Page 153 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - Great Britain

DRIVE 14: Through Snowdonia National Park 151

signs for Tywyn until a sign to Cadair 4 Harlech Castle
Idris on the left. After 8 km (5 miles), Gwynedd; LL46 2YH
turn right to Llynnau Cregennan, Impressively situated on a bluff over
where there is a car park by the lake. Tremadog Bay, Harlech Castle (open
daily) was built between 1283–90 at
a cost of £8,190 by Edward I’s master
mason, James of St George, who
was also responsible for Caernarfon,
Conway and Beaumaris castles. One of
Edward’s “iron ring” of castles, Harlech
was designed to be supplied by sea, but
the waters have since receded, leaving
the castle high and dry. In 1404 Owain
Glyndŵr took the castle, using it for his
parliament. It was retaken after a long Above Stone houses overlooking the river at
siege in 1408 by Harry of Monmouth, Beddgelert, crossed by a rustic bridge
later Henry V. In the Wars of the Roses,
it endured the longest siege in British SHOPPING IN BEDDGELERT
history (1461–68) before being taken
by the Yorkists, giving rise to the well- Park on Maengwyn Street. There are
known military song “Men of Harlech”. car parks either side of the river.
Beddgelert Woodcraft stocks a wide
Above One of the many rivers running off the ª Continue on the A496 north and range of handcrafted wooden items
peaks around Beddgelert turn left, signed to Porthmadog. In including s and animals, Welsh
Penrhyndeudraeth, follow the signs lovespoons and other decor items.
3 Cadair Idris on the A4085 to Beddgelert. Beddgelert LL55 4YB; 01766 890 586;
Gwynedd www.beddgelertwoodcraft.com
A huge 11-km (7-mile) long ridge, 5 Beddgelert
892-m (2,927-ft)w high, Cadair Idris Gwynedd; LL55 4YE EAT AND DRINK
dom inates the surrounding area. Perhaps Snowdonia’s prettiest village,
The name means “Chair of Idris”, after Beddgelert has a lovely tea shop and MACHYNLLETH
the giant warrior of Welsh legend. It’s several cafés. The town is centred on Number Twenty One moderate
an area of outstanding beauty and a rustic bridge from where, along the Local suppliers provide the ingredients
very popular with walkers. The tough south bank of the river, a path leads to for dishes such as Rainbow trout and
minted sausage in this cosy bistro.
paths to the top from the waters of the supposed monument to Gelert, 21 Heol Maengwyn, SY20 8EB; 01654
Llynnau Cregennan take four to six Welsh ruler Llywelyn the Great’s 703 382; www.numbertwentyone.co.uk
hours to complete – on the way there deerhound. The story goes that, while AROUND BRITHDIR
are some standing stones and cairns Llywelyn was hunting, the dog saved
over 4,000 years old. Climb the small his child from a wolf. Seeing the blood, Gwyn Dylanwad Wine moderate
This wine shop in Dolgellau, about 8 km
hill just above the car park for splendid Llywelyn thought Gelert had killed his (5 miles) southeast of Brithdir, has an
views of Barmouth and Snowdonia. boy and slew him, only to find his son excellent café and bar. It is open in
ª Take the road up and down to the safe and the wolf dead. He set a cairn the evenings Thursday to Saturday.
A493 and turn right to Penmaenpool. of stones over the dog’s grave, Beth Porth Marchnad, Dolgellau, LL40 1ET;
Here, take a left over the toll bridge to Gelert. A short drive east on the A498, 01341 422 870; wwww.dylanwad.com
the A496. Turn left for Barmouth and lies the stunning Llyn Gwynant. HARLECH CASTLE
on to Harlech. Park in front of the castle. ª Turn left out of the car park onto Castle Cottage Restaurant expensive
the A498, then left onto the A4086 to An award-winning family-run restaurant
Below Impressive Harlech Castle, rising out of a Llanberis, left at the roundabout and in the heart of Harlech, Castle Cottage
nearly vertical cliffface right to the railway car park. adds a sophisticated twist to Welsh
produce, such as duet of Welsh beef
and roast suckling pig. There’s a good
wine list, and rooms, too.
High Street, LL46 2YL; 01766 780 479;
www.castlecottageharlech.co.uk
BEDDGELERT
Tanronnen Inn
inexpensive–moderate
For a traditional bar meal, head for this
busy inn, conveniently situated in the
centre of town. The inn has rooms and
also does packed lunches for day trips.
Beddgelert, LL55 4YB; 01766 890 347;
www.tanronnen.co.uk

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