This year’s weekend away will be in Barmouth (Abermaw in Welsh or colloquially “Y Bermo”) on the scenic mid Wales coast, surrounded by, but rather sadly excluded from, Snowdonia National Park. The hill which towers above the town led ancient mariners to call Barmouth “Welsh Gibraltar”.
As always we have an activity packed weekend planned with walks and other events planned for the three days of our visit to Wales. As well as walks on Saturday and Sunday there are several suggestions for anyone who doesn’t fancy quite so much exertion! If you are planning to arrive early we’re also planning an optional meet-up en route to Barmouth.
If you’re not planning to stay for the weekend in Barmouth but wish to join us for the walks or evening meals please let us know so that we can look out for you. Here is the detailed itinerary, there is a downloadable printer-friendly summary at the end of this notice.
Friday 14 June Travel to Barmouth and book into your weekend accommodation.
Visit to Erddig 11:30am
For those planning to head west earlier in the day, we are suggesting an optional visit en route to Barmouth at Erddig. Sitting on a dramatic escarpment above the winding Clywedog river, Erddig tells the 250-year story of a gentry family’s relationship with its servants.
We will aim to meet at 11:30am to allow time for lunch and adequate time for looking around the house and gardens. Although Erddig is almost exactly half way between Manchester and Barmouth, the second leg of the journey will likely be slower than the first – allow 1hr 45min or so.
The gardens and restaurant open at 10am and the house from 12:30 to 15:30. Tickets : £13.50 for the whole property / £8.60 for gardens and out buildings only. NT members free. Parking is free. Erddig is situated near exit 3 of the A483 south west of Wrecsam /Wrexham LL13 0YT. Dogs: welcome in country park, tea-garden and midden yard, assistance dogs welcome throughout.
If you’re not planning to stop at Erddig, Bala is suggested as an alternative lunch or rest stop.
Evening meal and meet up: 7.00pm onwards
We plan to meet up at The Last Inn on the main road through Barmouth near the harbour. Nothing has been booked but we’ll dine here at 7:00pm or so. If you don’t fancy dining here please feel free to join us later in the evening. The pub is likely to be fairly busy on a Friday night so earlier might be better than later if dining.
Saturday 15 June
Option 1: Talybont to Barmouth walk
A moderate / moderate + 8 mile linear walk along the southern section of the Ardudwy Way we will be walking North to South from Talybont back to Barmouth. Walk leader is Geraint W : 07904 628188
Meet at 11:00am in the Co-op car park in the centre of Barmouth. We will need to car share to the start point in Talybont and retrieve the cars later in the day – details to be sorted out Friday evening. From Talybont village we’ll follow the river, Afon Ysgethin, and climb steadily through the woods as far as Pont Fadog. From here we follow ancient tracks that cross the geological formation of Cambrian rocks known as the Harlech Dome, amongst the oldest in Wales. Climbing fairly gently but still steadily to Bwlch y Rhiwgyr. A short steeper climb on a rocky path leads us to the mid and highest point of the walk at 453m above sea level. It’s a fairly long but steady climb to the mid point but we will take our time and have ample stops to catch our breath and admire the stunning views over the Irish Sea to the Lleyn Peninsula and hopefully get to see some of the rare birds of the area.
The second half of the walk is easier and downhill (mostly!) from the pass along good tracks and paths and back down to Barmouth passing by the remains of an ancient stone circle, Cerrig Arthur; old manganese mine workings and abandoned miners’ cottages. From this section we should get great views across the Mawddach estuary and across to Cader Idris and the mountains of Snowdonia. Finally, we descend fairly steeply back into Barmouth arriving behind the imposing Church of St John at the back of the town.
The terrain is a mixture of good paths and clear tracks for the most part with a couple of stretches of rocky paths. If there has been much rainfall in the days before the walk it is possible that some areas particularly on the southern slopes could be wet and the paths forded in places.
Bring food for lunch and plenty of water – especially if we’re lucky enough to get a sunny day. As always, please come equipped with clothing to suit the conditions on the day bearing in mind that the weather can change suddenly and that we will be fairly high up. Walking boots with good ankle support are strongly recommended and if you use walking poles you might want to bring them though by no means essential. Don’t forget your sunscreen and hat!
The lunch stop is likely to be just before the half way point at the pass (Bwlch y Rhiwgyr) but we will have stops before and after this. There is a Co-op in Barmouth next to the station where sandwiches etc can be bought and a Costa Express machine in the shop for anyone who wants to fill a flask. Toilets are available in Talybont at the start of the walk but after that – nothing!
Note: The Saturday walk is subject to reasonably good weather on the day, if weather is unsuitable an alternative walk at lower level will be offered.
Option 2: Afternoon in Pothmadog.
Spend the afternoon in Porthmadog, a lively seaside town with a harbour / marina, shops, cafes the Porthmadog Maritime Museum and the world’s oldest narrow gauge railway – Ffestiniog Railway.
Option 3: Free to explore Barmouth.
A good place to spend a few relaxing hours. There are a few suggestions below (local attractions) but weather permitting there’s a great beach; several quirky “collectable” shops a lifeboat museum etc. There’s a good web page about some of Barmouth’s points of interest here, well worth a look.
Saturday afternoon / evening: Yacht Race
On Saturday evening the 42nd Barmouth to Fort William Three peaks yacht race will start from Barmouth at 19:30hrs, the boats leaving the harbour at 18:30. Race start is preceded by a procession of the yachts from Barmouth harbour to the start line off shore, with many events, stalls & music on the quayside to entertain onlookers. We’ll aim to be back from the walk by about 17:00 in time to see the yachts before dinner at 19:30.
Evening meal: The Captain’s Table at 7.30pm
There are 18 of us booked in for the meal at the The Captain’s Table. You should by now have submitted your meal choice and paid in advance into the OoS bank account. If you would like to join us for the meal but haven’t yet let us know – please do so ASAP and preferably not later than 5pm on Friday 7 June so that we can confirm final numbers with the restaurant. Contact Phil G for the menu.
Sunday 16 June
Ferry ride to Fairbourne and Wales Coast Path walk.
Meet at 11:00am next to the Harbour Master’s Office at Barmouth harbour. From here we embark the ferry taking us on the short journey across the estuary. We then have the option of taking the Fairbourne Railway as far as Fairbourne or walking along the beach (2.8km / 1.75miles).
The walk continues up slightly into the hills and woods above Fairbourne before dropping down to cross the main road and return to Barmouth across Barmouth Bridge, a Grade II* timber viaduct with great views of the estuary. The total length of the walk is just over 5 miles, most of it following the Wales Coast Path alternatively, you might chose to return via the miniature railway and ferry.
Miniature train times are: to Fairbourne (from the ferry) at 11:40am; returning at 14:00 or 15:30 (£6.00 one way / £10.50 return, dogs £1.00. Ferry is £2.00 each way). For anyone fancying a later start there is also a train from Barmouth Network Rail station to Fairbourne at 12:48pm.
Sunday afternoon / evening:
Return home after the day’s activities. Some walkers are staying on for an extra night – if this is you, please liaise and make your own arrangements for dinner and recovery!
Important information:
Contact details: If you have any problems or need more info over the weekend please contact Phil G – 07923 608 881 or Geraint 07904 628 188.
Accommodation: Most of our group who are staying for the weekend are lodging at
Min y môr Ocean Drive The Endevour Aber House Morwendon House Tŷ’r Craig Castle
Car Parking: Some of the lodgings have limited dedicated parking and there is some free on street parking on Marine Parade. There are also several paid car parks in the town.
Other Information and local attractions:
Plas tan y Bwlch: Gardens and tea room at the Snowdonia National Park Environmental Studies Centre, Maentwrog.
CAT Machynlleth: Centre for Alternative Technology – Machynlleth 23miles from Barmouth.
Dinas Oleu Barmouth: The National Trust’s first acquisition – bequeathed by Mrs Fanny Talbot, a friend of John Ruskin.
Portmeirion: Italianate village designed by Sir Clough Williams Ellis made famous as the setting for the cult TV show The Prisoner.
Castell Harlech Castle: Stunning castle built between 1283 and 1295 by an army of nearly a thousand skilled craftsmen and labourers. Part of the Castles and Town Walls of Edward 1 World Heritage Site
St John’s Church: Interesting font and history
Barmouth tourist information Visit Mid Wales website
Beaches: There are some amazing beaches along this part of the coast. Of particular note is the beach at Dyffryn Ardudwy / Morfa Dyffryn with its miles of golden sand including Wales’ only official naturist beach.
Other eateries in Barmouth: These have not been “OOS tested” so we can’t vouch for the quality of the food or service – on this occasion Trip Advisor and Google Reviews may be your friends!
Bistro Bermo The Bank The Tilman as well as several fish and chip shops eg The Mermaid & Harbour Fish Bar