Bryn Afon Guest House, Betws-y-Coed
Snowdonia Bed and Breakfast

North Wales Tourist
Venues and Attractions

We have started to compile a list of things to do in Snowdonia whilst you stay in Betws-y-Coed. Each attraction is followed by the distance from Bryn Afon Guest House, the general compass direction and the approximate driving time to the venue:

Railways of Snowdonia and North Wales

  • Conwy Valley Railway, Betws-y-Coed (1 mile N - 5 minutes)

    • The Conwy Valley line is part of the National Rail Network and provides the connecting service to Betws-y-Coed from the North Wales Coast Line at LLandudno Junction.

  • Snowdon Mountain Railway, Llanberis (15 miles W - 30 minutes)
    Visit the peak of Mount Snowdon, the highest Mountain in England and Wales. Travel on the unique railway that has been operating for well over 100 years.

  • Welsh Highland Railway, Caernarfon (28 miles W - 45 minutes)
    Snowdonia's newest railway operates on 12 miles of track between Caernarfon and the village of Rhyd Ddu, a village on the slopes of Snowdon. This is the halfway stage of a current project that will eventually terminate at Porthmadog.

  • Ffestiniog Railway, Blaenau Ffestiniog (12 miles SW - 20 minutes)
    This journey takes you on a 13.5 mile ride from the the slate-quarrying town of Blaenau Ffestiniog to the harbour of Porthmadog. Travel through tranquil pastures and magnificent forests, past lakes and waterfalls, clinging to the side of the mountain and even through it.

  • Bala Lake Railway, Bala (34 miles SE - 50 minutes)
    A delightful 9-mile return journey alongside Bala Lake (Llyn Tegid), through the beautiful and natural Snowdonia National Park.

  • Llanberis Lake Railway, Llanberis (15 miles W - 30 minutes)
    Starting from Llanberis at the foot of Mount Snowdon you can take a delightfully relaxed steam train ride along the shores of Padarn Lake, the largest of the two lakes in Llanberis. The complete 60 minute journey takes offers magnificent views of Snowdon and the surrounding high peaks that are not accessable by road.

  • Talyllyn Railway, Tywyn (50 miles S - 1 hour 20 minutes)
    This is actually Mid Wales rather than North Wales, however the journey from Betws-y-Coed to Tywyn is through some beautiful scenery and can be combined visits to other attractions on the way such as Harlech Castle. The narrow-gauge steam train itself runs from Tywyn to Abergynolwyn and Nant Gwernol passing the delightful passes the delightful Dolgoch Falls.

  • The Cambrian Railway (50 miles S - 1 hour 5 minutes)
    Again this train journey start in Mid Wales, running from the small Welsh market town of Machynlleth and Porthmadog every day, Monday to Friday and on to Pwllheli on a Wednesday and Friday only.


Castles of Snowdonia and North Wales


Museums & Mines of Snowdonia and North Wales


Snowdonia Activities

  • Gwydyr Stables Riding & Trekking Stables (5 miles S - 15 minutes)
    Enjoy breathtaking views of the Snowdonia National Park on Horseback. Gwydir Stables (formerly Ty Coch) cater for individuals as well as groups and for any level of Rider, including those who have never been on horseback before. As complete novices, Gavin & Michelle (Bryn Afon B&B Proprietors) thoroughly enjoyed a 1 hour trail ride that not only gave them their first experience of Horse Riding but also allowed them to enjoy unique views of the beautiful Penmachno Countryside. In addition to short rides from just 30 minutes there are Half/Full Day, Pub Visit and Bespoke Riding packages available. Advance booking is recommended.

  • Tree Top Adventures, Betws-y-Coed (5 miles NW - 10 minutes)
    This is Fun, Fun, Fun - A great experience and something special to remember! Travelling from Tree to Tree at 50 feet above Ground Level, this really should get your adrenalin going. This is one of the most popular Betws-y-Coed outdoor activities whether travelling alone, as a couple or with the whole family. Please check safety restrictions before making your booking. Advance booking recommended.

  • Quad Biking & Rally Karting, Corwen (15 miles E - 25 minutes)

  • Ropes & Ladders, Llanberis (15 miles W - 30 minutes)

  • Walking Betws-y-Coed


Other Snowdonia Attractions

  • Gwydir Castle (5 miles N - 10 minutes)
    One of the finest Tudor houses in Wales is situated by the nearby town of Llanrwst and on the same road as Bryn Afon Guest House. Gwydir Castle is a stunning 16th Century property with a wealth of history having been the ancestral home of the powerful Wynn baronets, descended from the Kings and Princes of Gwynedd and one of the most significant families in Wales during the Tudor and Stuart periods.

  • Bodnant Garden, Tal y Cafn (15 miles N - 20 minutes)
    Like gardens? Love Bodnant! 80 Acres of some of the most beautiful gardens in the United Kingdom. The gardens consist of the Upper Gardens surrounding Bodnant Hall and the lower gardens otherwise known as the ‘Dell'. Terraced Gardens, informal lawns shaded by trees and wild gardens offer an interesting mix of beautiful plants from all over the world. Both Amateur and Professional gardeners will enjoy a tour around the stunning Bodnant gardens. Members of the National Trust and fellows of the Royal Horticultural Society are admitted free on presentation of a valid membership card.

  • Electric Mountain / Dinorwig (15 miles W - 30 minutes)
    Take an hour long tour of Dinorwig Power Station and experience the awe of Electric Mountain. This imaginative engineering and environmental project is home to the largest man-made cavern in Europe, housing six powerful generating units and miles of underground tunnels. Always a popular choice amongst the guests at Bryn Afon so you may wish to book ahead. Top Tip – Arrive early in wet weather as this indoor experience gets booked quickly when its raining outside!

  • Trefriw Woollen Mills, Trefriw (7 miles N - 15 minutes)
    The Carding engines, spinning mules, doubling machine, warping mill and Dobcross looms used to process fleece to fabirc are all on display at this free exhibition of old and new machinery. Demonstrations of Hand Spinning take place in the summer and you may even get the opportunity to try weaving yourself on small hand looms. It's free so if the machinery, history and processes don't do it for you then check out the final products in the well stocked shop.

  • Portmeirion Village (20 miles SW - 40 minutes)

  • Plas Mawr Elizabethan Town House, Conwy (18 miles N - 25 minutes)

  • Lloyd George Museum, Llanystumdwy (30 miles SW - 50 minutes)

  • Gwynedd Museum, Bangor (20 miles NW - 40 minutes)

  • Inigo Slate Works, Y Groeslon, nr Caernarfon (30 miles W - 50 minutes)

  • King Arthur's Labyrinth, Machynlleth (45 miles S - 1 hour)

  • Parc Glynllifon, Caernarfon (30 miles W - 50 minutes)

  • Aberconwy House (Oldest Town House), Conwy (20 miles N - 25 minutes)

  • Ewe-phoria Sheepdog Centre, Corwen (15 miles E - 25 minutes)


Bryn Afon Guest House, Betws-y-Coed (Snowdonia), Conwy, North Wales, LL24 0BB

w: www.bryn-afon.co.uk    e: info@bryn-afon.co.uk    t: +44 (0)1690 710403