Concerned about your carbon footprint? Give your car a rest! Part 2

In part 1 we explored various excursions, journeys and walks that you can take, heading north from Llwyngwril, without using a car.
This time we're looking at where you can go and what you can do, if you head in a southerly direction from the village.
By train (remember to hold your hand out to stop the train as its a request stop!) the first station you will come to is Tonfanau. Note the unusual bat box on the old station wall.

During the Second World War an army base was created near the village. Around 600 men were stationed at the camp, which specialised in training personnel in anti-aircraft artillery.
In 1972, the base was reopened and used as a refugee centre. Over 3,000 Ugandan Asians, fleeing from persecution by Idi Amin, were housed there for six months before being settled elsewhere. In fact a few years ago we had one family staying at Pentre Bach, who were descendants of some of those refugees, and they'd wanted to see where their parents and grandparents had lived when they'd first arrived in Wales.
Further inland is a one mile race track that is used for motor bike races one Sunday a month.https://www.tonfanauroadracing.co.uk/

If you carry on heading south from the station you will cross over the impressive Tonfanau Bridge, which was installed as part of the Wales Coastal Path over the Dysynni Estuary.

Once over this bridge you can head inland along the edge of Broadwater and the Dysynni River , through the delightful woodlands that form part of Ynysymaengwyn Caravan Park. 

You will then emerge onto the main road between Bryncrug and Tywyn, where you can catch the No 28 bus back to Llwyngwril or otherwise continue further inland along the beautiful Dysynni Valley and perhaps as far as Bird Rock (Craig y Aderyn)! This is where a large number of nesting cormorants and choughs can be found.

An alternative to heading inland would be to carry on heading south to the seaside town of Tywyn. Of course you can always continue on the train and get off at Tywyn station. The town boasts an excellent beach that stretches all the way to Aberdyfi. Tywyn isn't perhaps the prettiest of towns but there are a number of independent shops to browse and many cafes and restaurants where you can refuel and spend some time.There is also the famous Tal y Llwyn railway https://www.talyllyn.co.uk/  The Talyllyn Railway ( Rheilffordd Talyllyn) is a narrow gauge railway in Wales running for 7 ¹⁄₄ miles from Tywyn to Nant Gwernol near the village of Abergynolwyn. There is a cafes at both ends , as well as an interesting museum and shop in Tywyn.

Of course we can't forget about the amazing Magic Lantern Cinema in Tywyn www.tywyncinema.co.uk. This wonderfully preserved old cinema has been in existence since 1893 and nowadays shows all the most up to date films as well as Live Screenings.

So you can walk from Tywyn to Aberdyfi along the wide sandy beach or of course carry along on the Cambrian line to one of the two stations that serve Aberdyfi. Aberdyfi is a lovely little seaside town with many individual shops, cafes, restaurants and pubs. Children particularly enjoy the traditional seaside pastime of catching crabs off the pier.

One of our favourite walks is one of Derek, the weatherman's walks, a 6 mile circular walk that starts and ends on the beach in Aberfyfi. 
www.bbc.co.uk/tv/weatherman-walking/walks/Aberdyfi

If you continue on the Cambrian line you can get off at Aberdyfi Junction where you can catch a connection to the university city of Aberystwyth or carry on to the market town of Machynlleth. Here there is the lovely art gallery MOMA, and many antique shops and vegetarian cafes (lots of non veggie as well!).

If you prefer to take the bus, then the number 28 stops at places such as Bryncrug, Abergynolwyn, Talyllyn lake and Corris, starting points for some spectacular walks.

So lots of reasons to leave your car behind. Enjoy.

What our guests say about us

 

 A wonderful weekend at Pentre Bach

Absolutely stunning place - perfect for a celebration with good friends! Mike and Wilma were so friendly and helpful and I would thoroughly recommend this place to anyone for a weekend of rest, relaxation, fun and adventure in equal parts! Loved every minute of our stay here and will be back in the future! Thank you Mike and Wilma!

Jennifer N, 

Milton Keynes, April 2019

Fantastic Cosy Pet Friendly Cottage (Y Popty)

Fantastic, cosy. well equipped cottage with sea & mountain views. Enclosed field for safe dog walking Request train stop to Barmouth or Aberdovey only 5mins walk away 20min drive to Cadair Idris,lots of family fun had over New Year period Definately be back soon, to climb Cadair in the sunshine. 

Ryan B, Dec 2018

Lovely cottage (Y Llaethdy)

Well equipped cottage, beautifully decorated, cosy, perfect for our relaxing weekend. Thank you Mike and Wilma!

Kenyon8, Manchester,  Dec 2018

New year with family

Wilma and Mike greeted us and gave us all the information we needed for our stay, along with cake and mulled wine. Our party ranged in age from 7 months to 85 years old and we all had a fantastic time. There is plenty of room to spend together and apart! The grounds are great for dogs too. Very clean and well maintained we would all love to come again, thank you Wilma and Mike

The Field family Dec 2018

Pentre Bach - Fabulous Place

We absolutely love this place. It’s our third visit and will continue to return. Facilities fabulous, location fabulous, Mike & Wilma fabulous and so friendly. The place is spotless every time we visit. Great for family get together or groups of friends. Oct 2018

A trip down memory lane with family

A fabulous stay in what used to be my grandparents house and it was made all the more special by sharing it with my children and grandchildren. The little ones loved running about outside and being so close to the sea we had lovely walks there,as well. Seeing the knitted figures dotted around the village was wonderful. The house was warm and cosy and had all the amenities we needed. Thank You Mike and Wilma

ellen925, 

Warrington,  Oct 2018

Perfect place to celebrate

Spent the weekend here for my 30th with about 20 friends and it was perfect! Beautiful location, fantastic hosts and the house has everything you could need. Have been before and will go again! ❤️

amylgallant,Norwich,  Sept 2018

We want to live there!

Peace and tranquility. Stunning gardens and house & cottages suit all sizes of parties and ages. Village pub, shop and beach in walking distance. Short drives to small towns with all amenities. Amazing walks from estuary to mountain. Smudge our spaniel has her friend Nellie there too! We’ve just booked our sixth stay in less than 2 years!

Karenbeasley13, Stratford-upon-Avon, Sept 2018

Our summer holiday 2018

We had an amazing week at Pentre Bach in summer 2018. The house was beautiful, well equipped and spacious. The garden and views were stunning as well as the village. The owners were very accommodating, really friendly and helpful throughout our stay. We went on many evening walks through the village and to the beach to watch the sunset. The walk around the village was very memorable with all the beautiful crochet done by locals.. very unique and pretty. Loads of nearby places to visit, lovely beaches and mountain walks.. One of our favourite places to stay so far, with a family of 18 it was perfect. Will definitely be returning for our family holiday soon..

ShellyE1981, 

Southport,  Aug 2018

Great place for a family gathering

Stayed here for a special birthday celebration with family members from aged from 13 to 82 and it was fabulous for everyone. Make use of supermarket deliveries and use the well equipped kitchen or BBQ as you won't want to leave this beautiful location.

Sonia S, Aug 2018

PS The photos aren't connected to the reviews but are of past guests enjoying themselves at Pentre Bach.

Concerned about your carbon footprint? Give your car a rest! Part 1

Why not give your car a rest when you come to Pentre Bach?
Many of our guests travel a long way to come on holiday to Pentre Bach, taking many hours to get here, but once you're here , why not park the car and forget about it for the duration of your stay?
Llwyngwril is ideally situated along the route of the beautiful Cambrian Coast Railway Line, which runs from Aberystwyth in the south, round to Pwllheli on the Llyn Peninsula. Whichever direction you choose to go, the route is absolutely stunning, as the line hugs the coastline for much of the way.
Along the route there are many interesting little towns and villages to explore, from Machynlleth , Aberdyfi and Tywyn to the south , and Barmouth, Dyffryn Ardudwy, Harlech, Minffordd (for Portmeirion), Porthmadog and  Criccieth to the north.
But why not explore the surrounding area close by?
You could just hop on the train (remember to put your hand out to ask the train to stop in Llwyngwril as its just a request stop!) to the next station along the line, Fairbourne and enjoy a walk along to the end of the Penrhyn Point where you could take the little ferry across the estuary to Barmouth. Or just spend time on Fairbourne's lovely sandy beach. There's also probably one of the best located 9 -hole golf courses in the country situated behind the dunes. Children would also enjoy riding on the little narrow gauge railway http://www.fairbournerailway.com/, that goes to Penrhyn Point and back again.

Instead of catching the train back to Llwyngwril, one option is to walk back along the Wales Coastal Path, which would take you past the Blue Lake, above Friog, which is well worth a visit. 

If you take the Cambrian Railway train to the next stop at Morfa Mawddach then you have the option of walking or cycling along the Mawddach Trail http://www.mawddachtrail.co.uk/mawddach-trail.html

This trail stretches from Barmouth to Dolgellau and for much of the way hugs the edge of the beautiful Mawddach Estuary. You can even stop off for some refreshment at the newly refurbished George III along the way. If you walk or cycle over the bridge to Barmouth, make sure you have a camera with you, as you will be tempted to take many shots of the stunning Mawddach Estuary and the famous Clock House as you cross.

Once you get to Barmouth then you can spend hours browsing the shops, eating and drinking in the many tea shops and pubs (we recommend the Last Inn), eating fish and chips from The Mermaid on the prom or even taking donkey rides on the wide sandy beaches.

Or if you want to stay away from the crowds, then climb up the steep steps to your right as you enter the town and follow the Panorama Walk

www.mawddachestuary.co.uk/walks/panorama-walk.html

You'll eventually be rewarded when you arrive at a bench on the top of a hill with amazing views over the estuary. 

Then its back down to Barmouth for a well deserved pint and either a walk back across the bridge to the Morfa Mawddach station or you could catch the train back to Llwyngwril from Barmouth Station.

If you take the train a bit further up the line to Tal y Bont then you could do the southern section of the Ardudwy Way , which is 8 miles long and takes you over the hills back to the Mawddach Estuary and eventually Barmouth, taking in some beautiful scenery along the way. http://www.taithardudwyway.com/index.html

If you want to go inland to Dolgellau then you could catch the no 28 bus , which runs from Tywyn to Dolgellau. You'll have plenty of time to explore this lovely little town, partake of some lunch in one of the many cafes, restaurants or pub, before catching the bus back again to the village. The bus stop is a 5 minute walk from Pentre Bach.

Next time we'll explore where the train or bus can take you if you travel south from Llwyngwril.