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<\/p>\nAhhh, Snowdonia. It\u2019s the mountainous skylines of North Wales that are awe-inspiring to me. Maentwrog is exactly what I imagined \u2018up North\u2019 to look like before I moved here from South Wales. A sleepy village with stone built houses, nestled within a colourful tree-lined landscape. Maentwrog is situated in the Vale of Ffestiniog, within the sublime Snowdonia National Park, the River Dwyryd weaving a course through it. If you\u2019re still not convinced (hard to please, aren\u2019t you?!), here are a few more reasons why you should stay in this magnificent part of the world.<\/p>\n
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Maentwrog<\/a> is in a great location. Enjoy a hike up Snowdon one day and sun yourself on a sandy beach on the Ll\u0177n Peninsula the next! A short drive away is Portmeirion<\/a>, a must-visit Italianate village…in North Wales. If you\u2019re anything like me, you\u2019ll spend a whole month’s wage on the incredible pottery that they produce and sell there. Porthmadog<\/a> is popular for its pretty harbour, but it\u2019s the steam train which really draws the crowds. You can ride to the historic town of Caernarfon<\/a> via Beddgelert<\/a> or to Tan Y Bwlch. Marvel at the blooms at Plas Brondanw<\/a> or Bodnant Gardens<\/a>, the latter also having a great restaurant, tearoom and farm shop. Not forgetting the magnificent castle<\/a> in Harlech<\/a>, which boasts the most breathtaking views. Or the waterfalls at Rheadr Ddu. I could go on…and on\u2026<\/p>\n Despite being inland, Maentwrog is actually on the Wales Coastal Path. You can walk from Maentwrog to Llanystumdwy (18 miles) or from Llanbedr to Maentwrog (17 miles). If you\u2019re a cyclist or keen mountain biker, don\u2019t despair, we\u2019ve got you covered! Coed Y Brenin is perfect for the more adventurous mountain biker, with its woodland trails (also great for hikers). For those preferring a less strenuous ride, Visit Snowdonia<\/a> have all the information you\u2019d need on the many cycle routes nearby. Plas Y Brenin, The National Mountain Centre, is run by enthusiasts and they provide courses for all levels of experience and ability, year-round.<\/p>\n If you\u2019ve got the children in tow, then why not treat them to a day at the beach? Abersoch<\/a> is renowned for it\u2019s watersports, Aberdaron<\/a> is popular with families, as is Porthdinllaen<\/a> (home to the world famous Ty Coch Inn<\/a>!). Criccieth<\/a> has a lovely beach but if you tire of the sand, there are fantastic places to eat, quaint shops, and a castle to run around, pretending to be knights with plastic swords and shields (just me?). At Blaenau Ffestiniog<\/a> you\u2019ll find not only the incredible Victorian mine at Llechwedd Slate Caverns, but a zip wire<\/a> to hurtle down at eye-watering speeds and subterranean trampolines. At Betws Y Coed<\/a> – another picture-postcard-perfect village – you\u2019ll find not only gorgeous shops and the superb Alpine Coffee Shop (decadent cakes, healthy food and loose leaf tea abound!), but the mega-fun Tree Tops Adventure.<\/p>\n We have a fabulous holiday cottage within Maentrog itself. You are within walking distance of The Grapes, a well-known pub at the heart of the village that serves good food and has great ale (a must for me and mine!).\u00a0Tyn Llwyn Cornel<\/a>, sleeping 4, is a fantastic renovation of a derelict stone barn. It’s subtle mountain theme, hand crafted furniture and wood burning stove makes it a cosy and welcoming home to return to after a day on the hills.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.menaiholidays.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/media\/xharlech_maentrwrog_02jpgpagespeedic6_uz97ck12.jpg?width=500&height=283.0729166666667\")
<\/p>\nPerfect for outdoorsy types<\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\nSomething for the little \u2018un\u2019s<\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\nWhere to stay?<\/h2>\n