Holiday rentals in Beddgelert

This tiny Snowdonian village has an important place in Welsh folklore. Legend says it was named after Gelert, the dog of Llewellyn the Great, one of the last princes of Wales, who was tragically killed after an act of great bravery. The story adds to the romantic appeal of this pretty collection of old, stone-built houses sitting at the meeting-point of the Glaslyn and Colwyn rivers, overlooked by the town’s handsome, twin-arched bridge. Beddgelert is also only a mile north of a spectacular gorge, the Aberglaslyn Pass. It’s five miles south of Snowdon, Wales’ highest peak, although it has its own mountain to climb, too, the 782-feet-tall Moel Hebog (which translates, rather sweetly, to Bald Falcon). There are plenty of cafes and pubs for travellers, and the local ice cream by the riverside is renowned.

Beddgelert and its Snowdonian surroundings are paradise for those who love active outdoor pursuits any time of the year. However, Wales’ weather tends to be wilder in autumn and winter, so bookmark your accommodation in spring or summer if you fancy hiking, cycling, or climbing without wet weather gear. Any hot summer’s day will call for a trip to Llyn Dinas, a swimming lake a mile to the west of the village, and it’s only a half-hour’s drive to the two-mile stretch of Morfa Bychan (Black Rock Sands) near Porthmadog. As it’s such a popular hub for North West Wales’ many attractions, Beddgelert’s pubs, cafes, and shops stay open in the winter. Nevertheless, it’s definitely a quieter time, making the valley a perfect romantic setting for anyone wanting to get away from it all, and gaze up at the mountains.

The Welsh Highland Railway

Two gorgeous steam locomotives go through Wales’ most beautiful mountain range every summer, and stop at Beddgelert: it’s beautiful to see them puttering through the village, or even catch them to Caernarfon (a 6-hour round trip) or Porthmadog (3 hours). First-class carriages and luxury hampers are available to book, as is an Orient Express-style observation deck.

Gelert’s Grave

Gelert’s Grave sits a mile south of the village, although lovers of legends should note that an 18th-century landlord is said to have put it there. The National Trust-waymarked circular walk to it is lovely, passing the 12th-century Church of St Mary, the wildlife-rich River Glaslyn, and a bronze cast of Llewellyn the Great’s loyal hound.

Sygun Copper Mine

This stunning underground labyrinth is full of cavernous colour, with enough gigantic stalagmites and stalactites to make your jaw plummet. Adventure trails, archery, and gold panning make the day even more dramatic, with lakeside walks in the outside world afterwards to bring you back to earth.