Bala is a tiny markettown in Gwynedd,Wales.The town lies at the northern end of the famous BalaLake, the largest lake in Wales, and is part of theWelsh Lake District in Snowdonia.
Sport in Bala
No self-respecting Welsh town would be without a rugbyteam, and Bala’s is BalaRFC, a member of the Welsh Rugby Union and a feeder club for theLlanelli Scarlets, who play at theMaes Gwyniad ground. The town also has a footballteam, Bala Town FC, who play in the Welsh PremierLeague at the Maes Tegid Stadium.
Shopping in Bala
The main street in Balais Y Stryd Fawr, or the High Street, which is where most of the shops are, andwhere the markets were originally held. Almost all of the shops in the town areindependent traders, selling everything from fresh meat and local produce toclothes, hardware, electrical goods, fishing supplies, cards and gifts,confectionery, arts and crafts, and more.
Food and Drink in Bala
For such a small town,Bala offers plenty of choice when it comes to placesto eat and drink. From upmarket restaurants to traditional inns and lakesidecafes, you are sure to find something to excite your taste buds, whether youwant to try traditional Welsh dishes, fish and chips, or contemporary cuisinemade from fresh local produce.
Things to See and Do In and Around Bala
There are plenty of leisure activities available inBala and its surroundings. The area isparticularly good for walking, with many trails at levels of difficulty to suiteveryone from the most casual walker to the most experienced. Other availableactivities include white-water rafting, kayaking, sailing, fishing, cycling,mountain biking, golf, bowling, go-karting, and off-road driving. The RiverTryweryn is world famous for white-water rafting andBala is home to the National WhiteWater Centre.
There are many nature reserves and woodlands aroundBala. Bala Lake is aRamsar wetlands site of international importance, Penllyn Woods is an area ofwoodland and moorland around Bala, and AberhirnantForest and Penaran Forest can be found to the east and west ofBala respectively. The Migneint-Arenig-DdualltSpecial Area of Conservation is an area of mountains and moorland to the westand north-west of Bala, while theBerwyn Mountains, which lie to the east andnorth-east of Bala, include both aNational Nature Reserve and a Site of SpecialScientific Interest. Lastly, the Cors y Sarnau NatureReserve, to the north-east of Bala,is an important wetlands habitat.
The Bala Lake Railway isa narrow gauge steam railway that offers a nine-mile return journey alongsideBala Lake through the beautiful scenery ofSnowdonia National Park.
Tomen y Bala is an 11thCentury Norman earthworks mound or motte, while a similar mound at Pen-y-Bontis the remains of a 13th century motte and bailey castle. Castell Carndochan isa ruined Welsh medieval castle sitting on a rocky crag that can only be visitedby a strenuous walk.
