Local Info

What to do? We are sure you will be surprised by the varied leisure activities – some unique but most are unique simply because of their glorious setting. No wonder visitors are usually smitten and return as soon as they next can. We have listed very briefly here some ideas but you will find lots more.

Sports:

Mountain Biking: Coed y Brenin Mountain Bike centre with world renowned bike trails catering for all levels plus cafe/hire centre and with open access way marked walking trails for all abilities. Tel 01341 440747
Situated only 8 miles north of Dolgellau - intrepid cyclists will find it a delightful short cut to cross over via the village of Llanfachreth and drovers roads from Brithdir. Hire of bikes is available also in Dolgellau and a wonderful level ride is a special cycle route which takes you from the town utilising the now converted railway track past a RSPB look out point in the old signal box at Penmaenpool toll bridge setting of The George pub (with restaurant and bar meals) alongside the estuary to cross over the Barmouth Bridge and into the town where it is very inviting to collapse into the welcoming ambience at the harbour’s Last Inn. Buses can return weary riders as the local buses have bike racks fitted.

Golfing: There are local short courses in Dolgellau and Bala plus Championship course at Aberdovey and of course the Royal St David's Golf Club which is Nationally and Internationally renowned and is the home of one of the finest traditional championship links courses in the world. It has been established for over 100 years and is steeped in history. It has frequently hosted and continues to host world class Amateur and Professional events. You will miss out on something very special if you don't come and play it.

White Water Rafting , Kayak & Canoeing: the first commercial white water rafting operation in the UK in 1986, which has since grown to become the largest and most well-respected rafting organisation in the UK
www.ukrafting.co.uk/ Tel 01341 250362

Windsurfing & other water sports including sailing: On Bala lake or from many of the long stretches of beach. If you seek tuition /hire etc see www.balawales.com/watersports/index.html

Boating: The nearby coastal towns of Barmouth and Aberdovey have busy commercial and leisure craft with various trips and the local harbour masters are pleased to help if you wish to launch any boat or jet skis from the local shores /harbours.

Fishing: There are local well stocked lakes and stretches of natural river available with purchase of tickets from the local angliing association
 tel 01341 422 706 http://www.dolgellauanglingassociation.co.uk/

Sea fishing trips go from Barmouth harbour and there are plenty of outcrops and quiet sections where the keen sea anglers can cast their bait.

Riding: Situated along the South side of the estuary small groups of trekking can be arranged and at certain times rides along the beach.www.bwlchgwynfarm.co.uk
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Llechwedd Slate Mines Blaenau Ffestioniog with choice of tours including deep mine , village museum , shop, demonstartions etc
King Arthur’s Labrynth : Corris travel by boat deep into another world situated next to lively local craft production and shopping centre with cafe /play area.
Small trains of Wales : we have close by the Fairbourne railway which takes a short run alongside the beach terminating if required at the beach point where during the summer a ferry crossing can then take you to the bus harbour and resort of Barmouth. Either walk back across the impressive Barmouth bridge spanning the estuary or simply catch the main train and enjoy the views this way to retrieve your car.
Tal y Llyn – beautiful mountain side journey from Tywyn and acccess then the short walk to Dolgoch Falls.
Ffestioniog railway from Porthmadog which takes the former slate mine route to Blaenau Ffestioniog and during the year many ‘special occasion trains are run’. Also from Porthmadog the Highland Railway which takes you Northward further into Snowdonia. All of these make great outings around which other activities can easily be organised.
Snowdon train – a bit further afield but maybe a highlight of one holiday will be to get to the top of Snowdon and if not by foot this is the way!
Check out what the weather is actually doing at the moment with live access to the cameras situated on the summit
http://www.fhc.co.uk/cams.htm

The Centre for Alternative Technolgy , Corris an unusual and pioneering establishment which makesfor not only an interesting but thought provoking visit. http://www.cat.org.uk/

There are many special favourite cafes and restaurants and we hope that you will help with a few reviews for future guests.

During the summer various festivals/activities are underway and full details are always available at the friendly local tourist information Centre in the town square.

Walks are right on the doorstep plus the renowned Torrent Walk and both famous Precipe walks in the local foothills. Cader the second highest peak in Wales towers over the town but Fox’s path is defenitely not for the faint hearted.

History : Celtic and Roman sites abound ( a roman fort was situated in Brithdir and the roman road is at the top of the lane) . The nearby Moel Offrwm still has the circular foundations of the celtic village that was at its summit. A famous area for mining especially the gold which has always provided the Royal wedding rings many trials and mines can be seen and the remnants of the 19thcentury workings which make fascinating stop offs on surrounding walks. Only a few years ago you could still buy the panning equipment at the large traditional iron mongers T.H.Roberts which is now a coffee house. English Castles such as Harlech which some seasons hosts Shakespeare plays and concerts plus the lesser known welsh prince’s castle , Castell y Bere which is situated at the end of almost a hidden valley and to get to you have to pass Birds Rock which is a striking nesting cliff for cormorants – the furthest inland known nesting point for the breed – a hang over from when th
Also completely by the by but not generally well known the Glan Llyn Urdd centre http://www.urdd.org/glanllyn/ offer its ten pin bowling area for hire plus other activities and we have found this was a good all ages fun activity before going