What's nearby at Beddgelert, Snowdonia

What to do in Snowdonia

Situated in the heart of the Snowdonia National Park, Beddgelert is an outdoor paradise for explorers. With so much to see and do around the area, we have listed our top 10 places to visit:

1. Bodnant Gardens
2. Zip World
3. Coed y Brenin Forest Park
4. Padarn Country Park
5. Dragon Raiders Activity Park
6. Hebog café and bistro
7. Caernarfon Castle
8. Snowdon Mountain Railway
9. Portmeirion
10. Surf Snowdonia

Enjoy natural adventures

From the beautiful views and magnificent rhododendrons, camellias and magnolias of Bodnant Gardens to the thrilling zipwires and treetop adventures of the three separate Zip World locations, the great outdoors has something for everyone in Snowdonia. Go walking or mountain biking in Coed y Brenin Forest Park, stopping at one of the idyllic picnic spots, or enjoy the many outdoor activities at Padarn Country Park, near Llanberis. For paintball and Segway adventures in the forest, head to Dragon Raiders Activity Park at Criccieth.

Explore Snowdonia National Park

Beddgelert Snowdonia is perfectly located for a walking holiday. With the forests, rivers and mountains of the Snowdonia National Park on your doorstep, start with a gentle riverside walk to Gelert’s Grave and work your way up to the summit of Snowdon. Other highlights include the walk from your cabin up to Lyn Llywelyn, the beautiful Aberglaslyn Pass and the Lon Gwyrfai Path, which takes in stunning views of the mountains.

Trails for everyone

From gentle woodland paths to challenging climbs through the mountain landscape, Snowdonia has something for cyclists of every age and ability. Take the waymarked Lon Gwyrfai Path and enjoy the views or head out to the coast and follow the Sustrans route from Bangor to Barmouth. For mountain bike enthusiasts, Antur Styniog has no fewer than seven spectacular trails up in the mountains at Blaenau Ffestiniog.

Eat out on your holiday

The Saracen’s Head in the heart of Beddgelert village is a welcoming pub and restaurant which is used to seeing muddy boots, children and dogs. With riverside eating in the summer and cosy log fires in the winter, it ticks every box. Also in the village, try Hebog café and bistro for some delicious home cooking. Further afield, head to Harlech for ice creams at the Castle Creamery and try the tea shop at Plas Tan y Bwlch for glorious views and stunning gardens.

Discover the rich past of Snowdonia

Slate from North Wales once roofed the cities and towns of the world. Visit the National Slate Museum at Llanberis or the Llechwedd Slate Caverns at Blaenau Ffestiniog to learn more about the industry that is central to Welsh history. For different pieces to the jigsaw of Snowdonia’s past, visit the Maritime Museum in Porthmadog and the Royal Welch Fusiliers Museum at Caernarfon Castle. And speaking of castles, don’t miss Harlech Castle, which, along with the imposing might of Caernarfon Castle, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Attraction and day trips

From the Children’s Farm Park near Harlech for the little ones to the adrenalin-fuelled fun at the three nearby Zip World centres for older children, there are lots of great family attractions in North Wales. The nearby Glaslyn Wildlife Visitor Centre is a must-visit to see the ospreys and at Coed y Brenin Forest Park there’s mountain biking , an adventure playground and lots of family picnic spots. Take the famous Snowdon Mountain Railway to the summit of Snowdon for an experience the children will remember forever or enjoy the fun at Greenwood Forest Park, voted Best Family Attraction in North Wales.

What to do in Snowdonia when it rains

If you're planning a trip to Wales, chances are your umbrella and raincoat will be coming with you. When the rain comes to Wales, head underground. The Llechwedd Slate Caverns offer a glimpse into Snowdonia’s slate mining heritage, deep underground, while Electric Mountain is a more up to date experience as you marvel at this working hydro- electricity scheme in Europe’s largest man-made cavern. At Zip World Slate Caverns, the emphasis is on fun, with Bounce Below, a subterranean playground and the Zip World Caverns, an underground assault course. Explore the winding tunnels and colourful chambers of the Sygun Copper Mine. Back above ground, take the steam train to Caernarfon and visit the castle or have a coffee as the kids let off steam at The Fun Centre.

Sightseeing and shopping

Visiting the delightful seaside towns and mountain villages of Snowdonia could fill a holiday. Just up the road from our cabins is the pretty village of Beddgelert, the starting point for many lovely walks. Further afield, Portmeirion is a must-see. It’s a true one-off, designed in 1925 by architect Clough Williams-Ellis to complement its beautiful natural surroundings. For a day at the seaside, try Porthmadog, which has a scenic coastal walk and a beach, and Caernarfon or Harlech, both of which boast a castle. Other picturesque towns and villages include Llanberis, at the foot of Mount Snowdon, and Betws-y -Coed. Finally, head up to Blaenau Ffestiniog to gain an understanding of the slate mining history of this mountainous area.

Step into a steam train at our cabin-side station

One of the most wonderful aspects of Beddgelert, Snowdonia is the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways. Catch a steam train from our very own forest halt and step back in time, on one of the top 25 railway journeys in the world.

Take a day trip to Caernarfon, winding your way through the forest, past the foot of Snowdon and on to the shadows of Caernarfon’s medieval castle. Or venture to Porthmadog, through the Aberglaslyn Pass, the most beautiful place in Britain (as voted by National Trust Members). Children under 16 years go free with every full paying adult, dogs and bikes are welcome.

A day at the seaside

Beddgelert Snowdonia is just a few miles from the stunning north-west coast of Wales. For a day on the beach, try Morfa Bychan, next to Porthmadog, where Black Rock Sands is a wide blue-flag beach with facilities. Just over half an hour’s drive away is Harlech Beach, which has flat sands backed by sand dunes. Criccieth Beach is another stunning location, overlooked by a castle; a lovely spot to soak up the sun on a summer’s day or take a blustery walk in the winter.

Water-based adventures

From an inland surfing lagoon to boating on the high seas, there’s a whole plethora of high-adrenaline water sports to enjoy in Snowdonia. At Surf Snowdonia, take to the lagoon to test your skills or try the Crash and Splash assault course. Battle against the Welsh mountain river rapids at the National White Water Rafting Centre in Bala, the home of white water rafting and kayaking in Snowdonia. A little further afield, just over the Menai Bridge on Anglesey, RibRide boat adventures are a great way to see the coast from another perspective.