ABOUT BARMOUTH
Barmouth, or Abermaw or even Y Bermo as it is known in Welsh, is southern Snowdonia's most popular seaside resort with breathtaking views of Cardigan Bay and the picturesque harbour. The town's beach, Abermaw, is west facing with a mixture of sand and some fine shingle and is ideal for bathing and watersports.
The town can get busy, a land train runs along the promenade and there are traditional donkey rides, swing boats and amusement arcades. Barmouth beach is vast with good disabled access to the beach and all leisure amenities, including a full range of shops, cafes and pubs are within a short distance. There are several delightful walks of varying distance which start in Barmouth and follow routes into the hills beyond.
FIND PLACES TO STAY AROUND BARMOUTH
Coedmor Self Catering Holiday Cottages
Barmouth (2 miles, 4 km)
Self-catering with 4 units, £230-£530 pupw sleeps 1-3
Dolgun Uchaf
Dolgellau (8 miles, 13 km)
Bed & Breakfast with 5 rooms, £102-£105 prpn, £78-£165 prpnb
Torrent Walk Campsite and Bunkhouse
Dolgellau (8 miles, 13 km)
Touring & Camping Park with 106 pitches, £20-£120 ptpn
Vanner Holiday Cottages
Dolgellau (7 miles, 11 km)
Self-catering with 2 units, £325-£585 pupw sleeps 1-5
Garden Cottage @ Torrent Walk
Dolgellau (9 miles, 15 km)
Self-catering with 1 unit, £550-£800 pupw sleeps 2-5
Ynysymaengwyn Caravan Park
Tywyn (9 miles, 14 km)
Holiday, Touring & Camping Park with 100 pitches, £15-£30 ptpn
Cader View & Arran Cottage
Dolgellau (8 miles, 13 km)
Self-catering with 2 units, £135-£200 pupn sleeps 1-4
Visit southern Snowdonia's most popular seaside resort ...
"With a fine sea view in front, the mountains behind, the glorious estuary running eight miles inland, and Cadair Idris within compass of a day's walk, Barmouth can always hold its own against any rival." These are the words of William Wordsworth who visited Barmouth in the 19th century, and it would be fair to say that today’s visitors wouldn’t disagree with him. The seaside town, that is one of Wales’ most popular resorts, is gloriously located on the Mawddach estuary and its blue flag beach is like a golden carpet laid out in front of the towering Snowdownian backdrop.
The harbour, the townhouse and the roundhouse are all situated in Barmouth’s picturesque old town that is awash with character and charm. Indeed when J.R.Tolkien visited in the early 20th century he was so smitten with it that he used it as a model for the town of Hobbiton in The Lord of The Rings. Away from the sandy beaches, donkey rides, arcades and promenades there is plenty more to see and do, including the RLNI Lifeboat Museum and the Ty Gwyn Museum, whilst the ferry to Fairbourne comes highly recommended for different view of Barmouth.
Barmouth is also the starting point for the famous 3 Peaks Yacht Race, a gruelling challenge that takes in the highest mountains of Wales, England and Scotland. For those not wishing to travel quite so far the town also serves as an excellent base to explore nearby Harlech Castle, Shell Island, Portmeirion and of course, Cadair Idris.
Things to Do Around Barmouth
The Mawddach Estuary is where the River Mawddach (Afon Mawddach in Welsh) meets the sea and forms a stunning wide sandy estuary. At the mouth of the Estuary is the town of Barmouth and 8 mile inland is the town of Dolgellau.
Coed y Brenin visitor centre near Dolgellau, is the gateway to Coed y Brenin Forest Park. Try world-class mountain bike trails, family walks, café, cycle shop, all-ability play area and an easy access trail.
Dolgoch Falls are a series of three waterfalls near Tywyn in Southern Snowdonia, Mid-Wales. The falls are part of the Nant Dol-goch stream and can be reached via a short walk, there are a number of caves on the route. OS Grid Ref: SH 6504
Located 5 miles north of Machynlleth, Corris boasts a surprisingly rich vein of local attractions together with thrilling mountain biking in the forest, excellent fishing at Llyn Myngul and challenging walking on Cadair Idris.
Between Dolgellau and Tywyn off the A493, the village of Fairbourne has a sandy beach two miles long on the Cambrian Coast with the superb countryside of the Snowdonia National Park to the east.
Sail deep in the mountains of Southern Snowdonia, through a magical waterfall, into a mythical world filled with dragons, giants, fierce battles and the legendary King Arthur. Welsh legends unfold as your Dark Age Boatman guides you.
Ty'n y Groes car park and riverside picnic area is the gateway to three forest walks, from an all ability trail with the tallest trees in Coed y Brenin (and downloadable Ty'n y Groes MP3 audio trail) OS Grid Reference: SH 730 233
Our all-day menu features lots of fresh, seasonal and local produce. Call in for morning coffee, lunches and afternoon tea whilst enjoying the surrounding 9 Craft Studios and a range of visitor experiences including King Arthur's Labyrinth.
Get kitted up before venturing into the abandoned workings of this secret underground world. Explore and feel the dark, damp mine's history come alive as the expert guide shares its stories. Winner of Best Experience in Mid Wales 2019 / 20
This historic town located on the Mid Wales coast, is best known for Harlech Castle, which today is recognised as a World Heritage site. Harlech also boasts fantastic beaches and one of Wales' finest golf courses.
Abermaw / Barmouth in Southern Snowdonia is a great location for Mountain, Sand and Sea. Extensive sandy beach with attractions, water sports and boat trips. Situated on the Coast Path with walking and cycling available for all abilities.
Discover the ideal base to explore Snowdonia National Park. An historic mountain town built on the wool trade and steeped in folklore. Visit Dolgellau to explore dramatic scenery, adrenalin-fuelled activities and world heritage attractions
Tywyn is a seaside town on the north coast of Cardigan Bay. The name Tywyn comes from the Welsh word for beach or sand dunes.
Distinctive remains of a native Welsh castle, probably begun by Prince Llywelyn ab Iorwerth ('the Great') around 1221.
Dyffryn (Llanendwyn) is a long sandy beach backed by an extensive sand dune system between Shell Island and Dyffryn Ardudwy.
Dyfi Distillery produces artisan gins crafted with wild Welsh botanicals foraged in the Dyfi Biosphere.Based at Corris Craft Centre, near Machynlleth and recognised in the Great British Food Awards 2017 for the best gin produced in the UK.
Fairbourne Beach is a two mile stretch of sand backed by steep pebble banks and surrounded by the Snowdonia National Park.
In the Heart of the Land of the Little Trains, The Corris Railway is a narrow gauge (2 foot 3 inch) railway whose origins date back to the 1850's.
Known locally as Benar Beach, Tal-y-Bont Beach is a sandy beach and good for surfing. The beach forms part of the large sand system of Morfa Dyffryn which are designated as an area of Special Scientific Interest.
Cadair Idris is a spectacular mountain reserve in Southern Snowdonia of over 450 hectares of breathtaking landscape, rugged summits, glacial lakes and a mossy wooded gorge.
