Heart of the Snowdonia national park (Betws-y-Coed (North Wales))

Member Name: scarletcanary

Product:	Betws-y-Coed (North Wales)
Date:	01/10/09 (23 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Ease of transport

Disadvantages: Crowded, not much to do

I live just outside Betws-y-Coed, and have been moving around the village since I was 8, so I have seen it grow in popularity over time.

Betws is currently very popular, being as it is at the heart of Snowdonia and having the main road into North Wales running straight through it (A5).
This does of course mean that this small village is extremely crowded during tourist season, and with the solitary police officer stationed only occasionally it can feel a little rowdy at times, especially since the pont-y-pair bridge has been known to attract a certain type of person for the extreme sport known as Tombstoning (basically jumping into the water below.... some people are just odd.).

However, like all places the locals know how to escape the crowds- if it all gets too much I would advise heading over the railway bridge and having a look at the very peaceful St Michaels church, and the swinging footbridge (there is a footpath that leads eventually to the town of Llanwrst, but the bridge is the highlight, as most of the rest of the walk is along the A470!)

Betws boasts a wide range of climbing/mountineering/outdoor shops, the ones I would reccommend are the two Cotswold shops, one located next to the Royal Oak hotel, which holds a impressive range, and the other is a sale shop located at the edge of the village, which sells only discount products.
At either shop, eager, friendly and knowledgable staff are on hand to help, and if you happen to be staying with a local, drag them along with proof of residence, and you will get a local discount.

There are two general supplies shops- a Londis/Post office and a Spar/bakery, and while the bakery sells delicious bakery things, I would advise against buying much from these shops, if you can get out easily there is a Somerfield 6 miles away in Llanwrst, which is obviously a lot cheaper, and less packed with people.

The quality of accomodation in the village is not really something I can comment on much, but from enquiries about price for family members it seems much cheaper to stay in a less popular area, unsurprisingly. There is a bewildering choice of guest houses, hotels, b+bs, and holiday cottages.

There are few attractions outside of the shops, but the tourist information centre (located next to the large and quite central park) has a mini cinema which shows a helicopter ride over Snowdonia. This is probably not one for the easily queasy, as it is made to seem like you are in the helicopter, and it can be quite a strange feeling.

Summary: A pretty little place but bring a book.