Rainy day activities near Barmouth and Dolgellau, Snowdonia National Park
Wet weather on an Eryri / Snowdonia holiday isn’t ideal, but don’t let it ruin a perfectly good day. Wales gets a bad rep for weather but rain in the morning often clears very quickly. It’s very unusual to get a whole day of wet or miserable weather.
We’ve had our fair share of recent heatwaves too, albeit with a cooling sea breeze. But let’s face it, if you’re here for a while, you’re likely to get at least a bit of drizzle. It’s good to have some wet weather plans up the sleeve of your cagoule…
What to do before setting off for your Snowdonia holiday
Check out the long-term forecast before you leave home and pre-book a rainy day activity if there’s a dodgy-looking day forecasted. Popular attractions quickly fill up for rainy day activities, especially near Barmouth and Dolgellau. Save the sunshine for those scenic hikes.
With that said, here are our recommendations for rainy day activities near Barmouth and Dolgellau, all within driving distance of a holiday in Eryri / Snowdonia National Park.
Check out the slate mines
The slate mining landscape of North Wales is now recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Various attractions creatively re-use the vast underground slate caverns as unique and amazing subterranean playgrounds where the rain doesn’t pour. Here are some of our absolute favourites:
King Arthur’s Labyrinth / Corris Mine Explorers / Craft Centre & Cafe
Loads of experiences for the whole family in one place, about a 20-minute drive from Graig Wen’s Barmouth campsite. Activities include an underground storytelling adventure, an award-winning mine exploration filled with history, discovery and fun; craft shops and activities including pottery throwing, a world award-winning small gin distillery and a great (dog-friendly) cafe. Pre-booking is essential for this rainy day activitiy.
Bounce Below / Underground Golf / Deep Mine Tour / Caverns at Zip World Llechwedd
Choose from: trampoline nets and slides in illuminated caverns; the world’s first underground adventure golf; a trip down Europe’s steepest cable railway on a historical slate quarry tour; or a Caverns challenge taking in 13 zip lines, as well as via ferrata, rope bridges and tightropes. These unique experiences are just 40 minutes drive from Graig Wen. Pre-booking essential. Dog care available on site and dogs welcome at cafes.
Check out the local attractions
Talyllyn steam railway/ Nant Gwernol Gorge/ Dolgoch waterfalls and tea room
Book a trip on this wonderful vintage steam train. You can hop on and off to explore waterfall walks in the Celtic Rainforest en route. Dogs welcome.
The Magic Lantern Cinema, Tywyn
A wonderful, cosy independent cinema. Tickets are excellent value and they serve a good range of snacks and drinks. Family films screened during the holidays. Well behaved dogs welcome too! 25 minutes drive around the coast from Graig Wen.
The Children’s Farm Park
Great value and about a 40-minute drive from Graig Wen on the way to Harlech. There is a climbing wall for kids of all ages, air cannons and an obstacle course, there’s Outdoor Play with a Wooden Fort, Tunnel Maze, and you can meet goats, rabbits and Shetland ponies. At the same site, you can take a self-guided tour through Llanfair Slate Caverns. There are amazing sea views from the cafe if the weather clears! Nearby Harlech Castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Museum of Modern Art/Machynlleth cafes and shops
Also known as the MOMA, it’s home to contemporary Welsh art and culture, with seven galleries. Surrounding are plenty of cafes and shops that offer warm and cosy environments to take shelter from the rain.
The Roberts cafe in Dolgellau
For a long lunch with cake, cake and more cake. Dogs welcome. Good WiFi. Plenty of space upstairs. Interesting shops and charity shops to browse for trinkets.
Walks and paddles
Beach walks and paddles can be fun even in the rain. Fairbourne beach is only a 10-minute drive from Graig Wen if you need to rush back, get changed and warm up! There are dog-friendly sections of the beach open all year round.
Awesome waterfall walks
Get your boots on for the 2 1/2 mile hike deep into Coed y Brenin forest to mighty twin waterfalls. After heavy rainfall the rushing of these two giant waterfalls is a dramatic sight and sound. The Torrent Walk is a shorter walk around a lush gorge. Both 15 minutes drive from Graig Wen.
Village Yarn Bombing Trail
Our local village of Llwyngwril displays fabulous crocheted creations made by local people from the May bank holiday right through the summer. Pick up a trail leaflet from Gwill village shop or Hendre Hall Farm Shop/Cafe and explore the streets and back lanes of this peaceful village. It’s a fun, free thing to do, whatever the weather. Donations raise funds for the local community centre. Pop into the family-friendly Hendre Hall Bar and cafe if you need to dodge the showers. Llwyngwril is a lovely 15 minute drive around the coast road from Graig Wen.
Wet weather camping near Snowdonia
Wet clothes
There are a couple of places to hang wet clothes out under cover on site. Although we don’t have a drying room or washing machines, there is a laundrette at Fairbourne less than 10 minutes drive which also offers service washes.
Shelter with a coffee or hot chocolate
Plan your wet weather day and get some top local tips from us in the Shelter near the camper van pitches. Free wifi here and lots of leaflets. Or just hang out here to chat with other campers! Take along a coffee or hot chocolate – we serve hot drinks from reception 9–10:30am.
Don’t let rain stop play on your Snowdonia holiday!