Things to do in Barmouth
When people think of Barmouth they often picture a traditional seaside resort. And it’s true, Barmouth is a fabulous place for families with miles of safe, clean, sandy beaches, donkey rides and trampolines, crabbing, candy floss and amusement arcades.
Barmouth also has a great heritage with links to Henry Tudor, the Titanic and the founding of the National Trust. A Heritage Trail leaflet will guide you around the key sites. Have you stepped beyond the Victorian High Street and explored the alleyways of “The Rock”, the oldest part of Barmouth? If not, why not try it?
Meanwhile the path across Barmouth Bridge, offers a great way to appreciate the stunning Mawddach estuary and enjoy the lovely views towards Barmouth harbour. The bridge now has an ‘honesty toll’ so remember a few coins to keep the Toll Troll happy! The bridge has now been fully restored with the four year programme completing in December 2023.
The harbour itself is a perfect place to relax with a coffee or perhaps explore the estuary by boat, you may even see dolphins! To get a close up view of the estuary and harbour, why not take a stand up paddleboard trip from the Yacht Club and get a whole new perspective on the familiar Barmouth landmarks?
Barmouth is a great base for walkers. As well as providing easy access to many of Snowdonia’s finest peaks, Barmouth is the starting point for several well-marked walks and cycle trails. The Tourist Information Point in Barmouth Station has books and maps and can suggest routes for all abilities.
If culture is your thing then head for The Dragon Theatre, cleverly converted from an old chapel. It offers a regular programme of events throughout the year. Details of all events are advertised outside the Dragon, around town and on their website. And of course you won’t be paying West-End prices!
Many people visit Barmouth during the year for a short break or a longer holiday. Many come back year after year. It’s that sort of place - it gets under your skin. So it’s not surprising that the town has more than the usual proportion of ‘ex-pats’ living here. Stand in any shop for a while and you’ll hear plenty of Welsh - accents and language - but you’ll also hear accents from across the UK and they are not just those of visitors.
We’re fully connected to the modern world with super-fast broadband and 4G in most places. Road and rail connections to the wider world take a bit of time, but allow relatively easy travel if you can ever bear to leave!
Sport
Alongside the vibrant Town Centre there are sporting facilities open to visitors as well as residents.
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The Leisure Centre has a well equipped gym, indoor cycling, sports hall and fitness classes.
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The Yacht Club welcomes visitors arriving by boat and has regular rowing, sailing and other activities.
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Barmouth Stand Up Paddleboarding offer a range of experiences from one-to-one tuition to group sessions and longer outings.
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The bowls club welcomes visitors on Club days (Monday, Wednesday and Saturday) and can arrange for groups to play on non-Club days. Contact 07818 871471 or 07464 041131 for details.
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The local football club welcomes all spectators on match days. Barmouth and Dyffryn United is one of the oldest Football Clubs in the UK and is still strongly supported by locals.
New for 2024
New ventures are starting up all the time in Barmouth. You will see new shops opening up on the High Street, operated by local families offering products that are often unique and locally made. Last year saw the opening of Tanio Bermo, a makerspace and business hub, supporting local businesses but also offering high-tech equipment to have a go with.
Opening in 2024 is a new history project, based in St John’s Church. This will provide a short history of Barmouth and the surrounding area, covering maritime, agriculture, the railway, tourism, myths and legends. Written by locals, telling the story of the people who used to live here, it is backed by a popular Facebook Page.
Community
There are various informal groups, from walking to sea swimming to book clubs who would be delighted to have you join in. Details on Facebook.
There’s a strong community feel and a fierce loyalty for the town amongst the inhabitants. But it’s the quality of life that draws people to settle here. Living at the mouth of the Mawddach Estuary you can’t help but be drawn into the environment and landscape. The tides become part of your DNA, the sea air fills your lungs, the mountains and beaches become your chill out space.