Snowdonia National Park - Places to Visit in the UK
History of the National Park
This National Park covers over 800 square miles and with river valleys, many lakes and high peaks and wildlife in all its forms. With 23 miles of coastline and the estuaries this is a bird watcher’s paradise with a variety of wild fowl and rare birds such as the Merlin and Peregrine Falcon and the icing on the cake is an Artic Alpine plant called the Snowdon Lily.
In the woodlands trees of hazel, rowan and oak are still growing and at one time the mountain slopes were covered with these broad leaf trees. Snowdonia National Park has more Nature Reserves than any other National Park in the UK.
Being one of the most beautiful and ancient areas in Europe visitors often return to enjoy the natural environment and experience the history of this Celtic principality where people have lived and worked for over 5000 years.
Within the park there are over 26,000 people living and working and although most of the land is mountainous and open, agriculture plays a significant part in the local economy. Blaenau Ffestiniog is a town set in the middle of Snowdonia round a hole in the middle of the Park where there is an active slate quarry where special commissions from all over the world are produced from the local Welsh slate.
Mountain Railway
The name Snowdonia originates from Snowdon which is the highest mountain in Wales and England reaching to over 3,500 feet and probably the reason a railway goes to the top for those who prefer not to walk. The Welsh name for Snowdon translates to mean “tomb” and “place of eagles” is the welsh name for the National Park; sadly the mountains are no longer home to the majestic eagles. The mountain railway is the only rack and pinion rail link open to the public and was built in 1896. Tickets are bought in the traditional booking office in Llanberis where the train leaves and the 5 mile journey to the top is breathtaking with views of Snowdonia and beyond. At the top a cup of hot chocolate and piece of cake keep out the blustery wind and possibly heavy mist.
National Park Commission
Within the British Isles Snowdonia National Park is the capital for modern outdoor activities in a setting of mountains, rivers and woods plus sandy beaches and imposing cliffs. Having land and sea provides a great choice of things to do including Mountaineering, Fell Trekking, Mine Exploration, Pony Trekking, Sailing, Scuba Diving, Para-gliding and Survival Training or just enjoy the clean air on a gentle walk with a pair of binoculars.
On a towering rock above Tremadog Bay stands the 700 year old Harlech Castle built by Edward the First to overawe Wales. With rugged walls and high towers it is only challenged by the distant mass of purple which is Mount Snowdon.
The National Park Commission is dedicated to preserving the natural beauty and the enjoyment of visitors to Snowdonia. Reconciling conservation with recreation, local economy and tourism and maintaining traditional land and the cultural heritage of the people is the aim of the Commission and those who visit benefit from this inspiring and dramatic National Park.