Bwch Yn Uchaf Camping and Caravanning Park

If you’ve developed an addiction to steam railways in fine scenery, the renowned Blaenau Ffestiniog and Snowdon Mountain Railways are in easy reach (40 minutes’ and an hour and a quarter’s drive, respectively); the latter takes you to the top of Mount Snowdon if you'd rather puff there by train than under your own steam. The area is laced with walks and bike trails, many taking you up Snowdon the hard (but rewarding) way; Mount Aran is not a lot smaller and paths to its summit start close to the site. For heights of a different kind, Zipworld has two bases in the area, Fforest (45 minutes) and Slate Caverns (50 minutes), both offering record-breaking zip rides in grand surrounds. If you prefer your feet planted firmly on the ground, the village of Portmeirion is 50 minutes away; a remarkable little slice of Italy built on Welsh soil, and of sci-fi history, too. For a more traditional take on the Welsh seaside, Barmouth beach with its candy floss and donkey rides is 40 minutes away. Cross the estuary for views from the bridge, then take the coastal path round to Fairbourne for another fine railway trip, ending in a ferry ride back to Barmouth.