Beaches
North Wales is well known for its sandy beaches. Bryn Heulwen is well located for many of these and most of these can be accessed by train or car with ease. The nearest is the inlet of Borth-y-gest.

A short walk along the headland from this village reveals a selection of small sandy bays which are generally very quiet.

Just around the corner lies the famous large expanse of Black Rock Sands which has on the beach parking.

Just up the coast again is Criccieth beaches, most of which are sandy, but with some rock pools at low tide and streams that are just waiting to be dammed. The breakwater here is great for fishing and there are a selection of eating places by the sea front along with the original famous Cadwallader's icecream shop.

In the other direction there is the immense Harlech sands. These often seem empty even in the height of season due to their sheer size!

Leisure Facilities
Well, first of all for outside. Twenty minutes drive towards Bala brings you to the White Water Centre where they do a variety of activities including white water rafting.

Four miles up the road is the Porthmadog Golf Club.

Inside? Try the new leisure centre just outside Porthmadog where there is a full size swimming pool, beginners pool, steam rooms, gym, squash and tennis courts.

And Harlech Theatre always seems to offer a full programme of interesting productions.

The best way to view Wales is on foot. Whether you want to explore the green lanes and footpaths that criss cross Penrhyn, wander out along the moors or be more adventurous and sample the huge selection of mountains and hills that lie within a few minutes drive you can find the peace and tranquility that has inspired generations of poets and writers. May we recommend as a warm up trying the Aberglaslyn Pass from Beddgelert just a few miles up the road.

Porthmadog
This town was built around the slate trade on the Glaslyn estuary after W A Maddocks got an act of parliament in 1832 to construct a narrow gauge railway from Blanaeu Ffestiniog to the new harbour in Portmadog which actually means Madog's Port. All this was possible because of the massive Cob embankment across the estuary and the sluice gates which stop the tide flooding up the estuary which are still in use today. This claimed hundreds of acres of ground for sheep grazing as well as permitting the railway to cross the estuary. Today it is a major tourist centre with cafes, restaurants and take away food shops as well as 3 supermarkets. The harbour today is full of pleasure craft but there is a maritime museum which can take you back to the days when it was nearly as full with trading vessels taking slate all over the world.

Portmeirion
It is here, on the outskirts of Penrhyndeudraeth, that Clough William-Ellis spent 50 years building the beautiful Italianate village of Portmeirion to prove that architecture can be blended into the landscape. He allegedly chose this site because of its sheltered position and the warm air coming in off the Gulf stream which made it a suitable climate for some of the plant species he wishes to introduce. Why not visit and see if he succeeded?

Snowdonia National Park
This area of Wales was considered so beautiful that it was designated as a national park to preserve its character and indeed the head office of the organisation is on the edge of Penrhyndeudraeth. Formed in 1951, it covers 838 sq miles of stunning scenery including the Carneddan and Glyderan mountain ranges. It derives its name from the mountain of Snowdon which rears up 3560ft above sea level and is only a short drive from the cottage. The Welsh name for Snowdon is Eryri which means "the place of the eagles."

Castles
Along with the hills and mountains, the panoramic view from these cottages extends across the estuary and down the coast to Harlech. Harlech Castle is visible as a dominant shape on the skyline. This was built in 1283 by King Edward I and was designed by the famous castle builder Master James of St George. It was part of a ring of castles built around the Welsh coast known as the "iron ring". It was built at the same time as Caernarfon Castle which was Edward's grandest and shows Master James' continental influence. Also modified by Edward was Criccieth Castle, although this was originally built by the great Welsh Prince Llywelyn the Great some years before. All these castles are within easy driving distance of Bryn Heulwen. Criccieth and Harlech Castles can also be accessed by train.

Railways
For the Steam Railway enthusiast there is a huge feast of treasures here!

Taking the nearest first, there is the ground breaking Ffestiniog Railway climbing up its historic route with the station where the quarry men used to catch the train just 100 yards from the front door of the cottage. Try this as an alternative way of visiting Porthmadog - just stroll from your door a few minutes before the train is due, and flag down the old narrow gauge engine as it clanks through the station! Alternatively, take the up train to Blaenau Ffestiniog and visit the amazing Llechwedd Slate Caverns where you can descend deep into the bowels of the mountain on special trains and learn of the massive slate industry of the 18th and 19th centuries.

Just 5 minutes drive away or a short train journey is the Welsh Highland Railway at Porthmadog. Here you can see the last surviving steam engine of the original Welsh Highland along with a fascinating display of steam and diesel engines from around the world. This friendly little railway also includes a conducted tour of the engine sheds and yards as part of their ticket price.

Just to add a little confusion there is another Welsh Highland Railway, restoring the track from the other end. This railway is a lot longer and has some huge Manchester built articulated engines that have been repatriated from South Africa.

For those who like their railways to have an altitude, the Snowdon Mountain Railway at Llanberis is a must, but do get there early as it does get very busy in the season.

Whilst you are at Llanberis, check out the Llanberis Lake Railway with its fleet of miniscule ex quarry locos and its recent extension. Also, we strongly recommend a visit to the Slate Museum here (its free!) which has an excellent film show in its loco shed of how these little locos helped to remove a mountain.

For those who are a mission to see the great little trains of Wales then try the following sites: www.talyllyn.co.uk and www.corris.co.uk

Leaving the car at home? The Cambrian Coast Mainline means that you can.

For more information about StayNorthWales,
please contact us on the numbers below:

Roger and Sandra Harrod
Telephone: 01492 580163
Mobile: 07515 877472 or 07919 370391

Email: roger@rogerharrod.wanadoo.co.uk