Blaenau Ffestiniog - Power ranger heaven?

[steveisfrowning]

Looking for some advice.

I'm thinking of returning to Wales for a week this summer and was looking at a cottage in Blaenau Ffestiniog slap bang on the B4391.

I know twisty roads and mountains = power rangers, but i was looking for some local advice - how bad can it get in summer time?

I was around these parts last year once or twice and never encountered too much (although I know Betws y Coed can resemble Donnington at times!).

Am i worrying too much? Grateful for any advice.

[rmaxeman]

During the school summer hols the roads get busy just like most tourist spots really. I'd say Betws, Llanberis and coastal areas will be worst.
Expect plenty of caravans as well. We avoid the area like the plague during the holidays.
If the weather is good, the roads are twice as bad, as Manchester and Liverpool are within day trip distance.

The B4391 should be ok, although it is a short cut from Bala across to the A470.
Nice road though, we did it last year on the Evo run and we'll be doing it again in May

[steveisfrowning]

Originally Posted by rmaxeman

During the school summer hols the roads get busy just like most tourist spots really. I'd say Betws, Llanberis and coastal areas will be worst.
Expect plenty of caravans as well. We avoid the area like the plague during the holidays.
If the weather is good, the roads are twice as bad, as Manchester and Liverpool are within day trip distance.

The B4391 should be ok, although it is a short cut from Bala across to the A470.
Nice road though, we did it last year on the Evo run and we'll be doing it again in May

cheers

[jason156]

Originally Posted by steveisfrowning

Looking for some advice.

I'm thinking of returning to Wales for a week this summer and was looking at a cottage in Blaenau Ffestiniog slap bang on the B4391.

I know twisty roads and mountains = power rangers, but i was looking for some local advice - how bad can it get in summer time?

I was around these parts last year once or twice and never encountered too much (although I know Betws y Coed can resemble Donnington at times!).

Am i worrying too much? Grateful for any advice.

The roads won't be too bad, it is a rural back water.
My only comment would be Blaenau is a very dreary place, more so when it rains, actually much more so when it rains, and I personally find it a depressing place, possibly because there are so many wonderful and delightful places surrounding it???
the roads around and about are fantastic, you'll not want to get out of your Alfa

[ACAPULCO AL]

what jason said. blaenau does a special kind of miserable in the rain, and ain't much better in the dry. if i was staying down that neck of the woods i'd be going to porthmadog

[steveisfrowning]

Originally Posted by ACAPULCO AL

what jason said. blaenau does a special kind of miserable in the rain, and ain't much better in the dry. if i was staying down that neck of the woods i'd be going to porthmadog

in the end we're doing 2 weeks (about a month apart) - first wk in Llandinam, 2nd back to the same place we went to last yr (on the back road between Llanryst and Betws).

[jason156]

Originally Posted by steveisfrowning

in the end we're doing 2 weeks (about a month apart) - first wk in Llandinam, 2nd back to the same place we went to last yr (on the back road between Llanryst and Betws).

Is that Llandinam Powys ? between Caersws and Llanidloes? ie just down the road from me? If so I can recomend some brilliant driving roads etc. things to do etc.

[steveisfrowning]

Originally Posted by jason156

Is that Llandinam Powys ? between Caersws and Llanidloes? ie just down the road from me? If so I can recomend some brilliant driving roads etc. things to do etc.

that's the one - welcome and recommendations (roads, pubs etc.)

[jason156]

I think there is only 1 pub, The Lion, in Llandinam ! nicely situated next to the Severn though. Long time since I've been in there.
I've done a few rides for some Manchester Harley owners who come to stay at her place (and they luvved em), I'll try and sort out a couple for you if you let me know how far you wanna travel etc.
And what kinda places you wanna see, Castles, market towns,Seaside towns, lakes etc etc. Some of the best roads are joined by lesser ones, and there are some great places to go in less than an hour from there. You got kids? etc.
Jason

[steveisfrowning]

kids - dog - the lot

nice to get somewhere worthwhile for the family but on the way i can enjoy the drive

much appreciated mate

[jason156]

Well steve, there is a great drive to Aberystwyth,
From Llandinam go to llanidloes, then llangurig, then to Aberystwyth, just before Aber you can stop at nant y arian to watch red kites getting fed, forest walks etc. I love this road, just don't push too hard, those bends can be sharper than you expect, take it steady and enjoy the countryside, I've never tired of that road. Mandatory to have fish n chips on the front, and Ice cream too.
From Aber take the north road towards Machynlleth, but if your smalls are small enough veer off to Borth for the Animalarium, tiny family run zoo type place, cheap to get in and very hands on, pet a snake or a crocodile(baby I might add) got a leopard and a couple of lynx too.
From Borth you can head to Ynys Hir, where you can park/drive on the beach, not too sure of dog rules there but its an ideal place for 'em. lovely veiw across estuary to Aberdyfi (go there another day too!) then on to Ynys Las where there is an Osprey project, with a hide, hi po binoculars and a nice boardwalk stroll (we spotted loads of lizards basking last year)
Then on to Machynlleth, or miss the above divertions and go straight to Mach from Aber, turn right at clock tower and head towards Cemaes Road, Carno (MY Village!) Caersws and Llandinam.
You could cut across from this road (take the mountain road just before you leave Mach, on the right for a thrill) and go via Llyn Clwyedog (in fact do a lap of it!) back through to llanidloes and back to llandinam from there.
As I said before Aberdyfi is the jewel in our crown round here, lovely old seaside town, very restrained and laid back, you can walk for miles on the beach (I think with your dog to, certainly in places) and the road from Mach to Aberdyfi is, well words fail me, the run along the estuary is twisty, and up and down hill, you'll never be able to get up to the speed limit in places, and when the sun shines on Aberdyfi....
Also if you want scenery, turn left at llangurig, and trek down to Rhayader, then (nose about the town first if you like) head right to Elan Valley, stunning, truly stunning. This is red Kite country too, I was working in Rhayader and lost count at 20 red kites circling overhead, very low overhead, again there is a feeding station here.
Oh and as to pubs, you can always come to Carno, and the Aleppo Merchant Inn (Home ) I wrote their website for them, earned me a round of drinks one night lol. they got a nice garden if the weathers nice, and well behaved kids are OK there (mine love climbing the tree in the garden)
I like the Italian in Newtown too, La Terrazzo I think, not the most authentic, or greatest food, but a nice feel to the place.
I'd also recomend a day out to Ludlow from here, great place, great riverside walks (or hire a row boat) explore the castle, and the old medieavel town, there is a route through Clun that is stunning to drive, let me know if your up for it and I'll detail it more.

[Icheb]

Don't forget Llandudno

And if you're stuck for parking let me know, 10 mins walk from west shore, 5 mins from town, 10 to the foot of the Orme and north shore.

[steveisfrowning]

Originally Posted by Icheb

Don't forget Llandudno

And if you're stuck for parking let me know, 10 mins walk from west shore, 5 mins from town, 10 to the foot of the Orme and north shore.

we love LLandudno, mate - always great for walking the dog on the prom, people watching and all that - there's a hellish deli there too that does brilliant chip butties with garlic mayo

we'll deffo be in town at some point

[fluffysqueek]

Originally Posted by ACAPULCO AL

what jason said. blaenau does a special kind of miserable in the rain, and ain't much better in the dry. if i was staying down that neck of the woods i'd be going to porthmadog

Porthmadog is amazing that's where i am