Harlech Holiday Cottages
Harlech is a small town along the west coast of North Wales on Cardigan Bay. Its castle, set up high on the rock is the focal point of the town from which there are a small selection of cafes and restaurants. Beautiful sandy beaches, mountains and waterfalls are all a stones throw away.
Harlech
Harlech is a historic Welsh coastal town on the edge of Eryri (Snowdonia) in North Wales. It is a place of guts, quirk, and rather epic, timeless beauty.
The town grew up around a 13th century castle, recognised by UNESCO as being one of the best-preserved medieval fortresses in the world. Sitting proud on a clifftop looking out to sea, it is flanked by the majestic mountains of Eryri to the east, with Cardigan Bay and the Irish Sea to the west.
Harlech’s hills and winding lanes provide plenty of nooks and crannies to explore, including some great independent shops, delis, and cafés. It’s a short walk down the hill to a gorgeous sandy beach.
Things to do in Harlech
Harlech’s hills and winding lanes provide plenty of nooks and crannies to explore. Look out for the fabulous Cae Du Designs for beautiful Welsh fabrics and soft furnishings, as well as the town’s quirky antique and gift shops.
The newly refurbished visitor centre at Harlech Castle is an ideal all-weather day out. Try to resist humming Men of Harlech, our nation’s unofficial anthem, as you walk around the castle’s mighty walls. It’s well worth taking the time to soak up the atmosphere, the stunning mountains-and-coast views, and to enjoy the excellent audio-visual tour. There’s a great gift shop here too, with some really lovely Welsh books, art, and crafts on sale.
Eryri’s huge adventure playground is right on Harlech’s doorstep – from oodles of organic free stuff like mountain walks, wild swimming, and mountain biking, to world-class adventure experiences like Zip World and Go Below. Harlech also boasts one of the UK’s best links golf courses at Royal St David’s. Fancy a round?
The local coastline is one of sandy dunes and marram grass. Harlech beach is an idyllic place for a picnic and a paddle, but also a bit of a hidden gem for surfing and bodyboarding. Expect consistent rolling waves and beautiful views of the Gwynedd coastline stretching to the north and south.
Head to nearby Portmeirion Village to explore fantastical architecture and ornamental gardens, as well as spectacular woodland with big views over the Dwyryd Estuary towards Harlech. Portmeirion is just a stone’s throw from Porthmadog, where you can jump on board the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway to explore Eryri’s epic landscapes by steam train.
Back in Harlech, the town’s elevated position and big views over the Irish Sea make it a spectacular spot to enjoy a well-earned sundowner.
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. 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. 4 miles from Harlech.
Go Wild Swimming in the Rhinogs. At Llyn Eiddew Bach, a tarn in the super-peaceful Rhinog mountains just above the town. Admittedly perhaps not one for February. If you do go up there it’s worth visiting the prehistoric stone circle nearby. 5 miles from Harlech.
Harlech is a historic town on the coast of Gwynedd, North Wales. At the southern end of Eryri, and with an elevated clifftop position, it looks out to Cardigan Bay and the Irish Sea. Harlech is near Porthmadog, Criccieth, and Barmouth.
Visitors travel long distances for the cakes and scones at the Caffi Castell Harlech – you really should call in for a sandwich, cake, and a cuppa, better still treat yourself to their famous Welsh rarebit. The Wilderness Café on Castle Square serves up delicious pizza and cakes, or head to The Plas for a tasty menu with beautiful views of castle and coast. For evening meals try the five-star Castle Cottage dining room, or head slightly further afield to Ty Mawr in Llanbedr for a great pub menu. The Victoria Inn, also in Llanbedr, offers a great bistro-style menu. On the High Street in the middle of Harlech, Y Groser Harlech Food Emporium serves up the best in local produce, including Welsh lamb, beef, cheeses, wines, spirits, and beers.
Do you fancy climbing Wales’s highest summit during your holiday in North Wales? Harlech is a short distance from the start point of one of the best routes up Yr Wyddfa – the Rhyd Ddu Path (pronounced ‘rheed-thee’). It is one of the quieter ways up the great mountain, with some of the best views. Plan ahead by downloading the Snowdon Walks app, with detailed maps and a live progress tracker. You can read more about how to prepare for a walk up Snowdon, here. 18 miles from Harlech.
