North Wales Trip

Barmouth

Barmouth where the mountains meet the sea has been welcoming visitors for over 150 years the town is on the west coast of Wales, looking out onto Cardigan Bay, in the southern part of Snowdonia.

Canon EOS 6D MKII F11 120s ISO50 30mm ND1000

Penmaenpool

Penmaenpool is a hamlet on the south side of the estuary on the river Mawddach near Dolgellau. It has a Grade II listed wooden toll bridge which provides access across the estuary for light vehicles and walkers.

The George III Inn was originally two buildings: a ship chandler serving the boatbuilding industry, and a pub, it dates from approximately 1650.

Penmaenpool railway station was on the Aberystwyth and Welsh Coast Railway. It opened as Penmaen Pool on 3 July 1865, and closed to goods on 4 May 1964 and passengers on 18 January 1965. The route is now part of the Mawddach Trail and is popular with walkers and cyclists.

Cregennan Lakes

Cregennan Lakes in southern Snowdonia are owned by the National Trust and are a renowned and often photographed beauty spot.

There are tremendous views of the Mawddach Estuary and Barmouth Bridge from near the lake. The lakes are situated on the northern slopes of Cadair ldris, some 800 ft above sea level, overlooking the beautiful Mawddach Estuary.

Canon EOS 6D MKII F9 1/125s ISO800 127mm

Aberystwyth

Aberystwyth, meaning the mouth of the river Ystwyth, and commonly and colloquially known simply as ‘Aber’. It sits smack bang in the middle of the rugged Ceredigion coastline.

At the northern end of Aberystwyth promenade, Constitution Hill rises dramatically from the sea, providing spectacular and uninterrupted views of the town, Cardigan Bay, and on a clear day 26 mountain peaks spanning much of the length of Wales.

The most relaxing way to enjoy this majestic panorama is to travel by train on the longest funicular electric cliff railway in Britain, which has been transporting visitors to the summit since opening in 1896.

A visit to Aberystwyth is quite impossible without a walk, jog or mindfulness moment on the mile long Victorian promenade. The seafront also boasts the oldest pier in Wales (it was built in 1864), which offers the second best vantage point of Aberystwyth. And the best vantage point is at the end of north beach’s promenade, atop the 430 feet that is Constitution Hill.

Canon EOS 6D MKII F20 120s ISO100 65mm ND1000

Canon EOS 6D MKII F20 120s ISO50 85mm ND1000

Llyn Mwyngil Lake

Canon EOS 6D MKII F16 1/4s ISO50 75mm GND8

While commonly known as Tal-y-Llyn Lake, its real name has been Llyn Mwyngil since at least the fifteenth century. Technically it is a large glacial ‘ribbon lake’ and is one of the most popular fishing lakes in Wales, not to mention one of the most photographed.

Colonel Vaughan of Hengwrt, Dolgellau built the Tynycornel Hotel in 1844 and supplied two boats which became popular with fly fishermen.

While often thought of with the Talyllyn Railway, that actually ends two and a half miles from the end of the lake

An interesting fact is that the nearby Church (now holiday accommodation) contains the grave of Jenny Jones who was the only woman at the Battle of Waterloo, as she accompanied her officer husband.

Canon EOS 6D MKII F16 1/8s ISO100 28mm GND8

Aber Falls

Aber Falls is one of Snowdonia’s most dramatic waterfalls. Situated at the northern foothills of the Carneddau, the waterfall is part of Afon Goch’s (Red River) final descent to the Menai Straits.

The river plummets dramatically from a height of 120 feet, crashing into a shallow rocky pool before continuing towards the village of Abergwyngregyn.

Chrome Hill & Parkhouse Hill