Beddgelert is a smallpicturesque village in the region of Gwynedd,Wales.It sits at the confluence of the Rivers Glaslyn and Colwyn, in the heart of theSnowdoniaNational Park. The unspoilt beauty of the village, with most of thebuildings made of local stone, is matched by the breathtaking scenery ofSnowdonia around it. Mount Snowdon itselfdominates the skyline to the north, and there are forests, mountains, rivers,lakes, waterfalls, valleys and gorges in all directions as far as the eye cansee.
Outdoor Activities in and AroundBeddgelert
For lovers of the great outdoors, Snowdonia is a realparadise, with an incredible range of leisure activities available, fromwalking, climbing, cycling, mountain biking, canoeing, water sports, fishing,golf, horse riding, zip-wire riding, photography, painting, bird watching andmuch more to explore.
Attractions in Beddgelert
Perhaps Beddgelert’s mostfamous historical feature, Gelert’s Grave, liesabout a mile to the south of the village, and makes for a very pleasant walkalong the banks of the River Glaslyn. Legend has it that this is the finalresting place of Gelert, the ill-fated dog of the medieval Prince Llewellyn.While it is an appealing myth, the truth is rather more prosaic, as the cairnthat marks the grave is only about 200 years old, and the legend was apparentlyinvented by a former landlord of the Royal Goat Inn in order to boost tourism.Sorry to burst that bubble!
Step back in time to the golden age of steam on theWelsh Highland Railway, a heritage railway thatruns from Caernarfon to Porthmadog, and has a station atBeddgelert. The railway winds its way through someof Snowdonia’s most beautiful landscapes, with several steam trains aday.
Sygun Copper Mine liesabout a mile along the A498 from Beddgelert, andis a Victorian copper mine that closed operations in 1903. It was renovated in1986, and reopened as a tourist attraction. Guided tours take you through thetunnels and vast underground caverns, with majestic stalactites and stalagmites,and veins of copper ore.
Food and Drink in Beddgelert
For such a small village,Beddgelert offers a good selection of places toeat, including a riverside restaurant, cafes, pubs, and an award winning icecream parlour that also serves freshly made pizzas and more. There are also anumber of restaurants and pubs in the wonderful countryside aroundBeddgelert.
Shopping in Beddgelert
Beddgelert still has itsown post office and a traditional village shop, as well as a selection ofsouvenir and arts and crafts shops. Ty Isaf is theoldest building in the village, dating back to the 17th century, and is nowowned by the National Trust and run as a shop and exhibition, selling localproduce and arts and crafts.
Visit Beddgelert
Beddgelert is oftencalled Snowdonia’s loveliest village, and with good reason. The unspoilt beautyof the village and the stunning surroundings of Snowdonia National Park onceinspired artists like J.M.W. Turner and writers like Thomas Pennant, and arebound to inspire you too.
