Named after the Welshsaint Peris, Llanberis is a village in Gwyneddin NorthWales, set plum in the middle of SnowdoniaNational Park. Edging the twin lakes of Llyn Padarn and Llyn Peris beneathMount Snowdon — the highest mountain in Englandand Wales — the village is a hotspot for outdoor pursuits such as walking,cycling and climbing, as well as for relaxing amid Snowdonia’s majestic landscapes.
Having grown up aroundthe area’s slate industry, Llanberis is one ofSnowdonia’s scenic gems with stirring views of Snowdon, known as Yr Wyddfa in Welsh, from almost every corner. Highlywalkable and buzzing with visitors during summer, the village centres on a longmain street flanked with rainbow-coloured houses, shops, restaurants and pubs,all seemingly clasped in place by the surrounding green mountains.
Shopping,Food and Relaxing in Llanberis
Outdoor types, sportsbuffs and anyone with an exploring streak will be in their element in Llanberis.The village is a shopper’s delight, with farm and craft shops, art galleries, outdoorstores and other independent emporiums strung along the high street. Restaurants,inns, delis and cafes are also here in numbers, serving everything from highquality, locally sourced food to traditional comfort dishes and tastytakeaways. And when evening hits, you’llfind a few inviting pubs perfect for a pint and occasional doses of live music.
CulturalAttractions in Llanberis
When you’re not out enjoyingthe mountains, you can stroll by the lakesides and busy yourself at Llanberis’two visitor centres — the NationalSlate Museum, which tells the story of the area’s slate industry, andElectric Mountain, a lakeside complex that offers tours of theunderground Dinorwig Power Station.
Attractions and Sports Around Llanberis
Llanberislays on a cornucopia of adventures and attractions to keep visitors happy. Ifyou like to take things slowly, you can ride the narrow gauge steam LlanberisLake Railway to admire the local scenery. Or you can catch thefamous Snowdon Mountain Railway to the summit ofMount Snowdon to drink in the bird’s eye views and visit its new HafodEryri visitor centre.
Walkers,hikers and climbers, meanwhile, can up the pace by going on foot. You can headup Snowdon using the Llanberis Path, which runs parallel to the SnowdonMountain Railway, and follow more strenuous trails such as the Pyg and Miner’spaths, revelling in the incredible scenery en route.
Another attraction isthe nearby Padarn Country Park, where you canthrow yourself into nature and heritage trails, try canoeing, rowing and evenscuba diving in Vivian Quarry, and sample funtreetop adventures.
Otherwise,you can visit 13th Century Dolbadarn Castle,discover the gruesome treatments meted out to 19th Century slate workers at theDinorwig Quarry Hospital Museum, or take outingsto Caernarfon and Penrhyn castles, picturesque villages and the north Walescoast with its gorgeous beaches.
Events in Llanberis
There’splenty going on Llanberis all year round,particularly on the sports front. The village fills with visitors for July’sSnowdon Race to the Summit, October’s gruelling Snowdonia Marathon, a series ofsummer triathlon events, and, in March, the annual Mountain FilmFestival.
