Snowdonia for Free
It’s always nice to be able to have a good day out for free and a lot of the time you don’t need to spend
much money to have a good time. Free things to do are also welcome if you have visited something a bit
pricy; if you do something for the rest of the day for free, it balances it out.
On the next few pages are some suggested days out with things to do and places to visit for free in the
Snowdonia National Park and the surrounding area.
Some attractions don’t have a postal address so I have taken the nearest available post code.
In this guide, I have mostly ignored the obvious namely walking, cycling, mountain biking, paddling in
the river, etc., etc.
Other suggestions would be:
Churches – Many churches welcome visitors and they often have wonderful architecture, beautiful
stained glass windows and you can sense the history all around you. Good churches to visit in the area
are: Llanrhychwyn, Llangelynnin and St Michael’s Church, Betws-y-Coed.
Wild swimming – Llyn Geirionydd or Llyn Brenig
BETWS Y COED area
Betws-y-Coed is a village nestling in a valley in the Gwydyr Forest and is known as the Gateway to
Snowdonia.
Picnic area – by the Pont-y-Pair Bridge or on the village green, Betws y Coed
Film Show of Helicopter ride from Betws-y-Coed over
Snowdon
Tourist Information Centre, Betws y Coed LL24 0AH
Visit the Tourist Information Centre in Betws y Coed and
there is a free audio visual presentation (a film show) of a
helicopter ride starting from Betws-y-Coed over the mountains
of Snowdonia to the top of Snowdon itself.
St Michael’s Church, Betws y Coed LL24 0AL
Built in the 14th century, St Michael's Church is the oldest
building in Betws-y-Coed. For those with an interest in
history, the stone effigy of Gruffydd ap Dafydd Goch has a
special fascination and students of architecture and church
history learn much from the inside arrangements of the church.
Most people appreciate a quiet place in which to sit and think.
Click here for more information on St Michael's Church
Swallow Falls, walk starting from Pont-y-Pair Bridge,
Betws y Coed LL24 0BB
There is a pleasant walk from Betws-y-Coed to a viewing
point where you can see the waterfalls at Swallow Falls for
free. From the Pont-y-Pair Bridge, take the boardwalk and
then continue along the riverside until you reach the Miners’
Bridge. Turn right uphill until you reach the road. Turn left
along the road and follow the road to a track on the left.
Follow the track to the viewing point. From the viewing point,
you can either return the way you came or continue along the
track to the Ugly House. The route can be muddy in places. (If
you don’t want to walk, Swallow Falls is accessible from the
roadside on the A5 but it costs £1.50.)
Ty Hull / Ugly House, Capel Curig, LL24 0DS
The Ugly House is reputed to be a house built overnight and is
now owned by the Snowdonia Society with a renowned
wildlife garden. There are 5 acres of woodland and cottage-
style garden.
In 2012 the house will become a Visitor Centre (and café) for
a Welsh honey bee initiative with hives and pollinator friendly
plants being introduced to the garden.
Click here for more information on Ty Hull
CONWY VALLEY
The Conwy Valley follows the Conwy River. For the best views, from Betws-y-Coed take the B5016 on
the West side of the river, going through Trefriw and several other villages.
Picnic area - The Park in Trefriw would make a nice spot (from the Trefriw Woollen Mill, take the road
opposite where there is car parking and the park is a short way down).
Trefriw Woollen Mill, Trefriw LL27 0NQ
Trefriw Woollen Mill is a working woollen mill. The Mill was started
in 1820 further up the hill and was powered by 2 waterwheels. The
current mill has its own hydro-electric plant powered with water from
the reservoir above the village. The turbines are housed in what was
the flour mill. Demonstrations of weaving are held and you can visit
the hydro-electric turbines. Upstairs is a full range of equipment used
to turn raw fleece into beautiful woollen products
http://www.t-w-m.co.uk/
Fairy Falls, Trefriw LL27 0NQ
This impressive waterfall used to drive the original watermill of the
Trefriw Woollen Mill. The falls are 25ft wide and fall down an angled
rock face. There are a series of smaller falls further downstream which
are often given the same name.
Click here for details about how to get to Fairy Falls
Grey Mare’s Tail Falls, near Betws y Coed and Llanrwst, LL27
0HX
Another impressive waterfall. You can drive to the waterfall where
there is a very small car park or below is a link giving details of how
you could walk there.
Click here for more information about Gray Mare's Tail
Caerhun Church and the Roman fort of Canovium, Caerhun,
LL32 8TB
Canovium (sometimes spelt Kanovium) Roman fort was built on this
site around AD75 to guard the river crossing and control trade on the
river and is believed to have originally been for 500 foot soldiers. The
fort was destroyed around AD200 when civilian settlement took place
on the site.
St Marys Church, Caerhun, is a 14th century church which sits on the
north east corner of Canovium. The building is now mainly of 15th/16th Century construction although
there are carvings above the church door and the South Chapel which could be medieval. The double bell
tower is also unusual.
Click here for more information about St Marys Church, Caerhun
Click here for more information about Canovium Roman fort
LLANDUDNO area
Llandudno is a Victorian seaside town on the North Wales coast.
Picnic area - in Llandudno on the promenade (but be careful the seagulls don’t steal your lunch!) or on
West Shore
Mostyn Art Gallery, Llandudno LL30 1AB
This is a contemporary art gallery with international art and award-winning architecture. There are
changing exhibitions of the latest Welsh and international art. The museum sensitively combines striking
new architecture with the beautiful original listed façade and exhibition galleries.
Llandudno Pier and Happy Valley Gardens,
Llandudno LL30 2LR
The current Llandudno Pier opened in 1877 and is a
testament to Victorian engineering with ornate wrought
ironwork on the magnificent balustrades and lattice
style railings. Happy Valley Gardens are close to the
entrance of the Pier and are listed by CADW as a
public park. Good picnic spot.
Click here for more information about Happy Valley
Gardens
Great Orme and Limestone Pavement, Great Orme
The Great Orme has been recognised as being of great
importance with the titles of Special Area of
Conservation, a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a
Heritage Coast, but most of all this is a beautiful site
with wonderful views. The limestone pavement is
interesting because there is so little left in the UK.
Limestone pavements are protected by law in the UK.
You will probably also see the Kashmiri Goats, the
ancestors of which were presented to Queen Victoria
and were released onto the Great Orme to roam wild.
[NB. Marine Drive is a toll road but it’s free to walk or
cycle. ]. There are also wonderful views from the
Summit of the Great Orme.
Click here for more information about the Limestone Pavement
West Shore, Llandudno LL30 2BD
The beach at West Shore is an excellent sandy ‘Blue Flag’ beach with grass areas and sand dunes. There
are often kite surfers to watch. There is a children’s play area, a model boating pool and a sculpture in
honour of Alice from Lewis Carroll’s books.
CONWY and the NORTH WALES COAST
Conwy is the County town and is a walled town with the famous medieval Conwy Castle giving a focal
point.
Picnic area - in Conwy, on the quay (but be careful the seagulls don’t steal your lunch!)
Conwy Town Wall, Conwy LL32 8AY
Conwy is a classic walled town and unusually much
of the town wall has survived. There are several
places where you can join the town wall walk, which
gives a totally different view of the town with
magnificent views of the Castle and the Estuary.
Click here for more information on Conwy Town
Walls
Conwy Mussel Museum, The Quay, Conwy LL32
8BB
Conwy was once one of the most important pearl
fisheries in the country. In the early 19th Century over 4 kilos of pearls from Conwy mussels were sent
each week to jewellers in London. Musseling in Conwy today is still carried out in the traditional way. At
the museum, you can learn about the history of pearl fishing from Roman times; discover whose crown
once housed a Conwy pearl; find out how mussels are harvested today; and see the state-of-the-art mussel
purification tanks.
Click here for more information on Conwy Mussel Museum
New York Cottages, Bangor Road, Penmaenmawr LL34
6LE
Built in the 1840s, these were amongst the first properties built
in Penmaenmawr to house quarry workers. Recently restored,
the ground floor of No. 4 houses a small museum on the
quarrying industry and the growth of Penmaenmawr in the 19th
Century. Using figurines, photographs, original objects and
interactive displays, the museum gives a snapshot of life in a
Welsh industrial community.
Click here for more information on New York Cottages
Aber Falls, Abergwyngreigyn LL33 0LB
The walk to the Aber Falls is an enjoyable walk through woods
to see the waterfalls. The walk is described in the link below.
Click here for more information on Aber Falls
LLANBERIS
Llanberis is a village at the foot of the Snowdonia Mountains. From Betws y Coed, you will drive through
Capel Curig and the approach road to the mountains has magnificent scenery. Make a point of stopping in
one of the laybys to appreciate the view!
Picnic area - in Llanberis, by the lake or by Dolbadarn Castle.
Film Show of Snowdon Mountain Railway
Snowdon Mountain Railway, Llanberis, Gwynedd LL55 4TY
Not the Mountain Railway itself but there is a free audio visual presentation (a film show) so you can
experience the ride on the Mountain Railway without going anywhere! The railway is closed from
November to Easter so check before going that the film show is still running.
Click here for more information about Snowdon
Mountain Railway
Dolbadarn Castle, Llanberis LL55 4UR
Medieval castle built by Llywelyn the Great and
therefore a native-built castle. Reputedly the ‘prison’
of Owain Goch (Owain ap Gruffydd) for 20 years,
imprisoned by his younger brother, Llewelyn the Last
(Llewelyn ap Gruffydd). The dominant feature is the
round tower with only the ruins of the remainder of the
castle.
Click here for more information about Dolbadarn
Castle
National Slate Museum, Llanberis LL55 4TY
The slate mine in Llanberis was a surface mine rather
than the more usual deep mines. The mine has left
behind an interesting landscape with many industrial
heritage reminders including the workshops where
many tools were handmade on site using power from
a massive waterwheel. The Chief Engineer’s house is
set up in period together with a row of mineworkers’
cottages set up for different decades to show changes.
Demonstrations of slate splitting and film show of the
story of slate.
Click here for more information about the Slate
Museum
If you have any time and energy left after the Slate Museum, there are footpaths leading up through the
woods of the Padarn Country Park with the old Quarry Hospital as an interesting focal point. The Quarry
Hospital used to care for the sick and injured of the Dinowig Quarry but is now a museum – the museum
is generally open during school holidays at Easter, Whitsun and in the summer.
BANGOR
Bangor is one of the smallest Cities in the UK and is home to the bridges crossing the Menai Straits to the
Isle of Anglesey.
Picnic area - in the grounds of Bangor Cathedral or in the Botanic Garden.
Bangor Pier, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2SW
Bangor Pier (also known as Garth Pier) is the 2nd longest in Wales and the 9th longest pier in the UK at
1,550 feet and is Grade 2 listed. The Victorian pier stretches out towards the Isle of Anglesey and offers
magnificent views of the coast. NB. Technically this isn’t free as there is an honesty box requesting, I
believe, 25p.
Gwynedd Museum and Art Gallery, Bangor LL57 1DT
A museum aiming to help the understanding of the history and culture of Gwynedd and its people, with
displays on: how local people lived in the past, what the similarities are with today, and how the past has
influenced what we think today; an archaeology collection; textile and furniture collections, as well as
temporary exhibitions.
Click here for more information about Gwynedd Museum and Art Gallery
Bangor Cathedral, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 1RL
A monastery was established here in 525 BC dedicated to St Deiniol and the site is older than Canterbury
Cathedral. The building today has some magnificent stained glass windows and has a number of
important items including the tomb of Grufydd ab Cynan, King of North Wales, and the effigy in stone of
his successor, Owain Gwynedd, the grandfather of Llewelyn Fawr.
Click here for more information about Bangor Cathedral
Treborth Botanic Garden, University
of Bangor LL57 2RQ
The garden is used for training and
research by the University of Bangor.
There is a rock garden, bamboos, arboreta
and woodland paths together with
interesting meadowland areas with over
150 species, none of which have been
introduced. A feature of the garden is
diversity of habitats and soil types. Little
interpretation available at present so take
your gardening books with you for
identification! Whilst here, have a look at
the Menai Bridge which was designed by
Thomas Telford.
Click here for more information about
Treborth Botanic Garden
FFESTINIOG and the LLYN PENINSULA
Start with Victorian steam trains and travel back in time to the Bronze Age, with some gardens along the
way.
Picnic area -.Plas Tan y Bwlch or maybe at the Hill fort looking at the views
Ffestiniog Railway, Blaenau Ffestiniog LL41 3HE or
Porthmadog LL49 9NF
The Ffestiniog Railway runs from Blaenau Ffestiniog
down to Porthmadog with a number of stations on the
way. The terminal stations make excellent places to see
the steam and other vintage trains. The Ffestiniog is a
narrow gauge railway which was principally used for
the carrying of slate from various mines to the port at
Porthmadog originally. The stations give an excellent
opportunity to see the fabulous steam trains, take
photographs and perhaps reminisce.
Click here for more information about the Welsh
Highland Railway
Plas Tan y Bwlch, Maentwrog, Blaenau Ffestiniog, LL41 3YU
Plas Tan y Bwlch has 13 acres of garden around the Snowdonia National Park Authority Environmental
Studies Centre and overlooking the valley of the river Dwyryd. Formal terraces, Japanese garden,
rhododendron and azalea walks, fern nursery and wildlife garden. The gardens are surrounded by oak
woodland with pathways.
Tre'r Ceiri Hillfort, Llanaelhearn LL54 5BB
Tre'r Ceiri hill fort stands 450 metres above sea on an
exposed peak of Yr Eifl on the Llŷn Peninsula in
Gwynedd. It is one of the best preserved and most
densely occupied hillforts in Britain, its stone ramparts
surviving in places to near full height and enclosing
over 150 visible stone houses. It continued as a
settlement during the occupation of north-western
Wales by the Roman army.
Click here for more information about Tre'r Ceiri
Hillfort
Crug Farm Plants, Griffiths Crossing, Caernarfon, Gwynedd LL55 1TU
Small woodland garden where you will see many shade loving introductions growing. Walled garden
with collections growing.
http://www.crug-farm.co.uk
If you have enough time and energy, you could continue to Segontium Roman Fort (details under Odds
and Ends).
ISLE OF ANGLESEY
As a complete contrast to the dramatic scenery of Snowdonia, Anglesey has rolling green hills with
wonderful views back to the mainland.
Picnic area: Parys Mountain or on the cliffs at South Stacks
Parys Mountain and Amlwch
Port, Isle of Anglesey LL68 9RE
Copper was discovered in Parys
Mountain in 1768 and the
subsequent mining has created a
fascinating landscape coloured by
the different metals present. There
is a viewing point for the opencast
mine at Parys Mountain a short
walk from the car park on the
B5111 and you can walk around
the opencast mine which is
probably about 3-4 miles. After
the copper was exhausted, the
nearby Amlwch Port developed a
thriving shipbuilding industry;
there are many signs of this
industrial heritage and there is a
free museum.
Click here for more information
about Parys Mountain and Amlwych
South Stacks RSPB Reserve, Anglesey LL65 1YH
Cliff-side nesting colony, with binoculars and telescopes provided in Ellin’s Tower, to watch guillemots,
razorbills and puffins, raising their young. Live television pictures give you an even closer view of the
nests. Rare choughs can also be seen on the reserve. The reserve is open all year but the nesting seabird
colony is seasonal.
Click here for more information about South Stacks
Ty Mawr Hut Group, South Stack, Anglesey LL65 1YH
Iron Age settlement at the foot of Holyhead Mountain near South Stack. Worth a visit as substantial
remains can be seen of 20 out of the 50 original circular huts consisting of the remains of 10 large, round
stone huts, which are scattered along the hillside, as well as numerous smaller rectangular buildings.
Click here for more information about Ty Mawr Hut Group
Click here for an aerial photo of Ty Mawr Hut Group
ODDS and ENDS
A few other sites if you are heading in their direction.
Segontium Roman Fort, Llanbeblig Road,
Caernarfon LL55 2LN
Remains of an auxiliary Roman Fort probably
established in the late 70s A.D. and believed to have
been for a garrison of 1,000 men. The site was in
continual occupation and was being modified through
to the late fourth century; the visible remains date
from 2nd to 4th Century. The adjoining museum has
closed, sadly, so research it before you go so you
know what you are looking at.
Click here for more information about Segontium Fort
Quaker Heritage Centre, Ty Meirion, Eldon Square, Dolgellau LL40 1PU
The story of the Quaker community that once lived here and of the persecution which forced them to
emigrate to Pennsylvania. Includes an audio visual presentation.
Click here for more information about the Quaker Heritage Centre
Accommodation
Betws y Coed makes the ideal base for exploring the Snowdonia National Park and North
Wales as the road network allows easy access to all areas.
3 star Guest House VisitWales
Bryn Llewelyn Guest House
Bryn Llewelyn
Holyhead Road
Betws y Coed
Snowdonia
North Wales LL24 0BN
01690 710601
stay@bryn-llewelyn.co.uk
http://www.bryn-llewelyn.co.uk