Sheep, sheep and more sheep (Snowdonia National Park)

Member Name: paddythedaddy

Product:	Snowdonia National Park
Date:	09/04/01 (286 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Beautiful, experience the great outdoors

Disadvantages: None

I consider myself an extremely privelaged person. In the heart of the Snowdonia National Park, with views over the breathtaking Irish Sea, there sits a modest (actually its pretty big) 18th Century Farmhouse. With the closest neighbour a 20 minute drive away (due to the endless stream of gates) and the ominous peak of Cader Idris looming behind you, you could be forgiven for thinking you had found Nirvana.

Owned by my Girlfriends parents, this remote retreat is used as a base to discover (and Re-discover!) the fantastic scenery and wildlife that this beautiful part of the country contains.

I will explain a little about the surrounding towns and what there is to do:

DOLGELLAU (pronounced: Dog-Eth-Lee {although God knows why!}):

A small town which consists of a few pubs (friendly atmospheres), Hotels (fairly cheap), Shops (Kwik Save, Co-op, Boots, an excellent hardware store run by 2 old ladies, a fantastic little shop which sells small gifts and things called 'Francesca's', post office etc.).

The main attraction in Dolgellau is the market which happens twice a year, to be honest its all old tat, but still worth a look!

The BEST thing about Dolgellau is the bakers (on the one-way, opposite Threshers Off-License) which sells THE most amazing Honey Buns - Do try these!

CADER IDRIS

One of the highest peaks in the country, walk (or run!) to the top and be rewarded by fantastic views from all angles.

CREGENNAN LAKES

With Cader Idris looming to one side, and the estuary and Irish Sea to the other, the two Lakes enjoy beautiful views. You can fish for Trout here for about £15 for the day. Unless you are as useless as me at Fly/Float fishing, you will definitely catch a few! Rods and Tackle available for a small fee.

FAIRBOURNE

A small town with a few shops and little in the way of night life! Fairbourne has a Train Station plus a miniature railway which tak
es you along the beach front (it is beautiful golden sand when the tide is out!) to the mouth of the estuary. This miniature railway also boast the longest name for a railway station (not to be confused with the Llan diddly gogogoch one - its longer!). In the summer you can also take a little ferry (rowing boat with a motor!) over to:

BARMOUTH

The biggest town in the area, a real sea side holiday town with excellent restaurants, hotels, gift shops and amusements for the kids.

There are all the shops that you could need plus a Doctors Surgery if anyone gets ill.

Based around a fishing village, there are still a few chartered and public trips out by boat. Fishing trips are about £20 per person for 6 hours fishing - Very good value!

For those who don't wish to venture on to the unpredictable Irish Sea, you can fish for Crabs at the side of the Bay for about £5 an hour!

There is also a railway bridge which can be fished off for 2 hours either side of the tide. Using either Lugworm (looks like licqourice) or Sand eels (make sure you secure them on the hook properly) you can more or less guarantee a good sized Sea Bass - which cook up GREAT!

Barmouth offers a fairly good night life too, being a preferred holiday destination for the inhabitants of Birmingham, they offer a range of clubs and pubs.


WHAT ELSE?

The main thing to do in this area is walk. There are some fantastic walks to do ranging from the mild, easy and non-energetic (the 'Torrent Walk' is my GF's fave - it is an easy walk down a stony path past breathtaking water falls) to the more energetic, but rewarding (a nice jog up Cader gets the heart pumping and sets you up for a nice walk down!)

I would recommend a holiday here to anyone that likes to do outdoor things. If you want sun and sand, you may well get lucky!

See you all at the top of Cader, last one up is a Welshman..... ;o)

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