Best Villages in Snowdonia to Visit
Best villages to visit in Eryri /Snowdonia National Park
Which are some of the nicest villages to visit in Snowdonia near our holiday cottages, glamping and campsite site at Graig Wen?
Dolgellau
Dolgellau (pronounced Dol-geth-lie) is an attractive market town in Eryri National Park 5 miles from Graig Wen. Here you’ll find excellent independent shops plus a range of both traditional and modern cafes, restaurants and pubs. Dolgellau is one of the most picturesque and unspoilt villages in Snowdonia – many of the attractive stone buildings on the winding streets are listed and you’ll still find a cattle and sheep market (Fridays) and hardware store here. You can stay at our characterful Grade II listed cottage in the heart of Dolgellau.
Dolgellau hosts a popular and friendly Park Run every Saturday at 9am – all welcome – just register in advance.
Barmouth/ Abermaw
Barmouth or Abermaw/Barmo to give it its Welsh names – is one of the most popular villages in Snowdonia. Barmouth has seaside fun in buckets and spades. The huge sandy beach is clean and safe for bathing. There’s plenty of sand and dunes for both families and dog walkers to explore whether the tide is in or out, winter or summer. It’s the place for fish and chips, arcades and fun fair, shopping for beach gear and crabbing off the quay. You can also explore some stylish boutiques in atmospheric old buildings. As well as cafes and popular pubs like The Last Inn, nice restaurants include The Fanny Talbot which is listed in the Michelin Guide. You can walk across Barmouth’s iconic railway viaduct from our side of the Mawddach Estuary or drive around across the rickety toll bridge in about 20 minutes.
Fairbourne
Fairbourne is a small beach village 5 minutes drive from Graig Wen. There’s a couple of convenience stores, food takeaways fish and chips and a nice beach bar. The Fairbourne steam railway runs along the safe beach which is a mixture of sand and shingle. Great for body boarding and dog walking year round. It’s a much quieter alternative to Barmouth. Fairbourne and the surrounding landscape feature in locations for the atmospheric TV crime thriller Under Salt Marsh.
Llwyngwril
Llwyngwril is a small village just around the coast from Graig Wen which is becoming well known for the amazing yarn bombing creations which pop up in the village for the season from around May. It’s well worth wandering around the village streets, woodland paths and beach to see these – you can pick up a guide from outside the village shop. You won’t miss Gwril the giant on the bridge! you can stop off at Hendre Hall for food and drink.
Tywyn
Tywyn has a fabulous independent cinema which serves drinks and snacks to your seat and hosts weekly free live music. There’s good quality restaurants and cafes and a long beach. The Talyllyn Steam Railway runs from here. Walk along the beach to Aberdyfi and catch the bus/train back.
Aberdyfi
Aberdyfi is a pretty former fishing village a stunning 40 minute drive around the coast road. There’s a sandy beach, boutiques and cafés to enjoy.
Machynlleth
Machynlleth (or “Mac”) is a scenic half hour drive across a mountain pass. On Wednesdays there is a morning street market with fruit and veg., artisan baked good, street food and local crafts. The Museum of Modern Art is free to visit, there are quirky boutiques, good book shops and antique/bric-a-brac stores to hunt for treasures.
Harlech
Harlech is a Snowdonia village dominated by the famous castle, a World Heritage Site. There’s interesting antique shops to poke around and some lovely places to eat. Don’t miss the award-winning ice cream shop near the castle – many of the unusual flavours are made with foraged local ingredients. The sandy beach is 4 miles long with spectacular views across Cardigan Bay to the Llŷn Peninsula.
Beddgelert
Beddgelert is one of the best known Snowdonia villages about 45 minutes drive into the heart of the National Park. Stop off here on the way to Snowdon for a walk along the river to discover the legend of Gelert’s grave.
Betws – y Coed
This is the best village in Snowdonia to visit for outdoors gear. The picturesque village has loads of quality and discount outdoors shops as well as good places to eat and attractive riverside walks.
