Weekend in Snowdonia

[mason storm]

Me and the wife are staying in Snowdonia in a few weeks time, apart from the Evo Triangle can anyone recommend some great roads with fantastic scenery? Also if there are must visit places along the way?

[HughS47]

Sorry for the long post but I hope this helps:

Snowdonia is a lovely choice - shame that the weather can be so changeable. Here are some good driving routes, be aware that the local plod do sometimes watch them as they're popular routes with the road-testers and also the local subaru impreza owners...

I've added a couple of maps for you with some ideas:

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&a...

The b4407 is an excellent road as you may already know (if you read EVO)
Point B is a small lake where Evo mag do a lot of their photo shoots.
Points D-E-F are the Evo Triangle. (pub at point F in Cerrig but on the main A5 road)
Points H-I are the b4391 which is amazing.


http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&a...


Some alternatives out of Bala. (Pubs on main street of Bala). The B4391 is fantastic A-B. (Pub at point B in Llangynog)
Maybe a little trip round Lake Vrnwy E-F-G. Not a great road but may calm the mrs down after the B4391!!

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&a...

Anywhere around Snowdon is good but the roads can get busy. Scenery is awesome though.

If you use Shell V-Power its located at point E (the far side if Betws-Y-Coed).

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&a...

Another V-power is at porthmadog on the main street. Point B.
Point C is Black Rock Sands. You can drive your car on the several miles long hard sand beach if you fancy it! Be watchful for big ruts in the sand. It used to be where they ran the old land speed records. Around Porthmadog are two very highly recommended sightseeing spots: the 'village' of Portmerion is a great place to spend half/full day:

http://www.portmeirion-village.com/en/visit/

Perfect for the other half. It is where they filmed the series 'the prisoner' (bit before my time!). Great walks through the gardens and quite scenic. My advice is to eat lunch before at the restaurant at the castle brassiery:

http://www.portmeirion-village.com/en/eat/castell-...

last time I visited you got half price entry after their set lunch which is really VERY good indeed and worth the travel on its own if you're into food.

I also recommend the town of Harlech on the coast - the castle is fun to look around (for a morning or afternoon). This town also has an absolute stormer of a restaurant in Castle Cottage:

http://www.castlecottageharlech.co.uk/

Book in advance but amazing if you're into food. They do a tasting menu that is other-worldly but quite pricy. Perfect if you're treating the other half on a special occasion. Not much there otherwise.

Finally, I'd highly recommend the slate mine tours at http://www.llechwedd-slate-caverns.co.uk/.

If you're both feeling a lot more active and into a proper slate mine experience then you can't beat the fantastic Go-below: http://www.go-below.co.uk/ - the website makes this look like you have to be Bruce Willis to do this but if you're in reasonable shape you'll be fine and it makes a great day out - really good fun. If you only did one event in Snowdonia, this is my pick. Followed by the lunch at Castell Deudraeth brasserie with a visit to Portmerion afterwards.


I should start working for the Welsh tourist board!! My uncle has a holiday home in Harlech so I've visited a few times in my Impreza and hoping to take the MX-5 up there in due course.

Have a great trip - Let me know if the map links don't work.

(edited to highlight my favorites)

Edited by HughS47 on Sunday 25th August 01:07

[mason storm]

Wow thanks so much very useful indeed

[HughS47]

Great - no problems.

[ss1977]

Please can anyone confirm that the Shell in Porthmadog sells V-Power as I have only ever found it at Betws-y-Coed? The Shell station locator says only regular fuels are stocked.
Thanks.

[ss1977]

For anyone who's car lives on an exclusive diet of super unleaded, I have contacted the Shell in Porthmadog and they've confirmed that they do not sell V-Power. The Tesco in Porthmadog does, however, does sell Momentum99.

[Dblue]

HughS47 said:

Sorry for the long post but I hope this helps:

Snowdonia is a lovely choice - shame that the weather can be so changeable. Here are some good driving routes, be aware that the local plod do sometimes watch them as they're popular routes with the road-testers and also the local subaru impreza owners...

I've added a couple of maps for you with some ideas:

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&a...

The b4407 is an excellent road as you may already know (if you read EVO)
Point B is a small lake where Evo mag do a lot of their photo shoots.
Points D-E-F are the Evo Triangle. (pub at point F in Cerrig but on the main A5 road)
Points H-I are the b4391 which is amazing.


http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&a...


Some alternatives out of Bala. (Pubs on main street of Bala). The B4391 is fantastic A-B. (Pub at point B in Llangynog)
Maybe a little trip round Lake Vrnwy E-F-G. Not a great road but may calm the mrs down after the B4391!!

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&a...

Anywhere around Snowdon is good but the roads can get busy. Scenery is awesome though.

If you use Shell V-Power its located at point E (the far side if Betws-Y-Coed).

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&a...

Another V-power is at porthmadog on the main street. Point B.
Point C is Black Rock Sands. You can drive your car on the several miles long hard sand beach if you fancy it! Be watchful for big ruts in the sand. It used to be where they ran the old land speed records. Around Porthmadog are two very highly recommended sightseeing spots: the 'village' of Portmerion is a great place to spend half/full day:

http://www.portmeirion-village.com/en/visit/

Perfect for the other half. It is where they filmed the series 'the prisoner' (bit before my time!). Great walks through the gardens and quite scenic. My advice is to eat lunch before at the restaurant at the castle brassiery:

http://www.portmeirion-village.com/en/eat/castell-...

last time I visited you got half price entry after their set lunch which is really VERY good indeed and worth the travel on its own if you're into food.

I also recommend the town of Harlech on the coast - the castle is fun to look around (for a morning or afternoon). This town also has an absolute stormer of a restaurant in Castle Cottage:

http://www.castlecottageharlech.co.uk/

Book in advance but amazing if you're into food. They do a tasting menu that is other-worldly but quite pricy. Perfect if you're treating the other half on a special occasion. Not much there otherwise.

Finally, I'd highly recommend the slate mine tours at http://www.llechwedd-slate-caverns.co.uk/.

If you're both feeling a lot more active and into a proper slate mine experience then you can't beat the fantastic Go-below: http://www.go-below.co.uk/ - the website makes this look like you have to be Bruce Willis to do this but if you're in reasonable shape you'll be fine and it makes a great day out - really good fun. If you only did one event in Snowdonia, this is my pick. Followed by the lunch at Castell Deudraeth brasserie with a visit to Portmerion afterwards.


I should start working for the Welsh tourist board!! My uncle has a holiday home in Harlech so I've visited a few times in my Impreza and hoping to take the MX-5 up there in due course.

Have a great trip - Let me know if the map links don't work.

(edited to highlight my favorites)

Edited by HughS47 on Sunday 25th August 01:07

Very very good post this , spot on information.
Would add that Yr Hen Fecws in Porthmadog and The Ship Pub next door are both excellent.

Beddgelert is very cute and there's a fine walk down the Glaslyn Valley (Easy but beautiful )

If you're active I can highly recommend the brilliant Snowdonia Zipwire at Bethesda, Awesome, 100 mph mile long zip wire, Brilliant.

[F44GT3]

Nice post Hugh, cheers for the info.