This small village lies in the Vale of Ffestiniog just south of the more famous Blaenau Ffestiniog. Perhaps this is the ‘real’ Wales because here you will find a blend of beauty and industry in the shape of woodland - and mountains of slate. You will also encounter trains run by the Ffestiniog Railway, the oldest independent railway company in the world, as they steam through the special scenery of Snowdonia between Porthmadog and Blaenau Ffestiniog. Passenger services on this line started in 1865, carrying over 100,000 passengers per year together with 100,000 tons of slate.

A Quiet Blaenau Ffestiniog Street - Photo: Martin Bodman CCL

This photo of the Ffestiniog Railway was taken between Blaenau Ffestiniog and Tanygrisiau. Note that the railway doesn't run from Ffestiniog itself! - Photo: Martin Bodman CCL

On a hillside lies Plas y Dduallt, one of the oldest inhabited houses in Wales, dating back to the 15th century. Occupied for hundreds of years by descendants of Llewelyn the Great, it was restored by Colonel Campbell, of the Black Watch, who also used his knowledge of explosives to blast rocks to re-open the rail line up to Blaenau Ffestiniog. Apparently, Britain’s art treasures were kept inside a local cathedral-sized cave during World War 11. They included the Crown Jewels.