Porthmadog

Porthmadog is around 40mins drive from our self catering cottage here at Cae Garw, and this harbour town is situated on the Glaslyn Estuary, between Snowdonia and the Lleyn Peninsula.

Named after W A Maddocks, it was a vital shipping port for the international slate trade,based at Blaenau Ffestiniog. Maddocks great success was the building of an embankment - known locally as the Cob by reclaiming the wide Glaslyn Estuary, between 1808 and 1811 , he was also responsible for building the harbour between 1821-1825.

As well as a major slate harbour, Porthmadog was also the site of a number of small shipyards until around 1945, and a visit to the Maritime Museum here will give you an insight of the towns maritime history, and tell you of the last ship to be built in the port in 1913 that was lost on its maiden voyage . The last of Porthmadog's fleet of ships had disappeared by 1945.

The RSPB Glaslyn Osprey project is also based nearby, where hopefully the 3 newly laid eggs will hatch around w/c 12th May.

Welsh Highland Railway

Welsh Highland Railway at the Tremadog end of the Porthmadog High Street opposite the main railway station, operates a regular service of steam and diesel hauled trains along a 3/4 mile long narrow guage line with views toward the Glaslyn Valley , ending up at Pen y Mount station. See diesel and steam locomotives, coaches over 100 years old , restoration shed and displays - as well as watching how to operate the signals and points.

Plans are under way to link this eventually to the Welsh Highland Railway at Caernarfon. Half of the total length is now open, from Caernarfon to Rhyd Ddu, at the foot of Snowdon, and work is now well under way to reopen the remaining half through to Porthmadog - making up a total of almost 40 miles of narrow-gauge steam. Lôn Eifon cycleway runs alongside the railway from Caernarfon to Dinas - the Welsh Highland Railway even have special bicycle wagons so you can take a bike on the train too!

(Click here for outside link to the Welsh Highland Railway )

Ffestiniog Railway

Ffestiniog Railway is now one of North Wales' top tourist attractions. Starting at Porthmadog,it will take you on an enjoyable 13 mile long journey,through scenic countryside and the outstanding natural beauty of Snowdonia. Climbing to over 650ft, it ends at Blaenau Ffestiniog and its slate quarries and mines . Originally the railway was built as a gravity and horse drawn line to transport slate from these areas to Porthmadog, then exported to ports all over the world.

(Click here for outside link to the Ffestiniog Railway)

Portmeirion

Portmeirion is situated between Porthmadog and Penrhyndeudraeth, and is the unique and famous Italianate village built by the architect Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, and home of the famous Portmeirion Pottery. Lying between the estuaries of the rivers Glaslyn and Dwyryd, and overlooking Cardigan Bay - Potmeirion's sheltered position has resulted in elaborate gardens with luxuriant growths of many tropical plants and trees.

With numerous garden walks and woodland paths, as well as a plant centre selling hundreds of exotic plants- Portmeirion remains as one of the most popular attractions in Wales. Visit the craft and pottery shops, and sample fresh local cuisine in the cafes and restaurants.

Black Rock Sands

Black Rock Sands situated at Morfa Bychan near Porthmadog, offers miles and miles of flat sands , with dunes of special scientific interest. Offering spectacular views of Cardigan Bay, it is an extremely popular beach for surfing, kite-buggying and wind surfing. Receeding tides will expose numerous rock pools, exposed caverns, and multi coloured rock faces.

Borth y Gest

Borth y Gest is a quaint unspoilt village with its cliffs and coves, reached on foot via a winding path at the end of Porthmadog Quay, or a couple of minutes drive from the centre of town.Several boats were built here in the early 1900, and it was a regular haunt for smugglers. Today - althought the beach in itself is quite muddy, a short walk along a clifftop path will lead you to a quaint sandy cove, with views towards Harlech and Cardigan Bay .

 

 

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