Some great activities to look forward to each summer in Barmouth!

www.barmouth.org.uk    OR   http://www.barmouth-wales.co.uk

June - Three Peaks Yacht Race (from Barmouth to Fort William)

July - Barmouth Country & Western festival

August - Harbour Fun Day (3rd Saturday)

September - Week-long Arts Festival

Please look to our LINKS page for more information on the local area

This is a wonderful area of Wales. There is so much to do, you will be spoilt for choice! Because this is such a diverse region with the Snowdonia mountains, the seaside, and castles there is great potential for exercise, adventure, activities, history and relaxation.

The Cambrian Coast Railway passes right by Pen y Lan. There is a Station Halt 400 yards away where you can take the train to many pretty seaside villages. See this link: www.aberystwyth.org.uk/reg01.shtml  The main rail station is in Barmouth.

There are a number of steam railways in the area including Fairbourne, Blaenau Ffestiniog and more. See this link: http://www.greatlittletrainsofwales.co.uk/

Golf & Fishing
• Within 10 miles of Barmouth you can have your pick of challenging courses.
• St. David’s Golf Club in Harlech is a Championship course.
• Fishing is available at a range of places. For more information, go to the Beachcaster shop in Barmouth

Adventure
If you want something a little more daring, you can find whitewater rafting, mountain climbing, surfing, quad biking, paintball and much more in the area.

Attractions
There is a lot of attractions suitable for families with children. Barmouth has a permanent funfair between March and October. There are indoor leisure centres in several nearby towns. There are farm parks and adventure play centres, pony trekking, go-karting and lots of castles, mines and mountains to explore. There is something for all the family.

The Sands Leisure Complex is not far away in Talybont. It has a casino complex and is open during the main season

There is local theatre both in Barmouth and Harlech, though Harlech runs a more frequent schedule

Castles
We are blessed with castles in excellent condition in this region of North Wales. The closest is Harlech. If you want to explore castles – this is definitely the right place! Four are within easy driving distance! See this link: www.betws-y-coed.co.uk/maps/castles.htm

Biking
This area is rich with mountain biking; after all, we are on the edge of the Snowdonia Mountains!
• Coed y Brenin forest park is one of the best in the UK.
• There are numerous trails of varying degrees within the area

Walking
With the Snowdonia Mountains on our doorstep, there is a plethora of walking trails to meet the needs of all enthusiasts.
• We have purchased several of the local walking guides for you to borrow
• Please familiarise yourself with the Countryside Code

PEN-Y-LAN CATERS TO MOUNTAIN BIKERS AND HIKERS
We have been awarded this classifcation from the Wales Tourist Board

* outdoor washing facilities
* automatic washer and tumble dryer
* drying racks
* maps, compass
* outdoor lockable storage

Blue Flag Beaches
Did you know that Barmouth is an internationally awarded Blue Flag Beach? This is a critical distinction for beaches. More information can be found on the Blue Flag website. What is great is that you are within a short driving distance of THREE blue flag beaches - Barmouth, Tywyn and Fairbourne and...on the Llyn Peninusla you have two more: Criccieth & Pwlheli. Also not far away are blue flag beaches at Aberystwyth and Llandudno.
http://www.blueflag.org/

Nearby Towns & Villages

Please look to our LINKS page for more information on the local area

If you go North on the A496 to Harlech, you will drive through the following little villages that have their own charm about them.

• Talybont (2 miles)
• Dyfrryn Ardudwy
• Llanbedr
• Harlech (10 miles)

You can drive along to these villages and stop in Harlech for tea or a stroll on its lovely beach. You could also take the train for a fun day out. It is beautiful scenery.

The Llyn Peninsula is also not far away - and can be seen from Pen-y-Lan. You can take the train from the Llanaber Station Halt to any of the towns on its route – with the last stop being Pwllheli on the Peninsula. Harlech, Portmeirion, Porth Madog, Criccieth and Pwllheli are all worth a visit, either by car or by train. There isn’t space to boast of all the things you can do in these places, so you’ll have to do some of your own research. Shops, restaurants, historic places, beaches, hiking – the variety is endless.

Going the other way (South), you can take the train from Llanaber through Barmouth and stop at Aberdovey which also has a lovely beach. The final stop in this direction is Machynlleth, where you can change trains for the Midlands and beyond.

In the summer, you can take a short ferry ride from Barmouth Harbour across to Fairbourne and take a steam engine ride. You can also take boat trips out to Bardsey Island which is at the tip of the Llyn Peninsula. A lovely, unspoilt island great for birdwatching.

When at Pen y Lan, keep your eyes peeled for dolphins or porpoises – there are many sightings throughout the year in calm waters. You don’t even need binoculars to see them some days! (though binoculars are available). The summer will bring jelly fish and turtles in to shore. And the area is great for birdwatching as well.

Shell Island (north on A496 near Llanbedr) is also worth a visit if you like to collect shells. There are lovely sand dunes here too.

Portmeirion is very unusual. We’ll let you see for yourself!

Enjoy!