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Mid Wales has so many watersports activities going on there is probably too much to mention here. Below are just a few of the activities you could be experiencing.
Windsurfing
You’re never far from top quality windsurfing in Wales, whether you want flat water, or waves and big air. Flat water sailors will find spots such as Lake Bala in Snowdonia offer just what they’re after on a consistent basis.
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White Water Rafting
The Bala region is brimming with outdoor activities. It was the location for the World and Commonwealth Championships including the 1981 World Canoe Slalom and Wild Water Racing Championships and was the venue for the 1995 World Championship for Wild Water Racing.
White Water Rafting on the two mile long River Tryweryn is a real action packed adventure for both the young and old providing fun and excitement yet in a controlled enviroment supervised by qualified and competent guides. No experience is required to enjoy any of the trips on the river.
Kayaking & Canoeing
The stunning coastlines of Pembrokeshire and North Wales with their forbidding sea cliffs, mysterious offshore islands, golden beaches and wealth of wildlife are kayaking heaven, and it takes only a couple of days of instruction to be able to get out and explore these worlds.
Or you could try riding the Atlantic swells that regularly hit Wales’ coasts.
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To mountain biker Wales offers thousands of miles of superb riding. Whether you are looking for relaxing forest or valley trails, to get you away from it all or the adrenalin rush of ultra technical mountain descents and tortuous hand carved singletrack; it's here. Epic mountain day rides with only a few buzzards and maybe a red kite for company, or going shoulder to shoulder with your maddest mates on a full pro level dual slalom course; we've got that too.
We have plenty of guided rides around the Trawsfynydd and Machynlleth area which can be enjoyed with the world famous Rhiw Goch Mountain Bike Centre which caters for both beginner and experiences riders.
Take time off the bike to explore the market towns of Llanwrtyd, Machynlleth and Dolgelleau . Each has their own unique character too, whether it's a centre for beer and bike festivals, a hub for alternative |
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culture or an Alpine style Mecca for everything outdoors. You're assured of a very warm welcome and a memorable stay.
For links to sites of information please visit www.midwalesindex.co.uk
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Mid Wales is a wonderful place for birdwatching with a wide range of habitats to explore from mountain and moorland to beach and estuary.
Ynys-hir www.rspb.org.uk
Set on the south side of the Dyfi estuary, this reserve mixes the delights of a Welsh oak woodland with the wet grassland and saltmarshes of the estuary. Spring is a wonderful time to visit the woodland when it is full of bird song and spring flowers. Our recent land acquisition is being managed to increase numbers of breeding lapwings, wintering wildfowl and wading birds. The estuary is at its best for birds in the autumn and winter, when large numbers of ducks and geese feed on the saltmarshes.
Opening times
Reserve open daily 9 am to 9 pm (or sunset when earlier); visitor centre open March to October, daily 10 am to 5 pm, November to February, weekends only 10 am to 4 pm.
Charges
Non-members - adult £3.50, child £1, concession £2.50, family ticket £7.
The place to...
see the woodland flowers in spring and the geese on the estuary in the winter. |
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Another place well worth a visit is Gigrin Farm where they feed wild Red Kite daily throughout the year. With breathtaking agility and feats of aeriel piracy the Kite competes with Buzzard, Peregrine and Ravens for choice pickings.
Feeding takes place at 2pm GMT = 3pm in summer & 2pm winter (well, no-one tells the kites that the clocks change!).
www.gigrin.co.uk |
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Whether you truly are a fisherman of all seasons or just fancy trying something new there is something for everyone at our location.
The Dolbrodmaeth Hotel enjoys the exclusive fishing rights to a lengthy stretch of the River Dyfi with access directly from the hotel. Guests fish for free. Cold storage is available and our chef will be more than happy to cook your catch should you desire.
Local knowledge is readily available and a gillie may be hired at reasonable rates for a truly traditional experience. Sea-fishing excursions can also be booked From the hotel.
When the work is over and its time for the fisherman's tale…… tell it again and again whilst relaxing in our riverside bar with varied menu's and if you want to sample the fruits of your labour then remember our chef can prepare a mouth-watering feast with your catch of the day! |
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The River Dyfi
The Dyfi (Dovey is the English spelling) rises in Snowdonia National Park amid spectacular countryside, although less rugged that that of the rivers further north in Snowdonia. The peaks are more rounded and there are large areas of blanket bog through which the headwaters have carved deep valleys. There are several large forests in the catchment drained by the Dyfi.
Downstream of Dinas Mawddwy, the flood plain is mainly grassland and the river is lined with trees in many places. From just below Machynlleth to Aberdovey, the river has a long tidal stretch with saltmarshes and sand dunes at the estuary. The RSPB's Ynyshir reserve is beside the estuary.
River Dysynni
The Dysynni rises in Llyn Cau on the slopes of the magnificent Cader Idris. The stream tumbles rapidly down through Dol-y-Cau and into Tal-y-Llyn Lake, one of the most scenic spots in the whole of Wales. From the Lake, the Dysynni flows westwards, fed by numerous small tributaries as it meanders towards Towyn and its estuary in Cardigan Bay.
Season dates and byelaws
Salmon and sea trout: 20 March to 17 October. Fly and spinner only from 20 March to 15 April and from 7 October to 17 October.
Trout (non-migratory): 3 March to 30 September.
Note:
Please check the Environment Agency Wales latest edition byelaws booklet before you go fishing, as changes may have occurred since our information was last updated.
Permits can be arranged in advance. |
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Wales has it all - mountains and hills; valleys, moors and beaches. Come and enjoy a wonderful riding experience in this fabulous country from a quiet leisurely trek to a more exhilarating hack - yes - Wales can really cater for everyone from beginners to experienced riders.
Mid-Wales is especially ideal for pony trekking - the gentle pace of life offers the beginner quiet paths and wide-open spaces and an opportunity to soak up the spectacular views and scenery of the Mountains and valleys alike.
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In addition to pony trekking, for those who enjoy covering the ground at a faster pace, riding and hacking is available. For the more experienced rider there are opportunities for trail riding. You can ride over hills, across commons, through forests and woodland, beside pretty mountain streams and along delightful valleys.
At Dolbrodmaeth we also have a limited stabling facility for those of you that might like to bring your own horse along for the ride! Please call 01650 531333 or email info@dolbrodmaeth.co.uk for more information. |
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Dolbrodmaeth will bring a variety of live music to its guests throughout the year ranging from traditional Welsh harp music to rock classics played by a variety of local and touring artists - live.
Keep an eye on our What's On Diary for upcoming events.
If visitors would like to organise their own entertainment, Dolbrodmaeth will be pleased to help.
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Take any of the local treks and you will travel down green lanes, retracing ancient routes that were
lifelines for generations of travellers. These ancient and little used routes offer bikers a rare and privileged opportunity to see breathtaking and beautiful areas that nobody other than intrepid hill walkers and farmers are likely to share.
Madian Quads offer several treks catering from complete novices to experienced 4x4 drivers. The experience is unique and satisfaction is guaranteed. Safety is paramount. All of our leaders are qualified and the courses start with a safety brief.
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| Laser Shoot is also available through Madian Quads, click HERE for more information. |
There are an abundance of railways to visit in the area, below are just a few.
Rheilffordd Llyn Tegid (Bala Lake Railway) is one of the Great Little Trains of Wales. The 2ft gauge line offers a delightful 9 mile return journey along Llyn Tegid, through the beautiful scenery of the Snowdonia National Park. The little trains give excellent views of the lake and of the nearby mountains. A round trip of about 1 hour can be broken at any of the stations to enjoy other activities - a pleasant 10 minutes walk into Bala town for shopping or merely browsing access to the lake shore at various intermediate points for swimming, fishing or simply lazing by the waterside; the shaded woodland nooks at Bryn Hynod are ideal for picnics, and there is a large picnic site by the beach at Llangower.
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The Fairbourne & Barmouth Railway extends two and a half miles between Fairbourne Village and Penrhyn Point where it connects with a ferry which takes passengers across the Afon Mawddach to Barmouth. Four Steam Engines operate passenger services along the 12 ¼ inch Gauge track. Along the track at Golf Halt is the station with the longest name in the World as entered in the Guinness Book of Records.
GORSAFAWDDACHAIDRAIGODANHEDDOGLEDDOLLONPENRHYNAREURDRAETHCEREDIGION
(The Mawddach Station with its dragon's teeth on the northerly Penrhyn drive on the golden beach of Cardigan Bay). The full round trip takes 60 mins and all trains are normally Steam hauled.
The Talyllyn Railway is an historic narrow-gauge steam railway, set in the beautiful Mid-Wales countryside. Running from Tywyn to Abergynolwyn and Nant Gwernol, the line passes the delightful Dolgoch Falls and there are excellent forest walks at Nant Gwernol. Built on a gauge of 2 feet 3 inches, the Talyllyn Railway is one of a number of narrow-gauge lines in north and mid Wales built in the 19th century to carry slate.
The Vale of Rheidol Railway runs for 11¾ miles from Aberystwyth to Devil's Bridge. The terminus is adjacent to the national network station at Aberystwyth, and on the hour-long journey passengers have spectacular views of the wooded Rheidol Valley - views unseen for decades until the Vale of Rheidol Railway began its renovation programme ten years ago. This programme continues today, and will see more views opened up for Vale of Rheidol Railway passengers, and improved facilities at both terminal stations. At Devil's bridge, there are walks to Mynach Falls, Devil's Punchbowl and Jacob's Ladder.
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Dolbrodmaeth is the ideal base for rally enthusiasts. In Mid Wales you can try the whole range of land-based power sports. There’s high-speed rally courses (as used by professional racers), wild 4X4 action and remote testing trails to choose from.
Experience the thrill of driving in a genuine Welsh Forest. The instructors will demonstrate and teach you the techniques such as the pendulum, handbrake turn, power slide and more.....Get the thrill and excitement of driving a rally car sideways with professional instruction! Just the 'one off' experience or the perfect start to your rallying future!
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Get the opportunity to learn and develop the unique skills of rally driving in a controlled and safe environment, giving you the chance to experience the most exciting and exhilarating of all motorsports. The genuine forest surfaces are maintained to such high standards that most of the top works rally teams use them for pre-event testing.
Find out more by visiting www.forestrally.co.uk |
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The area around Dolbrodmaeth has a wealth of Golf Courses available which combine great courses with great scenery.
Machynlleth Golf Course
They say good things come in small packages and that could never be truer when it comes to short but sturdy, nine-hole golf courses. Machynlleth is every inch your quintessential short course; enjoyable, entertaining and with superb views to match.
It is a heathland course in nature with a variety of teasing holes, including the opening par four at 276 yards.
It may be a relatively straightforward start but you are then presented with a fairly tough par five followed by a par three at 227-yards - nothing straightforward there!
Visitors are welcome at all times.Club competitions are generally held on Thursday afternoon (ladies)and Sunday morning (men)as well as bank holidays.Visitors are still welcome during these times but must giveway to members in competitions.
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Aberdovey Golf Course
Aberdovey is a classic links golf course and certainly one of the finest seaside courses in the whole of Wales. The club was founded in 1892 and one of its then members was none other than Bernard Darwin, a top amateur golfer who played in the first Walker Cup match. Darwin even remembers the course comprising of nine flowerpots cut into the soil to act as holes! Former Masters champion Ian Woosnam has also been known to practice here during time off from his busy schedule.
The course lies just outside the resort of Dovey and features the traditional links in-and-out formation, huge sand dunes and an ever present wind.
Harlech Golf Course
Royal St David's is a stunning links course that sits in the shadow of the towering castle built by Edward 1 in the 13th century.
The waters in those days were known to lap the rocks below and eventually led to the fine linksland that exists today.
Almost always compared to Royal Porthcawl, Royal St David's is a course that deserves to be mentioned for its own merits. In fact, the locals insist that the professionals who have played it insist it is the toughest par 69 they've ever played.
Borth Golf Course
Borth and Ynyslas is a traditional links course adjoining Borth beach. The opening and closing holes are exposed to the elements, but the northern 'loop' is different in character with the sand dunes at Ynyslas providing protection from the sea breezes. Walking is easy but the humps and hollows provide variation and shots have to be struck accurately to avoid being taken off line by the subtle contours.
A joy to play for golfers of all abilities.
Welshpool golf Course
It was designed by the veteran champion James Braid in the early part of the last century and the giant peaks of Snowdon and Cader Idris are both discernible in the wonderful vistas of mountain scenery. John Stutt of Paisley, who built the course, likened it to the famous Gleneagles course. He insisted, however, that Gleneagles does not offer anything like the spectacular shots with which Welshpool abounds.
Fantastic offers are always available for parties of four or more. These include coffee and bacon baps for breakfast, lunch and an evening roast as well as unlimited golf. Weekday prices during the winter period are £20 for weekdays and £22 for weekends and bank holidays. For the summer period these prices are £20 and £28 respectively.
Bala Golf Course
Bala Golf Club is a 9 hole Parkland course overlooking Bala lake and steam railway. 18 tees offer a good challenge to all golfers. This course was built on rolling terrain and has small greens and deep bunkers. There are water hazards that come into play on four holes.
Situated on the A494 on the outskirts of Bala towards Dolgellau. |
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Dolbrodmaeth welcomes car and bike rallies including vintage vehicles and coach parties by prior arrangement.
Why not book the hotel as a stopping place for a meal or picnic on your way, we can even help you to organise your event. We have a large secure car park where you can leave your car while you relax, or have a spin out into some of the most spectacular scenery before returning for a lovely meal.
We also welcome vintage vehicles of the future.
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Also in the area is theLlangollen Motor Museum has more than 60 vehicles from cars to invalid carriages and pedal cars on display. Most of their vehicles are on the road. The collection includes a model "T" Ford, a 30/98 Vauxhall, several Austins and Citroens. Among the motor bikes are most of the names that bring back memories of "British Bikes". The Norton, the Triumph, the Ariel, the Sunbeam and the B.S.A.. A 50's village garage scene complete with owners quarters and a small exhibition showing the history and development of their canal network can also be viewed. An experience not to be missed.
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Betws-y-Coed Motor Museum was created from the private collection of the Houghton Family and is housed in the mellow stone buildings of the old Betws Farm which overlooks the beautiful River Llugwy in the heart of the village. The varied exhibits include exotic and rare cars; Bugatti, Aston Martin, Bentley, Riley MPH, etc; and the more common MGs, Rover; Austin Sevens, Bullnose Morris, Ford T and Y Models, Morgan, British Motor Bikes, Childs Racing Car and Half Size T Fords, Land Speed Record Jet Engine and Motoring Memorabilia. There are normally over 30 motor vehicles on display.
The Madog Motor Museum, Porthmadog, has a collection of over 92 vintage British cars and motorcycles from the 1930s-1950s, plus automotive memorabilia and toys. |
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With three National Trails, the stunning mountain scenery of Snowdonia, Mid-Wales and the Brecon Beacons, fantastic coastline and pastoral landscapes, and more kilometres of footpaths than you can wave a walking stick at, Wales is the perfect destination for hikers.
Whether you want to scramble along knife-edge ridges such as Crib Goch on Snowdon, stride out along the sea cliffs of the Glamorgan Heritage Trail, or amble along the sun-dappled banks of the River Wye, there’s more than enough fine hiking to wear out the stoutest pair of boots.
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| And when you eventually come to put your feet up, few paths are far from a decent pub. Doesn’t come much better than that… |
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