Dolgellau Holiday Cottages
Dolgellau is set at the foot of Cader Idris. Set amongst narrow streets, the town itself offers a great range of cafes and restaurants whilst adventure activities are on the doorstep. Ideally located for exploring the region, it is a great holiday location.
DOLGELLAU
With more than 200 listed buildings and the beautiful backdrop of Eryri (Snowdonia), Dolgellau is a handsome market town which has plenty going on all year round. It’s the perfect place to soak up a bit of local culture along with those soaring mountain landscapes.
Sitting at the foot of Cader Idris on the beautiful Mawddach estuary, and built on a slate, wool, and (perhaps more surprising) gold-rush heritage, the town is steeped in history, big landscapes, and Welsh culture.
Dolgellau is a great destination for foodies, and there is a thriving local music and folk scene with regular live music at a number of the town’s pubs. An excellent farmer’s market comes to town on the third Sunday of every month.
Things to do in Dolgellau
This part of Eryri is renowned for its stunning landscapes and diverse and abundant wildlife, and from cycling to hiking, there are plenty of places to explore.
Connecting Barmouth with Dolgellau, the Mawddach Trail is perfect for walking and cycling from the centre of town. The trail crosses the historic wooden railway bridge, with stunning views across the estuary and up to the slopes of Cader Idris.
Cader Idris is one of Eryri’s most iconic peaks. Its name translates as Idris’s Chair, in reference to the mythical giant who supposedly once used the mountain as his throne. If you’d like to climb the mountain, we recommend following the Minffordd Path, which is short (3 miles to the peak) but fairly steep.
Historic Harlech, 20 miles north of Dolgellau, is a place of guts, quirk, and rather epic timeless beauty. The town grew up around a clifftop medieval castle, and is now recognised by UNESCO as being home to one of the best-preserved medieval fortresses in the world. Harlech’s hills and winding lanes provide plenty of nooks and crannies to explore, including some great independent shops, delis, cafés, and a beautiful nearby beach.
For a real taste of the romance of our region, take a ride on one of the steam heritage railways at nearby Corris, Fairbourne or Talyllyn. Enjoy comfortable plush carriages, the nostalgic aroma of coal, and gentle chuff of the engine as your train makes its way through spectacular mountain landscapes.
The nearest beach to Dolgellau is the sandy Blue Flag beach at Barmouth which is perfect for picnics, swimming, paddling, and surfing. It is around 10 miles from Dolgellau.
Off the beaten track ideas:
Visit the Church in the Sand near Llanbedr – the medieval ‘church in the sand’ of St Tanwg, near the village of Llanbedr, around 40 minutes’ drive from Dolgellau. Located in the sand dunes around 20 metres from the high tide mark, the ancient chapel houses the grave of Welsh poet Sion Phillips, a contemporary of Shakespeare, who lived at nearby Shell Island. 20 miles from Dolgellau.
Explore ancient woodlands at Coed Garth Gell – nestled in the spectacular Mawddach Valley, Coed Garth Gell is a woodland and heathland nature reserve which is internationally important for the rare mosses, liverworts and lichens which grow amongst the ancient oaks. Pied flycatchers, redstarts, wood warblers and lesser horseshoe bats all call this wonderful place home. 5 miles from Dolgellau.
Dolgellau is in Gwynedd, North Wales. At the southern end of Eryri, it is close to the beautiful Mawddach Estuary. Dolgellau is a short drive from Barmouth, Harlech, and Machynlleth.
There are plenty of great places to eat out in Dolgellau. Some of our favourites include
the George the III pub for amazing views as well as delicious pub food, The Royal Ship Inn – another great pub menu; the café in the old ironmongery, TH Roberts, has cakes that are as fabulous as the setting, and head to Bwyty Mawddach in nearby Llanelltyd for the best woodfired pizza around. Gwin Dylanwad Wine serves up great coffee as well as delicious beers and wines for stocking up your holiday cottage larder.
Coed y Brenin is the UK’s first and largest dedicated mountain bike trail centre. Hire bikes from the visitor centre (or bring your own) to explore miles of world-class mountain bike trails, with waymarked routes to suit all abilities. There is also a café, plenty of family-friendly walking trails, a nice play area, and some gorgeous spots for a riverside picnic. 8 miles from Dolgellau.
