Things to do in Porthmadog
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Rheilffordd Ffestiniog Railway
The Rheilffordd Ffestiniog Railway is a fantastic, twisting and precipitous 13.5-mile narrow-gauge railway that was built between 1832 and 1836 to haul slate down to Porthmadog from the mines at Blaenau Ffestiniog. Horse-drawn wagons were replaced in the 1860s by steam locomotives and the line was opened up as a passenger service. Saved from years of neglect, it is one of Wales' most spectacular and beautiful narrow-gauge journeys. Because it links the Cambrian Coast and Conwy Valley main lines, it also serves as a serious passenger transport option. Nearly all services are steam-hauled. A standard all-day rover ticket offers unlimited travel.
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Purple Moose Brewery
The Purple Moose Brewery is one of about 30 microbreweries across Wales. From humble beginnings the venture is now very much a working business with a small staff of four and contacts to supply pubs across North Wales from Anglesey to Harlech. In August 2006 the Snowdonia Ale won the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) award for Champion Beer.
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Welsh Highland Railway
The same company also runs the sibling Welsh Highland Railway from Porthmadog to Pen-y-Mount, and Caernarfon to Rhyd Ddu. Extensions to the network to Blaenau Ffestioniog and Porthmadog are planned for completion by 2009 for links to Snowdonia National Park.
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Mariner
A very small BYO eatery by the harbour, the Mariner is a café by day and a restaurant specialising in fresh fish by night. The tables outside are an attractive feature on sunny evenings.
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Café
Next door to the Big Rock Hotel, the owners run a café with a strict 'no chips' policy, fair-trade products and lots of smoothies. The owners take an interest in Christian faith issues.
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Maritime Museum
Next to the tourist office, the tiny Maritime Museum has a low-key pocket history of the highs and lows of topsail schooners and other sailing ships in a wharf-side slate shed.
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Kerfoots
The most famous local institution is Kerfoots, an independent department store, established 1874, with a range of household goods. There's also a useful little coffee shop.
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Rob Piercey Gallery
The Rob Piercey Gallery showcases the work of Piercey, a local artist and member of the Watercolour Society of Wales, who specialises in mountain landscapes.
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Ship Inn
A great local pub with a traditional feel and decent real ales, the Ship Inn has a wide menu of hearty pub fare, including speciality grills and curries.
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Grapevine
A no-frills spot with a sun terrace out deck, this welcoming locals' place offers snack lunches, traditional mains and a kid's menu for families.
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Cob Records
Cob Records is a great little independent record shop with a healthy collection of Welsh bands and music.
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Allports
For a traditional fish supper, Allports is an award-winning fish 'n' chip shop with a local following.
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Australia
For a pint, Australia is a lively, rough-and-ready place with simple bar meals (noon to 20:00 daily).
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Browsers Bookshop
Browsers Bookshop has a good selection of books and maps for walkers and fans of local history.
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Tesco Supermarket
For self-caterers there are two supermarkets in Porthmadog: Tesco and Spar.
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Spar Supermarket
For self-caterers there are two supermarkets in Porthmadog: Tesco and Spar.
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Coliseum
A classic, old-fashioned picture house showing the latest releases.
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Purple Moose Brewery
One of approximately 30 microbreweries across Wales, Purple Moose has grown from humble beginnings to employ four people and supply pubs across North Wales. Its award-winning tipples include Snowdonia Ale, Madog's Ale, Glaslyn Ale and Dark Side of the Moose. You can buy these and associated memorabilia from the brewery shop. Tours are given on request, if it's not too busy.
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Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways
There are 'little trains' all over Wales, a legacy of Victorian industry, but Porthmadog is doubly blessed. These two lines top and tail the town, with a station at each end of the High St. They're run by the oldest independent railway company in the world, established by an Act of Parliament in 1832.
Departing from the south end, near the Cob, the Ffestiniog Railway is a fantastic, twisting and precipitous narrow-gauge railway that was built between 1832 and 1836 to haul slate down to Porthmadog from the mines at Blaenau Ffestiniog. Horse-drawn wagons were replaced in the 1860s by steam locomotives and the line became a passenger service. Saved after years of neglect, it …
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Borth-y-Gest
The best views over the estuary are from Terrace Rd, which becomes Garth Rd above the harbour. At its end a path heads down to Borth-y-Gest, a pretty horseshoe of candy-coloured houses overlooking a sandy bay. At the other end of the crescent the path continues around the cliffs; if you look carefully you should be able to spot Harlech Castle in the distance.
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Portmeirion
Set on its own tranquil peninsula reaching into the estuary, Portmeirion is an oddball, gingerbread collection of buildings with a heavy Italian influence, masterminded by the Welsh architect Sir Clough Williams-Ellis. Starting in 1926, Clough collected bits and pieces from disintegrating stately mansions to create this weird and wonderful seaside utopia over the course of 50 years. When it was deemed to be finished in 1976, Clough had reached the ripe old age of 90 and had designed and built many of the structures himself. Today the buildings are all listed and the site is a conservation area.
It's really much more like an amusement park or a stage set than an actual vill…
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