Places to Stay in Snowdonia
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Information about Snowdonia
Snowdonia, known in Welsh as Eryri, is the largest national park in Wales and one of the most spectacular mountain landscapes in Britain. Designated in 1951, the park is a land of rugged peaks, glacial lakes, tumbling waterfalls and deep wooded valleys, with a long stretch of beautiful coastline along Cardigan Bay.
At its heart stands Yr Wyddfa, or Snowdon, the highest mountain in Wales. Thousands of walkers climb it every year by a choice of well-known paths, while others take the Snowdon Mountain Railway from Llanberis, which has carried visitors towards the summit since the 1890s. Nearby peaks such as Tryfan and the Glyderau offer some of the most exciting scrambling in the country, and Cadair Idris in the south of the park is surrounded by legend.
The villages and towns of Snowdonia each have their own charm. Betws-y-Coed, with its riverside setting and the nearby Swallow Falls, is a popular base, while Beddgelert, famous for the story of the faithful hound Gelert, is one of the prettiest villages in Wales. Bala, beside Llyn Tegid, the largest natural lake in Wales, is a centre for sailing, paddling and white water rafting.
The area is rich in history. Harlech Castle, part of a World Heritage Site, stands dramatically above the coast, and the slate landscape of north west Wales, also a World Heritage Site, can be explored at the National Slate Museum in Llanberis. Heritage railways such as the Ffestiniog Railway wind through stunning scenery, and the Italianate village of Portmeirion lies just beyond the park boundary.
Welsh is widely spoken throughout Snowdonia, adding to its distinctive character. Whether you are looking for a mountain adventure, a scenic railway journey or a peaceful retreat, Snowdonia offers a superb choice of places to stay.