Top 5 Days Out by Train
The Trefeddian Hotel sits alongside the Cambrian Coast mainline. Voted one of Britain’s most scenic railway journeys, the line travels from Shrewsbury towards the west coast of Wales. The track splits at Machynlleth and goes south to Aberystwyth, or north through Aberdovey all the way to Pwllheli. This journey can be a day trip along the coast - past blue flag beaches, alongside mountains, through villages, over the Mawddach estuary and along the coast to the Llyn Peninsula. But if you want to stop along the Cambrian Coast line, here are our top five days out.
1.
Aberystwyth is along the coast from the Trefeddian Hotel, in a southerly direction across the Dyfi estuary. The mile-long Victorian promenade is home to the oldest pier in Wales, built in 1864. At the north end of the promenade, you will find the longest cliff railway in Britain, which will take you to the top of Constitution Hill with spectacular views at 430 feet above sea level. Aberystwyth is also home to the smallest book in the world (which can be found in the National Library of Wales) and Aberystwyth Castle, which is an English castle built in the 13th century to keep the Welsh out.
2.
Just over the Mawddach Estuary is Barmouth, and the line takes you across Barmouth railway viaduct - the longest timber viaduct in Wales and one of the oldest in regular use in Britain. This popular seaside resort is where you will find the funfair, arcades, donkey rides on the beach, candyfloss and ice cream. Grab yourself a crabbing net and sit on the harbour wall to pass the day while taking in the views down the estuary towards Cadair Idris.
3.
Harlech is just a few more stops along the line. The main attraction here is the castle. Sitting on top of the craggy headland, it overlooks the sandunes below. It is the site of many great battles, including the War of the Roses and the rebellion that led to Owain Glyndwr taking up residence here. The famous ‘Men of Harlech’, Wales’ alternative national anthem, was said to have originated from the great towers of Harlech Castle. Harlech is also home to the steepest street in the UK - Ffordd Pen Llech has a gradient of 37.45%!
4.
A little further along the line is the small station of Minffordd. Step off here and take a short walk to Portmeirion village. This village was designed and created by Clough William-Ellis, between 1925-1976, with a Mediterranean appearance amongst natural beauty. Portmeirion Village is also where the cult TV series, The Prisoner, was filmed during the 1960s.
5.
Our final day trip would be a train ride to Porthmadog - a harbour town along the Glaslyn estuary. Once you arrive here, you can depart the Cambrian Mainline and hop aboard the Ffestiniog Railway, one of the famous great little trains of Wales. The line was originally constructed to carry slate from the quarries to be loaded onto ships in the harbour. Established in 1832, the railway takes you on a 13.5 mile journey from Porthmadog to the slate mining town of Blaenau Ffestiniog.
