Family + Tourist Activities

The activities listed here are mostly within about a half hour drive of Cadair View Lodge

Stay with us to enjoy these activities

Please support local businesses and the local community!

Activity Days

As a family choose 1 or 2 activities that you can all take part in. Climbing/abseiling, canoeing, canyoning, underground experience. Great bonding experience! See details and price list for Adventure Activities Snowdonia

Beaches

See our page on local beaches,

Bird Watching

	See the Ospreys near Porthmadog. RSPB viewing point and webcam so the you can see into the nest. See our What's On page for more information and directions
	Visit the RSPB centre at Penmaenpool to watch the wildlife on the Afon Mawddach. Although the manned visitor centre is now closed there is still a viewpoint which is a great place to watch the wildlife on the estuary.
	See what's been spotted recently in Gwynedd by looking at this site.
	Sit on the veranda at your cabin and watch the birds. We try to keep the bird feeders full - but at times it hard work. In the summer listen for the cuckoos in the woods, watch for buzzards soaring in the late afternoon and all year round there are lots of owls at night. Recent visitors have seen our nuthatches at the feeders too.

Buddhist Retreat

Our local Buddhist monastic community welcomes day visitors Pine Forest Sangha

Castles

See our page on local castles and ancient monuments

Caves + Mines

See our page on local caves, mines and quarries

Cookery Classes

Enjoy your own private cookery coaching session during your stay at Cadair View Lodge. More details

Cycling

	We are on Sustrans National Cycle Route 8
	We recommend Beics Brenin at the Coed y Brenin visitor centre for bike hire.
	Spoke'n'History rides down the Mawddach Trail. Gentle ride with frequent stops so don't worry if you think you may not be fit enough. En-route you'll hear snippets of info about the local environs that you maybe didn't know - or maybe you can fill your guide in on something that they're missing! Scheduled for Wednesdays and Saturdays phone for more information or to ask about other days 01341 430628

Events

Here's a list of events that are planned locally which may make you want to visit us.

Film + TV Locations

With so many things being filmed in Snowdonia why not visit our film and TV locations page?

Folk Music

Ty Siamas - The National Centre for Welsh Folk Music is now open in Dolgellau. Includes multi media presentation on folk music, auditorium featuring live music and lectures, workshops, shop, cafe and recording facilities. The Centre's interactive exhibition will introduce children and young people to music.

Fun and free (or almost)

Click here for a list of suggestions of things to amuse children (and adults!) for next to nothing.

Gardens To Visit

See our page on local gardens to visit

Ghost Hunting

With so many allegedly haunted sites locally you're sure to experience something! Visit Maes Artro at Llanbedr as visited by Most Haunted (unfortunately the museum has now closed), our own Rhiw Goch Inn (old assizes house - alleged scene of hangings), the Roman sites, the gold mines and Maes Y Neuadd Hotel near Harlech

History

	Some little historical snippets to make your visit more enjoyable.
	Visit Llys Ednowian Heritage Centre in Trawsfynydd. Interactive displays and information on the history and heritage of the Trawsfynydd area.
	Have a day out on Ynys Enlli (Bardsey Island). For centuries the home of monks, pirates, farmers and fishermen. Reputedly the final resting place of 20,000 saints! Day trips available from Porth Meudwy and Pwllheli. More information
	Walk the local part of the Cistercian Way

Horse riding/Pony Trekking

	Porthmadog Activity Centre provide treks and riding lessons across their own farmland. BHS qualified. Suitable for everyone aged over 4 years and weighing up to 14 stone. Operates throughout the year
	Bwlchgwyn Farm Pony Trekking Centre near Fairbourne - Estuary and beach rides available for both novice and experienced riders.
	Pwllheli (nb. this is around an hours drive from the cabins) - Pen-Llyn Lusilano Stud + Riding Centre

Leisure Centres + swimming pools

See our page on leisure centres + swimming pools

Local Towns + Village

See details of towns and villages to visit which are within around 30 minutes drive from Cadair View Lodge

Mountain Biking

For guided rides and mountain bike training (at all levels) see Snow Bikers website

Mountain Boarding

Grass boarding / mountain boarding can be provided at Porthmadog Activity Centre for participants 8 years old and above. They have fully qualified ATBA qualified instructors, junior and senior boards, safety equipment and a slalom course. Available March - October. Phone 01766 512468

Music

Visit Dolgellau Music Club - visit their site to see what's up and coming

Mystery Tours

COMING SOON - Why not follow one of these new routes. Buy a list of directions and a sealed route map. Follow the directions one by one, see some beautiful scenery, stop at the suggested picnic spots but you'll have to guess where you're going to end up.

Nature Based Interests

Special Area of Conservation (SAC) Read about what's special at this site Afon Eden – Cors Goch Trawsfynydd

Nordic Walking

What is Nordic Walking? Contact the local walk leader and qualified instructor, Catrin Roberts (01766 830568 / 07900615380) for details of the next local walk.

Orienteering

	Speak to Snowdonia Adventures or see leaflet at Cadair View Lodge
	New orienteering trail in Coed y Brenin. Watch this space for more information.

Painting

Would you like to learn or improve your painting skills? Local water colour and abstract artists are willing to offer workshops Contact us for more information

Photography

"Hands-on" digital photography workshops and an introduction to Adobe Photoshop/Elements can be provided by Learnphotography.co.uk. These residential courses are based at our lodges.

Pottery

Always dreamed of throwing a pot? There are local craftsperson willing to offer workshops Contact us for more information

Quad Bikes

Porthmadog Activity Centre - Junior quad bikes. Supervised rides and lessons. All clothing and equipment can be provided. Various length sessions. Operates 1st March - 31st October.

Rainy Day Things

Things to Do On A Wet Day

Rope Courses and Trapeze

There are other ropes courses in Snowdonia but GoApe is just 5 minutes drive from Cadair View Lodge (opening Spring 2010)

Shopping

	We all need a little "retail therapy" at times. Here are some suggestions of places to visit.
	Buy locally produced food

Spa

Vibrant Space Spa

Steam Trains

One of the thing that Snowdonia is known for is it's wealth of steam railways. See details of railways local to Cadair View Lodge

Touring

	Sit back and let somebody else take the wheel, whilst you admire the scenery. Bluestone Cars offer a variety of tours in North Wales.
	COMING SOON - If you like to drive yourself but don't know the area follow one of these circular tours and have facts and places pointed out to you which you may otherwise drive past

Treasure Hunts

COMING SOON - Are you a quiz fanatic? Do you like doing a crossword? Do you or your children need a reason to go for a walk? These treasure hunts are around local towns. Sight-see, visit local shops or just go for a walk - you're sure to see things that are off the beaten track or not immediately obvious.

Visitor Attractions

See our list of power stations open to the public and other places of interest.

Welsh Culture

A new heritage centre has recently opened in the former Ystradgwyn Chapel in Talyllyn. It is open Tuesday and Thursday throughout the Summer and includes a live programme of interpretation of Welsh culture through history, legend and song. This is delivered in English but using Welsh material. Free entry but a donation to charity is appreciated. Located on B4405, 300m from A487 junction. Call Marian Rees on 01654 761312 or email marianrees@tiscali .co.uk

Welsh Rural Life

Canolfan Cywain Rural Life Centre opening Spring 2008 just outside of Bala. Demonstrations of skills such as sheep sheering, bread making. Also art exhibitions and venue for hire.

Walking

	What better way of seeing Snowdonia than on foot. There are endless foot paths to try, to suit all fitness and experience levels, full day or an hour long, well known or off the beaten track. Ask us for suggestions or to borrow local maps and guides books. Also see Walking in our area for walks to download before you arrive
	Walk2Unwind is a new innovative guided walking business led by Gail Edgley. Walks are tailored to the individual and are designed to relax, restore and recharge you. Women only walks arranged.
	Walk the local part of The Cistercian Way
	If you'd rather have a knowledgeable guide with you on the mountains try Stone Adventures who have fully qualified and insured guides. They can also offer instruction in navigation, GPS use, etc.
	Heng Genting Mountain Adventures - Climbing, Navigation and Walking

For other activities try

	SearchInWales.com an independent Welsh based search engine for Welsh based web sites. Local links for local people.
	Last Minute Wales also have links to various activities

This information has been carefully researched but we cannot accept responsibility for any mistakes or omissions.

Thank you to all of the leaflet writers whose information I have borrowed to promote their ventures.

Too much for one visit? Come back again soon!

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