All Aboard at Tan-y-Bwlch

Here at the Oakeley Arms we are proud to live in stunning Snowdonia, with its incredible scenery, marvellous mountains and spectacular coastline. And one of the best ways to appreciate the beauty of Snowdonia is on a ride through the Vale of Ffestiniog aboard the Ffestiniog Railway.

And did you know that you can be part of this iconic railway journey just a stone’s throw from the Oakeley Arms? The nearest Ffestiniog Railway station is at Tan-y-Bwlch, which is less than a mile’s walk through pretty woodland and past Llyn Mair (Mary’s Lake), which was built by William Oakeley of Plas Tan-y-Bwlch (and the name-sake of the Oakeley Arms – read more about the Oakeley family here) for his daughter Mair on her 21st birthday.

Tan-y-Bwlch station. Image by John Firth on wikicommons

There has been a station at Tan-y-Bwlch since 1873 when it was opened to passengers for the first time, replacing the nearby Hafod y Llyn station that was very difficult to access on foot. Tan-y-Bwlch station continued to serve as a passenger station until it was closed in 1939, and wasn’t used again until the end of the 1950’s when the Ffestiniog Railway was rescued and re-opened by enthusiasts.

Today, the station is one of the line’s busiest, especially during summer months when it bustles with tourists and travellers, all excited about their trip on one of the country’s most famous railway lines. From Tan-y-Bwlch you can travel south-west to Porthmadog and onwards from there to Caernarfon, or the opposite direction northwards will take you to the historic mining town of Blaenau Ffestiniog.

For details of fares, times and all other passenger information visit the Ffestiniog Railway website at www.festrail.co.uk 

Enjoy the ride!

Image by John Firth on wiki commons