Sales E: sales@wilcopmedia.co.uk | T: 0115 6972677
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THERE ARE SO MANY REASONS TO VISIT TO THE FFESTINIOG & WELSH HIGHLAND RAILWAYS AND THE BEAUTIFUL AREA THROUGH WHICH THEY RUN Take a cheeky short break… Although it feels a million miles from city life, Snowdonia is less than three hours from the Lancashire area so ideally placed if you feel the need to get away, enjoy some fresh air and grab a cheeky short break! You can even come by train with through services straight into the area from Manchester. There is a wonderful variety of things to do and places
to stay, there is bound to be something that takes your fancy, and the trains can take the strain of travelling around. The two railways run between the towns of Caernarfon, Porthmadog and Blaenau Ffestiniog, each town with its individual character, privately owned shops, quirky places to eat and a range of short break accommodation So where will you stay? Come glamping in stylish safari tents
Driving Holidays and Car Club excursions… high up on the hill in Blaenau Ffestiniog or a luxury cabin in Beddgelert. Treat yourself to a stay in a family run guest house or hotel. There is a wide range of self-catering too and there are often some good deals to be had on a last minute short break. There is so much choice along the route. Rover tickets for events or for normal operating days are available on line, making
The Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways run through an area with a stunning mix of mountains, lakes, forests and coastline. Its roads offer great driving and splendid views, just the thing if you enjoy driving or for a car club meet. The major routes into the area are now much improved and Visit Wales are promoting the main arteries within Wales as The Wales Way. The railways are on or close to all these routes so make an ideal add on to a driving itinerary. There is a good
it even easier to plan your trip. And at the end of your journey, why not sit in the beer garden at Spooner’s bar on the platform in Porthmadog and watch the trains go by. Now that’s a real treat! w w w. f e s t r a i l . co.uk
range of accommodation from campsites to boutique hotels that can safely look after cherished vehicles and provide good photography opportunities as well. The railways offer lots of ways for driving groups to get involved. Park in one of our car parks and take a ride out – the scenery is even better with someone else driving! Use our cafes as a pit stop on a tour of the area. We have a large yard
Great for gardens…
On holiday with your four legged friend… The Snowdonia National Park has a stunning mix of mountains, lakes, forests and coastline and there are footpaths and bridleways abound. And for those who have a four legged member of the family, there are some fantastic walks to be had for all different abilities. Many campsites and self catering properties welcome dogs and there are also a number of dog friendly hotels and guest houses nearby. Well behaved dogs are welcome to travel with the family in the standard class carriages on both railways. Your day rover ticket allows you to hop on and off the train to take
Camping and Caravanning around the railways... Both railways run through the heart of the Snowdonia National Park with its stunning mix of mountains, lakes, forests and coastline. The air is fresh and clear and much of the area enjoys Dark Sky status – great for campers! It also boasts a wide variety of camp sites, allowing you to make the
most of this wonderful area. Some are run by the larger organisations and there are some wonderful privately owned tiny sites too that will take you right into the heart of the Welsh countryside. A number of sites enjoy close proximity to the railways. Several are within walking distance of a station –
especially handy for motor homes and camper vans. Many stations have their own car park or there are council car parks close by which are barrier free if you at a site that is slightly further afield. The railways are part of a network of tourist routes including the Wales Coast Path, many cycle and walking
routes, plus national bus and train routes. So whether you want to go out exploring or simply sit back and let the steam engine do the work, the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways make a great part of your camping holiday. For more information on how you include the railways in your camping holiday visit the website and look for our camping leaflet. www.festrail.co.uk
a walk, or you can purchase a single ticket to combine a walk with a train ride. Dog rover tickets cost just £3 for the day. Tan y Bwlch station, with its woodland setting, is a great place for a family walk with the dog and there are walks leaflets available in the tearooms. The railways are part of a network of tourist routes including the Wales Coast Path, many cycle and walking routes, plus national bus and
with licensed shed at one of our stations which can be used for rallies. But it is that chance too to get the shot of your favourite car with a classic steam locomotive that’s worth driving for. If you are travelling as a group, special rates are available to parties of 20 or more and both parking and refreshments can be arranged for you. www.festrail.co.uk
The two railways run through some of the most beautiful parts Snowdonia. The National Park enjoys amazing micro climates and, with the effect of the Gulf Stream, is lucky to have some amazing gardens containing plants from all over the World that survive happily next to our own native species. For garden lovers, there are plenty to choose from within a short distance of the railways. The wonderful world of Portmeirion is only a mile away, while Sir Clough Williams Ellis’ own gardens of Plas Brondanw offer a different insight into this fascinating man. Plas Tan y Bwlch gardens contain some interesting species from the great plant hunters of the 19th Century. Alight at Tan
train routes. So whether you want to go out exploring or just take a short walk, the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways make a great part of your family holiday. For more information on bringing your pet for a train ride, visit the website. www.festrail.co.uk
Take a Romantic Welsh Break… The Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways are less than three hours from Liverpool, Manchester and the North West so ideally placed if you feel the need to slow down and treat yourselves to a romantic short break away from it all. There is a wonderful variety of places to stay and things to do in the area. The two railways run between the towns of Caernarfon, Porthmadog and Blaenau Ffestiniog, each with its
individual character, privately owned shops, quirky places to eat and a range of short break accommodation So where will you stay? There are some excellent spa breaks in beautiful locations, the nearest being Portmeirion village with top class accommodation and Mermaid Spa. Of perhaps you yearn for a tiny cottage with a cosy log
burner and hot tub. There is so much choice and it is all yours. The luxury first class observation carriages of the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways offer a real treat and on Saturdays, there is the Pullman Afternoon Tea between Porthmadog and Caernarfon with morning coffee on the outward journey and afternoon tea on the
y Bwlch station for a lovely woodland walk through the historic woods of the Vale of Ffestiniog down to the house and gardens. The railways themselves boast some beautiful gardens their stations. All are lovingly cared for by the staff and volunteers; though the local sheep view them as a handy place to eat! Keeping the stations smart and bright throughout the year might be thought of as a labour of love but, in fact, it is a chance for many volunteers
return. It’s just like a mini Orient Express. And of course, when you get here, you may just want to chill out and enjoy a steak and a glass of wine in Spooner’s bar or take a drink out to their terrace overlooking the platform and estuary in Porthmadog and watch the world go by. Whatever you want from your short break you are sure to find it here. www.festrail.co.uk
to come together to share their love of gardening and help to make the railway a place to be proud of. Combining a train ride with a garden visit is an ideal excuse for a short break in the area and is a great idea for gardening groups, with one-way train trips available as part of your day out. Visit the group section on the website for itineraries and information. www.festrail.co.uk