Weather Station on the summit of Snowdon to aid Walkers

With a sharp increase in visitor numbers it has been proposed to install a dedicated Weather Station on the summit of  Snowdon in an attempt to reduce rescues and enhance the visitor experience. It’s fair to say that most visitors to Snowdonia will ascend Snowdon at some point in time, either by train or on foot most will make the effort to get to the summit. With 500,00 visitors every year and coverage on TV and other promotional events the volume of visitors has lead to a sharp increase in rescues for the volunteer Mountain Rescue teams covering the area. In an attempt to reduce this and to improve mountain safety in general National Resources Wales has proposed a weather station – Snowdon Live – on the summit of Snowdon. Providing real time weather information to walkers and climbers, the weather station will be situated on the roof of the existing building at Hafod Eyri. A Visit Wales spokesman said:  “One of the major factors that lead to rescue situations on the mountains of Snowdonia is poor weather, with recent research showing that wet weather and poor visibility are the major contributors with wind and ice and snow also being contributing factors.” A spokesman said: “Visit Wales’s Year of Adventure was a well-received promotional drive, encouraging members of the public to visit the outdoor in Wales and experience the adventure it has to offer.However, there were concerns raised by the police and rescue services that these promotional activities are contributing to an increase in incidents on the mountain. To help combat this Visit Wales have funded a national safety project to help education visitors and help them be prepared for the environment they are visiting. “Snowdon is one of the most iconic mountains, and tourist attractions in the UK. It has around half a million visitors each year scaling its peak and subsequently one of the busiest mountain rescue teams in the UK, with an average of 150-200 incidents annually between 2007-2012. One of the major factors that lead to rescue situations on the mountains of Snowdonia is poor weather with recent research showing that wet weather and poor visibility are the major contributors with wind and ice and snow also being contributing factors.” Here at Bryn Bella we fully appreciate the value of good, accurate and timely weather information, that’s why we provide a weather forecast from the Mountain […]

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Take the Mountain Railway to the Top of Snowdon

The Snowdon Mountain Railway started Construction In 1894, at the time one of the most impressive and challenging Victorian feats of engineering, One Hundred and Fifty men blasted their way through solid rock, built handful of bridges and laid five miles of railway track on a one in seven incline to the top of a mountain. For fourteen months the work continued and little did they know that over one hundred years later the little railway on the side of the mountain would still be in use attracting visitors and steam enthusiasts from all over the world with over half a million visitors every year. Of all the small locomotives built in Switzerland that were specially designed to climb steep hills four of the engines are still in use today. There was at the time no other machine capable of climbing mountains and the steam train with the rack and pinion system developed by Dr. Roman Abt proved so reliable that the engines have never been replaced. The team and Snowdon Mountain Railway estimate that No. 2 Engine has travelled almost two million miles up and down the short track to and from the summit of Snowdon and this wonderful workhorse has been carrying people since 1896. There are now, modern (in comparison to steam) Diesel powered trains and you will be asked when booking whether you want Steam or Diesel – Steam is a little more expensive but worth it in so many ways. Today the Snowdon Mountain Railway is steeped in history and is undoubtedly one of the most popular tourist attractions in Wales, if not the world. For any steam enthusiast the working engines that never seem to run out of steam are a joy to watch, hear and smell. Likewise, for families with young children, not only is the railway an easy way to reach the top of the mountain, but kids will squeal and giggle will delight as they chuff, chuff, chuff their way to the top. Getting higher and higher and through the clouds the Snowdon Mountain Railway excites children of all ages and sets the imagination on fire. A trip on the Snowdon Mountain Railway is truly a grand day out and the service operates, subject to weather conditions, from Mid-March to the end of October.  A journey time of two and half hours includes half an hour at the summit where a […]

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Bodnant Garden: A Garden Lovers Paradise

From 1874, five generations of one family developed Bodnant Garden not far from Tal-y-Cafn and donated it to the National Trust in 1949. This peaceful and spectacular garden is one of the most sedate tourist attractions in the whole of Wales. Spread over 80 acres there is something for everyone. Bodnant Garden is not just one style of garden; if you can imagine a style of garden Bodnant has it. From sweeping lawns that any humble home gardener would give his or her right arm from through to gentle corners of total tranquillity with familiar and unusual plants around every corner. Whether you want to stroll with a loved one, sit and meditate under a tree or picnic with kids as they frolic and chase their shadows, Bodnant is a place one cannot ignore when visiting North Wales. Henry Pochin, a famous Victorian Industrial Chemist, purchased the Bodnant Estate in 1874 and at the time it was little more than lawns and pasture. Edward Milner and his then assistant Joseph Paxton were tasked with landscaping and transforming the 80-acre estate and began planting a variety of plants and trees that were a little more unusual. They created amazing woodlands and a beautiful water garden in the valley. In time, a glasshouse was constructed to house a superb collection of exotic plants that still exists today. During the 19th and early 20th Centuries, explorers and botanists brought plants from all over the world to the garden. These gifts made the world famous garden what it is today. With impressive collections of Rhododendron forrestii, Magnolia, Eucryphia and Embothrium species garden lovers from around the globe are drawn to the garden because of the unusual collection of plants that are kept in outstanding beds and plantations. The collection of plants is amazing and the gardens are extremely well maintained making Bodnant one of the top gardens in the world. There is so much to see at Bodnant that it makes sense to make a full day when visiting and it is worthwhile slowing down to take in what many tourists simply describe as “Amazing” or a “Garden Lovers Paradise”. Every season has its own special feeling and the garden is beautiful no matter what time of year you go. Late spring and early summer are popular times to visit as the artists palette of colours comes to life with the uncountable varieties of […]

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GreenWood Forest Park-Sustainable Family Attraction

If you want something for all the family when you come to visit North Wales then Greenwood Forest Park is for you. Voted the number one family attraction in North Wales for the last 6 years it is an attraction that appeals to anyone and plays its part in making and keeping tourism in Wales eco-friendly. GreenWood Forest Park is all about sustainability and fun for every member of the family and has a variety of things to do with rides and more that make it must visit attraction. As many attractions as possible are eco-friendly and this includes the roller coaster, sledge run and the new water ride.  Who says having fun can’t be green? People Powered Roller Coaster The Roller Coaster is one of the major attractions of the park and it is the world’s first people-powered ride of its kind. This thrilling ride carries 20 people along a crazy 250 track that includes a full 360-degree horizontal loop that will leave kids and adults screaming for joy. The whole ride is powered by people and is the greenest ride of its kind in the world… Kudos to GreenWood Park. Solar Powered Splash However, it is not just the roller coaster that is green; nearly everything in the park is eco-friendly. The brand new solar powered water slide is the first of its kind in the UK and has proven to be a hit with visitors. The Solar Splash is a series of water shoots and tubes that are reached by a 64-step climb. At the top one would question why they would want to leave because the view is so spectacular, but leave they must, 80 metres down to the bottom. Climbing through Nature Excitement, adventure and appreciating nature all come together at this outstanding theme park. Another part of the fun that makes this park what it is has to be Treetop Towers and for the very little ones Tunnel Warren.  Treetop Towers is a challenge for the entire family with an array of netted walkways and rope bridges strung between four towers open for exploration. Tube slides add to the fun and if mum and dad don’t want to join in they can enjoy a coffee below knowing the kids are safe to explore above.  These attractions use nature for fun and make them extremely eco-friendly allowing kids to get up close with nature while […]

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Making Waves at Surf Snowdonia

When the average person thinks of surfing one thinks of places like Cape Town, Hawaii and in the UK, Newquay. But if you were asked to surf in Snowdonia you would be quite right to scratch your head and wonder how.  Snowdonia is better known for its mountains, walking trails, castles and steam railways not surfing but you are wrong so here goes… Surfs Up Wales, Surf Snowdonia! Surf Snowdonia brings big wave surfing to the heart of North Wales and is the world’s first inland surfing lagoon.  For any avid surfer or for anyone who has ever fancied riding the waves Surf Snowdonia in Conwy is perfect. The 300-meter lagoon is one of the top tourist attractions in the UK and Europe and has been designed to match the qualities of ocean surfing areas around the world. While surfing and the water are the main attraction, Surf Snowdonia has plenty of other supporting things to do both on and off the water. There are places to eat and drink and even places to hook up your campervan or surf-truck and the location is easily accessible and easy to find. On the water, even the most experienced of surfers will be challenged by the waves and some of the best in the world have been known to wipe out in the surf. Surf Snowdonia offers surf training and has a fully equipped surf shop with equipment to purchase or hire. For those who don’t want to surf but still want to get wet, or should I stay try and stay dry, Crash and Splash is the ultimate agility challenge and is perfect for families or corporate team building. Crash and Splash is a crazy and challenging water obstacle course.  A series of ropes, monkey bars, moving platforms and floating obstacles creates a place where getting wet is all part of the fun as you try your hardest to stay as dry as possible. Safety is assured and all safety equipment is available to hire. If testing yourself on this crazy assault course is not enough the Crash and Splash ends with a hair-raising catapult blob. This catapult is easily the biggest splash in the whole of Wales and is the perfect way to end a full of energy day out. It is not all water at Surf Snowdonia, especially for the little ones. With this in mind, although many youngsters […]

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Game of Thrones comes to Conwy at The Tournament

2017 is the year of Legends for Welsh Tourism and at the very top of the list of events and attractions is an absolute cracker The Tournament – Conwy. Whether or not you are a follower of Game of Thrones,  Last Kingdom or any medieval, fantasy story or not The Tournament will set your soul on fire. The Tournament is a true medieval tournament that will revive the days of legend, kings, queens, knights and damsels in distress. On 24th and 25th June, Conwy plays host to the biggest and most exciting medieval tournament seen in many centuries and will be something no tourist to North Wales will want to miss. Since days of old, Conwy has hosted fairs and markets that have attracted tradesmen and merchants from all over the kingdom and The Tournament revives the tradition bringing it bang up to date for 2017. Merchants in traditional medieval dress will purvey goods with a medieval theme that include food, period clothing, jewellery and a host of interesting and unique items. This market is a must for the whole family with its sights, sounds and smells will creating the feeling that you have travelled back in time over 700 years. Throughout the event world renowned medieval re-enactors will recreate battles, scenes that include fearsome Vikings who pillaged their way through much of Britain towards the end of the Dark Ages through to brave, and handsome knights in shining armour. Every aspect of life from ancient times that are almost forgotten from cooking to falconry to arrow making will all be re-enacted with many opportunities for visitors to try their hand at some of the tasks. Authentic music plays a part in this outstanding event and some of the biggest names and most authentic performers of historic and medieval music invite guests to simply sit back and listen or join in the festivities and dance. One of the biggest names in this kind of music is Serpentyne who leave their audiences mesmerised with haunting melodies and tunes that reach deep inside the soul. No tournament would be complete without the impressive sport of Jousting. Taking place among the battlements of Conwy Castle, The Tournament will host one of the most impressive jousting tournaments Wales has ever seen. The whole family will feel the rush of adrenaline as legions of brave and gallant knights fight for the hand of a fair […]

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