Attractions

HistoryPoints QR codes

Look out for HistoryPoints QR codes at scores of places in the Llanberis area. Scan the codes with your mobile to read a brief history of each featured building, ruin, memorial, structure or site. You'll find sequences of the QR codes along popular paths, including the traffic-free route alongside Llyn Padarn and the main paths at the old Dinorwig slate quarry.
All of the information is also available on the historypoints.org website. For example, click here to discover the story of a legendary strongwoman who rowed copper ore across both lakes, wrestled, hunted, shod horses and played the harp.

Website

Dolbadarn Castle
Dolbadarn Castle is a fortification built by the Welsh prince Llywelyn ap Iorwerth, Llywelyn the Great, during the early 13th century. The castle was important both militarily and as a symbol of Llywelyn’s power and authority. Situated at the entrance to the Llanberis Pass it protected the old village of Llanberis located where Nant Peris is now. The castle features a large stone keep, 15.2m high which is considered to be the finest surviving example of a Welsh round tower. In 1284 Dolbadarn Castle was taken by King Edward 1 who built a new castle in Caernarfon. The castle was used as a manor house for some years before falling into ruin. In the 18th and 19th century it was a popular destination for painters, Turners painting is considered to be iconic. It is now owned by CADW the Welsh government’s historic environment service. Cadw means ‘to keep’ or ‘to protect’ in Welsh.

Free entry

National Slate Museum Llanberis
Shadowed by towering slate mountains, the National Slate Museum is housed in the Industrial Victorian Workshops that once serviced and maintained the enormous Dinorwig slate quarry above it. The workshops catered for all the repair and maintenance work demanded by a quarry, which once employed well over 3,000 men.

Attractions include our stunning introductory film, To Steal A Mountain, daily slate splitting demonstrations by quarry craftsmen and a giant waterwheel - the largest of its kind on mainland Britain.

Wander through the Quarrymen’s Houses - re-erected stone by stone at the museum and furnished to show key dates in the slate industry’s history and step back in time in the foundry or workers’ mess room. Call by the blacksmith at work in the Smithy and get all steamed up with UNA* - our Hunslett Locomotive - once used to haul rubble in the quarries but now - at over 100 years old – the Museum’s pride and joy.  (*Not functional in 2022)

Events
The museum holds events throughout the year including Seasnal activities, exhibitions and site talks.

How to find us
By car: Located in Padarn Country Park off the A4086 in Llanberis.
When in Llanberis follow the signs for Padarn Country Park. Sat Nav LL554TY.

Please note there is £5 parking charge in the car park ( run by Gwynedd Council)

Paybyphone app available – location number 804552

Essential Visitor Information and Facilities

• FREE ADMISSION
  
• Gift shop and Café
  
• Children’s play area
  
• Annual events programme
  
• Baby changing facilities
  
• Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult at all time
  
• Disabled toilets
  
• Wheelchair access to most of building

Visiting
Address: National Slate Museum Llanberis, Padarn Country Park, Llanberis, LL554TY
Telephone: +44(0)29 20 573700
Email: slate@museumwales.ac.uk
Website: www.museumwales.ac.uk / www.museum.wales/slate

Find us on FACEBOOK, Twitter, Instagram

Opening hours
Easter – October: Daily 10am – 5pm
November – March: Sunday – Friday 10am – 4pm (Closed on Saturdays in the winter)

Free Entry

Padarn Country Park

Padarn Country Park covers an area of 800 acres on the bank of Llyn Padarn. Coed Dinorwig, an SSSI has within its boundaries rare and ancient Sessile Oaks, Birch, Mountain Ash, Holly and Hazel. Bluebells in spring, and many ground covering plants, ferns, lichens and mosses provide homes and habitat for wildlife and birds Woodpeckers, Flycatchers are amongst the rarer ones. Lesser Horseshoe, Common Pipistrelle and Daubenton bats can be seen in Vivian Quarry and above Llyn Padarn.

Llyn Padarn also a SSSI, is the 6th deepest lake in Wales, has swimming quality water and is home to a rare alpine fish, Arctic Charr. Otters and Wildfowl frequent the lake and the outflow, Afon Rhythallt is a critical spawning site for Salmon and Sea-trout.

Vivian quarry a magnificent quarry hole which is now flooded, is used by the Vivian Dive Centre.

Address: Llanberis, Gwynedd, LL55 4TY
Website: www.gwynedd.llyw.cymru/en/Residents/Leisure-parks-and-events/Parks-and-green-spaces/Parc-Padarn-Country-Park.aspx
Email: parcgwledigpadarn@gwynedd.llyw.cymru
Telephone: 01286 870892

Padarn Watersports Centre / Boulder Adventures
Kayaking & Canoeing, Raft building, Rock Climbing & Abseiling, Gorge Scrambling, Coasteering, Canyoning, Mountain Days all can be arranged for Stag & Hen Parties, Family Getaways, Military Groups, corporate events, Youth Groups and School Trips.

Address: Padarn Country Park / Gilfach Ddu, Llanberis, LL55 4TY
Contact: Bryn Du Mountain Centre, Ty Du Road, Llanberis LL55 4HE
Website: www.boulderadventure.co.uk
Email: info@boulderadventure.co.uk
Telephone: 01286 870556

Ropeworks Active
High Ropes 2 hour adventure. Low ropes for 3 – 8 year olds.
Off site – Hill walking & Scrambling, Climbing, Gorge Walking
Individuals, Corporate, Education & Youth organisations, Celebrations & Birthday Parties.

Address: Gilfach Ddu / Padarn Country Park, Llanberis, LL55 4TY
Website: www.ropeworksactive.co.uk
Email: hello@ropeworksactive.co.uk
Telephone: 01286 871114/ 07766 000467

Peris Valley Peace Statue
Hold the peace torch for a moment and make a wish for peace.

Llanberis Lake Railway

Discover the timeless appeal of one of the Great Little Train of Wales – a leisurely way to travel alongside Llyn Padarn. Open from March to the end of October with additional services in February and November, Santa trips in December.

Address: Gilfach Ddu / Padarn Country Park, Llanberis, LL55 4TY
Website: www.lake-railway.co.uk
Email: sales@lake-railway.co.uk
Telephone: 01286 870549

Snowdon Mountain Railway

Take a once in a lifetime adventure on the Snowdon Mountain Railway which has been described as one of the most scenic railway journeys in the world. Trains depart from Llanberis Station and begin their climb up Snowdon, Yr Wyddfa, a journey experienced by some 12 million travellers since 1896.

The railway operates from mid-March until the end of October. Two services are available, the Traditional Diesel Service and Heritage Steam Experience. During 2022 trains will run daily to Clogwyn Station ¾ distance up Snowdon (weather permitting). With stunning scenery and awe-inspiring views it’s all part of a great day out for you and your family in North Wales.

Advance booking highly recommended.

Address: Victoria Terrace, Llanberis, Gwynedd, LL55 4TT
Website: www.snowdonrailway.co.uk
Email: info@snowdonrailway.co.uk
Telephone: 01286 870223

Fishing

Trout and Perch are very numerous in Llyn Padarn, as well as the historic Arctic char.Salmon and Seatrout also enter the lake from early summer.Day tickets for angling are available as are weekly and full season tickets.The season extends from 20th March to 17th October.

Tickets are available from

Menter Fachwen Shop on the High Street,Llanberis 01286 870681,

and Spar shop at London Garage,Cwm y Glo-open from 07.00-21.00.

Day ticket £20,Youth Ticket £6; Tickets can be bought on-line

https://www.fishingpassport.co.uk/fishing/upland-llyns/llyn-padarn-sgll-fishing-society

For further information:
www.sgll.co.uk
or Facebook- Seiont Gwyrfai a Llyfni

Snowdonia Watersports

Uned 2 Unit
Y Glyn
Parc Gwledig Padarn Country Park
Llanberis
Gwynedd
LL55 4EL

Gwasanaeth / Service
Water-sports, Shop and Activity Provider

tel: 01286 879001
e-mail: info@snowdoniawatersports.com
web: www.snodoniawatersports.com

Padarn Watersports Centre / Boulder Adventures
Kayaking & Canoeing, Raft building, Rock Climbing & Abseiling, Gorge Scrambling, Coasteering, Canyoning, Mountain Days all can be arranged for Stag & Hen Parties, Family Getaways, Military Groups, corporate events, Youth Groups and School Trips.

Address: Padarn Country Park / Gilfach Ddu, Llanberis, LL55 4TY
Contact: Bryn Du Mountain Centre, Ty Du Road, Llanberis LL55 4HE
Website: www.boulderadventure.co.uk
Email: info@boulderadventure.co.uk
Telephone: 01286 870556

Padarn Rowing Boats
Address: Ger Y Llyn, LL55 4TY
Service: Rowing Boats Hire
FB: Padarn Rowing Boats
Email: padarnrowingboats@gmail.com
Telephone: 01286 870556

Ceunant Mawr Waterfall

Care, especially with young children should be taken when visiting the waterfalls, the path runs parallel
with the river and is two to three meters higher, there are no barriers or handrails and is not not suitable for wheelchair users.