……Beddgelert

Seeing as though summer is fast approaching (fingers crossed for some more weather to match the month….) we thought our lovely guests here at the Oakeley Arms might be in need of a little inspiration when it comes to some great days out in Snowdonia. So, today is the first in our series of “Days Out In….” blog posts, which will each feature a different destination not far from the Oakeley Arms where you can enjoy a fun-filled family day out with plenty to do.

So, first on our list is the lovely little village of Beddgelert. Nestled in a sheltered valley in the hills of Snowdonia, Beddgelert is one of the area’s prettiest villages. It frequently wins “Village in Bloom” awards for the beautiful floral displays that grace the streets and buildings across the village. Literally translating to “Gelert’s Grave“, Beddgelert is named after the legend that made it famous……

The story goes that a long, long time ago, Prince Llywelyn owned a faithful hound called Gelert; a dog that was his constant companion and loyal friend. However, one day the prince went out hunting, leaving Gelert to look after his newborn baby son. When he returned, Llywelyn was aghast to find the baby’s room in disarray and a blood covered dog. Assuming that Gelert had killed his baby, the prince drove his sword deep into the dog’s heart, unable to ever forgive him for his brutal actions. But no sooner had Llywelyn takes his sword from the lifeless body of Gelert, he hears a baby’s cry. He finds his son under some blankets, completely unharmed, with the body of a slain wolf beside him. Gelert the dog had protected the baby by killing the wolf. Llywelyn was so overcome with remorse and guilt that he is said never to have smiled again……

You can find Gelert’s grave on the river path just a short walk from the village. In fact, the river-side path  makes for a lovely amble if the sun’s out. The path leads all the way to the Abergwynant Pass and kids will love exploring the shallow rock-pools (care is needed when the river is fast flowing though).

Gelert’s grave at Beddgelert
Image by Ian Agnell on wiki commons

Beddgelert is home to several traditional pubs and tea-rooms, and other things to see and do include the Sygyn Copper Mine, a trip to the outdoor superstore Warws or an amble or cycle in the vast Beddgelert Forest, just to the north of the village. And if you’re feeling energetic, Beddgelert is a great place from which to start a walk to the summit of Moel Hebog (782m), which overlooks the village.

Beddgelert is a short drive (approx 10 miles) from the Oakeley Arms. But why not travel in style and enjoy the stunning train ride through the valleys and hills – the Welsh Highland Railway link between Porthmadog and Caernarfon now stops at Beddgelert. For more information about time-tables, click here or ask any of the Oakeley staff for details of how to get there.

Beddgelert Village
Image by Ken Bagnall on wiki commons

DID YOU KNOW…… that the author of the Rupert the Bear books, Alfred Bestall, wrote some of the stories while he stayed in his holiday home in Beddgelert?