Inspiration
BARMOUTH WALKING FESTIVAL 2017
It’s that time of year again and we are on count down to the Barmouth Walking Festival 2017. This year, it runs for 10 days from Saturday 16th – 25th September. With nearly 40 walks to choose from, the festival is set on the coastal town of Barmouth in Snowdonia. Perfectly placed to experience the Mawddach Estuary, Rhinog Mountains and the Cadr Idris range, the festival was set up to help those wanting to explore the area in the company of experienced guides. Walks are graded depending on their difficulty, varying between A++ for experienced walkers, A-Hard, B-Moderate and C easier, ensuring there is something for everyone. This year sees the introduction of eleven new walks, including two ‘super walks’ which involve a 21 miles trip along both sides of the mawddach estuary and an 18 mile trip round mawddach. You pay per walk; 1 walk costs £8.50, but if you want to make a week…
TOP 10 THINGS A CHILD SHOULD DO IN SNOWDONIA
The National Trust launched a hugely popular campaign a few years ago listing the top 50 things a child should do before they were 11 and 3/4. It took them away from their screens and encouraged parents to get their children to embrace the great outdoors. Everything on that list can be done in Snowdonia and if you’re here for a couple of weeks, it would be a great thing to do. However, if you just want tick a few things off, here are the top 10 things a child should do in Snowdonia… CLIMB A HUGE HILL You could do a mountain, but if you are looking for a more gentle ascent, the Roman Steps up by Cwm Buchan or Molfre in Dyffryn Ardudwy could be a good choice. GO ON A REALLY LONG BIKE RIDE The Mawddach trail is perfect. A 7 mile flat stretch running from Barmouth to Dolgeallau with a pub at…
EXPLORING THE SLATE INDUSTRY IN NORTH WALES
Stretching back as far as the Roman times, slate mining has been a core part of the region for so many years. Its hey day saw a workforce of 17000 working the quarries and mines and the biggest mine in the world was located here in Blaenau Ffestiniog. Along with great anecdotes of The National Gallery in London re-locating all of its 2000 works of art to the mines during WW11 for protection, the history of these places is fascintaing. If exploring the slate industry in North Wales is something of interest, then you’ll want to visit these places: THE NATIONAL SLATE MUSEUM | LLANBERIS The most notible place to visit when it comes to the slate industry. Set in the original quarry workshops, the museum re-creates the slate industry showing how the community lived and worked; ‘…it is as though the quarrymen and engineers put down their tools and left the courtyard for home just…
WALKING THE WALES COAST PATH
The Wales Coast Path is 870 miles in length, running from Chepstow in South Wales to Queensferry in the North. It is split into 8 geographical sections that run along the entire coastline, passing through areas of national importance and outstanding natural beauty. If you are not up for doing the whole 870 miles, there are some beautiful sections on the Llyn Peninsula and down towards Barmouth and Fairborne, taking you through small fishing villages, along estuaries and miles of sandy beaches… NEFYN TO PORTH DINLLAEN4.5km / 2.75 miles From the rocky promontory of Porth Dinllaen you can admire views to the east and west along the Llŷn Peninsula’s northern coast. You have a good chance of seeing seals close to shore. PORTH OER (WHISTLING SANDS) TO ABERDARON15km / 9.25miles As you walk toward Aberdaron you will see Bardsey Island, once a destination for pilgrims. According to legend three visits to Bardsey was equivalent to one…
WOOD BURNING HOT TUB AT MELIN BYRDIR
Our guests love the joys of a hot tub when on holiday in beautiful Snowdonia. Gwion and Louise have just installed a wood burning hot tub at Melin Byrdir and we love it!
TOP 5 CASTLES TO VISIT IN NORTH WALES
There are over 600 castles in Wales and we are said to have more castles per square mile than anywhere else in the world. Up in the North, we have some really special ones. Here are the top 5 castles to visit in North Wales: CAERNARFON CASTLE | CAERNARFON Built in the 1280 by Edward I, Caernarfon is the largest castle in the area and does not disappoint. Having included all the mod cons for its day like toilets, running water and glass in the windows, this vast building is spectatuclar. CONWY CASTLE | CONWY Conwy Castle entrance is truly impressive with two fortified gateways and made up of eight enormous towers. The great hall, private chambers and kitchen can still be seen on visiting which gives you a real sense of what it would have been like back in the day. HARLECH CASTLE | HARLECH Harlech castle is built on what is…
Top 5 | Things To Do With Children Of All Ages In Snowdonia
One of the challenges of planning a trip with children that range in age is finding things that keep everyone happy and interested. With this in mind, here are my Top 5 | Things To Do With Children Of All Ages In Snowdonia: WALKING Climbing Snowdon or Cadr Idris are my personal favorites, the sense of achievement is second to none and the views are incredible. If you have much smaller ones in tow, the walks around Swallow Falls and upto Fairy Glen in Betws-Y-Coed are fantastic. ADVENTURE The Fforest Coaster is the most recent attraction under the Zip World umbrella that has recently opened to great response. Zip World has lots on offer, covering all ages; they really do provide something unique. ELECTRIC MOUNTAIN From an educational point of view, Electric Mountain is one of a kind. It is a hydroelectric power plant built inside a mountain; the tours of its history and how it…
TOP 5 | SNOWDONIA LAKES TO SWIM IN
Snowdonia is one of the most beautiful places in the world to open water / wild swim. Gwion is due to take part in the Slateman Triathlon in 2 weeks and whilst he has been super dedicated to the running and cycling aspects of the training, the open water swimming wasn’t up there on the top of his check list… so to give him a bit of push to get out there before the big day, here are the Top 5 | Snowdonia Lakes To Swim In: LLYN GWYNANT My personal favourite. Easy to get to and simply beautiful. You can park by the side of the lake and get straight in. If you are up for it, swim to the otherside of the lake onto the rocks (known as Elephant Rock) and do the jumps. LLYN CAU This is a beautiful dark blue lake in the crater of Cadr Idris. A 350m ascent…
Castell-Y-Bere | Wales’ Forgotten Castle
Castell Y Bere is Wales’ forgotten castle. Built by Llywelyn ap Iorweth (Llywelyn the Great) in the 13th century in the beautiful Dysyni valley. Found in the foot hills of Cadr Idris, Castell Bere was the first castle Llywelyn built in the 1220’s. With an increasing Princedom, he needed to protect his newly aquired Meirionnydd from English threat. In 1282 however, Edward I sieged and overtook the Castle and for the next 20 years expanded the original infrastructure and created a village alongside; Llanfihangel-Pennant. During the uprising of the Welsh against the English in 1294, a revolt, led by Welsh leader Madog ap Llewelyn saw the castle under threat again. They stormed the castle and burned it down. Edward I never repaired the structure and it was left to ruin. https://youtu.be/RuSoHHRvH6c
Top 5 Farm Shops & Delis | North Wales
It is hard not to enjoy a visit to a farm shop or deli. Just being in the presence of homegrown local produce, organic meat and pesticide free everything can make us feel very virtuous. Packed full with things like charcol salt along with delicious cheeses, salamis crackers and condiments galore, they are a great foodie shopping experience… here are our top 5 Farm Shops & Delis | North Wales. RHUG ESTATE Rhug Estate has is all. Alongside the farmshop, they have a cafe and restaurant and all sell the organic produce they rear and grow on the farm. Their organic meat is well known the world over. The shop come deli offers a great range of cheeses, olives and pies along with a wonderful selection of locally sourced condiments. The Bison Grill is an all day dining area while ‘On The Hoof’ Takeaway offer incredible burgers etc. BODNANT WELSH FOOD CENTRE With a…
The New Adventure At Zip World
The 10th of May sees the opening of the new adventure at Zip World; The Fforest Coaster… It’s another first of its kind in the UK and again, Snowdonia is the launch pad. Just another feather in the Snowdonia cap when it comes to offering unique and new to market adventure experiences…. Based on the traditional toboggan, the Fforest Coaster runs on rails making it a much faster experience. The ride is over 1000m long (over 1/2 a mile), through the stunning Betws-Y-Coed woodland where you can reach speeds of upto 40km per hour. A 500m uplift takes you to the top and then you decend from there, flying through the forest at exhilarting speeds. Unlike traditional rollercoasters, you can control your speed so for those who want the full thrill, they can go brake free whilst those who are not feeling so brave have the choice to slow things down! Open to all ages,…
A Day In Betws Y Coed By Bike
The gateway to Snowdonia, Betws-y-Coed is a wonderful town surrounded by woodland, mountains and cascading waterfalls. It is ideal for outdoor activity holidays including walking, cycling and water sports with a great selection of shops, restaurants and cafes and home to the famous Swallow Waterfalls… A friend and I decided to spend a day in Betws Y Coed by bike; with Swallow falls a 45 minute walk west of the town centre and Fairy Glen a 45 minute walk south, a bike was required! We parked out of town on Ffordd Craigian off the A470 and cycled along the back road into the town centre; this is a lovely bike ride down through a quiet road flanked by trees. Making a beeline for the Swallowfalls, we followed the road round once we got to the town centre and carried on up the A5 (it’s a little steep) straight to the falls. They are beautiful, mesmerising and…
TOP 10 TRIATHLONS & MARATHONS NORTH WALES 2017
If you’ve embraced the New Year on a high of getting fit, one of the best ways to keep you motivated is to focus on a goal and you cant beat the challenge of a half/full marathon or triathon to get you on that path. There are so many great races to take part in over North Wales and the incredible landscape lends itself to cater for all abilities. So without further ado, here are the Top 10 Triathlons & Marathons North Wales 2017: ANGLESY HALF MARATHON Sunday 5th March 2017 The route is undulating yet quick but most of all it is incredibly stunning. Starting on the iconic Menai Suspension Bridge and running in front of the gorgeous Snowdonia backdrop, this race is truly one of a kind. The race provides the perfect pre-London and Manchester marathon preparation. WAVES, MUD AND MOUNTAINS Sunday 26th March 2017 Surf Snowdonia are launching this competition for…
THE YEAR OF LEGEND 2017
Vist Wales have chosen 2017 to be the Year of Legend. Wales is steeped in legends, both past and present and none show this more than the tales on the Mabinogion… The tales of the Mabinogion are over 1000 years old, they are the first reference to King Arthur and the earliest recorded British prose. It wasn’t until the 14th century that they were penned to paper; the origins being based upon story telling. They not only told tales of love, betrayal, mythology, politics and magical fantasies, but they promoted friendship and a code of moral conduct passed down from generation to generation. The 11 original tales have been compiled into 4 sections known as branches named: Pwyll, Branwen, Manawydan and Math. Whilst the stories are bizzare, psychedelic and complicated, the key parts for each branch go something like this… PWYLL, PRINCE OF DYFED Pwyll, whilst sitting on a mound which he has been told…
10 REASONS YOU SHOULD HOLIDAY IN SNOWDONIA | NORTH WALES
If you haven’t had the pleasure of experiencing Snowdonia, then you are missing out as it’s a little bit of heaven on Earth. For those of you who haven’t been and as a little reminder for those who have, here are our 10 reasons you should holiday in Snowdonia, North Wales in 2017… 1 | LONELY PLANET GUIDE It was listed in the Lonely Planet’s Top 10 Best In Travel for 2017. North Wales is the only place in the UK included in Best in Travel 2017, and according to Lonely Planet ‘earned its place as a must-see destination for 2017 thanks to the region’s reinvention‘ 2 | LAKES For swimming in, walking around or having a picnic by, the lakes in Snowdonia are simply stunning with back drops of mountains and beautiful views. Nothing beats a bit of wild swimming or waterfall jumping which is all on the doorstep. 3 | BEACHES…
CREATING HAPPINESS SNOWDONIA STYLE
Uncharacteristically, I have moved away from a goal setting, focus driven, ‘deprivation’ in some capacity approach to the New Year and looked at what makes us happy. They say that all those things you ‘strive’ to achieve tend to fall into place when you are happier and so rather than beat myself up for missing a training day or failing at juicing on a freezing cold January day (these things do not make me happy), I looked at the alternatives at creating happiness Snowdonia Style… SLEEP: Most of us are sleep deprived. 2-3 nights of good sleep can totally transform you, so imagine what a regular routine of good sleep will do. One thing you’ll notice as soon as you land in Snowdonia is the quietness and, less obviously, the darkness at night…. not many street lights in the fields! Throw in fresh air and homemade food readily availible in the area and you can…
NADOLIG LLAWEN A BLWYDDYN NEWYDD DDA | MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
We can’t believe the end of 2016 is drawing to a close. We have had another fantastic year here at Dioni and would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone we work with…. our wonderful guests that come to the area, the cottage owners who provide us with such fabulous cottages and the local businesses that make Snowdonia what it is. Thank you. If you are with us over the Chritmas week, we hope Snowdonia gives you a magical Christmas (We’ve heard it’s going to be a white one this year – fingers crossed!) and if not, we hope wherever you are in the world, have a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and we hope to see you during 2017. Best Wishes, Gwion, Louise and the ‘Dioni Girls’ (Sarah, Clare, Linda and Emma)
WINTER LAKE WALKS IN SNOWDONIA
The lakes in Snowdonia are an incredibly beautiful part of the area’s landscape and at this time of year, they come into their own. Walking around the lakes all wrapped up with the crisp cold air and if you’re lucky, the sun shining is incredible. Here are our best winter lake walks… LLYN TEGID | BALA To make your way around Llyn Tegid will take in the region of 8 hours. However, there are lots of different routes ranging from 1-8 hours; some part walking, part steam train or certain sections that are known for their beauty. For a breakdown of the walks, this is a great information source: Bala Lake Walking Trails. LLYN PADARN | LLANBERIS A couple of hours allows for a great walk which will include a bit of forest, a bit of industrial archeology an old quarry hospital, not to mention the incredible views of the lake and the…
HOT CHRISTMAS DRINKS SNOWDONIA STYLE
You know the festive season has begun when the mulled wine starts putting in an appearance! If you like your winter warmer drinks, there are some great alternatives you might want to try using Snowdonia’s great drinks brands. If you want some inspiration for the forthcoming party season, here are my favourite hot Christmas drinks Snowdoina Style (a mulled wine included of course!)… HOT SPICED RUM CIDER PANT DU CIDER INGREDIENTS: 2 tablespoons mulling spices 250ml Pant Du apple cider 750ml water 180ml dark rum 4 cinnamon sticks Serves 4 METHOD: Put the mulling spices in a spice ball. In a large pot over medium-high heat, combine the apple cider and water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, add the spice ball and gently simmer for 20 minutes. Pour 45 ml rum into each of 4 warmed mugs. Top each with 250 ml spiced cider and add a cinnamon stick.…
SHOP LOCAL CHRISTMAS 2016 | SNOWDONIA
A recent study showed that if every adult living in the Snowdonia area spent £5 a week in a local shop as opposed to the big chain stores, the local economy would benefit by approx £26 million every year. What better way to support the community than to buy local this Christmas. To give you some inspiration as to what’s on offer, here’s our guide to SHOP LOCAL CHRISTMAS 2016 | SNOWDONIA… HAMPERS There are so many lovely local food and drinks brands and they make for really great presents, especially those who are difficult to buy for. BODNANT WELSH FOOD | CONWY – have a good selection of wine, cheese and condiment hampers using all locally sourced produce. RHUG ESTATE | CORWEN – offer incredible meat hampers; everything you could want for Christmas. KERFOOTS | PORTHMADOG – they have a good selection of ready made hampers or you can create your own if you…
