Days Out
Looking for things to do in Barmouth? From scenic coastal walks and sandy beaches to historic sites and family-friendly attractions, there’s plenty to explore in and around this beautiful seaside town. Whether you want to walk, cycle, discover history or simply enjoy the stunning scenery of Cardigan Bay, why not leave the car behind and take the train?
Walk: Head south to Llwyngwril and follow the coast path back to Barmouth, finishing with a crossing of the iconic Barmouth Bridge. Or travel north to Talybont and return on the Ardudwy Way, where the views over the bay and Llŷn Peninsula are unforgettable. Several stretches of the Welsh Coast Path are accessible by train, just check the timetable to make sure you can get back again.
Cycle: Take the train to Porthmadog and ride the National Cycle Route 8 back to Barmouth. The hills around Harlech are a challenge, but the scenery more than rewards the effort.
History & Heritage: By train you can reach Harlech and Criccieth castles, or travel to Machynlleth, site of the first Welsh Parliament. Be prepared for a fair walk from the stations to each site.
Scenery: The whole line from Machynlleth to Pwllheli is breathtaking, often listed among the world’s most scenic rail journeys. Check the timetable and plan a return trip, perhaps stopping off in Aberdyfi or Criccieth for lunch
Castles: Discover the turbulent history of Wales through its castles. The native Welsh strongholds are often smaller, set in varied landscapes and developed over centuries. In contrast, the English castles were built in a short burst of power, designed to dominate the skyline and remind the Welsh who had won. Many now feature interpretive displays and host special events during the holiday season.
Gardens: Wales may be known for its rain, but the reward is a wealth of spectacular gardens, from intimate hideaways to vast collections bursting with colour. Just 19 miles up the coast lies the fantasy Italianate village of Portmeirion, with formal gardens, eclectic buildings, and woodland sweeping down to the sea. Created by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, it is complemented by his home garden at Plas Brondanw, a smaller, more intimate space with elegant topiary and striking views into Snowdonia.
Further afield, Bodnant Garden near Conwy is a must for garden lovers. Spread over 80 acres, it features rose terraces, an acer wood, the dramatic Dell with the river Hiraethlyn, colourful shrub borders and a winter garden. Visit in spring for dazzling displays of rhododendrons and azaleas in full bloom.
Art: If you enjoy exploring art, Oriel Plas Glyn-y-Weddw is Wales’s oldest art gallery, set in a striking Victorian Gothic mansion at Llanbedrog, with exhibitions that change throughout the year, plus a café, shop and woodland walks to complete the visit.
Art Line / Llinell Gelf: Art Line is a scenic art trail that runs along the stunning coastline of Cardigan Bay, connecting galleries, studios and creative spaces across Gwynedd. It invites visitors to explore art, landscape and heritage at their own pace - from coastal towns and historic castles to quiet villages and vibrant creative communities. Whether you’re local or visiting, Art Line reveals the richness of creativity woven through this unique part of Wales, offering new discoveries at every stop. Find out more here
Great Little Trains
This part of the world is famous for “The Great Little Trains of Wales”. Within easy access of Barmouth there are at least 10 narrow gauge and restored railways, many running steam trains. There are old quarry lines, parts of an old standard-gauge route, plus Britain’s only rack and pinion railway running to the summit of Snowdon.
The nearest is Fairbourne Miniature Railway, just the other side of the Mawddach Estuary - you can hear the steam engines regularly. When the trains are running you can get to Fairbourne by ferry from Barmouth Harbour, by train on the Cambrian Coast line from Barmouth Station, or walk/cycle over the railway bridge and take the coast path to Fairbourne.
Further down the coast at Tywyn (also accessible by train) is the Talyllyn Railway, The line runs for seven and a quarter miles through the beautiful Fathew valley. Running from Tywyn to Abergynolwyn and Nant Gwernol, the line passes the delightful Dolgoch Falls and there are excellent forest walks at Nant Gwernol.
Many of the other railways are accessible for days out by train, bus or car. Train rides can be easily combined with visits to castles, beaches, woodland walks, visits to gardens or slate mines.
Slate mines and Legends
The slate mining history in the area has left some exciting sites behind it. You can go underground at several of them to explore the caverns and see how the miners worked to extract the slate that roofed the world. Llanfair and Llechwedd offer tours of their caverns, whilst King Arthur’s Labyrinth at Corris combines a tour of their caverns with Arthurian legends and an underground boat ride.
For a closer look at the majesty of the caverns left by the industry visit Corris Mine Explorers. Mark takes small groups into the caverns to explore 17 miles of old workings and tunnels. He is very knowledgeable, friendly and clearly loves his job. Each trip is unique as he will decide what route to take based on the individual group and how adventurous they are! Mark will regale you with information about the mine and stories of the men who worked it – his enthusiasm is contagious. Various tours are available, but must be booked ahead to avoid disappointment.