Llanberis
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Llanberis |
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We are based in Llanberis, North Wales, the gateway to Snowdonia, a stunningly beautiful national park. It's less than ten miles from the Royal Town of Caernarfon and the University city of Bangor. Our logo is the view of Snowdon from Llanberis, and Wyddfa is the Welsh word for Snowdon. Llanberis village has enough indoor attractions for a whole week's stay, and outdoor attractions that would take a lifetime to explore! It's only 15 minutes' drive from the A55 Expressway, with excellent links to the Midlands and the North West. The photograph shows Snowdon and Llanberis from Fachwen. |
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RailwaysThere are two railway stations in the village: the Snowdon Mountain Railway travels spectacularly to the summit of Wales' highest mountain, and the Llanberis Lake Railway along the beautiful shores of Llyn Padarn. |
The Slate Museum in Llanberis has recently been awarded a Lottery grant which will improve this already very interesting museum, an insight into the slate industry that roofed the world.
Llanberis is not a "tourist trap", with a high street full of gift shops: it's a real village with a full complement of shops, and a traditionally friendly Welsh welcome at every one. The Welsh language is used by about 80% of local residents, so a walk down the high street is essential to hear Europe's oldest living language spoken.
The Snowdon Honey Farm is on the High Street, and I can recommend their mead! There are also three craft shops and a mountain art shop on the High Street, and wooden crafts and pottery at Y Glyn on the lakeside.
There are many other places to visit in Gwynedd, within ten miles of Llanberis. More details are available from Tourist Information Centres
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How's the weather?Here's the forecast for the next couple of days. |
Llanberis is a world famous centre for climbing, with many routes of all levels of difficulty easily accessible. There are two top class climbing equipment shops in the High Street, and two local climbing equipment manufacturers (DMM and Clogwyn Climbing.)
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WalkingFrom an easy walk along the old railway beside the lake, to the most difficult of scrambles and ridge walks, they're all available within easy reach of Llanberis. The Llanberis path to Snowdon's summit starts in the village, and there are frequent Sherpa buses to the starting points of many other paths. |
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Water sportsThere are sailing and canoeing schools in Llanberis, and you can launch your own boat onto the large and beautiful Llyn Padarn for a small fee. There are quiet lagoons opening into Llyn Padarn which are calm in any weather. |
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The sea at Port Dinorwic, where the Dinorwic Quarry's slates were exported, is only seven miles away. |
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Dolbadarn CastleThe mediæval Welsh Dolbadarn Castle, built in a commanding position overlooking the lakes Llyn Padarn and Llyn Peris in the early 13th century, is an essential part of any visit to Llanberis. |
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Nant PerisThree miles up the glacial valley along the river Seiont, towards the magnificent Llanberis Pass, an easy walk or a short cycle trip from Llanberis, is the attractive little village of Nant Peris. It has a charming ancient church by the river, and the famous well. This was much visited by 19th century invalids, who would watch the two "sacred fish" in the well. If the fish appeared as they took the water, a cure was certain. |
Held in July every year, this internationally famous race starts and finishes in Llanberis. the competitors race to the summit of Snowdon, five miles away and 3560 feet high, the leaders in little more than an hour!.
A gruelling marathon that starts and finishes in Llanberis, circumnavigating the Snowdon massif. It passes Pen y Pass: 1100 feet above sea level! Held in October.
The first of Llanberis's Ironman competitions (a half Ironman) took place in 2001; this will now be a regular event.
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The CarnivalThe carnival is held in Llanberis every July, and provides fun for chidren from one to a hundred and one. The carnival parade passes in front of all the hotels on the high street. |
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A rare albino robin used to nest in a hedge by a car park in Llanberis. It was a friendly and bold bird, and therefore easy to photograph and see. It hasn't been seen for a while. |
The roads around Llanberis are usually relatively quiet. Llanberis is on the A4086, 7 miles from Caernarfon, 9 miles from Bangor and 8 miles from the A55 expressway.
The nearest main line station is Bangor.
There's much more to North Wales than you think!
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Page design by  Anne Williams.
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