BEDDGELERT
You’ll love Beddgelert!
Snowdonia’s prettiest village, Beddgelert is a fabulous place to visit throughout the year. You will discover many interesting independent shops, lovely cafes, great bars and delicious ice cream as you stroll around the streets. Don’t miss Beddgelert Woodcraft, a beautiful shop packed with a fabulous array of hand-carved pieces from stunning garden benches to small ornaments. In summer, you can enjoy afternoon tea al fresco as you people-watch after exploring the wonderful wooded valleys and mountain lakes which surround the village.
Don’t miss the Sygun Copper Mine where you can explore the tunnels and caverns whilst marvelling at the stalegtites and stalegmites. The amazing Aberglaslyn pass is just down the road and there are many great walks and hikes in the area. Whatever the season, you will find plenty to enjoy in Beddgelert.
A PRETTY VILLAGE WITH A STUNNING BACKDROP
The Legend of Gelert
Take a short stroll south of the village following the footpath along the bank of the Glaslyn to discover “Gelert’s Grave”.
Legend has it that the stone monument in the field marks the grave of Gelert, the faithful dog of the Welsh prince LLewelyn the Great.
The following is written on the tombstone:
“In the 13th century Llewelyn, prince of North Wales, had a palace at Beddgelert. One day he went hunting without Gelert, ‘The Faithful Hound’, who was unaccountably absent.
On Llewelyn’s return the truant, stained and smeared with blood, joyfully sprang to meet his master. The prince alarmed hastened to find his son, and saw the infant’s cot empty, the bedclothes and floor covered with blood.
The frantic father plunged his sword into the hound’s side, thinking it had killed his heir. The dog’s dying yell was answered by a child’s cry.
Llewelyn searched and discovered his boy unharmed, but nearby lay the body of a mighty wolf which Gelert had slain. The prince filled with remorse is said never to have smiled again. He buried Gelert here”.
Directions
To drive to Beddgelert via the picturesque Aberglaslyn pass, head south towards Porthmadog on the A487. At a roundabout shortly before Porthmadog, turn left onto the A498 (signposted Tremadog) and follow this road all the way to Beddgelert. It is 18 miles from the Woollen Mill to the village. Alternatively, head to Penygroes, turn right at the Co-Op store and then right again at the T Junction. Drive to the next T Junction, turn right and follow this road through the mountains to Rhyd Ddu. Turn right at the T Junction and follow this road to Beddgelert which is 11 miles from The Woollen Mill if you take this route. There are two car parks in the village but it can be hard to find a space in the Summer.
