River Dyfi Cottage– Surrounding Areas

Southern Snowdonia National Park’s open spaces offer unmatched stretches of clean golden sands, rocky coves, outstanding mountain scenery and beautiful lakes. Visit fascinating castles, underground slate caverns, old, steam mountain railways. Activities include: walking, climbing, pony trekking, mountain-biking to a variety of water-sports.

The Brigand’s Inn offers a delicious and sophisticated menu and the local Red Lion Pub (less than a mile) has a friendly atmosphere and offers good pub food.

The region in which River Dyfi Cottage sits is a haven for walkers. Both Cadair Idris and the more isolated Rhinog mountains surrounding the small market town of Dolgellau are close by. The mountains form a backdrop to the sandy beaches stretching for miles along the coast, where seaside resorts such as Barmouth (approx. 30 minutes away) are attractive holiday spots. Connecting Barmouth and Dolgellau is the beautiful Mawddach estuary, which has a 15km walking trail leading through the estuary's stunning surroundings. By the Dee Valley in the east, Bala is a great place for water-sports and has a Leisure Centre (approx. 20 mins).
The Ffestiniog narrow-gauge steam railway runs from the mountains around Blaenau Ffestiniog down to Porthmadog on the coast, which is near the Italianate village of Portmeirion. Further south is Harlech, where the spectacular World Heritage Site of Harlech Castle is situated. Even further south, Tywyn is the start of the Talyllyn Railway, which runs seven miles through lovely rural surroundings. In the Dysynni valley nearby are the isolated ruins of Castell-y-Bere, a 13th century Welsh fortress built by Llywelyn the Great, which has great views from its position on top of a rocky outcrop.

LOCAL TOWNS

Dolgellau

The stone built market town nestles in the shadow of the Cader Idris Mountain. The town has many interesting shops and is an excellent touring centre. Walkers are spoilt for choice with many well-known walks nearby. Dolgellau host the popular Sesiwn Fawr (Folk Festival).
• The Quaker Museum. An exhibition based on the area's links with the Quaker movement and their emigration to America
• Coed Y Brenin Forest Visitor Centre. Small workshops, café and forest information mountain bike trails.
• RSPB bird hide and observatory. Situated on the magnificent Mawddach estuary.
• Cymer Abbey. Ruined 12th Century Cistercian monastery.

Y Bala

Historic Bala stands at the eastern end of the largest natural lake in Wales - Llyn Tegid. The lake is renowned for windsurfing and sailing. The bustling town has strong links with the cultural and religious traditions of Wales.
• Bala Lake Narrow Gauge Railway runs from Bala to Llanuwchllyn
• Canolfan Tryweryn. National White Water Centre

Barmouth

A busy popular seaside resort town with miles of golden sand, a picturesque harbour and a variety of amusements. Barmouth is situated at the mouth of the magnificent Mawddach estuary. Home of the famous Three Peaks Yacht Race.
• RNLI Lifeboat Museum
• Ty Gwyn / Ty Crwn - a medieval tower house museum and lock-up near the harbour
• Dinas Oleu. Viewpoint high above the town. The first piece of land acquired by the National Trust.

Harlech

Dominated by its magnificent castle, Harlech offers many interesting shops and restaurants and is the home of the championship Royal St. David's Golf Club. A fine beach is backed by an extensive dune system called Morfa Harlech.
• Harlech Castle. This stronghold built on the rock by Edward 1 is now a World Heritage Site.
• Theatr Ardudwy. A wide ranging entertainment programme
• Llandanwg Church. A tiny church - surrounded by sand dunes where services are held a few times a year.
• Llanfair Slate Caverns. Huge caverns which were used as a location in the film "First Knight"

Blaenau Ffestiniog

Set in the Vale of Ffestiniog between the Moelwyn and Manod mountain ranges. The town grew in prosperity in the 19th century owing to the thriving slate industry and is now a fascinating centre of industrial history; Blaenau Ffestiniog is a gateway town set at the head of the beautiful Vale of Ffestiniog.
• Ffestiniog Railway - Narrow gauge railway takes passengers on a scenic journey from Blaenau Ffestiniog to Porthmadog. Linked to Conwy Valley Line
• Llechwedd Slate Caverns. Two tours available - the miners tramway and the deep mine.
• Ffestiniog Visitors Centre - Experience the wonders of hydro-electricity at Edison Mission Energy's Ffestiniog Visitors Centre and Power Station.

Tywyn

A bustling small seaside town with an excellent beach. Home of the famous Talyllyn Railway, which runs for seven miles to Abergynolwyn. Each year a Race the Train event is held.
• Talyllyn Railway and Museum - a narrow gauge railway originally built to carry slate.
• St. Cadfan's Church houses a stone pillar bearing traces of what is believed to be the earliest known written Welsh
• Halo Foods Factory Shop. Includes a video display explaining the manufacturing process of the famous "Honey Ice-cream".
• Castell y Bere - once home of Llywelyn the Great in the hills to the north, near to Bird Rock.