Our Staff's Favourite...
Ever wondered what our amazing team gets up to when they’re not making your stay unforgettable? From the best picnic spots to their most favourite ice cream, here are some of their top picks for a day out in beautiful Mid Wales!
1. Favourite Walk
Apart from the beach a firm favourite with our staff is a walk in the woodland at Abergynolwyn. There are lots of trails and things to explore in Nant Gwernol. The woodland surrounds the remains of Bryn Eglwys Quarry where the Talyllyn Railway took slate from in the 1860’s. Our staff start their walks from either Abergynolwyn village or at Abergynolwyn Station, you can catch the Talyllyn train from Tywyn to the station or go a bit further to the end station, Nant Gwernol. There are three routes which you can follow or you can mix them up to make your walk as long or as little as you like. If you fancy a nice lunch after your walk we recommend the Railway Inn or the café at Abergynolwyn station which has some wonderful cakes plus light lunches too. Dogs and children love going to the woods as there is so much to explore.
2. Favourite Ice Cream
There was a little debate between staff about the best ice cream and so we decided to include the two firm favourites! The first is a Honey Ice Cream which you find on the outskirts of Tywyn. The ice cream shop overlooks the stunning Dysynni Valley with a nice seating area outside to see the view. Two or three different flavours are served each day alongside the famous original honey. The second favourite was an Ice cream from the Sweet Shop in Aberdovey. Here you will find a huge selection of homemade ice creams and sorbets and even better there are dairy free and gluten free options available. Enjoy your ice cream in the wharf gardens overlooking the jetty to Borth and down the coast.
3. Favourite Picnic Spot
There are lots of nice places to stop and have a picnic while you’re out and about but the absolute best and our favourite is at Ynysmaengwyn. Ynysmaengwyn is another fabulous place to explore when you are staying with us with a hidden fairy garden, dove cote, bug hotel, lots of paths around the woodland and birdlife to see and hear. In late spring a stunning array of wild garlic tickles the senses and swaths of bluebells light up the woods. Amongst the woodland you will find the walled garden, which are the remains of when Ynysmaengwyn was once a vast country estate. It is the perfect picnic spot as is so sheltered from the elements and can be warm enough for a picnic even on an Autumn day. There are picnic benches dotted around so you don’t even need to worry about something to sit on while you enjoy the peace, quiet and bird song.
4. Favourite Bench
There are lots of benches in Aberdovey and Tywyn along the sea front to sit and watch the world go by and to enjoy an ice cream but there is a very special bench in Tywyn which is a firm favourite with our staff. Take a walk from the Trefeddian along the beach (or if the tides in the coast path through the dunes) towards Tywyn, after approx. 3 miles you will see a footpath sign at the top of the beach before a large stone pile. Walk up the beach to join the footpath and here you will find Iris’s bench. This lovely memorial bench to Iris has beautiful views over the sea one way and the Fathew valley on the opposite side. If you are lucky, you may see dolphins or seals if you sit long enough facing the sea and on the other side a red kite or two soaring above the hills.
5. Favourite Day Out
Voted for by most of the staff as a favourite day out is a train trip on the Cambrian Line to the request stop, Morfa Mawddach. From here you can walk into Barmouth, over the railway bridge with stunning views down the estuary. There’s lots to do in Barmouth, fairground rides for little ones and boutique shops for the grown-ups. There’s a lovely walk up 100 steps which is the start of the Panorama Walk. You can do the whole 4 miles or just stop at the top, rest your legs on the bench and admire the wonderful view, it’s well worth the wobbly legs!