Things to do in Barmouth

There are so many great things to do in Barmouth, one of the most spectacularly situated seaside resorts in the British Isles.

 

Barmouth deserves a better reputation than it has – slightly tacky seaside resort, bash, cheap traditional British seaside town, kiss me quick hats, amusement arcades, candy floss

Caravan parks along the coast to the north – something of a blight

One of most dramatic coastal settings you will ever see, on the northern side of the Mawddach estuary, looking across to the highest peak in southern Snowdonia, Cadair Idris, legendary Welsh mountain

 

A stop on the Cambrian Coast Railway, which runs along the Cardigan Bay coast from Machynlleth to Pwllheli, the best mainline railway journey in wales by a long way – the crossing of the wooden Barmouth Bridge the highlight

 

Charming old town hidden behind the high street, up improbably steep cobbled streets, houses commanding amazing views of the estuary and coastline

 

Continue the walk to Dinas Oleu, the Fortress of Light, the hillside with a view that was the first piece of land donated to the National Trust charity in 1895 – now a major landowner responsible for conservation of large scenic areas of the UK

 

Spectcular beach

GAteway to the Rhinog range, the most remote, least explored and mysterious of the small ranges of mountains that make up the Snowdonia National Park

 

Great base for exploration of the area

 

By public transport, a lot is accessible despite relatively infrequent services – coast train down to Tywyn and Aberdovey one way, and to north UNESCO World Heritage Site Harlech Castle barely 20 minutes up the coast

Beyond that the Italianate fantasy village of Portmeirion, reached by a 20 minute walk from the station at Minffordd

 

Llynnau Cregennen lakes only a couple of hours’ walk away via the village of Arthog on the southern side of the estuary

 

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