Things to do

Places to visit

Caerau Gardens

This is us of course! You are all welcome to make the most of the grounds and we can even do you food, sometimes out of hours if asked nicely!

Conwy

Yet another lovely castle town on the coast with a great drive there!

Llyn Tegid

Our own Bala Lake and Town, not to be ignored, see the Activities and Eating Out sections.

National Trust – Bodnant Garden

The most well known Gardens in North Wales and really worth visiting! National Trust. Stop at Conwy Falls cafe on the way or go into Betws-y-Coed, perhaps fish and chips in Llanrwst “Tir a Mor. The food was pretty hopeless at either of the Bodnant cafes last time we tried!

National Trust – Erddig

Lovely gardens and also a fascinating house with particularly good guides! National Trust

Pontcysyllte Aqueduct

Walk across, park at Station Rd, Trevor. I think you can do a day on a narrow boat from here- Anglo Welsh Waterway Holidays. Quite an experience! It’s about a 4 mile walk along the canal from Llangollen.

Welsh Mountain Zoo

A Good Zoo!

Activities

Coed y Brenin Forest Park

Walking and also a huge mountain bike setup and visitors centre, good cafe.

Llandegla MTB Trail Centre Car Park

All abilities, Miles of trails, bike hire etc.

National White Water Centre

The White Water experience is one thing Bala is famous for!

Zip World Penrhyn Quarry

Zip World Betws-y-Coed

Very highly recommended, especially the fforest coaster

Mountains

Tryfan

This one is a real favourite for many regular climbers/walkers, what a spot!

Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon)

This is why many people are staying here and we can understand that Snowdon is the one! You must expect lots of people and to park you must be there early. The cafe at the top is shockingly badly run as they have a captive audience. Do it, then do one of the others on another day!

Trains

Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways

Heading in two separate directions from Porthmadog, the most famous routes, much improved in recent years.  It’s quite a bonus to manage to book the Pullman Carriage at a somewhat higher price.

Eating Out

Bala Spice

Good Indian restaurant/takeaway. They will deliver to Sarnau and probably to us at Caerau too if you ask nicely.

Dylan’s Criccieth

A good day trip, we have lunch here on the sea front then walk up into town to have ice cream at “Cadwaladers”.

Fouzi’s Café Bar & Pizzeria

Good little Italian

Manon’s Riverside Café

A lovely spot just on the Tryweryn, the river that is used for the White Water rafting, so frequented by kayakers. It’s a great little cafe, very reasonably priced, excellent breakfasts and usually something to look at too!

Old Wives Tales. (Bala)

This is new in Bala, It has just moved from Corwen where it was brilliantly different. Portuguese, and often informal live music, they want you to stay for the whole evening. It is in Tegid Street, turn left in the middle of town.

Rhug Estate Farm Shop, Cafe, Takeaway

The grill restaurant was good once and otherwise there are takeaway options including a drive through. The farm shop is ok if expensive but unfortunately the general vibe is that it has lost its way, especially for the over expensive poor food.

The Corn Mill

Really popular, good food, quite a family favourite

The Mermaid

The best fish and chip shop in Barmouth

Tyddyn Llan

A Country House Restaurant at the high end of the scale, this and Pale Hall are the most highly acclaimed in the area.

Shopping for Food and Drink

Online

Asda and Tesco both come to us. Tell them LL23 7LG Caerau Uchaf, follow signs for Caerau Gardens up the hill. They may well have been before.

STORI Beer and Wine Cyf

Draft beers on tap to take away or sample there, collect beer or wine to take to the Indian, Bala Spice which doesn’t have a licence, they stay open late.

Mail order Indian before you arrive!