Hi Alison,

Ooh it's been years since I went to Aberdovey, my cousin moved there years ago but she now lives in Tywn, which is not far at all so that's another place you could visit, can't think of anywhere else other than the places you've already mentioned.

Hope you have a lovely time

Shell xx

Alison. I`m thrilled that you found somewhere, I`ve just found this after replying to your other thread! Betwsy-coed is a good day out, and each time we`ve been there it`s been glorious weather, I`m convinced it doesn`t rain there. Also, the Llechwydd(spelling) slate caverns are very good, but you need to be fairly fit. Anglesey is lovely, good shopping at Llanfairpg plus the station with the longest name and a nice, if small, butterfly park/mini zoo. Hope you have a great time, don`t forget to let us know how you got on.

I like the sound of Betwsy- coed and Anglesey, my parents would like the mines but im not very good in dark enclosed spaces

Its weird booking somewhere ive not seen photos of but the owner described the bungalow to me and it sounds great, I will be sure to post a review and lots of photos here after the holiday!

Shell - yes dad mentioned Tywn, very close so am sure we will visit there. Just found the tourist board site and it looks great there so much to do.

Have also arranged to meet an online friend from a vegan forum for lunch in Aberystwyth at the main veggie/vegan cafe there, so looking foward to that

Thanks Alison

Hi, it`s me again, just thought I`d mention that the slate caverns are quite large and fairly well lit caverns, you just need to be fit enough to walk up about 70 steps back to the surface lift, I ran out of puff, and everyone was waiting for me Well worth seeing though.

The Center for Alternative Technology, near Machynlleth (7miles ?), is definitely worth a visit and also the beach at Borth on the opposite side of the Estuary.

Do be careful swimming off the beaches as there are strong tidal currents.

Aberdovey itself is a charming little town with some quaint little shops and pubs.

If you go through Newtown (Powys) to get there there is a Laura Ashley seconds/ discontinued shop in the precinct in the town centre.

A trip on the Talyllyn railway departing from Towyn is a lovely day out. Or a drive up around Talyllyn Lake with the views of Cader Idris.

Machynlleth and Dolgellau are both nice little towns well worth a half day visit on market day.

There is a small railway museum at Corris and a lovely Mill completer with water wheel and lovely craft shops at Dinas Mawddy.

Aberystwyth isn't so far away for a day trip and it's a lovely drive down from Aberdovey.

To be honest, if you are blessed with good weather then there is nothing better than doing the numerous walks in that area because it is truly beautiful.

Am so looking foward to this holiday

The centre for alternative technology is top of the list (vegan friendly cafe there too!)

Have arranged to visit friend in Aberystwyth for lunch at a veggie cafe there. Im told there is a patesserie shop there that sells vegan cakes

Parents fancy the railway, and i shall be chasing any markets! got to find out if its general market or livestock market in Machynlleth

Am sure il manage a few walks - needed to walk off cakes!

Thanks for all these great ideas!

Alison

You may be a bit disappointed in the markets, Alison, we were told that Pwllheli was the biggest in the area, but it was quite small really, and the one in Barmouth was even smaller!Never made it to Machynleth though, so can`t speak for theirs.

I would also recommend a trip up to Lake Vyrnwy (near Welshpool). There is an RSPB centre there with bird hides and they organise various nature orientated events (such as dawn bird watching etc), there are several cafes, cycle & kayak hire, and various walking trails, picnic sites etc..

If you do decide to go there, you simply must visit the Lake Vyrnwy Hotel (carry on straight past the turn that takes you over the dam, and it is on your right set up in the hillside). When you go up the drive it does look a bit imposing but don't let this put you off, as there is a lovely public bar at the far end of the hotel (opposite to the carpark end). It serves lovely bar meals and you can sit outside (weather permitting) on the patio which has stunning views of the lake. If you are planning to eat there at the weekend , go early as it does get busy.

http://www.lakevyrnwy.com/

Its my personal favourite as I had my wedding reception there.

Also you might like a trip on the Llanfair (Caereinion) to Welshpool light Railway (you can catch a ride at either town).

There is also the National Trust property of Powys Castle near Welshpool -Whilst the Castle interior is not up to much, it has an excellent tea room and great gardens - great for a picnic and they also sell unusual plants.

Near to Welshpool is also the quaint little village of Montgomery - it has a great vegetarian catering cafe, a lovely old fashioned hardware/gift shop called Bunners, nice gallery/craft shop & other gift shops and a (ruined) castle on the hill top makes a pleasant short (15 minute). walk If you are heading back home toward Shrewsbury , definitely put it on your list.

Keep these great days out ideas coming in - im building up a very good list thanks!

Dad is a very keen twitcher! so will be sure to be off in the direction of any RSPB reserve!

That hotel sounds nice for a drink - eating out with me takes some advance planning as im vegan so have to give pubs etc... a bit of notice. However ive seen in my veggie guide theres 3 places in Aberystwth and the CAT centre that do vegan food

Parents are members of national trust so might want to go to Powys castle, Harlech castle sounds good too.

Alison

Hi Alison

Just found this site for your dad (check out the events page nearer the time of your visit);
http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/l/lakevyrnwy/

Some other things to check out;

Ian Snow's shop in Machynlleth - brillant selection of ethnic gifts & clothing.

There is no livestock market in Machynlleth (or 'Mach' as it is known locally)- I think there is still a street market but it not very big - there always used to be a big Sunday car boot on the coast between Mach and Borth - but not sure if that still happens.

I would give the Lake Vyrnwy a ring if you intend to visit for lunch as the bar food and restuarant food are both prepared in the same kitchen and they employ top class chefs - so I would have thought they could accommodate your dietary needs with a bit of notice - that said there is no problem simply sitting and having a drink in the public bar area (make sure you sit in the front lounge and not in the pool table room at the back if you want to enjoy the views !). I asked them to make a birthday cake for my daughters first birthday when we went there for lunch - it was beautiful !
But if you do, don't forget to tell them you will be taking food in the bar and not the 5*restaurant ...er ...there could be a bit of difference in price !

Just to confirm, as I've now found out from my welsh sources......

Market day in Machynlleth is Wednesday.

Big car boot sale near Borth still held on Sunday mornings (close to Ynyslas which is also worth a visit - http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/mid/sites/reserves/pages/ynyslas.shtml ) .

A good website for your trip ;
http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/mid/

Thanks for that we all love a good car boot on a Sun am so thats really useful. Will need to locate a supermarket on the Sun for food supplies too.

Will pass on bird reserve info to dad, and Il be at that market Weds

Alison

Which direction will you be approaching Aberdovey from ?

The nearest mini-supermarkets are the Co-op and the Spar in Machynlleth, in the main street .
There is a larger supermarket (Morrisons) in Newtown on the Welshpool Road (Pool Road) and a Spar in the main street in the centre (Broad St.) - if you are coming from that direction.
Thereis a large supermarket outside Dolgellau, and one in Aberystwyth (both Morrisons ? - used to be Safeways).
These are all open till about 4pm Sunday, except the Spars, which are open later.

You can get very basic provisions in Aberdovey, even on Sundays, as it is busy with tourists in the Summer, so most shops tend to be open until approx 5pm.

I will have to get dad to decide on his route! We will prob leave shopping til Sun and take some basic supplies.

Not enough room in the car for much food but i want to take some of my vegan things i might not find there!

Im sure we will find some nice local produce too like vege and bread, reckon we will head to the car boot on Sunday so can link that with finding a supermarket..............

Co Ops good for vegan stuff - but I will go to Aberwstyth for the health shops, and Machynlleths meant to have a shop/cafe for veggie stuff linked to the CAT centre.

Thanks again for the info

Alison

Another question......anyone know of any internet cafes in the Aberdovey area? or a library with internet access?

I will need to check my email a couple of times during the week!

Alison

Sorry for the delay in responding ...yes there is an internet cafe near the town centre in Machynlleth;

http://www.cyber-space.co.uk/machynlleth/cyber.htm

Also I just had a thought for your dad if he likes the birds ...there is a Red Kite centre in Mid Wales that is not too far away;

http://www.gigrin.co.uk/index.html

Thanks for that - i like to get on the internet even when oh holiday!

Dad has stayed at Gigrin farm - a wonderful place!

Not long to go now 2 1/2 work days left!

Alison

Hope you have a lovely holiday Alison, I`m sure you`ll love Aberdovey, the whole area in fact.