up and you’ll get “homesickness”, but it’s so much more. Similar to saudade in Portuguese and Sehnsucht in German, it conveys a nostalgic, wistful longing for a home that you can no longer return to, doesn’t exist or never was. Tinged with melancholy, it is often used to brood on a place, person or time long gone.

Cynefin

Another one entwined with national and personal identity, “cynefin” (‘ku-nev-in’) means a place or a habitat where you feel you belong, a place that resonates with your deeper nature – a spiritual home, so to speak. On a more profound level, it relates to how where you were born and brought up influences your actions in and understanding of the world around you.

Hwyl 

The next time you’re searching for the perfect single word to sum up an overwhelming feeling of energy, passion, enthusiasm, achievement, euphoria and high-spirited fun, “try hwyl” (pronounced ‘hoo-eel’). The Welsh often turn to this one when they’re wiping the floor with the competition at rugby.

Awen

With its roots in Celtic mythology, “awen” is the Welsh, Cornish and Breton word for the inspiration of the poets and bards. More generally, it is used to describe a creative muse, font of inspiration or state of flow for writers, artists and musicians.