Page 154 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - Great Britain

152 BACK ROADS GREAT BRITAIN

rugged landscape. Inside the walls
are lined in timber and the window
affords thrilling views.
Nearby, the Electric Mountain Centre
(open daily: tours Easter–end Oct; 01286
870 636; www.electricmountain.co.uk) has
a café and activity rooms, and runs
tours of the Dinorwig Power Station,
deep in Europe’s largest man-made
cavern inside Elidir Mountain (not
suitable for wheelchair users or anyone
who suffers from claustrophobia).
Visit Dolbadarn Castle (open daily),
set on the hillside over the main road
beside the lake, Llyn Peris. Built in the
Above View of the snow covered peaks of 13th century by Llywelyn the Great, it is
Mount Snowdon 6 Mount Snowdon simple but masterful – the 12-m (40-ft)
Gwynedd; LL55 4TY tower once reached three storeys.
VISITING MOUNT SNOWDON A popular destination, Llanberis has Steam buffs will love the Llanberis
many significant attractions, not least Lake Railway (open late May–early Sep
Snowdonia National Park Information Wales’ highest mountain, Snowdon, daily; call at other times; 01286 870 549;
Electric Mountain Centre, Llanberis, at 1,085 m (3,560 ft). Walk to the top www.lake-railway.co.uk). The narrow-
LL55 4UR; 01286 870 500; www. or take the train. The 7.5-km (4-mile) gauge steam railway runs along the
visitsnowdonia.info; open May–Aug;
out of season, use the office in Betws-y- trip passes through stunning scenery pretty wooded lakeside. Nearby is the
Coed: 01690 710 426 and is perhaps the most exciting train National Slate Museum (open daily;
journey in the UK. The Snowdon closed Sat Nov–Easter; 0300 1112 333;
SHOPPING AROUND Mountain Railway (Apr–Oct: open daily; www.museumwales.ac.uk), telling the story
CAERNARFON Mar–Apr: partial service; 01286 870 223; of slate in a series of Victorian workshops
www.snowdonrailway.co.uk) is weather with talks and demonstrations.
Inigo Jones offers a broad range of
gifts made from slate, and tours dependent, so check beforehand. ª Take A4086 to Caernarfon. Head
of the workshop (Tudor Slate Works, At the top of Snowdon awaits into the centre and park by the castle.
Y Groeslon, LL54 7UE; 01286 830 242; Hafod Eryri, the railway terminus
www.inigojones.co.uk). and visitor centre. Britain’s highest 7 Caernarfon
building and possibly one of its most Gwynedd; LL55 2AY
WHERE TO STAY unusual was designed by architect Set by the Menai Straits and with sea
AROUND CAERNARFON Roy Hole, after the original 1930s access, Caernarfon is the ideal site for
Ty’n Rhos moderate café was demolished in 2006. a castle. Caernarfon Castle (open daily)
Comfortable country hotel less than Created from stone and slate and was built in 1283 as part of Edward I’s
8 km (5 miles) northeast of Caernarfon, with a large flat roof, Hafod Eryri does ring of castles to subjugate the Welsh.
off the A4866. Enjoy elegant rooms, not seem out of place in Snowdon’s With its polygonal towers and twin-
locally sourced food and serene gardens.
Seion, Llanddeiniolen, LL55 3AE; 01248
670 489; www.tynrhos.co.uk
Plas Dinas expensive
Enjoy a taste of country house living at
this 17th-century, grade II-listed house
on the A487 not far south of Caernarfon.
It has lovely gardens and elegant rooms,
and serves local bacon for breakfast.
Bontnewydd, LL54 7YF; 01286 830 214;
www.plasdinas.co.uk
BEAUMARIS
Ye Olde Bulls Head Inn moderate
This inn offers country-style bedrooms
with a modern touch. Next door, their
modern town house has colour-themed
rooms and luxurious bathrooms.
Castle Street, LL58 8AP; 01248 810 329;
www.bullsheadinn.co.uk
Right The award-winning Hafod Eryri visitor
centre at the summit of Snowdon

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