What is there to do in Snowdonia over New Year?
- Sue @ Cadair View Lodge
- 5 days ago
- 7 min read
The time after Christmas and over New Year can be a strange time to visit an area. Businesses and attractions are drawing breath after a busy pre-Christmas and many take time off. The weather can also be quite unpredictable. It may be cold and bright, or it can be drizzly and miserable - who knows? But visitors to the area are looking for ideas to fill their days, so here at Cadair View Lodge log cabins in Snowdonia we've put together some suggestions.
Visit Our Local Castles
One of the things that Wales is known for is our castles. In North Wales many are from the 13th Century and built by Edward I, but there are older ones and newer ones. The likes of Criccieth, Harlech, Conwy (about 65 minutes drive) and Dolwyddelan are mostly shells with little inside space, however Caernarfon (about 55 minutes drive) has a museum and more exhibition space. Remember when visiting castles in the winter time that steps and battlements my be slippery, so wear appropriate footwear. A little further away from our accommodation, just outside of Bangor, is Penrhyn Castle (about 65 minutes drive) - more stately home than castle and a little younger than Edward's castles having been built in the early 19th Century.
The links to all of these properties are below. You'll find opening days and a little more about what is available at each property by clicking the name links.
If visiting more than 1 Cadw site during your stay it may be worth buying a Cadw Explorer Pass.
Go Underground
If the weather is wet and windy above ground then it might be a little warmer and certainly less windy below ground. There are several underground options available locally. There are Deep Mine tours available at Llechwedd Slate Caverns - a reasonably sedate affair. At Go Below Underground Adventures there are lots of options, some more adventurous than others. At ZipWorld at Llechwedd, it is possible to bounce around on huge nets suspended in an enormous underground cavern, then slide down shoots between the different levels. This is Bounce Below. On the same site is also what is billed at "the World's deepest underground golf". And again at Llechwedd, there is an underground adventure course.
Beach Sauna
If the cold (or hot) and wet don't bother you then perhaps indulge in the recent craze for beach saunas! There are 2 (possibly more - as they pop up all over the place) quite close to us. There is one actually on the beach at Criccieth and one on the side of Llyn Tegid (Bala Lake). The operation of both of these saunas may be weather dependent so it's best to check directly with the owners.
Beach Walk
Whilst we're talking "beach" why not take a walk on the beach? Wrap up (or take your swimming things!) and head out. I've had many winter beach walks. It's fantastic to mostly have the beach to yourself. The waves can be crashing onto the sand or rocks and you're wrapped up warm. People don't believe me when I say that I've been to the beach... but they wish that they'd done it.
Read more about beach walks in winter HERE
Take A Walk Around Portmeirion
Portmeirion is a "folly" tourist village on the coast near to Porthmadog. Buildings in the village were built to resemble an Italian village. It has shops, cafes, a hotel, gardens, lovely woodland walks and a beach! It was the setting for a 1960's cult TV series called "The Prisoner". There is an entry fee but it is a pleasant place to walk around. We've visited several times on New Year's Eve when it has been very quiet (but of course we can't guarantee that every year). If you visit make the effort to do the woodland walks and walk down to the lighthouse on the headland.
Walking
New Year is not the time of year to head onto the mountains unless you have suitable experience, adequate equipment and the weather is favourable. There are not trains going up Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) until April or May. But there are lots of low level walks to be enjoyed. These can be spectacular and are definitely safer.
One of our favourite winter walks is the loop from Beddgelert along the river to the railway bridge and back along the other side of the river. A detour off the riverside path will take you to Gelert's Grave (read the legend of Gelert HERE).
Take a Train Ride
There are several heritage railways in the area and they often run steam trains on their lines through the winter.
The Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway are running 2 services over New Year. The Christmas Mountain Spirit runs from Porthmadog to Blaenau Ffestiniog and the Whistling Reindeer, which runs from Porthmadog to Rhyd Ddu. Details of these can be found HERE
The Talyllyn Railway is also running services up until early January. Their trains run from Tywyn to Dolgoch
Explore Local Towns + Villages
As I stated at the beginning of this article, some businesses may be closed between Christmas and New Year, but others will still be open to cater for the visitors who come to the area. Our little towns and villages are filled with small independent stores where you'll discover things that aren't in the chains in our cities. The service will usually be helpful and friendly and you're likely to hear the Welsh language being spoken. Even if stores aren't open, there should still be Christmas lights and bright windows to look in and there will be regular stops for coffee, hot chocolate and cake!
Here is a very basic idea of our local places.
Bala - a small town mostly known for its lake (Llyn Tegid). Here are our Top 10 Things To Do In Bala
Barmouth - small, tradition seaside town. Gift shops, several galleries, Pieces for Places, along with a good selection of other shops. Plenty of cafes to drop into. Take a walk along the harbour but try to avoid "the Barmouth facial" (being blasted by blown sand on windy days!). The Lobster Pot, on the harbour, is well known for its seafood. Here are our Top 10 Things To Do In Barmouth
Beddgelert - a small village. Beddgelert Woodcraft and Riverside Gifts are definitely worth a look.
Betws y Coed - "The Gateway To Snowdonia". The village is very much geared up for the tourists that it attracts. Gift shops, galleries and eateries abound. A pretty village.
Criccieth - a quiet seaside town. The main street has re-generated over the last few years and a number of interesting, craft and gift shops have opened. Take a walk along the front, passing the Castle to take in both bays. One is sandy and the other is rocky. Take in the view from Dylan's restaurant on the Prom or Cadwaladers (near the lifeboat station) and try to get a seat at the back overlooking the sea.
Dolgellau - market town with a compact centre. Several gift shops, craft shops, a pottery, a vintage shop and more. TH Roberts is renowned for their cake!
Harlech - another quiet town. The main streets are up near the Castle. A few nice gift shops and a great fabric shop Cae Du Designs.
Porthmadog - a bustling former port town. Headquarters of Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway. A good mix of local shops (chemists, food, etc.) plus gift shops and galleries.
Visit a Waterfall
If the weather has been wet then the chances are that the waterfalls will be spectacular! There are places to see waterfalls that are not up mountains and are relatively safe to visit during the winter months. Some suggestions are:
Rhaeadr Mawddach and Pistyll Gain - two waterfalls that are close to each other in Coed y Brenin forest. They can be seen from an easy, circular walk. Details HERE
Rhaeadr Ddu - this waterfall is near to the A470 in Ganllwyd but visiting it can be made into a longer walk. Take note of the warning in the write-up. Details HERE
Swallow Falls - probably the most famous waterfalls in Snowdonia. A visitor attractions so admission is payable. Details HERE
Take a Scenic Drive
🎶 "Oh The Weather Outside Is Frightful..."! 🎶
But you're on holiday and want to go out! Maybe try a scenic drive? The weather in the area is very fickle and it might be that after driving a few miles it improves. This is something that we regularly do just to get out and about. Here are some suggestions.
Talyllyn Lake Circular -
From Dolgellau take A470 south to Cross Foxes pub.
Turn right onto A487 towards Minffordd
Turn onto B4405 towards Abergyolwyn
Continue to Bryncrug then turn right onto A493.
Continue on A493 which will eventually bring you back to Dolgellau
Harlech Coastal Circular -
From Dolgellau take A470 north
After crossing river take left turn onto A496 towards Barmouth
Continue on A496 until Maentwrog
At Maentwrog take right turn onto A487
Continue on A487 (which becomes A470) until reaching Dolgellau
Beddgelert Circular
From Maentwrog take A487 west towards Porthmadog
At Penrhyndeudraeth turn right onto A4085
At T-junction turn right onto A498 towards Beddgelert
After crossing the bridge at Beddgelert turn left onto A4085 towards Caernarfon
At Caernarfon turn left onto A4871
Continue until junction with A487 turn left towards Porthmadog
Continue on A487 to Maentwrog
Betws y Coed, Nant Peris, Ogwen Valley Circular
From Betws y Coed take A5 west towards Bethesda, Bangor
After Capel Curig turn left onto A4086 towards Beddgelert
At Pen y Gwryd Hotel turn right onto A4086 towards Llanberis
After both lakes take a right turn onto A4244 Brynrefail and Bangor
Stay on A4244 when it turns right at roundabout through Pentir
At junction with A5 turn right towards Bethesda and Betws y Coed
I hope that the information here will give some ideas for things to do and places to go. If you have any further questions please contact us HERE
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