Porfa Wyrdd Harlech
Things to see and do Included in this Guide
Harlech Castle ...... 3 Harlech Beach ...... 4 Royal St. David’s Golf Club ...... 5 Welsh Coastal Path and Branwen Path ...... 6 The Childrens Farm Park ...... 8 Llanfair Slate Caverns ...... 8 Llandanwg Beach and Café ...... 9 Cambrian Coast Railway ...... 10 Harlech Swimming Pool and Climbing Wall ...... 11 Snowdonia Cycles – Bike Hire ...... 12 Cwm Nantcol Waterfalls...... 13 Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway ...... 14 Plas Tan y Bwlch – Tea Room and Gardens ...... 15 Portmeirion Village ...... 16 Borth-y-Gest Harbour and Coastal Walk ...... 17 Coed y Brenin Forest Park ...... 19 Snowdon Walks and Railway ...... 20 Cadair Idris Walks ...... 22 Zipworld Slate Caverns – Blaenau Ffestiniog ...... 23 Surf Snowdonia ...... 24 Cafes, Restaurants and Pubs ...... 25 Convenience Stores and Supermarkets ...... 32 Taxi ...... 36
Please let us know if you discover something that we should add.
Page 2
http://cadw.gov.wales/daysout/harlechcastle/
Don’t miss the café https://www.facebook.com/cafficastellharlech/
Page 3
I spent most of my childhood holidays on Harlech Beach – it is marvelous !
The beach is an ideal place for children to play and an even better spot for adults to sit back and relax. It’s not just the flat sand and stunning views of the mountains – the beautiful sand dunes here are a prized feature, the reason behind the area’s designation as a National Nature Reserve and Site of Special Scientific Interest.
There is a large car park at the end of Beach Road with good access to the beach. Charges apply in the Summer.
Page 4 Royal St. David’s Golf Club
http://www.royalstdavids.co.uk/
Page 5 Welsh Coastal Path and Branwen Path
The Welsh Coastal passes within yards of the back garden. To reach the path turn left from the house towards the main road and then follow the sign to turn left between the houses to the fields at the back. http://www.walescoastpath.gov.uk/explore-by-area/menai-ll%C5%B7n-meirionnydd/long-walks/?lang=en
Page 6 The Branwen Walk takes in the Harlech Castle, Harlech town, beach and dunes and a bit of the Wales Coast Path. It's a relatively easy 2 mile walk but there is a steep climb back up to the castle at the end. The views are worth it though. http://www.walescoastpath.gov.uk/explore-by-area/menai-ll%C5%B7n-meirionnydd/branwen-path-harlech
Page 7
http://www.childrensfarmpark.co.uk/
Llanfair Slate Caverns are at the same location. http://www.llanfairslatecaverns.co.uk/
Page 8 Cambrian Coast Railway
Harlech Station is on the Cambrian Coast Railway, which has stunning views of the coast and the Barmouth Estuary.
http://www.thecambrianline.co.uk/thecambrianlines/aboutus/for-fun/
Page 9 Harlech Swimming Pool and Climbing Wall http://harlechleisure.co.uk/en/pool/
http://harlechleisure.co.uk/en/wall/
Page 10 Llandanwg Beach
https://www.visitsnowdonia.info/llandanwg_beach-139.aspx
http://www.ymaescafe.co.uk/
Page 11 Snowdonia Cycles – Bike Hire http://www.snowdoniacycles.co.uk/
Telephone: 01341 241 916
Postcode: LL45 2HN
Page 12 Cwm Nantcol Waterfalls
From Llanbedr, turn up the lane at the side of the Victoria Inn, signposted to Cwm Nantcol and Rhaeadr Nantcol. http://www.cavinguk.co.uk/holidays/waterfalls/Nantcol.html https://www.nantcolwaterfalls.co.uk/walks.php
Page 13
http://www.festrail.co.uk/
The Ffestiniog railway runs from Porthmadog to Blaenau Ffestiniog and takes an hour and 10 minutes each way. If you don’t want to complete the full trip the café at Tan-y-Bwlch is a good place to disembark and wait for the return train. You can also walk around Llyn Mair which is close by. http://www.eryri-npa.gov.uk/visiting/walking/leisure-walks/dyffryn-maentwrog-and-llyn-mair-footpaths
The Welsh Highland Railway departs from the same station in Porthmadog and travels North to finish in Caernarfon.
Page 14 Plas Tan y Bwlch – Tea Room and Gardens
The Dwyryd Tea Room, located in the terrace conservatory, has stunning views over the Vale of Ffestiniog to the mountains and forests beyond. The river meandering in the valley below is framed by spectacular rhododendron, some of which are almost 200 years old. http://www.eryri-npa.gov.uk/study-centre/tea-rooms
Plas Tan y Bwlch, Snowdonia National Park Centre, Maentwrog, LL41 3YU
Page 15
http://www.portmeirion-village.com/
Page 16 Borth-y-Gest Harbour and Coastal Walk The seaside village of Borth y Gest lies just over a mile south of Porthmadog. It is worth a visit for its attractive harbour, lined by colourful Victorian houses and the stunning walk along the Wales Coast path.
Page 17
Page 18
Ganllwyd, Dolgellau LL40 2HZ
http://www.visitsnowdonia.info/coed_y_brenin_forest_ park_-173.aspx
http://www.beicsbrenin.co.uk/
Page 19 Snowdon Walks and Railway
The hard way… https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/getoutside/explore/snowdon-routes-to-the-top/
Page 20 The easy way. http://www.snowdonrailway.co.uk/
Snowdon Mountain Railway, Llanberis, Gwynedd, LL55 4TT
Page 21 Cadair Idris
http://allaboutwales.com/walking-to-the-summit-of-cader-idris http://www.walkingbritain.co.uk/walk-1204-introduction
Page 22 Zipworld Slate Caverns – Blaenau Ffestiniog
https://www.zipworld.co.uk/location/detail/blaenau-ffestiniog
Page 23 Surf Snowdonia
https://surfsnowdonia.com/
Page 24
Porfa Wyrdd Harlech
Cafés, Restaurants & Pubs
Links to Trip Advisor reviews are included to help you select.
Page 25 Cafés Caffi Castell Harlech – also a Tapas Bar in the evening
Caffi Castell Harlech, Castle Square, Harlech, LL46 2YH https://www.facebook.com/cafficastellharlech/ https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g551984-d8604108- Reviews-Caffi_Castell_Harlech- Harlech_Snowdonia_National_Park_North_Wales_Wales.html
Maes Café, Llandanwg
Beach Car Park, Llandanwg LL46 2SD http://www.ymaescafe.co.uk/ https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g551984-d5816727- Reviews-Y_Maes_Cafe- Harlech_Snowdonia_National_Park_North_Wales_Wales.html
Harlech & Ardudwy Café
Harlech Swimming Pool, Beach Road, Harlech LL46 2UG http://harlechleisure.co.uk/en/cafe https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g551984-d2559695- Reviews-Harlech_Ardudwy_Cafe- Harlech_Snowdonia_National_Park_North_Wales_Wales.html
Caffi Bwtri Bach
High Street, Harlech LL46 2YA https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g551984-d7154419- Reviews-Caffi_Bwtri_Bach- Harlech_Snowdonia_National_Park_North_Wales_Wales.html
Page 26 Hufenfa'r Castell – ice creams, coffee and snacks
Capel Dwr, Castle Square, Harlech LL46 2YH http://www.hufenfa.co.uk/ https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g551984-d3146899- Reviews-Hufenfa_r_Castell- Harlech_Snowdonia_National_Park_North_Wales_Wales.html
Cemlyn Tea Shop
High Street, Harlech LL46 2YA http://www.cemlynteashop.co.uk/ https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g551984-d731021- Reviews-Cemlyn_Tea_Shop- Harlech_Snowdonia_National_Park_North_Wales_Wales.html
Llew Glas
3 Plas y Goits, Harlech LL46 2YA https://llewglascafes.wordpress.com/ https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g551984-d4309580- Reviews-Llew_Glas- Harlech_Snowdonia_National_Park_North_Wales_Wales.html
Page 27 Restaurants and Bar Food
Y Branwen Hotel, Brasserie and Bar
The closest restaurant to the house
Fford Newydd, Harlech, LL46 2UB http://www.branwenhotel.co.uk/ https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g551984-d2435133-Reviews- Y_Branwen_Restaurant- Harlech_Snowdonia_National_Park_North_Wales_Wales.html
Castle Cottage Restaurant with Rooms
Y Llech, Harlech, Meirionnydd, Gwynedd, LL46 2YL http://www.castlecottageharlech.co.uk/ https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g551984-d1415620- Reviews-Castle_Cottage_Restaurant- Harlech_Snowdonia_National_Park_North_Wales_Wales.html
Castle Bistro
High St, Snowdonia National Park, Harlech LL46 2YB, Wales https://www.facebook.com/Ardudwytravel/?ref=page_internal https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g551984-d12231369- Reviews-Castle_Bistro- Harlech_Snowdonia_National_Park_North_Wales_Wales.html
Harlech Tandoori
Castle Court, Y Llech, Harlech, LL46 2YL 01766 781306 http://harlechtandoori.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/harlech-tandoori- menu.pdf https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g551984-d3472550- Reviews-Harlech_Tandoori- Harlech_Snowdonia_National_Park_North_Wales_Wales.html
Page 28 As.Is
The Square, Harlech LL46 2YH https://www.asis-harlech.co.uk/ https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g551984-d9994534- Reviews-As_Is-Harlech_Snowdonia_National_Park_North_Wales_Wales.html
The Plas Restaurant
High Street, Harlech LL46 2YA 01766 780204 https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g551984-d1770782- Reviews-The_Plas_Restaurant- Harlech_Snowdonia_National_Park_North_Wales_Wales.html
The Victoria Inn – pub with restaurant and garden
Sarn Hir, Llanbedr, LL45 2LD http://www.vic-inn.co.uk/ https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g552003-d3204406- Reviews-The_Victoria_Inn- Llanbedr_Snowdonia_National_Park_North_Wales_Wales.html
Ty Mawr Hotel - bar, restaurant and garden
Ty Mawr, Llanbedr, Harlech LL45 2NH http://www.tymawrhotel.com/ https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g552003-d643569-Reviews- Ty_Mawr_Hotel- Llanbedr_Snowdonia_National_Park_North_Wales_Wales.html
Page 29 Ship Aground – bar and bistro
High Street, Talsarnau, LL47 6UB http://www.ship-aground-talsarnau.co.uk/ https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g552014-d4722483-Reviews- Ship_Aground-Talsarnau_Gwynedd_North_Wales_Wales.html
Estuary Lodge Restaurant
Stryd Fawr Talsarnau LL47 6TA https://www.caffibach.com/ https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g552014-d1523036-Reviews- Estuary_Lodge_Restaurant-Talsarnau_Gwynedd_North_Wales_Wales.html
Page 30 Pubs
Queens Hotel
Ffordd Morfa, Harlech, LL46 2UF
Under new management and the bar has been refurbished
Y Branwen
The hotel has a good-sized public bar
Fford Newydd, Harlech, LL46 2UB
Page 31
Convenience Stores in Harlech
Page 32 Supermarkets Porthmadog is approximately 10 miles from Harlech – please ignore distances on sites such as Google maps and Trip Adviser, unless you have an amphibious vehicle ! Tesco Porthmadog Superstore
https://www.tesco.com/store- locator/uk/?bID=3057&sccmp=refyg*stc3057&utm_source=yext- _google&utm_campaign=3057&utm_medium=organic
Page 33 ALDI Porthmadog
FFord Penamser Road, Porthmadog LL49 9NY
Co-Op Barmouth
Page 34
Iceland Barmouth
Page 35 Taxi
Fergus and his wife provide an excellent service with a choice of mini bus or car. [email protected]
01766 781 313 or 07833 510 856.
Page 36