Top Betws-y-Coed How to Get Around

Betws-y-Coed is Britain’s first artists’ colony, nestled at the entrance to Snowdonia National Park. On this self-guided walking tour, you’ll stroll down this village’s charming streets, riverside paths, and historic bridges to find out how this woodland paradise inspired generations of landscape painters. The tour starts at the historic Betws-y-Coed Railway Station. As you explore this picturesque settlement – meaning “prayer house in the woods“ – you’ll find out how painter David Cox established Britain’s first art colony here in 1844, forever changing the Welsh village’s fortunes. Other landscape artists, unable to travel to Europe during the Napoleonic Wars, soon discovered its dramatic beauty and, as railways brought Victorian tourists, the once-peaceful artist haven evolved into the gateway to Snowdonia we know today.

If you're local or visiting North Wales and are looking for something a bit different to do. Then you can now book your own personal photographer. Please message me for a full size, extended portfolio. These photoshoots are not your typical high maintenance, exotic beach and beauty shots. If anything, a bit of normality and even mud is encouraged! I keep things super casual and approachable for everyone. That's why my shoots are typically centred around a dog walk but if you don't have a dog, don't worry. The idea is we all go for a walk together and I run around getting those beautiful candid photos of your pets, your family and friends. Exactly where we go is flexible. There's an abundance of walks here in and around Betws, long and short, so I'm happy to discuss a route before we meet up. That said, I must insist, I am NOT a professional mountain guide, so please don't pitch the north face of Tryfan when you have zero equipment or experience in the hills.

Seek out the hidden gems of Snowdonia without having to do any research on this self-guided tour and treasure hunt. No need to pick up any equipment—the treasure hunt is accessed via an app on your smartphone and can be started at any time you like. Once you start playing, follow a map with hundreds of pins, which you can then visit to earn points and prizes.