Betws-y-Coed (meaning Chapel in the Woods) is a village of 564 people (2011) in Conwy county borough, and one of the primary tourist resorts in the Snowdonia National Park.
Understand
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The village claims to be Wales' most popular inland tourist resort, and it's certainly on the coach holiday circuit. The name is often abbreviated to "Betws" or "BYC".
Visitor information
[edit]- Betws-y-Coed visitor information website
Get in
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By car
[edit]Betws-y-Coed is on the historic A5 London to Holyhead trunk road, but is also accessible via the A470 from Llandudno.
By train
[edit]Betws-y-Coed station is on the Conwy Valley branch line from Llandudno Junction to Blaenau Ffestiniog. Trains run approximately every three hours during the day Monday to Saturday and three times a day on Summer Sundays.
By bus
[edit]Betws y Coed is served by Bws Gwynedd services:
- S2 (Llanrwst–Capel Curig–Betws-y-Coed) (every 1–2 hours on workdays)
- S97 (Porthmadog–Penryndeudraeth/Beddgelert–Betws-y-Coed) (less frequent)
- X1/84 follows the same line from Llandudno Junction to Blaenau Ffestiniog as the train but is more frequent (every 1–2 hours on workdays)
- Local buses to Llanrwst
In effect bus travel to Betws-y-Coed is not easily manageable; many buses run only on certain days, dates or periods, especially in summer. And times are not evenly distributed—at some times there may be 3 buses to Llanrwst in one hour and then 2 hours before the next one goes. On Sundays there are almost no buses except the S2.
The bus station is 100 m north of the entrance to the railway station, at the entrance to the large car park, and is referred to as "Platform 2" although it is nothing like a platform and not even part of the station complex.
Get around
[edit]As the village is quite small, it is easiest to get around on foot. The S2 bus can be used to get to the westernmost part of town as well as to the Swallow Falls Hotel complex, the Ty y Hyll trailhead and Capel Curig. Many places, however, cannot be reached by public transport at all, so a car is very handy. A bike is also useful but it must be suitable for hilly terrain.
See
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- 1 Conwy Valley Railway Museum, ☏ +44 1690 710568. A very small railway museum, but it has a small rideable model steam train for kids and an electric tram.
- 2 National Park Information Centre & TIC, Royal Oak Stables, ☏ +44 1690 710426. Small exhibition.
- 3 Swallow Falls (2 miles to the west on the road to Capel Curig). The path to the falls is accessed via a turnstile at a charge of £1. While the falls are indeed beautiful there are similar rapids closer to town and fee of charge: for instance at the Miners Bridge (1 mile west) and at the Pont-y-pair bridge (in town), both free of charge. The falls can also be viewed free of charge from the opposite bank by following the riverside public footpath downstream for 1 mile from Ty Hyll (below).
- Forest boardwalk (just west/north of Pont-y-pair bridge). Impressive Douglas firs.
- 4 The Ugly House (Ty Hyll) (on the A5 west of the village), ☏ +44 1690 720287. 9:30PM–5PM. 7 days in summer, M–F in winter. Home of the Snowdonia Society.
- 5 Conwy Falls, Betws-y-Coed (it is accessed from the Penmachno road turn by the Conwy Falls Cafe Car Park), cs-p@hushmail.com. A spectacular falls that is divided into two falls each side of a large rock in the river Conwy. There may be a small entrance fee to see the falls.
- 6 Dolwyddelan Castle (a few miles south west near village of same name). Tower of 13th-century castle.
Do
[edit]Betws-y-Coed's location in the heart of Snowdonia's mountains means that many visitors are here for hillwalking, mountain biking and climbing.
- Mountain Biking. Check out the Marin and Penmachno Trails.
- Gwydyr Forest, Betws-y-Coed, cs-p@hushmail.com. The Gwydyr Forest is one of the first Forests of Wales to be planted by the Forestry Commission and covers approximately 72 square miles. Much of it was planted in the early 1920s. There was a certain amount of natural regeneration of wild species growing up to the 1,000-foot tree level many hundreds of years ago. As time has advanced much of the traditional forestry work has declined and more emphasis is being put into recreation, cycle routes, bridleways and picnic spots. Timber production is being harvested each day, and as more areas get clear felled they are planted up again with more native species of oak, beech and rowan. The forest surrounding Betws-y-Coed is rich in both marked and unmarked trails. The marked trails range from one-mile walks on level roads to 10-mile walks in strenuous terrain. The lower parts of the Llugwy Valley offer forests reminiscent of temperate rainforests with a thick cover of moss and lichens on the trees and on ground. Another speciality is the exploring of old mines and quarries, many of which are partly (and safely) accessible.
- Narrow-gauge railways. Betws-y-Coed is a great base for exploring the Great Little Trains, narrow-gauge heritage railways found all over North Wales. Apart from the railway museum, the Conwy valley line is quite interesting, and provides access to Blaenau Ffestiniog with the Ffestiniog Railway and the mine tramways of the Llechwedd Slate Caverns as well as to the Chester to Holyhead mainline via Llandudno Junction. Sherpa bus S2 provides easy access to Llanberis with the Snowdon Mountain Railway and the Llanberis Lake Railway (1 proper railway, 3 narrow-gauge heritage railways and 4 smaller mine or model tramways).
- 1 Zip World Fforest, LL24 0HA (on the A470, about 2 miles north of Betws-y-Coed), ☏ +44 1248 601 444, info@zipworld.co.uk. Open every day, except closed Tu and Th in winter. One of three Zip World attractions in the area (the others are in Bethesda and Blaenau Ffestiniog), it is in the forest. The 'Zip Safari' is a treetop journey along 23 zip lines and other rope courses, and the Junior Tree Trail is its kid-friendly cousin. 'Plummet Tower' is a 31-m climbing pole and parachute simulator (basically you climb to the top then jump off — great fun!). Other attractions include a giant swing and the 1-km Fforest Coaster. Prices vary by attraction, though Zip Safari is £40 p.p.,£140 group of four. Junior Tree Trail is £12.50 per child.
Buy
[edit]There are outdoor clothing and equipment shops and also some shops selling local crafts. There are a lot of outdoor clothing and equipment shops (5–6) for a village this size, but otherwise there is nothing special to get which can't be purchased in similar shops otherwise. A few shops sell slate specialty products and souvenirs, but in general Llanberis (Welsh Slate Museum) and Blaenau Ffestiniog (Llechwed Slate Caverns) are better choices for slate.
Eat
[edit]There are relatively few restaurants—most of them part of a hotel, and most of them serve only classic Welsh food or have a bar menu. There is one Chinese restaurant and one Indian.
- 1 Tŷ Gwyn Hotel & Restaurant (on the A5 just south of the village by Waterloo bridge), ☏ +44 1690 710383. Bar and restaurant in 18th-century coaching inn, big portions, excellent food and service. Booking advised.
- 2 Pont-y-Pair Hotel, Holyhead Rd (centre of Betws-y-Coed opposite Pont-y-Pair bridge), ☏ +44 1690 710377. Reasonably priced bar food in a traditional pub and a restaurant.
- 3 The Royal Oak Hotel. Large hotel, central and well equipped. A bit pricey. Has 3 restaurants of fair quality; all have standard Welsh cuisine:
- The Royal Oak Restaurant is a classic hotel restaurant with good but traditional and somewhat pricy menu.
- The Grill Room right next to the restaurant is a tad cheaper, and have more grill dishes on the menu—quite good. Full on Fridays and Saturdays.
- The Stables is a bar with both indoor and outdoor seating. The menu is a subset of the menu from the Grill Room, but a few quid cheaper. Can be quite full Fridays and Saturdays.
Drink
[edit]Sleep
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There are a lot of hotels and B&Bs for a village this size—you get the impression that more than every second house is some form of accommodation. Amongst others are:
- 1 Ferns Guesthouse, Holyhead Rd. Supposedly one of the better guesthouses.
- 2 Gwydyr Hotel, Holyhead Rd. An old, classic hotel aimed at fishing. Has cheap singles.
- 3 Mairlys Bed & Breakfast (Mary's Court Guest House), Holyhead Road (centre of village), ☏ +44 1690 710190, info@mairlys.co.uk. 4* Victorian villa. £45–85 per room (including breakfrast).
- 4 Waterloo Hotel and Lodge. A Best Western hotel.
- Bryn Bella Guest House (Bryn Bella), Lon Muriau, Llanrwst Road, Betws-y-coed, LL24 0HD, ☏ +44 1690 710627, welcome@bryn-bella.co.uk. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 10AM. This eco-friendly B&B heats its water with solar energy and uses home grown fruit and vegetables. They were awarded the coveted Gold Star by the Green Tourism Business Scheme and were once listed among the 30 coolest bed & breakfasts by Time. The place has a lovely garden available for guest and if you drive an electric car, you can use their charging point for free. £85.
Camping
[edit]There are many campsites in the area, especially on the road to Capel Curig. One large camping site next to the railway museum.
- 5 Snowdonia Glamping Holidays, Plas Yn Rhos, Rhydlanfair LL24 0SS, ☏ +44 1690 710655. Comfy shepherds' huts and glamping pods in the hills. No mobile / wifi signal. Hut £100.
- 6 Rynys Camping Site, Capel Garmon, LL26 0RU, ☏ +44 1690 710218, carol@rynys-camping.co.uk. Campsite with electrical hookups for tents, campers and caravans. The views are great and so are the cleaning facilities, showers and toilets.
Hostels
[edit]- 7 YHA Betws-y-Coed, ☏ +44 1690 710796. 2 miles west from the village centre, part of a larger hotel and bar complex. Open 365 days a year. Reception hours 8AM–noon. 78 beds. Family rooms available.
- 8 The Vagabond, Craiglan Road, ☏ +44 1690 710850. Check-out: 10AM. Independent hostel in a detached Victorian villa. 36 beds, self-catering kitchen, bar, common room, meals available, climbing wall. Bed linen provided. Bed per night £14. B&B (obligatory at week-ends) £18. B&B and evening meal £25.
Landmark Trust
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The Landmark Trust renovates vulnerable historic properties and makes them available as self-catering accommodation. The Trust has three properties at Rhiwddolion, a "ghost village" in the wooded hills to the southwest of Betws-y-Coed. These isolated but idyllic properties can only be approached by car via a forest drive and thence by walking, and they must be booked in advance via the Trust. The buildings are simply furnished with basic kitchen facilities and comfortable sleeping accommodation. Prices vary according to the season and length of stay.
Connect
[edit]As of May 2022, Betws-y-Coed has 4G from EE, O2 and Vodafone, and a basic mobile signal from Three. 5G has not reached this area.
Go next
[edit]| Routes through Betws-y-Coed |
| Bangor ← Capel Curig ← | W  SE |
→ Cerrigydrudion → Llangollen |