Dolwyddelan

The picturesque village of Dolwyddelan is situated in Lledr valley North Wales within the beautiful Snowdonia National Park. Surrounded by breathtaking views and ideally situated for walking, touring, fishing, biking, horse riding, and more, a paradise for all outdoor pursuits.

There are many scenic public footpaths out of the village including one to Dolwyddelan's very own 13th century castle which stands proudly overlooking the village. The village is famed for the castle and also as being the birth place of Llewellyn the Great.

In the centre of the village stands St Gwyddelan’s church which dates from 1500AD. The church houses a 7th century bell believed to have been owned by the Irish St Gwyddelan himself.

The Village has two restaurants, one a pub serving bar meals, Y Gwydyr, and the other a little more upscale Elan's Castle Hotel with a restaurant.

There is also a Spar supermarket, and a Post Office.

Dolwyddelan boasts its own train station, Pont Y Pant station. One of the delightful Conwy Valley Line train stations. Don’t forget to stick your hand out to stop the train. This runs trains frequently to places such as Betws-y-Coed and Llandudno which are also within easy driving distances.  Betws is a popular tourist spot which is only 5 miles away and has lots of excellent restaurants, shops and more scenic walks.

Dolwyddelan is also on most local bus routes.

Places to go

Are the great mountain walks, cycling, Horse Riding, climbing, kayaking, bird watching and several golf courses not enough to keep you occupied? The sights of Llewellyn the Greats Castle, or the church of the Irish Saint not enough to wet your appetite?

Well there is a host of places to go, so why stop at that. Here’s just a taster of what you could do.

Mount Snowdon. 18miles

Yr Wyddfa in welsh meaning ‘The Tumulus’. Consisting of 11 peaks, the highest peak reaching 3,560ft. Mount Snowdon is the highest mountain in Wales or England. A climb to the summit will be rewarded on a clear day with views of England, Ireland and Scotland

Betws-y-coed.  5miles

Its beautiful scenery, golf, many shops and restaurants make this
a most popular area with tourists.  The railway hosts a museum and model railway.

Betws-y-coed leads to the Conwy Valley containing the stunning natural beauties of The Fairy Glen, Conwy falls, and not to far away the series of waterfalls named Swallow falls

If history is your thing then visit Conwy castle built by Edward the I, or the many bridges in the area including the Pont-y-Pair and Thomas Telfords Iron Waterloo Bridge built in 1815. Worth a look is the 14th century St Michael’s Church.

Colwyn Bay. 24miles

With its long prom and beaches, also close by is the welsh mountain Zoo, and the most famous Bodnant gardens.

Llandudno. 25miles

Wales’s largest resort and still full of its Victorian splendour. Llandudno is located between the Great and Little Orms. An ornamental garden, The Happy valley is where a cabin lift runs from. Close by is a dry ski slope and Toboggan Run.

Llechwedd Slate Caverns. 5miles

Set in 2000acres of land this is a living working slate mine, open since 1836.  Above ground is a Victorian village, and below ground experience the Miners Tramway Tour.

Porthmadog. 17miles

Situated in the Glaslyn Estuary, a harbour town rich in maritime history

Not too far away is the beautiful Italianate village of Portmeirion built by Sir Clough William-Ellis.

Lake Bala. 28miles

4 Miles long by 1mile wide fantastic for all kinds of water sports. So get practicing your sailing, windsurfing and Kayaking.