Wales: Merionethshire

The Ancient maritime kingdom of Merionethshire in Wales was forged out of Welsh dynasties, warrior princes and local legends that have shaped the culture, boundaries and heritage of the area, over hundreds of years.

Merionethshire has previously been a kingdom, a cantref (a medieval Welsh land division), a district and a county of northwestern Wales over its long and varied timeline.

Today it's part of present-day Gwynedd and is a hotspot for tourism in Wales, where visitors can enjoy slate landscapes, vintage rail travel and boutique hotels.

The region has recently enjoyed worldwide attention, as its beguiling and historic slate landscapes that run through Gwynedd have become the UK's 32nd UNESCO World Heritage Site. It's a destination best suited for outdoor enthusiasts who are also interested in history, heritage and high-quality hotels and restaurants.

Dream Escape takes clients on a journey through this mythical region of majestic mountains, muted slate landscapes and striking shorelines, to discover this magnificent and unique part of Wales.

LLECHWEDD AND THE SLATE LANDSCAPES

Welsh slate has been used on roofs across the world since Roman times and has transformed the Merionethshire landscape over the centuries. Today, tourism plays a huge part in the local economy, with several attractions, hotels and restaurants providing jobs and revenue to the former mining community.

Snowdonia National Park

Thrill-seekers can combine both adventure and heritage...[with] an exhilarating four-person parallel zip line, and a unique aerial tour of the Llechwedd slate quarry

The towering landscapes, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are a testament to the importance this region played in the industrial revolution and Wales' slate mining heritage.

Zip-wire over Penrhyn Quarry, Bethesda

The town of Blaenau Ffestiniog falls in the middle of this UNESCO landscape, and while it has a rich history, it has successfully managed to position itself as an outdoor adventure capital in recent years.

Located in the heart of Snowdonia, the town is close to rugged mountains, lakes, hiking and biking trails, making it the perfect base for thrill-seekers. Here, you'll find the Llechwedd site and Deep Mine experience that's now a part of the specialist adventure company Zip World. This expansive site is home to adventure and heritage activities, glamping, and the boutique Plas Weunydd hotel.

Immerse yourself in the story of slate, and travel 500 feet underground on a deep mine tour at Llechwedd. Discover what life was like as a Welsh miner, inside the darkness and solitude of the moody mountains, and let expert local guides and impressive visual and audio effects transport you back to another time and place.

Thrill-seekers combine both adventure and heritage by braving the Titan 2 zip line at the same site. It's an exhilarating, four-person parallel zip line, with a unique aerial tour of the Llechwedd slate quarry.

Start your adventure by riding high above the quarry on a robust former army truck. This rugged truck takes you to a height of 1,400 feet, overlooking the captivating and artificially made industrial mountains, while a private guide explains the history and significance of the mining community.

You'll then travel back down via 1 kilometre of zip line that provides thrilling views of the quarry below and a panorama of Blaenau Ffestiniog. →

FFESTINIOG AND WELSH HIGHLAND RAILWAY

With the reopening of the Welsh Highland Railway, passengers can retrace the historic route 25 miles from Caernarfon, past the foot of Snowdon and the picture postcard village of Beddgelert, then through the stunning Aberglaslyn Pass and on to Porthmadog, in two luxury Pullman carriages.

Trip on the Ffestiniog Railway from Blaenau Ffestiniog to the coast

Michael Davies, Dream Escape's Travel Designer Manager arranges for guests to travel in style and enjoy undulating landscapes and coastal views through panoramic glass windows on the UK's longest heritage railway line.

The Ffestiniog Railway is the oldest independent railway company in the world and has a range of unique journeys along a narrow-gauge heritage railway. Powered by a steam engine, your ride begins at sea level and then slowly winds its way through dense forests, round horseshoe bends and past lakes and waterfalls, as it slowly climbs over 700 feet through Snowdonia.

On the Luxury Pullman guests travel in style while seated in comfortable surroundings with a Welsh hamper, treats and first-class service.

PORTMEIRION VILLAGE

There's nowhere quite like the surreal, Italianate village of Portmeirion, located on a private peninsula next to the Dwyryd Estuary on the coast of Snowdonia.

An aerial view of Portmeirion Village.

Michael arranges tours for guests to explore the village, designed and built by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis in the early 20th century, combining whimsical architecture with an ornamental garden, a spa and a café.

Portmeirion Village

The village is well known as the filming location for the cult 1960s TV show The Prisoner and was previously the setting for Festival N°6, which is currently on hiatus.

With enchanting, pastel-coloured buildings, fountains and manicured gardens, it's a photographer's dream here.

WHERE TO STAY:

Palé Hall Victorian splendour, luxurious suites and fine dining awaits at the distinctive and refurbished Palé Hall. It's an exquisite and rather remote Victorian mansion, located near Bala, on the outskirts of the Snowdonia National Park.

Palé Hall Hotel

Behind the charming Elizabethan façade, you'll find high moulded ceilings and extensive use of oak and walnut in the interior, with touches of luxury throughout. It's easy to see why this majestic property persuaded Queen Victoria to turn what was meant to be a fleeting visit, into a 10-day retreat.

Palé Hall also has an excellent reputation for culinary excellence, with innovative dishes full of seasonal ingredients. Gareth Stevenson is the Head Chef at the helm and has earned Palé Hall a coveted Michelin Green Star award.

You might like to stay in the Churchill suite, where Winston Churchill himself once stayed. It's sure to dazzle with its four-poster bed, marble-lined bathroom, wood panels, vaulted ceiling, and stained-glass roof lights.

Find out more

Michael Davies, Travel Design Manager "As a child, I was fascinated by the grey slate quarries in the spectacular Snowdonia region, and the quaint steam trains on the FFestiniog Railway that took the stone down to the sea for export. Only as an adult was I introduced to Portmeirion Village, a most unusual and unexpected place to see in this pocket of Wales, and undoubtedly a memorable experience for any visitor."

⬥ michael@dreamescape.co.uk

→ dreamescape.co.uk

WORDS | PORTIA JONES