Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Entertainment
Theatr Harlech
( 01766-780667;
www.theatrharlech.com
; Ffordd Newydd)
Quite an impressive theatre for a town of
this size, Theatr Harlech is a lively local arts centre that stages dance, theatre and music,
and screens a well-considered assortment of Hollywood blockbusters and artier, higher-
brow films.
THEATRE, CINEMA
Information
Harlech Tourist Office
( 01766-780658;
www.eryri-npa.gov.uk
;
High St; 9.30am-5.30pm Easter-Oct)
At the
time of writing, plans were afoot to convert the Castle Hotel (opposite the castle) into a
new visitor centre and cafe.
Getting There & Around
Harlech is on the Cambrian Coast Line, with direct trains to Machynlleth (£12, 1½ hours),
Fairbourne (£5.60, 37 minutes), Barmouth (£4.60, 23 minutes), Porthmadog (£3.80, 24
minutes) and Pwllheli (£7.80, 47 minutes). The station is at the base of the rocks, below
the castle; it's a strenuous 20-minute climb on one of several stepped tracks up to High St,
or about half a mile by road.
Bus 38 to Barmouth (30 minutes) stops on High St; some buses continue on to Dolgellau
(one hour).
Cycle path Lôn Las Cymru passes through Harlech, heading north to Porthmadog and
south to Barmouth.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Blaenau Ffestiniog
POP 4880
Most of the slate used to roof 19th-century Britain came from Wales, and much of that
came from the mines of Blaenau Ffestiniog. However, only about 10% of mined slate is
usable, so for every tonne that goes to the factory, 9 tonnes are left as rubble. Despite be-
ing in the very centre of Snowdonia National Park, the grey mountains of mine waste that
surround Blaenau (
blay
-nye) prevented it from being officially included in the park - a
slap in the face for this close-knit but impoverished town in the days before Wales' indus-
trial sites were recognised as part of its heritage.
