Explore the Area.

Surrounded by peaceful countryside, River Cottage provides the perfect base for exploring parts of Mid, North and West Wales and the Welsh Borders.

Photo by Jack B on Unsplash

Photo by Zihao Chen on Unsplash

Eryri National Park | Snowdonia National Park

Covering a total of 823 square miles, Eryri is Wales’ largest National Park. Home to over 26,000 people, Eryri’s landscape is steeped with culture, history, and heritage, where the Welsh language is part of the day-to-day fabric of the area.

Nearly 4 million people visit Eryri every year to explore its towering peaks and breath-taking valleys, find tranquillity in its lesser-trodden paths and discover its extensive recreation opportunities.

Plan your visit here: Snowdonia and Cader Idris

Photo by Anthony on Unsplash

Llyn Efyrnwy | Lake Vyrnwy

Lake Vyrnwy is a stunning destination in Wales that boasts natural beauty, rich history, and outdoor adventure. The area features a 5-mile-long reservoir surrounded by remote mountains and thick forests, creating a dramatic and awe-inspiring landscape that is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. Additionally, the lake has a fascinating history dating back to the 19th century when it was created by the Liverpool Corporation to provide safe water storage for the rapidly growing city of Liverpool.

Plan your visit here: Lake Vyrnwy

Photo by Zihao Chen on Unsplash

Photos by Marian Florinel Condruz on Unsplash

Castell Powis | Powis Castle

Built in the 13th century as a medieval fortress, the castle and garden you see today reflects the changing ambitions and visions of the Herbert family, who occupied the castle from the 1570s.

Furnished with decorative fabrics, world-class paintings, furniture, tapestries, and the unique Clive Collection of South Asian objects, the interior reflects the Elizabethan period through to the Edwardian period.

With views across the Severn Valley, the world-famous garden retains many of its original features including 17th century Italianate terraces lined with vibrant herbaceous borders and 30ft clipped yew trees, an Edwardian formal garden with century-old apple trees and rose beds, and a peaceful woodland area.

Plan your visit here: Powis Castle

Walking

Click on the links below to plan your adventures. The timings in pink are the approximate drive times from River Cottage.

Waterfalls / lakes

Rhiwargor waterfall (at Lake Vyrnwy) (20 mins)

Lake Vyrnwy (20 mins)

Pistyll Rhaeadr (45 mins)

Bala Lake (1 hour)

Elan Valley (1 hour 15 mins)

Swallow Falls (1 hour 15 mins)

Conwy Falls (1 hour 15 mins)

Devils Bridge Falls (1 hour 15 mins)

Beaches

Aberdovey (45 mins)

Barmouth (50 mins)

Harlech (1 hour)

Black Rock Sands (1 hour 15 mins)

Views

Cader Idris (30 mins)

Llyn Cau (30 mins)

Precipice Walk (30 mins)

Mawddach Trail (30 mins)

Bird Rock (50 mins)

Eryri | Snowdonia National Park (various)

Glyndwr's Way National Trail (various)

Offa's Dyke Path National Trail (various)

Dog Walks

Click on the links below to plan your adventures. The timings in pink are the approximate drive times from River Cottage.

Beaches – the beaches at Aberdyfi, Barmouth and Harlech are wide sandy beaches which stretch for miles – absolutely wonderful places for dogs! (various)

Cader Idris – a mountain range forming part of Eryri National Park – fantastic walks for all abilities (30 mins)

Chirk Castle – lovely walks around the Castle estate (55 mins)

Dinas Mawddwy - a choice of walks around Dinas Mawddwy (20 mins)

Dyfi Forest – pretty trails with riverside views (35 mins)

Dyfnant Forest – if you don’t want to venture too far from the cottage, there is a nice circular route following part of the Rainbow Trails from Pen y Fford (5 mins)

ElanValley - wonderful walks to suit all abilities, with a Visitor Centre and café (1 hour 15 mins)

Gregynog Hall – lovely walks around the grounds, just a small payment for parking required, there is a dog-friendly café too (30 mins)

Lake Vyrnwy – amazing walks for all abilities – we love the stunning Rhiwargor Waterfall walk (20 mins)

Mawddach Trail (Dolgellau to Barmouth) – for stunning views of the Mawddach estuary (40 mins)

Pont Llogel Wood – various walks through picturesque Welsh countryside (10 mins)

Powis Castle – wonderful walks within the Castle grounds, but dogs are only permitted September – February (please check for exact dates) (30 mins)