Snowdonia in North Wales is one of the most beautiful areas of Britain and justifiably so. Snowdon Mountain is popular year-round, and this book describes what to see and do in the area.

Concisely guiding readers around places to visit, from the Mountain Railways and the Welsh Highland to lovely villages and beautiful scenery, this guide also has details on climbing Snowdon itself, with tips on staying safe. More than 70 photographs are included.

A Portrait of Snowdon by Lindsey and Phillip Porter

Available on Kindle.

[Excerpt below from chapter 2]

Exploring Around Snowdon

It is understood that there is no longer a local tourist information centre covering this area, but there is plenty of information online, and – hopefully – this guide helps out!

There is a large car park on the north side of the village of Llanberis adjacent to the now demolished Electric Mountain centre. In the village is the booking office and station for the Snowdon Mountain Railway. This is very popular and must be booked in advance, although there is a £3.50 booking fee. (see https://snowdonrailway.co.uk/) Each engine pushes a single coach, so daily numbers are limited.

Most people take the return ticket, so singles down the mountain only are likely to be few. There is a café there and gift shop, and another set at Hafod Eyri at the top of the mountain. Remember that the weather may change quickly, improving or restricting your view from the top. If you have not booked, you may well have to wait a while for your train in the summer, so book before you go, early in the day or as soon as possible. Return tickets restrict your stay at the top to 30 minutes. There is a car park at the rear of the station. Bookings: Tel 0844 493 8120; children under three years go free if they do not occupy a seat.

Virtually opposite is the Snowdon Mountain Railway (https://snowdonrailway.co.uk/), a relatively newly built line and station which feeds into the Llyn Padarn Lake Railway. This runs for most of the length of the lake, on the trackbed of the former quarry line to Port Dinorwig/Y Felinheli. The third local narrow gauge railway, using steam and diesel engines is the Welsh Highland Railway (https://www.festrail.co.uk/). Having been disused for many decades, it was entirely rebuilt, costing over £30 million. Linking up with the Ffestiniog Railway at Porthmadog, you have the opportunity of travelling from Caernarfon Quay to Blaenau Ffestiniog, past lakes, gorges and mountains to the final destination. There are several stations or halts en route on the Welsh Highland line to Porthmadog, including the station at Beddgelert. The total length of the two lines is c. 44 miles from Caernarfon – Porthmadog-Blaenau Ffestiniog. Change trains at Porthmadog.

The 1870 workshops of the former Dinorwig Quarry survive as the Welsh National Slate Museum) and are another popular attraction. Take the road running next to the Lake Railway from its Llanberis Station, between the two lakes to reach the museum. Here, you can see how this huge quarry worked and how the slate was made and taken away to the coast. Even the 50ft 5ins water wheel, the largest surviving working waterwheel in Britain, may be seen. The museum was the dressing shed for the Dinorwig Slate Quarry, from which slate was sent all over the British Empire. Tel: 029 2057 3700. https://museum.wales/slate/ Open daily, except November – April, closed on Sunday, entry free. Café and shop. Visible down the east side of Llyn Padarn may be seen a cottage, the former quarry hospital. Across the car park is the Padarn Country Park (https://www.visitsnowdonia.info/padarn-country-park), set beside the lake. There are plenty of picnic benches where you can eat or simply take in the views. There is another one, off the approach to Llanberis on the west side of the lake; arguably more attractive too. After a trip around the museum, if you have not already done so, you can hop onto the train for a trip down the side of the lake on the Lakeside Railway.

Next Image: The National Slate Museum, Llanberis.

Next Image: A re-created workshop, with models, not actors!

Next Image: The Saw Mill.

Next Image: The Mill Yard (I)

Next Image: The Mill Yard (II)

Next Image: The 52 feet 6 inches diameter waterwheel at the National Slate Museum, the largest working waterwheel in the country. This attraction is well worth going to see, the entrance is free and there is a café.

If both Victorian and modern railway engineering is not enough, you can visit the keep of the local Dolbadarn Castle (https://cadw.gov.wales/visit/places-to-visit/castell-dolbadarn#opening-times), now finding itself opposite the entrance to the underground power station. It was built by Welsh Princes prior to Edward I’s invasion and is a remarkable survivor. It is now cared for by CADW, the Welsh equivalent of English Heritage. It is easily seen from the road to the Llanberis Pass or the road from the town to the National Slate Museum and the Padarn Country Park. The latter is a good place to view the Lady of Snowdon, a feature known to the locals but not by too many visitors. It consists of rock outcrops which together look like a woman’s head seen in profile, not dissimilar to the late Queen’s head on our coinage. Even when you know where it is, it sometimes takes a moment or two to appear, as your eyes take in the larger picture first. It is shown ringed in chapter 4..

Next Image: Unloading coal, Snowdonia Mountain Tramroad.

Next Image: Llanberis Station.

Next Image: Llanberis Lake Railway.

Book Categories: Travel.