10+ Things to do when on a low budget holiday
Life is expensive as it is and sometimes you can’t or don’t want to spend a lot of money on entrance fees or expensive trips. To give you a hand, we have gathered here some things you can do in and around Dolgellau, without having to break the bank - most are even free of charge.
Barmouth Beach - one of the great sandy beaches of Cardigan Bay
Spend a day on the beach. The coastline of Wales has the most amazing beaches - soft sandy beaches with acres of space for everyone, even on busy summer’s day. And when the weather is not your typical sunny beach weather, it is a great place for a long stroll along the beach or to fly a kite.
The beaches closest to us are Barmouth and Fairbourne. Or a bit further afield you find more wide sandy beaches between Tywyn and Aberdyfi, or Shell Island and Harlech. Some of the beaches are dog friendly during summer (Barmouth and Bernar Beach nr Talybont have dog friendly sections)
Watch the RAF fly low through the Mach Loop . On Monday to Friday there is a good chance you will spot planes flying low through the valleys around us. The best place to see them real close is above the carpark on the A487 between Cross Foxes and Minffordd / Tal y Llyn (LL40 2SH). There is no set schedule, so it is a bit of a gamble.
Explore the area on foot. In our house, you will find a number of walking books as well as the detailed descriptions of our Favourite Walks. Plenty of options for all types of walks - short and easy or a bit more challenging; through the forest and along waterfalls or in open country side with endless views.
Pack a Picnic and enjoy some relaxing times. There are many options like Cregennan Lakes, the woods of Coed y Brenin, high up above the Mawddach estuary on the New Precipice Walk, or overlooking Cardigan Bay from the Panorama Walk near Barmouth - just to name a few.
Enjoy a pint of Welsh ale or cider in one of the five great pubs in the center of Dolgellau. The friendly locals love a chat and to teach you "domino’s - a game of 3’s and 5’s”
Clock tower of Machynlleth
6. Every Wednesday, it is market day in Machynlleth. So why not get the bus to Machynlleth (T3 takes approx 40 min) and wander around this little old town. On the way back you can get the train along the coastline to Barmouth (takes approx 1 hour) and come back to Dolgellau on the T2 bus.
7. Look up to the sky and gaze at the stars and gallaxy. Snowdonia is one of the darkest places in Wales and just a short drive out of town, you will find Cregennan Lakes (see Dark Sky Reserve) - a great place during the day and an amazing place to see the wonders of the dark sky.
8. Browse our local independent shops and art gallery. In the center of town you find many small independent shops, all worth having a browse. Under the arches, you also find Celf Aran Arts, a cooperative of local artists and crafts people sharing space to showcase their hand-crafted designs.
9. Watch the world go by (slowly) with a lazy coffee and cakes at the many coffee shops around Eldon Square.
10. Explore history of Dolgellau - there are several books in the house that tells the stories of Dolgellau’s history of farming, wool, shipbuilding etc. And if you want to see it, wander around the old street in the center and along the Afon Arran.
11. Sundowners on Foel Offrwm. Grab a drink and a snack, and go up the short but steep climb to the top of Foel Offrwm to enjoy the fantastic sunset over the full length of the Mawddach estuary.
