Cambrian Coast Explorer - Day 1

A two day trip letting the train take the strain along one of Wales' most spectacular railways. Check out some fantastic places to visit along the way and enjoy a day out for all the family! Hop on and hop off all day with the Cambrian Coaster Ranger! Tickets are available at Aberystwyth or Machynlleth stations or from the conductor on the train. They offer unlimited travel on rail services between and including Machynlleth, Aberystwyth and Pwllheli for one day and are valid for travel after 09:15 Monday to Friday.

Train times are for Mondays to Fridays based on timetables from 9 December 2018 to 18 May 2019. Talyllyn Railway times are from 1 April to 1 November 2019.

Morning

Start the day off in Machynlleth the ancient capital of Wales which is now a thriving market town in the Dyfi Valley & Coast area. Before picking up the train have a browse through some of the more unusual sites and shops of the town. Looking for something quirky? Try Ian Snow's for an unusual gift. A bit of culture maybe, Y Tabernacl houses MOMA - Museum of Modern Art in a converted Wesleyan Chapel in the heart of town.

UNESCO Biosphere Reserve (Dyfi)

UNESCO has designated the area in and around the Dyfi estuary, Aberystwyth and surroundings as a Biosphere Reserve a special place, internationally recognised and one of only six in the UK

Machynlleth

The attractive market town of Machynlleth lies in the heart of the UNESCO Dyfi Bioshere. You'll find shops, galleries, cosy cafés and a local market held on Wednesday. Local attractions include the Centre for Alternative Technology

Ian Snow - Interiors, Crafts & Clothing Shop at Ian Snow - Machynlleth

Ian Snow started his business in 1978 selling from a trestle table on Machynlleth market. Since these early days it's now grown into three shops and a small wholesale business, with the main shop situated in Machynlleth.

MOMA Machynlleth at Y Tabernacl

MOMA WALES (Museum Of Modern Art, Wales) flourishes in four beautiful galleries alongside The Tabernacle, a former Wesleyan chapel which opened as a centre for the performing arts in 1986.

Machynlleth Railway Station

Machynlleth railway station is on the Cambrian Line from Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth and is the junction for the Cambrian Coast Line to Pwllheli.

Lunch

Must be lunchtime - The Wynnstay offer an excellent menu. Shopped out and refreshed, catch the Cambrian Line from Machynlleth to Tywyn (we suggest the 12.51 train).

The Wynnstay

Head Chef Gareth Johns follows the Slow Food Principles of Good, Clean and Fair and the menu represents a personal distillation of nearly 30 years experience based very firmly on fantastic Welsh produce.

Afternoon

Relax and enjoy the view; the train up to Tywyn hugs the Cardigan Bay coastline giving you some of the finest coastal views in Wales. Don’t relax for too long! You need to depart the train at Tywyn (arrival time is 13.19) and make your way for something Wales is proud and famous for... its narrow gauge steam trains. This one in particular is a real gem; turn right from the National Rail station and a short walk will take you to the Talyllyn Railway’s Tywyn Wharf station.

Take the early afternoon steam train which runs every day from 24 March to 3 November 2018; this normally leaves Tywyn at 14.00 but at some peak times it leaves a little later at 14.35. Ride the train up to Dolgoch, where you have some time to admire the three stage waterfalls before returning at 15.55 or 16.30. Alternatively you can ride the train to the end of the line at Nant Gwernol (the train stops on the way up at Abergynolwyn for a half hour refreshment break) and simply ride it back, just for the experience! Either way, you will be back in Tywyn by 16.27 or 17.02.

Rheilffordd Talyllyn Railway

Historic narrow-gauge steam railway set in beautiful, unspoilt Snowdonia. Running from Tywyn to Abergynolwyn and Nant Gwernol, the line passes the delightful Dolgoch Falls and there are excellent forest walks at Nant Gwernol.

Tywyn Railway Station

Tywyn railway station is on the Cambrian Coast Line from Machynlleth to Pwllheli.

Evening

Why not try something different at Hendy Farm B & B which you can actually access via its very own halt on the Talyllyn Railway! A delight for all ages, little boys or big boys! On the way back down to Tywyn, ask the guard to stop the train for you at Hendy Halt.

For an evening meal, Hendy Farm is only a 20 minute walk to Tywyn town centre along paved footpaths; grab a bite to eat in one of the town's fish and chip shops or restaurants.

Tywyn

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.

Hendy Farm Holidays

A warm welcome awaits you at Hendy, situated in the Snowdonia National Park. Enjoy Bed and Breakfast on a working farm with the privilege of its own halt on the Talyllyn Narrow Gauge Railway!

Overnight

You will get a real "Croeso i gymru" when you stay the night at Hendy Farm B & B.

UNESCO Biosphere Reserve (Dyfi)

UNESCO has designated the area in and around the Dyfi estuary, Aberystwyth and surroundings as an Internationally recognised Biosphere Reserve – a special place and one of only six Biosphere Reserves in the UK, that demonstrates how the relationship between man and nature can be improved, benefiting the area in the process.

The area around the river Dyfi is a special place to live, work and to visit – special for its people, its culture and its outstanding environment.

The Dyfi Biosphere includes several important nature reserves, lowland wet grassland and salt marshes, ancient woodlands, lakes, national trails, coastal paths and mountains - some of the finest examples of special landscapes and wildlife areas in Europe. And in addition has a community that cares about, and for, this special place.