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
Torrent Walk Campsite and Bunkhouse
Dolgellau (8 miles, 13 km)
Touring & Camping Park with 106 pitches, £20-£110 ptpn
Dolgun Uchaf
Dolgellau (8 miles, 13 km)
Bed & Breakfast with 5 rooms, £145-£180 prpn, £80-£160 prpnb
Coedmor Self Catering Holiday Cottages
Barmouth (2 miles, 4 km)
Self-catering with 4 units, £320-£530 pupw sleeps 2-3
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-£170 pupn sleeps 1-5
Garden Cottage @ Torrent Walk
Dolgellau (9 miles, 15 km)
Self-catering with 1 unit, £630-£830 pupw sleeps 2-5
Vanner Holiday Cottages
Dolgellau (7 miles, 11 km)
Self-catering with 2 units, £450-£700 pupw sleeps 1-5
Dinas Caravan Park
Llanbedr (8 miles, 13 km)
Holiday & Camping Park (SC) with 5 units, £42-£80 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
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.
Barmouth is southern Snowdonia’s most popular seaside resort. In summer, its big sandy beach is a magnet for visitors, yet there’s so much space along miles of unbroken sands that it never gets overcrowded.
Barmouth/Abermaw railway station is on the Cambrian Coast Line from Machynlleth to Pwllheli and is located by a level crossing just off the A496 which runs through the town.
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
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.
Tywyn is a coastal town in Southern Snowdonia. The name Tywyn comes from the Welsh word for beach or sand dunes.
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.
The cycle route heads inland from the town of Dolgellau across the Cambrian Mountains and heads South East towards Builth Wells and Llanelwedd.
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.
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
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.
Cadair Idris Visitor Centre & Tea Room is 250 metres from the car park. The Minffordd path to the Cadair Idris summit passes by them.
Kitted up, delve underground to explore the untouched workings of this abandoned Welsh slate mine. The Adventurer trip is largely tailored, with the optional use of ropes, ladders and scrambling. Crowned Best Experience in Mid Wales 2019/20
Fairbourne Beach is a two mile stretch of sand backed by steep pebble banks and surrounded by the Snowdonia National Park.
The west facing beach at Tywyn is a long stretch of sand and pebbles backed by sand dunes.
Distinctive remains of a native Welsh castle, probably begun by Prince Llywelyn ab Iorwerth ('the Great') around 1221.
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.
The spectacular Morfa Dyffryn Reserve stretches for about 4.5 miles along the coast of Cardigan Bay from Afon Ysgethin in the south to Afon Artro in the north.
Dyfi Distillery produces artisan gins crafted with wild Welsh botanicals foraged in the Dyfi Biosphere. Based at Corris Craft Centre, near Machynlleth and regularly open to visitors. Best British Gin trophy two years running.
