David's Guidebook to Harlech, North Wales
Sightseeing
Harlech Castle dominates the skyline and can be seen from the apartment, but there are wonderful beach, mountain and low level walks which are very accessible from the apartment.
The High street in Harlech is home to all sorts of arts, cafes and other attractions, including a pharmacy and high class delicatessen.
Harlech Castle
Fantastic views and sense of history.
Harlech Beach
Just go. In any month of the year. You won’t regret it.
Visit in winter, in summer, whenever!
Beach, estuary and National Trust walks.
Small cafe open on seasonal basis.
Nature walks can be booked with locals.
6 locals recommend
Llandanwg
Visit in winter, in summer, whenever!
Beach, estuary and National Trust walks.
Small cafe open on seasonal basis.
Nature walks can be booked with locals.
Covering a total of 823 square miles, Mount Snowdon - Eryri in Welsh - is Wales’ largest National Park. Home to over 26,000 people, Eryri’s landscape is steeped with culture, history, and heritage, where the Welsh language is part of the day-to-day fabric of the area.
Nearly 4 million people visit Eryri every year to explore its towering peaks and breath-taking valleys, find tranquillity in its lesser-trodden paths and discover its extensive recreation opportunities.
Our recommended routes up Snowdon (Eyri) are on the 'quieter' side, beyond Beddgelert (Snowdon Ranger and Rhydd Dhu) but caution should be taken at all times of year, as Snowdon can be a serious climb
248 locals recommend
Snowdon
Covering a total of 823 square miles, Mount Snowdon - Eryri in Welsh - is Wales’ largest National Park. Home to over 26,000 people, Eryri’s landscape is steeped with culture, history, and heritage, where the Welsh language is part of the day-to-day fabric of the area.
Nearly 4 million people visit Eryri every year to explore its towering peaks and breath-taking valleys, find tranquillity in its lesser-trodden paths and discover its extensive recreation opportunities.
Our recommended routes up Snowdon (Eyri) are on the 'quieter' side, beyond Beddgelert (Snowdon Ranger and Rhydd Dhu) but caution should be taken at all times of year, as Snowdon can be a serious climb
Dylans restaurant in an art deco building on the sea front is one of our favourites, but there are plenty of other cafes and restaurants in Criccieth
62 locals recommend
Criccieth
Dylans restaurant in an art deco building on the sea front is one of our favourites, but there are plenty of other cafes and restaurants in Criccieth
Beddgelert
Precipice Walk
The Ffestiniog Railway is the world’s oldest narrow gauge railway with almost 200 years of history, taking you on a 13½-mile journey from the harbour in Porthmadog to the slate-quarrying town of Blaenau Ffestiniog. Our historic trains climb over 700 feet from sea level into the mountains through tranquil pastures and magnificent forests, past lakes and waterfalls, round tight bends (even a complete spiral) clinging to the side of the mountain or tunnelling through it. The Ffestiniog Railway and it’s infrastructure are now an integral part of the UNESCO “Slate landscape of North Wales” World Heritage Site.
The Welsh Highland Railway is the UK’s longest heritage railway and runs for 25 miles from Caernarfon, past the foot of Snowdon and the picture postcard village of Beddgelert, then through the stunning Aberglaslyn Pass and on to Porthmadog. Passengers ride in some of the most comfortable carriages on any heritage railway in the UK, including first class Pullman luxury.
2019 saw the opening of the new £3.5 million Caernarfon Station, offering greatly-improved passenger facilities. The new building befits the spectacular surroundings and provides a fitting gateway into the heart of the Snowdonia National Park.
Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways
The Ffestiniog Railway is the world’s oldest narrow gauge railway with almost 200 years of history, taking you on a 13½-mile journey from the harbour in Porthmadog to the slate-quarrying town of Blaenau Ffestiniog. Our historic trains climb over 700 feet from sea level into the mountains through tranquil pastures and magnificent forests, past lakes and waterfalls, round tight bends (even a complete spiral) clinging to the side of the mountain or tunnelling through it. The Ffestiniog Railway and it’s infrastructure are now an integral part of the UNESCO “Slate landscape of North Wales” World Heritage Site.
The Welsh Highland Railway is the UK’s longest heritage railway and runs for 25 miles from Caernarfon, past the foot of Snowdon and the picture postcard village of Beddgelert, then through the stunning Aberglaslyn Pass and on to Porthmadog. Passengers ride in some of the most comfortable carriages on any heritage railway in the UK, including first class Pullman luxury.
2019 saw the opening of the new £3.5 million Caernarfon Station, offering greatly-improved passenger facilities. The new building befits the spectacular surroundings and provides a fitting gateway into the heart of the Snowdonia National Park.
Food scene
Food offerings in and around Harlech include cafes, fish and chips, meals in local pubs, chinese and indian restaurants.
Slightly further afield, you'll find plenty of other choices, ranging from pub food to seafood at Norbar, near Barmouth.
Great to visit in the busy summer months or out of season. Lovely walks.
Portmeirion was created by Welsh architect Clough Williams-Ellis from 1925 to 1976 to show how a naturally beautiful site could be developed without spoiling it. Portmeirion village and gardens is one of Wales' premier visitor attractions,
383 locals recommend
Portmeirion
Great to visit in the busy summer months or out of season. Lovely walks.
Portmeirion was created by Welsh architect Clough Williams-Ellis from 1925 to 1976 to show how a naturally beautiful site could be developed without spoiling it. Portmeirion village and gardens is one of Wales' premier visitor attractions,
Barmouth, where the Mountains meet the Sea has been welcoming visitors for over 150 years.
The sunsets are amazing. The town is on the west coast of Wales, looking out onto Cardigan Bay, in the southern part of Snowdonia. So if you are looking for the outdoors - walking, cycling, paddleboarding, kayaking, paddling in the sea or building sandcastles then Barmouth is the perfect centre.
Barmouth's history can be explored via the Heritage Trail, and visiting the two museums. There is a wide range of independent shops, cafes. pubs and restaurants, so a day can be spent browsing, dipping in and out of shops with regular coffee stops, and maybe an ice cream on the harbour watching the boats and seagulls.
From Barmouth there are many places you can go for a day out. You can explore slate mines, travel on heritage steam trains, visit castles, gardens and prehistoric monuments.
121 locals recommend
Barmouth
Barmouth, where the Mountains meet the Sea has been welcoming visitors for over 150 years.
The sunsets are amazing. The town is on the west coast of Wales, looking out onto Cardigan Bay, in the southern part of Snowdonia. So if you are looking for the outdoors - walking, cycling, paddleboarding, kayaking, paddling in the sea or building sandcastles then Barmouth is the perfect centre.
Barmouth's history can be explored via the Heritage Trail, and visiting the two museums. There is a wide range of independent shops, cafes. pubs and restaurants, so a day can be spent browsing, dipping in and out of shops with regular coffee stops, and maybe an ice cream on the harbour watching the boats and seagulls.
From Barmouth there are many places you can go for a day out. You can explore slate mines, travel on heritage steam trains, visit castles, gardens and prehistoric monuments.
Wilderness Cafe & Bar
The Grapes Hotel
Barmouth
Criccieth
Sports and entertainment - golf
Established in 1894, the Harlech links has long been ranked within the ‘Top Fifty’ of British golf courses, and most recently ranked 2nd in the Top 50 Courses in Wales by Golf World. The setting is matchless, and the golfing challenge of equivalent grandeur: over the years nearly eighty championships of national or international stature have been played at Harlech
Established in 1894, the Harlech links has long been ranked within the ‘Top Fifty’ of British golf courses, and most recently ranked 2nd in the Top 50 Courses in Wales by Golf World. The setting is matchless, and the golfing challenge of equivalent grandeur: over the years nearly eighty championships of national or international stature have been played at Harlech.
16 locals recommend
Royal St David's Golf Club
GwyneddEstablished in 1894, the Harlech links has long been ranked within the ‘Top Fifty’ of British golf courses, and most recently ranked 2nd in the Top 50 Courses in Wales by Golf World. The setting is matchless, and the golfing challenge of equivalent grandeur: over the years nearly eighty championships of national or international stature have been played at Harlech.
Zip World Penrhyn Quarry
Neighbourhoods
Historic Harlech, with its castle, steep streets and breathtaking views is a draw for visitors, Cadw own and manage the castle.
28 locals recommend
Harlech
Historic Harlech, with its castle, steep streets and breathtaking views is a draw for visitors, Cadw own and manage the castle.