Betws-y-Coed Information

Betws-y-Coed is a village that nestles in a valley amidst the wild and beautiful mountains of  Snowdonia, in North Wales.

 The town originally grew around a monastery built near the join of the Conwy and Llugwy rivers in the 6th century and it continued to develop as a fairly isolated community around the lead mining industry in the region. The building of a railway station in 1868 connected the inhabitants to the outside world via the line from Llandudno Junction to Blaenau Ffestiniog. This pretty little village, now known as the gateway to the Snowdonia National Park, soon became a haven for tourists.

The area's main focus continues to be tourism, so it is not surprising that accommodation in Betws-y-Coed is easy to find. There are a multitude of facilities to choose from. The choice ranges from the cheaper options for those on a shoestring budget, such as a stay in a local youth hostel or a small number of bunkhouses, to the more luxurious option of a small selection of three star hotels. A large number of self-catering cottages are available. These are mostly rented out by the week, but many also offer short-break options. Comfortable, reasonably-priced B&Bs also abound in the village and its surrounds. For the slightly more adventurous, a small selection of camping grounds and caravan parks is on offer.

The main attraction in the area is, of course, the breathtaking scenery of the Snowdonia National Park. One of the main attractions within the town itself is St Michael's chapel. Built in the 14th century, it is the oldest building in the town. It is from this chapel that the town takes its name which means "prayer house in the woods". The town is encircled by the Gwydyr forest which can be explored via numerous paths and tracks. Further afield, the visitor can pay a visit to Conwy castle in the nearby town of the same name or take a trip to the seaside resort of Llandudno.

A visit to this region will not disappoint the traveller looking for a quiet getaway in a region of natural beauty, that offers accommodation to suit every pocket.