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Barmouth is located on the mouth of the estuary of the River (Afon) Mawddach, in Cardigan Bay on the north west coast of Wales. The town is in the south of the Snowdonia National Park and it is a truly beautiful location.
Originally a fishing village, renowned for it's boat building, the town of Barmouth has been a popular seaside resort for many years. The older houses cling to the side of the rocky hill that shelters Barmouth from the north, while the more modern buildings are squeezed together between the beach and the rocky hillside.

The beach at Barmouth has a wide  expanse of sand that never seems to be overcrowded even at the peak of the season. Whether you want a quiet spot to relax or like to play fun and games with all the family there is enough room on Barmouth beach for everybody. If your children like crabbing they will love Barmouth. From the town harbour to the end of the harbour wall there is always a bunch of kids (some older than others) dropping a line into the clear blue sea and comparing catches with each other before dropping the clawed crustaceans back into Davey Jones' domain. The second most popular tourist occupation on Barmouth harbour is buying a proper bag of Fish and Chips from the local Chippie and watching the crabbers crabbing.

Whether you want a fun seaside family holiday, (there is a Fun Fair and amusement arcades on the promenade) or a relaxing harbour town to chill out, Barmouth has it all.

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For the more energetic Barmouth is full of opportunities for activity holidays. There are an abundance of walks in and around the town. Walk through the Old Town climbing to the top of Dinas Olau for spectacular views of Cardigan Bay and the Mawddach Estuary. Or take the walk to Penmaenpool, cross the Barmouth Bridge to Morfa Mawddach station and follow the former railway track along the river bank to Penmaenpool. Revel in the delights of the spectacular Mawddach estuary and if bird watching is your thing then you have the added bonus of the the wide variety of bird life including waders and water fowl and other wild life on the edge of the Afon (River) Mawddach. Indeed the famous Victorian John Ruskin said that there is "no better walk than from Barmouth through to Dolgellau other than from Dolgellau to Barmouth" and I have to agree, the views of the Snowdonia mountains sweeping down to the Mawddach estuary are phenomenal.

Another of my favourite walks in Wales starts a few miles north of Barmouth at Llanbedr. From here a narrow road winds up into the hills following the rushing Afon Artro through some outstanding scenery to Llyn (Lake) Cwm Bychan. Beyond the lake the Roman Steps, an ancient pack horse trail, makes it way through a pass across the Rhinog mountains toward Trawsfynnydd.

Anglers in Barmouth are well catered for with a choice of fishing from the beach and harbour wall or taking one of the regular Sea Fishing Trips that depart daily from the town harbour, ....weather permitting. Freshwater anglers need to contact the Dolgellau Angling Association for information on fishing the Mawddach for Salmon and Sea Trout.

Cycling and Mountain Biking holidays are becoming ever more popular and Barmouth's position on route 8 of the National Cycle Network 'Lon Las Cymru' augers well for it's future as a "hub" in the Welsh cycle network. The 14 mile return journey from Barmouth to Dolgellau must be one of the most spectacular in Wales. As with the walk mentioned earlier the journey involves crossing the Barmouth Bridge and following the old railway track on a traffic free route as far as Dolgellau.

If you prefer your cycling a bit rougher then get on your Mountain Bike and head a few miles inland to the Coed y Brenin Forest. Here an ever increasing network of mountain bike trails have been developed into a world famous centre of excellence for Mountain Bikers. There is a restaurant and cycle shop (sales, repair, and hire) on the site and information on the many forest trails is to be found at the Visitor Centre.

If you wish to take the car and venture further afield I can honestly say that whichever way you travel you will find some of the best scenery in the United Kingdom.

Head north toward Harlech with it's medieval Castle, and the coastline is one long stretch of golden sands. Many of the beaches including Harlech, Dyffryn Ardudwy and Shell Island having massive sand dunes as a glorious backdrop. If you wish to travel slightly further afield then continue on past Harlech toward the beautiful Llyn Peninsula,  ......again fantastic beaches, ancient Castles, and rolling countryside.

Venture east up the Mawddach estuary toward Dolgellau and you then have the option of turning north into the heart of the Snowdonia National Park passing Trawsfynydd Lake and on toward Blaenau Ffestiniog. From here you may take the road down the beautiful Lledr Valley to Betws-y-Coed. From Betws the return journey can be via Capel Curig, Llyn Gwynant (another beautiful valley at the foot of Snowdon) the picturesque village of Beddgelert and down the Aberglaslyn Pass returning to Barmouth via Harlech and Dyffryn Ardudwy.

Another option is to head south from Dolgellau and take the inland route toward Machynlleth. Populated by an eclectic mix of local Welsh, ageing hippies and eco friendly incomers Machynlleth is well worth a visit, especially on Market Day .....but don't forget to take an umbrella !

From Machynlleth there is a beautiful drive along the Dyfi Valley to Aberdyfi, a fine seaside resort and harbour. The views in the Dyfi Estuary are only matched by the views of the Mawddach Estuary !

To return to Barmouth continue north up the coast to Tywyn and then take the even more scenic route by heading inland via the Dysynni Valley to Castell-y-Bere, Abergynolwyn, and Llyn Talyllyn (one of the most beautiful lakes in Wales). Skirt the foothills of Cader Idris and return through Dolgellau to the Mawddach Estuary and Barmouth.

The church of St Bodfan's, or more popularly known as St. Mary's, at Llanaber located 2 miles north of Barmouth is well worth a visit. The first church on this site was probably built by Bodfan, a Celtic Saint in the 6th century. The present church dates from the early 13th century and is generally recognised as the finest 13th-century church in Gwynedd. It was built by Hywel ap Gruffudd ap Cynan, a great grandson of Owain Gwynedd. The church houses the Llanaber stones dating from the late 5th-early 6th century AD.