Discover the less visited area of the Snowdonia National Park. Visit the small villages nestled between the hills, historic castles, great walking, biking and lovely sandy beaches.
Southern Snowdonia has a slightly different character to the north. The landscape is greener and the mountains smoothed and rounded compared to the jagged grey peaks of Snowdon and its neighbours. From Bala and its deep lake in the east to the beach town of Barmouth in the west there's a beautiful range of countryside including green hills, valleys and forrest. There's plenty to do as well as see.
Coed y Brenin, named after the forest it's located in, is a leading mountain bike centre offering a range of track types, instruction and bike hire. If cycling and walking aren't your thing, how about the historic town of Harlech with its castle which overlooks the town from a high mountain perch. For a more modern attraction you could visit the Centre for Alternative Technology near the market town of Machynlleth.
Visit our Things to do and see page or click on the suggested attractions below. For information on holiday cottages in the area click here.
Location
Southern Snowdonia is easily reached from the north by the A470 and from the south and west by the A458 from Shrewsbury.
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Coed Y Brenin
The first dedicated mountain biking trail centre in the United Kingdom, it is renowned up and down the country in particular by two subsets of people: hikers and mountain bikers.
Barmouth Beach
You will find the lovely Barmouth Beach towards the south of Snowdonia – it is the most popular beach resort in the area. It attracts a great many visitors all through the summer months, but it is fortunately a large beach, which means it never becomes too crowded. Don’t worry: you’ll have plenty of space to put your towels down!
Cadair Idris
Cadair Idris is named after the giant of legend who supposedly lived here; the name translates to “Chair of Idris”. It is said that he studied the stars from here, and bestows poetic inspiration to anyone hardy enough to spend the night up there.
Holiday Cottages in Bala
Bala is a pretty market town on the shores of Llyn Tegid (Lake Bala). It's also famous for white water sports, fishing and the Bala Lake Railway. Find a cottage in or near to Bala that's just right for you.
Remote Cottages
Enjoy peace, quiet and privacy in one of our remote properties. Surround yourself with nature and little else.
Cottages in Southern Snowdonia
Southern Snowdonia has green countryside with forests, hills, lakes and beaches too! Explore the beauty of the area and enjoy the peace, the history and the variety of scenery within such a small area - the perfect place for an escape to the country...