Beddgelert

Outdoor Activities in and Around BeddgelertFor lovers of the great outdoors, Snowdonia is a real paradise, with an incredible range of leisure activities available, from walking, climbing, cycling, mountain biking, canoeing, water sports, fishing, golf, horse riding, zip-wire riding, photography, painting, bird watching and much more to explore.

Attractions in BeddgelertPerhaps Beddgelert’s most famous historical feature, Gelert’s Grave, lies about a mile to the south of the village, and makes for a very pleasant walk along the banks of the River Glaslyn. Legend has it that this is the final resting 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 cairn that marks the grave is only about 200 years old, and the legend was apparently invented 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 the Welsh Highland Railway, a heritage railway that runs from Caernarfon to Porthmadog, and has a station at Beddgelert. The railway winds its way through some of Snowdonia’s most beautiful landscapes, with several steam trains a day.

Sygun Copper Mine lies about a mile along the A498 from Beddgelert, and is a Victorian copper mine that closed operations in 1903. It was renovated in 1986, and reopened as a tourist attraction. Guided tours take you through the tunnels and vast underground caverns, with majestic stalactites and stalagmites, and veins of copper ore.

Food and Drink in BeddgelertFor such a small village, Beddgelert offers a good selection of places to eat, including a riverside restaurant, cafes, pubs, and an award winning ice cream parlour that also serves freshly made pizzas and more. There are also a number of restaurants and pubs in the wonderful countryside around Beddgelert.

Shopping in BeddgelertBeddgelert still has its own post office and a traditional village shop, as well as a selection of souvenir and arts and crafts shops. Ty Isaf is the oldest building in the village, dating back to the 17th century, and is now owned by the National Trust and run as a shop and exhibition, selling local produce and arts and crafts.

Visit BeddgelertBeddgelert is often called Snowdonia’s loveliest village, and with good reason. The unspoilt beauty of the village and the stunning surroundings of Snowdonia National Park once inspired artists like J.M.W. Turner and writers like Thomas Pennant, and are bound to inspire you too.