20 June 2024 , 11:45
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Located five miles from the city of Bangor, the small Welsh town of Bethesda sits at the gateway to Snowdonia National Park, offering the perfect retreat into nature.
Historically, the town is know for its slate quarrying heritage, which shaped the town's culture and architecture. Whilst the town seems sombre due to the grey slate and has been noted as "abandoned" by one Reddit user, Bethesda offers travellers an array of adventures.
To further explore the town's slate quarrying heritage, tourists can visit Penrhyn Quarry which is the largest slate quarry in the world. The quarry is also home to the award winning Zip World attraction, which opened in 2013. This zip line is the fastest in the world and offers those brave enough, panoramic views from 500m above the quarry.
Bethesda has many places to explore including woodlands, castles and ruins (In Pictures via Getty Images)Keen cyclists can access the zip line and quarry by the Lôn Las Ogwen cycle path, which follows the old railway line that transported slate from the quarry to the port.
Based on the outskirts of the quarry are the ruins of Penrhyn Quarry Hospital. Visiting this derelict and desolate location takes travellers back to the 1800s when injured quarrymen would be taken to the hospital to be treated. The hospital was still admitting patients in the early 1930s until it eventually shut in the 1960s.
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The Penrhyn Quarry Hospital can be found on the Llwybr Llechi Eryri (Snowdonia Slate Trail) — an 83 mile trail.
Another key location in Bethesda is Cwm Idwal, which has a dramatic lake and is surrounded by mountains. The area around the lake is Wale’s first-ever designated National Nature Reserve.
Continuing with nature, Coed Bryn Meurig is a magnificent woodland located close to the centre of Bethesda. The whole site is protected by a tree preservation order, as some its trees are ancient. Visitors can enjoy a variety of interesting wildlife too, including otters, tawny owls and spotted woodpeckers.
For those who prefer art, Mostyn gallery is the perfect place to take in the works of talented creators. Behind its impressive Edwardian terracotta facade, sits six gallery spaces exhibiting the best in international contemporary art and craft.
One slightly quirkier thing to do is visit Britain's smallest house. Known as the Quay House, the one-up-one-down red house measures only 3.05 metres by 1.83 metres.
Bethesda also has some wonderful places to stay. One example is Ogwen Bank Caravan and Lodge Park, which features camping pods and lodges in a quiet woodland.
Much of the park's accommodation overlooks a rushing river, and each feature their own modern décor inside. With many of the lodges also including a hot tub, guests can have a relaxing soak whilst enjoying the view and sounds of nature.
Options for food in the town also stretch far and wide, with the centre of Bethesda scattered with takeaways and pubs to try.
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