Places to Stay in Gwynedd Accommodation
Self Catering Gwynedd, B&B Gwynedd, Hotels & Guest Houses Gwynedd!

Dolgellau
Perhaps one of the best kept secrets in Wales is the Coed y Brenin Forest Park which fans out from the outskirts of Dolgellau for some 9000 square acres. Its origins date back to the 1100s when a Prince Cadougan was overlord of the vast swathes of undulating and mountaineous terrain, which has traditionally been home to a few isolated hamlets and farmsteads. In first half of the 20th century the park was taken over by the Forestry Commission whose sole remit was to undertake a major tree planting programme to make the area one of the UK’s top pine producing sites. In more recent times, the area has been overhauled in a bid to make it one of the top spots for sports and leisure activities within Wales. There are myriad tracks and trails for cyclists and walkers of all ages and abilities, and they span from the twists and turns of the Mawddach river valley to the very peaks of the Hafod Fraith Estate and Hendre. The area is also a haven for abundant array of wildlife, flora and fauna. Watch out for the wild deer, rabbits and squirrels who are just a few of the park’s many and varied inhabitants. Visitors can also luxuriate in the sunshine on one of the many boulders that break up the Mawddach River when its level is low. Or another exiciting challenge is to see how far you can make it walking from stone to stone in the river, before actually falling in ..! The sunsets and panaromic views from the mountain tops are truly spectacular and can only be described as a slice of heaven. The scenery and setting have also reportedly been a source of endless inspiration to countless Welsh bards and are still so today. Many new people have flocked to the park to provide some excellent self-catering holiday accommodation in the area. I would personally recommend Glyn-yr-Aur, run by Bob and Jane Chilton (check out www.glyn-yr-aur.com for more details) There is always apparently ‘a very special Welsh welcome in the hillside’ at the Tyn-y-groes pub (which also has rooms). In brief. Coed y Brenin: Excellent, Not to be missed, pass it on …………

Porthmadog
Porthmadog Is a harbour town situated on the Glaslyn Estuary, Porthmadog is rich in maritime history and is an excellent base for touring the surrounding area. It has a number craft shops and restaurants. The town was named after W.A. Maddocks whose ambitious "Cob" embankment scheme led to the town's name, which translates as "Madog's Port". In times gone by, it was a vital, busy shipping port for the international slate trade, brought down from Blaenau Ffestiniog. The maritime history depicts its proud past. Ffestiniog Railway. A 21km trek through meadows, woodlands, lakes and waterfalls within Snowdonia National Park. It was in 1832 that an Act of Parliament allowed the construction of the railway from Porthmadog to near Ffestiniog and opened to freight traffic on April 20th 1836. Powered by horses initially, the first steam locomotives were put in use of October 23rd 1863 at a cost of £1000 for each of the two engines. Passenger services started in 1865 and carried over 100,000 passengers per year were for the first three years along with 100,000 tons of slate. In the 1880's the slate industry was in decline, exasperated by the building of the slate wharf at Delaney by the London North Western Rail Company. By 1900 the company already relied on tourists to make up the income. Portmeirion. The unique and famous Italianate village built by the architect Sir Clough Williams-Ellis. The village is reduced in scale, like a diorama, giving the impression of large size in a moderate space. It became famous as the set for the television series The Prisoner, starring Patrick McGoohan, who was Number 6. Portmeirion is halfway between Porthmadog and Penrhyndeudraeth and located on a rugged cliff top on its own private peninsula overlooking Cardigan Bay and is surrounded by subtropical woodlands and miles of sandy beaches. The walks are well worth the visit. Blackrock Sands Located on the outskirts of Porthmadog, the beach at Blackrock Sands stretches for miles and is a haven for beach games and resting. T. E Lawrence, of Lawrence of Arabia fame lived nearby and the 14th century poet Shelley is reputed to have regularly visited.

Tywyn
Tywyn lies in Mid Wales on the sweep of Cardigan Bay. There the mountains meet the sea on the edge of the Snowdonia National Park. Tywyn and the Dysynni Valley can offer you History, Myth and Magic, Walking, Climbing and Coastal delights. Lakes and Waterfalls. Fishing and Birdwatching Motor Cylce racing at the Tonfanua Circuit. The Talyllyn Railway a Steam Train Service which runs from March to November and has special events for the Christmas period.

Aberdyfi
Aberdyfi (meaning mouth of the river Dyfi) is set in the Southern Snowdonia National park. Beacause of this it has retained all of its charm and beauty. Aberdifi is a picturesque fishing village with a wealth of maritime history. There is a 5 mile long sandy beach with sheltered dunes and mountains, lakes & waterfalls behind. There are various inns, restaurants, shops and galleries in the village itself. A championship golf course, all manor of outdoor sports/activities are available. In Aberdyfi you will find tennis, bowling, putting. Nearby is the Tal-y-llyn steam railway running through some of the most scenic countryside in Wales. Celtica giving an insite to Welsh history and The centre of alternatve technology. Welsh castles, local markets are all here.