Days out near Beddgelert, North Wales

[Lottie4]

We'll be staying in Beggelert, Wales soon. Any recommendations for places to visit? Just two adults.

I've looked at Portmerion, and wondering if it's worth paying to go if anyone's been there.

You're not far from Angelsey, definitely worth spending a day or two over there. Went to Portmeirion, pretty but I agree not much to do. Glad I've been though. Drive up the great Orme from Llandudno very scenic. There's also the Snowdon Mountain Railway but only on a clear day!

just to not the train at Llyn Padarn doesn’t go round the lake. Its out and back.

Is Sygun Copper Mine still going? I used to live going there years ago.
The Welsh Highland Railway goes through Beddgelert. You can go to Caernarfon, or to Porthmadog where you can connect with the Ffestiniog line. Or if hill walking is your thing get off at Waunfawr and walk up Moel Emilio for lovely views of the Snowdon Range without the crowds of the better known routes. The pub by the station at Waunfawr used to do quite nice food.

Yes the copper mine near Beddgelert is still open, we went a few weeks ago. We had a lovely holiday in Beddgelert - agree with loads of the suggestions above - Llanberis, Criccieth, Black Rock sands, Barmouth, Borth Y Gest, Portmadog, Zip World. It’s a beautiful area. Lots of lovely walks and waterfalls around.

We went to Portmerion and agree that it probably isn’t worth the money. The actual village/famous bit only takes a short time to go around, but if you did want to go I’d recommend also going on one of the nice woodland walks within the grounds, one came out onto a beautiful viewing spot high above the sea.

I also recommend the slate museum. Very close to it is Llanberis castle, which is very small but free so worth popping in there too.

Portmeirion is pretty but very pricey. For me, it also has a weird artificial vibe - the whole place feels a bit like a film set. If you want to go somewhere cheaper (but much smaller!) also designed by Clough Williams-Ellis, then you could visit the grounds at Plas Brondanw, his home near Llanfrothen. (He also designed the war memorial in Llanfrothen.)

Harlech and Caernarfon both have excellent castles.

For Portmeirion the free entry offer is after lunch booked at Castell Deudraeth Brasserie not the main hotel. But as a local it's always been my cheap way to get in - two courses max, tap water not alcohol, ice cream or coffee actually in the village. The Rib RIdes at Menai Bridge are brilliant. The Welsh Highland railway trip south to Porthmadog is certainly most scenic but the round trip through C'fon is aaaaaallllll day. I enjoyed the copper mine in Beddgelert when I was young and fit enough to do it. Zip world owns all the fun around here main attractions in Bethesda, underground golf etc in Blaenau Ffestiniog, Fforest Coaster in Betws-y-Coed.