Drive-in movies, a takeaway cocktail bar, the best pizzas this side of Naples – there’s no shortage of exciting new stuff going on here in Snowdonia this season. When travel restrictions in Wales are relaxed, your Snowdonia holiday will look different this year but local shops, services and attractions are finding plenty of creative ways to adapt to the new normal.
Plenty to see and do
Our local cinema, The Magic Lantern, is fantastically resourceful and has found a field for daily drive-in movies throughout July and August.
Lots of local pubs, restaurants and cafes are already offering good takeaway menus – and there’s plenty of places with scenic views for you to enjoy a socially distanced picnic or supper. The family behind one of our best local restaurants, Bwyty Mawddach, has developed a new incarnation as Mawddach Neapolitan Pizzeria. Bag a slot, drive 10 minutes to the farm, admire the amazing view of Cader Idris then take away your freshly made pizza . The menu changes weekly – Y Cymro is a favourite – topped with Welsh cheeses and charcuterie and herbs from the farm garden.
Walk along the prom in Barmouth and pick up deliciously tasty street food from the Celtic Cabin. Or stay on our side of the Mawddach Estuary for fish and chips on Fairbourne beach. There are plans for an ice-cream van to make regular visits to Graig Wen.
Takeaway tipples
A glam cocktail bar was just about to open in Dolgellau before lockdown. They are now mixing up a sensation with quality cocktails for collection. You can also pre-order bottled beers from our local craft brewery or ask at Dylanwad in Dolgellau for advice on a great value bottle of wine. We’ve been enjoying Dylan’s virtual winter tastings during lock down!
Shop local
We have been well supplied during lockdown by deliveries of fresh fruit and veg from a local greengrocers and there are other food delivery companies which can drop off orders here. Our fantastic local butchers and bakers have re-opened in Dolgellau and the supermarkets are well stocked and well set up for social distancing. Camlan Farm Shop has been busy serving the community and it’s a great place to stop off en route to Graig Wen to pick up an interesting variety of Welsh food and drink products. We’re looking forward to the non-retail shops opening soon.
Walks from the door
We don’t know yet how paths will be opened up on the more popular mountains here in Snowdonia National Park. But there are may other paths and wild places a little more off the beaten track to explore. Within only 5 – 10 miles of Graig Wen, you can walk or bike from our door to beaches, woods and waterfalls, Cregennan Lakes and the stunning uplands surrounding the Mawddach Estuary. During lockdown we have developed some walking routes from the door to share with our guests.
Booking adventures ahead
Attractions such as the steam railways, castles and Zip World are all coming up with safe ways of re-opening. There will be reduced capacity so it will mean being organised to book in advance in many cases.
Your Guide to a Great Snowdonia Holiday
We’re putting together a new digital guest Welcome Guide app. It will have up to date details about all the new local services you’ll need to plan a great stay. The app will also guide you through contactless check-in and tell you everything you need to know about your holiday accommodation.
Stay in touch
We’ll announce when we can re-open for new bookings to our mailing list as soon as we can. Stay in touch with the latest news from Graig Wen on our social media channels or sign up for our e-mailing list