Guide to country cottage holidays in the Snowdonia National Park

On a clear bright day you can see Ireland, the Isle of Man, south west Wales and the Pennines from the summit of Snowdon which is the highest peak in England and Wales.  Enjoy reading our hints and tips in our guide to cottage holidays in Snowdonia.  There are several paths to the top of  Snowdon and even the Snowdon Mountain Railway for the less energetic.  The views are undeniably spectacular once you get there. Snowdonia is a wonderful place to take a break in a self catering cottage or a pine lodge.

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• Self catering cottages in Snowdonia

• Cottages in Snowdonia with wheelchair access and a wet room

• Dogs welcome lodges in Snowdonia

• Luxurious lodges in Snowdonia

• Couples self-catering cottage breaks in Snowdonia

The Snowdonia National Park covers 840 square miles of  beautiful countryside in north west Wales.  Sheep graze on the lower slopes where large boulders lay strewn as if by a giant hand  in the rough grass.  The water  monster Afanc, reputedly lives in  Lake Glaslyn, and although that is the stuff of legend, the Gwyniad - an ancient relative of European white fish still lives 10,000 years on in Llyn Tegid, trapped by the last Ice Age.  A rare arctic plant, the Snowdon Lily is also found only here.  

Walkers and ramblers visit each year in their thousands to admire the view and take some exercise.  Stone-built villages are dotted round about where you can find old-fashioned pubs and tea shops for some Welsh treats.  A warm welcome and magnificent scenery await your visit.  There are a number of cottages in Snowdonia where you can take a self catering break, a few of which are highlighted below.  The entire area is superb for self-catering holidays with dogs, a seemingly endless supply of interesting walks awaits. Certain beaches such as Barmouth have pet-friendly stretches all year round. In fact, Barmouth must be the canine capital of north Wales because of the huge number of visitors accompanied by their dogs.
 

Interesting places to visit in Snowdonia on holiday

• Dinas Emrys, an Iron Age hill fort, near Beddgelert is where a white and red dragon fought.  The red dragon won and became the symbol of Wales. 

• The legendary King Arthur is supposedly the first to have carried a standard with the red dragon.

• The ravens of Gwynedd apparently foretell disaster or triumph for Wales by their croaking and behaviour.  That is if you can interpret their antics correctly.  

• Bishop William Morgan translated the Bible into Welsh in 1588.

• Eisteddedfodau are still held to celebrate Welsh music and culture.  If you manage to get to one, you will hear bands play, folk songs and poetry recitation.

• Welsh choirs offer some of the most moving experiences in song.

• Snowdonia is home to the Snowdon Lily and the rainbow coloured Snowdon beetle.

• The Welsh name for Snowdon is Eryri which means 'the place of eagles', and indeed you may spot eagles as well as Peregrine Falcons and Merlins.

• Over half the inhabitants of Snowdonia speak Welsh.

• Travel through the Snowdonia National Park to the coast under the power of steam between Porthmadog and Blaenau Ffestiniog with the Rheilffordd Ffestiniog Railway.

Places to visit in Snowdonia during a cottage break

• Harlech Castle, built by Edward I

• Shell Island near Harlech where you can gather up to 200 different types of shell

• Caernarfon Castle

• Portmeirion Italianate Village built by Sit Clough Williams-Ellis.  Interesting architecture, nice tea shops and traditional pottery.

• Swallow Falls, Betws-y-Coed

• Ewe-phoria - a family attraction about the life of a shepherd and sheepdog demonstrations

• On wet days, you may consider visiting the Corris Craft Centre which offers a pottery studio where visitors can paint their own smoking Welsh dragon or a piece of their choice. There are other craft studios  and a restaurant. The village of Corris is small and quaint - a pleasant place to look around and decipher the grafitti on the bridge.

• For luxury 4 and 5 star cottages in Llan Ffestiniog, Snowdonia, click here.

• Click here for holiday cottages near Beaumaris  in the Isle of Anglesey, north west Wales. 

• Self-catering cottages in the Snowdonia National Park