Bringing The Community Closer . . . By Rail

Get extra mileage out of the Gwynedd and Conwy Concessionary Travel Passes with a bumper-deal giving you free transport on the Arriva Conwy Valley Line and a super-saver £1.75 one-way ticket (£3.50 return) on the Ffestiniog Railway and Welsh Highland Railway (C) from September 15-30!

Celebrating Arriva Trains Wales’ commitment to passengers, and the Ffestiniog Railway Company’s 175^th Anniversary, the popular railways have joined forces giving all Concessionary Travel Pass holders resident in Gwynedd and Conwy the opportunity to enjoy some of North Wales’ best landscapes, through fusing modern rail with steam heritage.

Sit back, relax and enjoy North Wales at its best with Arriva Trains Wales and the Ffestiniog Railway Company.

For more information contact the Ffestiniog Railway Company at Harbour Station on: (01766) 516000.

For Conwy Valley Line Service details and times contact 08457 484950 or Welsh line: 0845 6040500. www.nationalrail.co.uk

News added 20th September 2007

New Attraction - Tree Top Adventure Snowdonia

Situated just outside Betws-y-Coed in the Snowdonia National Park, Tree Top Adventure is a thrilling, high level, adventurous journey 15.4m (50ft) up in the trees and involves a series of engaging and exciting obstacles! Are you ready to be fitted with a harness and helmet, attached to a state-of-the-art safety line and experience this tree top spectacular today? Tree Top Adventure is ready for you.

The Tree Top Adventure team lives locally, is bilingual (Welsh and English), has fully qualified safety instructors and has extensive knowledge of the local area.

Tree Top Adventure’s High Ropes Courses cater for individuals and groups.

For further information and to book online visit www.ttadventure.co.uk

News added 3rd May 2007

New Landmark at Local Tourist Attraction

Visitors to Inigo Jones Slateworks will have an additional reason to go to the attraction this spring and summer.  A waterwheel celebrating the history of ‘the works’ has been erected which is a scaled down version of the original that was there. 

At one stage a 25’ waterwheel used to drive all the machinery in the mill.  This had to be dismantled in 1952 since the channel that arched over the road carrying the water from the stream at Grafog became too low.  This happened when there was the introduction of new double decker buses carrying passengers from Caernarfon to Porthmadog.  The reconstructed waterwheel is similar to the original but is a scaled down version with a 10’ diameter.

Company Director, John Lloyd is delighted with the new landmark: “Ideally we would have like to keep the scale and location of the original but costs would have been prohibitive.  This is the perfect compromise and the site gives visitors an excellent view of the new feature.  The history of the attraction comes alive and we are hoping the new addition will be as fondly thought of as the original.”

The erection of the new waterwheel is the latest stage of a development plan which is on-going at Inigo Jones.  Last year saw new landscaping and an improved frontage and there are further exciting plans in the pipeline to develop the e-commerce side of the business where visitors can buy slate and garden products on line.

News added 3rd May 2007

Great Little Trains of Wales Discount Card

The Great Little Trains of Wales are a very special way of seeing some of the best scenery in the British Isles and this year a new discount card costing £10 will be available, entitling the holder to a 20% discount for a return trip on each of the following 9 railways:

Welsh Highland Railway – Caernarfon to Rhyd Ddu
Llanberis Lake Railway - Llanberis
Ffestiniog Railway – Porthmadog to Blaenau Ffestiniog
Welsh Highland Railway – Porthmadog to Traeth Mawr
Talyllyn Railway – Tywyn to Nant Gwernol
Bala Lake Railway – Llanuwchllyn to Bala
Vale of Rheidol Railway – Aberystwyth to Devil’s Bridge
Brecon Mountain Railway – Merthyr Tydfil
Welshpool & Llanfair Railway – Llanfair Caereinion to Welshpool

Each card is valid for 12 months from the date the first journey is made.

Cards can be purchased online at www.greatlittletrainsofwales.co.uk or by post from: The Secretary, Great Little Trains of Wales, FREEPOST CS1226, Wharf Station, Tywyn, Gwynedd LL36 9BR.

News added 5th April 2007

The Brough Guide To Llandudno

‘Llandudno’s Heritage comes to life on Wednesdays and Saturdays from
24th March when local Green Badge tourist guide, Judy Brough joins the
Llandudno Heritage Centre in bringing history to your feet’.

These walks will last approximately one hour and are all on solid ground, no scampering over rough terrain, however some walks will entail a few steps and short uphill walks (see description of individual walks below).

Regular themed walks start from 24th March every Saturday and
Wednesday 11.30am, 1pm and 2.30 pm. Tours start and finish at Tabernacl Heritage Centre, corner of Upper Mostyn Street and Llewelyn Avenue. No booking necessary, just turn up - all welcome.

For information on themed guided group walks or coach commentary for
groups, please contact Judy Brough on 07980 013630 or email brough.northwales@tiscali.co.uk

For more information on the Tabernacl Heritage Centre contact Gerry
Sweeny, Press and Marketing on 01492 877676.

Walks

11.30am  Llandudno a Victorian Resort
Our walk takes us on a short up hill climb and the occasional steps to enjoy the vista of panoramic views of Llandudno nestling between two shores to witness the story of the birth of this Victorian resort.

1pm Old Llandudno
Just a few steps on our way to meander off the main routes along back streets once bustling with the activities of a busy fishing and mining community.

2.30pm A Gentle Walk into History
If you want to step back in time, stroll down memory lane and stay on the flat then this is for you.

Tickets £4 available on the day and include:
• One hour Guided Walking Tour
• Entrance to Tabernacl Heritage Centre

Please note: Very occasionally walks have to be cancelled and notice of change is usually posted on the departure information point several days before. Times can also be checked with the Tourist Information Centre or please phone to confirm departure details.

News added 13th March 2007