Snowdonia: land of myths and mountains
Making the most out of a short break
by Richard Zahra
Conwy castle’s thick walls were tailored to fit a rock site that guarded the entrance to the river Conwy. Its massive, menacing towers were a terrifying symbol of strength, domination and permanence of the English rule in Wales. To the Welsh, it was a symbol of oppression. Spanning the river just below the castle, you can admire the Telford Suspension Bridge, a one-lane passage through which all traffic to North Wales had to pass during the 19th and early 20th centuries in order to cross the river. The increase in volume of traffic has spurred the building of a wider bridge sending Telford into retirement.
Bodnant Gardens, not far from Conwy, are an 80-acre oasis of landscaped beauty and stunning flora. The gardens are situated on sloping ground overlooking the River Conwy, looking east towards the Snowdon peaks. Bodnant Hall was built on the upper garden, which consists of formal, Italian-style terraced gardens and an informal lawn shaded by trees. The Dell, or lower garden, runs naturally along the valley of the river Hiraethlyn and consists of a wild garden with a stream gushing through it. Walking along the cobbled paths you can admire an immense variety of plants from all over the world, including China, North America, Europe and Japan. Bodnant is at its zenith in May, when its rhododendrons, magnolias, azaleas and camellias are in full bloom and its 100-foot-long laburnum arch is ablaze.
If you want to taste the wilder aspect of Snowdonia in its full glory, spending a day walking is a must. Various planned walking routes have been designated by the tourist board in the area around Betws-y-Coed. These range from short strolls to longer arduous treks, taking you through delightfully varied landscapes. You are spoilt for choice and limited only by time. Rugged mountains, wooded hills, spectacular waterfalls, shimmering lakes and mysterious remains from the past are waiting for you to be discovered.
The Celtic character of Wales, with its legends, heroes and declining language, seems to hide warily amongst the rugged peaks of Snowdonia, like the myth of Arthws (the legendary Arthur) who is supposed to be ‘sleeping’ but who, according to legend, will return in times of need. Perhaps, Celtic Welsh culture is the embodiment of this myth, waiting to emerge from centuries of suppression to flourish once more and be celebrated by visitors from all over the world.
Bodnant Gardens, not far from Conwy, are an 80-acre oasis of landscaped beauty and stunning flora. The gardens are situated on sloping ground overlooking the River Conwy, looking east towards the Snowdon peaks. Bodnant Hall was built on the upper garden, which consists of formal, Italian-style terraced gardens and an informal lawn shaded by trees. The Dell, or lower garden, runs naturally along the valley of the river Hiraethlyn and consists of a wild garden with a stream gushing through it. Walking along the cobbled paths you can admire an immense variety of plants from all over the world, including China, North America, Europe and Japan. Bodnant is at its zenith in May, when its rhododendrons, magnolias, azaleas and camellias are in full bloom and its 100-foot-long laburnum arch is ablaze.
If you want to taste the wilder aspect of Snowdonia in its full glory, spending a day walking is a must. Various planned walking routes have been designated by the tourist board in the area around Betws-y-Coed. These range from short strolls to longer arduous treks, taking you through delightfully varied landscapes. You are spoilt for choice and limited only by time. Rugged mountains, wooded hills, spectacular waterfalls, shimmering lakes and mysterious remains from the past are waiting for you to be discovered.
The Celtic character of Wales, with its legends, heroes and declining language, seems to hide warily amongst the rugged peaks of Snowdonia, like the myth of Arthws (the legendary Arthur) who is supposed to be ‘sleeping’ but who, according to legend, will return in times of need. Perhaps, Celtic Welsh culture is the embodiment of this myth, waiting to emerge from centuries of suppression to flourish once more and be celebrated by visitors from all over the world.