Explore Beddgelert, Snowdonia and North Wales from this Holiday Cottage near Snowdon
Arosfa is located in Beddgelert, one of the prettiest villages in North Wales, winner of many Village in Bloom competitions for Wales, Britain, and Europe.
- in Beddgelert at the foot of Snowdon
- in the spectacular Snowdonia National Park
- numerous local walks
- castles and steam railways to experience
Beddgelert is a great base for exploring Snowdonia. All around is spectacular scenery, a mix of mountains, lakes, woodlands, and streams. There are numerous attractions that you can visit whilst staying at the holiday cottage.
Attractions Around Arosfa Holiday Cottage
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Things To Do and Places To Visit around Beddgelert
The recently reopened Welsh Highland Railway runs through Beddgelert (the station is a 5 minute walk from Arosfa Cottage). From the village station, trains run through spectacular scenery either below Snowdon to Caernarfon, or through the dramatic Aberglaslyn Pass to Porthmadog (where the railway connects with the Ffestiniog Railway).
There are also other steam railways in the area including the Ffestiniog Railway, and the Snowdon Mountain Railway that runs from the nearby village of Llanberis to the top of Snowdon - the highest mountain in England & Wales.
Wales is famous for historic castles, and there are many that can be visited from this cottage including Caernarfon Castle, Harlech Castle and Criccieth Castle. Other must visit attractions in the area include the Italianate village of Portmeirion.
There are numerous activities to enjoy in this stunning part of Snowdonia, including walks that range from gentle level paths along rivers and through woodland, to more challenging paths up to the top of Snowdon which towers above the village. Mountain bikes can be hired from Beddgelert Bikes in the village centre.
You can also relax and enjoy the local lakes and mountain scenery around Beddgelert, or visit one of the sandy beaches nearby on Cardigan Bay and the Lleyn Peninsula
Arosfa Cottage is less than 5 minutes walk from the centre of Beddgelert village. Local amenities include a store, a post office, three pubs, several restaurants and cafes, and an award-winning ice cream parlour.
See our 'Find Us' page for a location map and route planner.
See the photo gallery for more photos of the area.
How Beddgelert got it's name
A footpath beside the Glaslyn river leads to Beddgelert's most famous legend - Gelert's Grave. According to the legend a medieval Welsh prince, Llewellyn the Great, went hunting one day without his faithful hound who was unaccountably absent. On his return, Gelert - stained and smeared with blood - joyfully sprang to meet his master. The prince hastened to find his infant son, but found the cot empty and the floor covered with blood.
Assuming Gelert had been responsible for the death of his heir, the prince plunged his sword into the hound's side. The dog's dying yell was answered by a child's cry, and Llewellyn searched to find his boy unharmed, lying near the body of a mighty wolf that Gelert had killed.
Filled with remorse, the prince erected a stone in memory of his dog, at a spot called Bedd Gelert - 'the grave of Gelert'.