As well as steam trains the Vale of Ffestiniog offers spectacular wildlife and nature. Sea trout and salmon on the Afon Dwyryd and if you’re lucky you might see an otter. On either side of the valley Atlantic oakwoods or Celtic rainforest, more scarce than tropical rainforests and every bit as special with magnificent lichens, liverworts and slime molds. Redstarts and pied flycatchers arrived a few weeks ago. Right now the woods are blooming with bluebells and wild goats stepping carefully so as not to squash them.

Abandoned slate mines make perfect roosts for many species of bat such as the ‘lesser horseshoes’. ICI's explosives factory, Gwaith Powdwr, in which 17 million grenades were made is now a nature reserve where later this month you can hear the nightjars. Llechwedd Slate Caverns has nesting choughs.

We might have pine martens but are struggling to prove it. Ospreys returned to the area in 2004 and this year’s chicks recently hatched. Up in the mountains ravens and buzzards patrol the skies with the occasional red kite. Moths galore, last summer a holiday maker recorded 180 different species during his weeklong stay. Along the coast you might see bottlenose dolphins, porpoise, grey seals or maybe even a leatherback turtle – some years ago a turtle the size of a mini was washed up on Harlech beach and now sits in the National Museum of Wales.

Forget Galapagos, come to Ffestiniog! This is home to Ivor the Engine and Idris the dragon. What's more we've got a live wolf!
bit.ly/izCBgT

www.voff.co.uk/

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

A Londoner from Ireland running a B&B in the heart of Welsh speaking Snowdonia. Warm welcome from former fire fighter Dennis Sullivan with his array of fireman’s axes in reception. ‘They don’t make them like this any more, you know’. Traditional Welsh breakfast served upstairs, from the Aga downstairs, with views over the Vale of Ffestiniog. Across the field the grand house that some say Hitler had earmarked for his Welsh retreat. Instead of giving directions Dennis, with Albert the black Labrador, took me along the lanes and across the fields to the local pub in Maentwrog. Next day we kayaked past Portmeirion. What a host - thanks Dennis.

www.tal-y-bontcountryhouse.co.uk/
Rhyd-y-Sarn, Ffestiniog, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Gwynedd, LL41 4HG
+44(0)1766 762347
Google map: bit.ly/er41FM

www.VoFf.co.uk

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Ten shepherds in a small Snowdonia farmhouse. Since dawn we’ve been gathering sheep off the craggy mountain through heather, bilberry and bracken. Picking our way over blanket bog while buzzards circle above. Breakfast well earned. The fifteen dogs crashed out in the farmyard. Tea, toast and rashers of bacon served to the guests, so polite and proper after all the swearing at their dogs. Mainly Welsh with some words of English at my table, which is in the porch – not enough room for us all to squeeze into the kitchen. Next the shearing and much later the gathering supper. I wouldn’t swap this for The Ritz.

See the gathering at bit.ly/e2ZzsW which takes place at www.voff.co.uk
Google map: bit.ly/gSu138

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Walk past rock cannons and through an incline tunnel then to the top of the Moelwyns. Industrial heritage slowly but surely being reclaimed by nature. Far away from the crowds.

www.voff.co.uk
bit.ly/fXOouf

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends