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1 |
Park by the river at Dolgellau (pay
and display) and walk along the river path towards Penmaenpool. There
are places to get down by the river to throw stones in, footbridges to cross
(ideal for Pooh Sticks) and gates to go through. There's a big field
near the car park for ball games. Alternatively, park at Penmaenpool
(for free) and walk to Dolgellau to buy an ice-cream do all of the river
things there and back. Wide flat path, ideal for buggies, mostly
traffic free. This is the bed of the old railway so try to spot things
to do with trains (there are quite a few!) Usually ponies in the fields near Dolgellau. |
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2 |
Again on the Mawdach trail. Walk (or cycle) from
Penmaenpool towards Barmouth. Again this is the railway bed so it's
ideal for buggies and children on bikes (traffic free). It's a long
way to Barmouth (about 8 miles) but there are lots of picnic benches along
the way. COMPLETELY FREE |
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3 |
Walk across Barmouth bridge (small
toll payable at the Barmouth end). Great fun if the tide's in and the
jet skiers are racing underneath. Also lots of excitement if you're
crossing at the same time as a train. Park at the Fairbourne end for
free, walk across the bridge but turn around before the toll turnstile.
Why not get the train one way and then walk back? |
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4 |
At Porthmadog, walk across the Cob.
It's possible to walk next to the train track, great for waving to the
drivers on the steam
trains - keep a close eye on small children - there's a train track on one
side and a drop to the road on the other. Walk back on the other side
of the road on the new footpath. Look out for cormorants and herons
fishing at high tide.
COMPLETELY FREE
except for parking in Porthmadog
(you may be lucky and get a free place) |
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5 |
The playground in Porthmadog can while
away an hour. COMPLETELY
FREE. |
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6 |
Visit the lifeboat station at
Criccieth.
COMPLETELY FREE
but a donation is always welcomed. |
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7 |
And
there's a new lifeboat station on the promenade at
Barmouth - again
COMPLETELY FREE. |
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8 |
Watch people climbing. Drive along
the road from Tremadog towards Beddgelert. On the left hand side there
are some cliff faces which are very popular with climbers, especially at
weekends. Park in the cafe opposite.
COMPLETELY FREE |
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9 |
Pan for gold! Yes, that's right.
The hills that run north from Dolgellau were once full of gold mines. The
remains of the mines can still be seen today. There are still people who
make a living by panning for gold in the rivers that run through Coed y Brennin.
We believe the technique is to use an old piece of carpet and to place a little
soil/silt from the river bed onto it and then to let the river wash away the
lighter deposits to leave specks of gold caught in the fibres! The Afon
Mawdach in the forest is meant to be a good place. Please be careful, the
river runs very fast especially after rain.
COMPLETELY FREE
- but if you make your fortune remember who told you about it! |
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10 |
Fly a kite! It's possible to fly a kite on the play
field at Trawsfynydd Holiday Village but for a change why not try Barmouth beach
or Blackrock Sands. Both large flat beaches (even when the tide's in) and
almost, always windy. Car parking charges apply at both beaches in season.
Wrap up warm in the winter months and then it's COMPLETELY
FREE Look out for the Barmouth Kite Festival every July. |
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11 |
Visit the Coed y Brenin visitor centre. Ask in the
shop about the nature trail. This is a short walk with lots of carved
wooden animals to spot. Good for even quite small children.
COMPLETELY FREE - may not be available at new visitor
centre - watch this space |
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12 |
Visit a working woollen mill.
Brynkir Woollen Mill Working mill that was originally a
corn mill. Converted to woollen manufacture 150 years ago by ancestors of
present owners. Mill and shop selling tweed and flannel. Location: Golan 3½
miles from Porthmadog Turn right off the A487 towards Caernafon.
Time: Monday to Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
COMPLETELY FREE |
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13 |
Save your bottles and jars and take a trip to the
recycling bins at Dolgellau (at the far end of the main car park, passed the
library). Children love the sound of breaking glass and it's good for
adult stress too! Release your aggression and protect the environment all
in one go. COMPLETELY FREE |
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14 |
At the Barmouth and Fairbourne Railway there is also an
indoor nature centre and a railway museum, both of which are
COMPLETELY FREE
The Railway isn't free but a ticket
lets you ride all day. |
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15 |
Visit ancient burial chambers - Dyffryn Burial Chambers.
The site consists of two stone burial chambers built around 3500 BC amidst a
later circle of stones. Signposted from the school in Dyffryn Ardudwy near
Harlech. COMPLETELY FREE |
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16 |
Visit
Castell y Bere a 13th Century castle. COMPLETELY
FREE |
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17 |
Visit
Dolbadarn castle at Llanberis. The castle is dominated by a massive
round-towered keep, still standing up to 50 feet high. Excellent views
down the valley. COMPLETELY FREE |
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18 |
Whilst in Llanberis visit the Welsh Slate Museum.
Includes a demonstration of skills and crafts used by the quarrymen, quarry
men's house, 3D show on the story of slate, giant waterwheel and incline plus a
children's playground. COMPLETELY FREE |
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19 |
At Barmouth, walk up to the beginning of the bridge, by
the lifeboat and see the notice board which tells you when the lifeboat last went
out, what the incident was and what the outcome was.
COMPLETELY FREE This may've moved to the new lifeboat station on
the seafront, next to the big car park |
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20 |
Sit quietly on the veranda at Cadair View Lodge
(or at various locations at our other cabins) and watch
who visits the bird feeders. Can identify them all.
COMPLETELY
FREE |
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21 |
On selected weekends in December the Centre for
Alternative Technology is
COMPLETELY
FREE |
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22 |
Visit the Llechwedd Slate Caverns. The above ground
exhibitions are COMPLETELY FREE.
From April - July see nesting choughs via a webcam at
the visitor centre COMPLETELY FREE |
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23 |
Spot Satellites! Have you ever seen a satellite?
On a dark, clear, moonless night (our cabins are an ideal location) sit outside
and watch the sky. Look for very small (star size), far away lights that
move across the sky at a steady rate. They may be a steady light or they
may flash (at a regular rate). These are satellites. Satellites
cross the sky above us about once every 15 minutes. The ones that flash
are actually turning as they fly and the flash is their shiny surface reflecting
the sun's light. The ones that don't flash are just reflecting light.
COMPLETELY FREE. |
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24 |
Sail
butter tub boats! Save up some clean butter (dairy spread) tubs to
bring with you. Weight them with a few small stones or use plastercine
and a stick to make a mast and sail. Then sail them along a shallow
stream (please be careful! - wellies might be a good idea too). Can
also be done at the beach but please supervise children closely.
Also works well with the bottoms of plastic milk containers.
COMPLETELY FREE. |
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25 |
Do you
have a 4 wheel drive vehicle? If so have you ever driven through a
river? Near to the cabins there is a place where the river can be
forded by 4x4s. Great fun but we accept no liability if you decide to
do it. If you ask us we'll tell you where it is.
COMPLETELY FREE PROVIDED YOU DON'T NEED A TOW OUT! |
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26 |
Over
the last few years, between the end of October and just before Easter it has
been possible to visit Portmeirion
COMPLETELY FREE. |
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27 |
Over
the spring, summer and early autumn months visit the RSPB osprey hides.
Binoculars and telescopes are set up for you to watch the ospreys whilst in
the small visitor centre there is a webcam showing live images of the nest
itself. Knowledgeable staff on hand to answer questions and there's
usually some small freebies for children too.
COMPLETELY FREE. |
| 28 |
Visit the playground at
the new Coed y Brenin Visitor Centre. The playground is free but there
is a small charge for parking. Try out the great new cafe. |
