Things
to do at Carols' Cottages in Wales
RSPB reserves
at Conwy, Lake Vyrnwy, the Mawddach Valley near Dolgellau (the former
signal box at the old station at Penmaenpool has been converted into
an attractive observatory), and Ynys-hir near Machynlleth offer a rich
diversity of habitats that teem with birdlife.
In summer birds of prey such as sparrowhawks, kestrels and peregrine falcons can be spotted in the Aber Valley near Bangor and in winter, the cob at Porthmadog is home to a flock of whooper swans as well as wigeons, curlews and the rare grebe.
In summer birds of prey such as sparrowhawks, kestrels and peregrine falcons can be spotted in the Aber Valley near Bangor and in winter, the cob at Porthmadog is home to a flock of whooper swans as well as wigeons, curlews and the rare grebe.
This area
of North Wales is
rich in its range of outdoor activities, from the almost sedentary to
the really strenuous. You are spoilt for choice and here are just a
few of the best opportunities on offer including the recent inclusion of the Clwydian Mountain Range and the Dee Valley as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty..............
Birdwatching
With its
wealth of rivers and lakes, North Wales is a fisherman’s paradise.
To mention just a few:
Fly-fishing on the River Dee, Lake Bala (members of the Welsh National Fishing Team train there) and Lake Brenig (venue of the world fly-fishing championship), for grayling, brown trout, sea trout and salmon. Of the two Cregennan lakes near Dolgellau, the larger one is home to wild brown trout while the smaller is regularly stocked with blue and rainbow trout.
Coarse fish, including gudgeon, carp, roach, perch and pike are found in Lakes Vyrnwy, Trawsfynydd and Aled as well as in managed fisheries. Sea fishing from Barmouth and around the Lleyn Peninsula can hook bass, whiting, mackerel, bream, mullet, dabs and pollock among others.
Fly-fishing on the River Dee, Lake Bala (members of the Welsh National Fishing Team train there) and Lake Brenig (venue of the world fly-fishing championship), for grayling, brown trout, sea trout and salmon. Of the two Cregennan lakes near Dolgellau, the larger one is home to wild brown trout while the smaller is regularly stocked with blue and rainbow trout.
Coarse fish, including gudgeon, carp, roach, perch and pike are found in Lakes Vyrnwy, Trawsfynydd and Aled as well as in managed fisheries. Sea fishing from Barmouth and around the Lleyn Peninsula can hook bass, whiting, mackerel, bream, mullet, dabs and pollock among others.
Fishing
Cycling
There are
many cycle ways, but the best is The Mawddach Trail (10 miles). John
Ruskin said that only one other journey in the world had views to compare
with this one from Dolgellau to Barmouth, and that was the journey from
Barmouth to Dolgellau.
The path follows the course of an old railway line and so is level. The Mawddach estuary is undeveloped and tranquil, with the Rhinog hills on one side and Cadair Idris on the other, and there are picnic areas and small nature reserves along the route.
The path follows the course of an old railway line and so is level. The Mawddach estuary is undeveloped and tranquil, with the Rhinog hills on one side and Cadair Idris on the other, and there are picnic areas and small nature reserves along the route.
Adventure
4x4 activities,
mountain biking, paint balling, quad biking, pony trekking and clay pigeon
shooting are all available locally and there are centres for rock climbing
and abseiling in Snowdonia National Park.
Tamed
Life
Houses & Gardens
Indoor
activities
Well, it
does sometimes rain! There is tenpin bowling just outside Bala and a
small cinema in the town where are also numerous cafés, pubs and
restaurants.
Walkers,
ramblers and hikers will find a variety of paths starting outside the
door of Pen Y Banc. Or explore part of Glendwyr’s Way, a National
Trail, along Lake Vyrnwy.
To range wider the choice is huge with something to suit everyone: the AA’s 50 Walks in Snowdonia & North Wales details routes from 2-10 miles, graded by difficulty, throughout the region.
If you want to hit a small white ball with a stick as you walk, guests are welcome at the par-66 Bala Golf Club.
To range wider the choice is huge with something to suit everyone: the AA’s 50 Walks in Snowdonia & North Wales details routes from 2-10 miles, graded by difficulty, throughout the region.
If you want to hit a small white ball with a stick as you walk, guests are welcome at the par-66 Bala Golf Club.
Walking
The
National Trust runs the three most important historic houses
in North Wales. Erdigg, near Wrexham, illustrates the relationships
between Upstairs and Downstairs in the 19th century; Plas Newdd on
Anglesey features the largest canvas ever painted by Rex Whistler,
and Bodnant, near Colwyn Bay, has magnificent gardens of rhododendrons,
magnolias and camellias. Portmeirion is the Italianate village incongruously
sited on the Snowdonia coast near Porthmadog. Built over half a century
by architect Clough Williams-Ellis, it was the setting for the cult ‘60s
TV series, The Prisoner. Now as famous for its pottery, it
is complete with hotel, cafés, shops, gardens and beach.The
National Garden Scheme booklet for North Wales features local private
gardens that open for one or two days a year for charity.
Art
There are
international level facilities for white water canoing and rafting
at the Canolfan Tryweryn National Whitewater Centre near Bala. On Lake
Bala itself, you can sail, canoe, windsurf or learn to build a raft.
Water
Sports
Steam
Railways
These range
from the few miles of narrow-gauge track along Bala Lake, through the
Llangollen Railway which runs alongside the River Dee to Carrog, to the
Welsh Highland Railway which heads south from Caernarfon to Rhyd Ddu
in Snowdonia. As of this spring (2009), it is due to lengthen its track,
via the stunning gorge of the Aberglaslyn Pass, to Porthmadog where it
will link up with the Ffestiniog Railway which runs from there to Blaenau
Ffestiniog – a total journey of 40 miles.
The
North Wales Wildlife Trust manages
33 sites in the region, including Gors Maen Llwyd (heather moorland with
areas of peat bog rich in plant and insect life) near Denbigh; Pisgah
Quarry (a small reserve with a fascinating mixture of woodland and wildflower
grassland) above the Vale of Llangollen, and Gwaith Powdwr (a former
explosive works which now supports nightjars, barn owls, polecats, seven
species of bat, and the impressive Emperor Dragonfly) near Porthmadog.
Please note that at Cors y Sarnau, just down the road from Pen Y Banc, the NWWT cautions you stay on the footpaths at all times. Unfortunately, it says, not much of the fen and mire habitats can be seen from these but, as the ground away from the footpaths is very uneven and wet with deepwater channels, it is not a site it recommends you explore.
Please note that at Cors y Sarnau, just down the road from Pen Y Banc, the NWWT cautions you stay on the footpaths at all times. Unfortunately, it says, not much of the fen and mire habitats can be seen from these but, as the ground away from the footpaths is very uneven and wet with deepwater channels, it is not a site it recommends you explore.
Wildlife
Llanwddyn has
a sculpture trail features dozens of wooden carved sculptures by different
artists, some placed at picnic sites around Lake Vyrnwy. Near the Old
Village on the beach is a sculpture of dolphins, which when the lake
rises in a flood, gives the impression that they are jumping out of the
water.
The great International Eistedfodd is held at Llangollen every summer.
The Ruthin Craft Centre and Centre for the Applied Arts features changing exhibitions by leading Welsh artists and craftsmen, as well as paintings, ceramics, art glass, jewellery and accessories for sale. It is easily found opposite the town’s Tesco.
The Oriel Tan yr Hall in the centre of Bala’s high street also features original works by Welsh artists and craftspeople.
The great International Eistedfodd is held at Llangollen every summer.
The Ruthin Craft Centre and Centre for the Applied Arts features changing exhibitions by leading Welsh artists and craftsmen, as well as paintings, ceramics, art glass, jewellery and accessories for sale. It is easily found opposite the town’s Tesco.
The Oriel Tan yr Hall in the centre of Bala’s high street also features original works by Welsh artists and craftspeople.
At Ewe-Phoria
Sheepdog Centre off the A5 near Betws-y-Coed you can watch working sheepdog
demonstrations by Aled Owen (International Sheepdog Trials Champion 1999,
2000 & 2007, and World Sheepdog Trials Champion 2002 & 2008).
There’s also sheep shearing and, when there’s a litter, lovable
puppies to pet.