Blaenau Ffestiniog & around

The best way to arrive at Blaenau Ffestiniog is by taking the train from Betws-y-coed. This ensures a picturesque ride and a dramatic scene to greet you at your destination. Blaenau means "head of the valley" and in this instance is referring to the beautiful Ffestiniog.

This as with many other villages in the area grew up around the slate mining trade. With this a now defunct industry the town's economy is kept afloat by the Llechwedd Slate Caverns, which provides two tours. The first is the Miner's Tramway Tour and takes the visitor into some truly magnificent caverns, while delivering sometimes hair raising ride will be well rewarded with some stunning scenes.

Tomen y Mur is a Norman earthwork castle built on the site of a Roman fort. All around the mound offers fantastic views of Trawsfynydd Reservoir and lovely countryside.