Cambrian Coast Railway
The Cambrian Coast railway consists of two branches from Machynlleth to Aberystwyth and Pwllheli. Hugging the coastline, the line offers spectacular views and interesting places to see for a cheap touring day out.
The impressive Barmouth Bridge
Times and Fares
A One Day Ranger ticket is available, giving unlimited travel for about £8 per person, or less for families travelling together. Trains are usually clean, modern and comfortable and can be either completely empty or jam-packed depending on when you're travelling. Sunday services are quite infrequent so days out are best planned for weekdays or Saturdays.
Useful external links:
- General train travel information
- Current line timetables
- Day Ranger ticket information
- Hotels near the Cambrian Coast and Snowdonia
Station-by-station Guide
Printable Guide
Download a more detailed guide to the Cambrian Coast Line that you can print and take with you:
cambriancoastguide.pdf (3.6MB)
Machynlleth
A typical small Welsh market town with all sorts of specialist shops selling crafts, antiques, souvenirs and most other things you'd expect, as well as a couple of cafes.
Other visitor attractions here include the Tabernacl gallery and the various challenging mountain biking routes centered on the town.
Dovey Junction
Two platforms and a shelter located in the middle of nowhere. The only real reason it still exists is to let people change between trains when it's not possible to do so at Machynlleth.
If you do fancy exploring, the station footpath runs from the Aberystwyth end of platform 1 to the tiny village of Glandyfi three-quarters of a mile away. Turn right at the end of the path and within 20 minutes' walk you can be in Eglwysfach for the Ynyshir nature reserve, or just slighty further the picturesque Dyfi Furnace.
Penhelig and Aberdovey
These two stations are located at either end of Aberdovey (Aberdyfi), a small seaside resort very popular for sailing and with a couple of good places to eat.
The sand dunes by Aberdovey station and the large sandy beach have superb views across the estuary to Ynyslas and are great on a sunny day.
Also worth a few minutes is an estuary path which clambers along the rocky banks of the Dovey (Dyfi) River from the small gardens by Penhelig station.
Tywyn
Another resort town, but quite a bit bigger than Aberdovey with lots of houses and a busy high street. The beach is a few hundred yards form the station.
The main tourist draw here, apart from the caravan parks, is the Talyllyn Railway - a preserved steam railway which chuffs off into the hillside towards Abergynolwyn.
Tonfanau
One of the most little-used stations in the UK, Tonfanau doesn't really serve anywhere any more and only narrowly escaped being closed in 1995. Perhaps it could be an OK picnic spot, what with the nice views of Tywyn.
All that you can see here is the remains of a long-gone army base. Built in 1938 and demolished in the mid 1980s, a couple of walls and some foundations remain.
Sweeping views from Llwyngwril
Llwyngwril
Another of Gwynedd's small coastal villages - some houses, a school and a couple of shops. A climb up onto the hill behind the village offers a wonderful view out to sea, with the mountains of North Wales stretching into the distance.
If you want to get off the train here and go for a wander, you'll find that Fairbourne's just under 3 miles' walk away. Tonfanau is around 5 miles away - the walk is sometimes pretty and sometimes dull - but never unpleasant.
Fairbourne
Quieter neighbour to Barmouth. The 2-mile stretch of sandy beach is still edged with concrete wartime fortifications.
Fairbourne is the terminus of the Fairbourne & Barmouth Steam Railway. This runs from the mainline station, along the seafront and then along a pier sticking out into the Mawddach Estuary. From the Pier, there's a ferry you can catch across the water to Barmouth.
Morfa Mawddach
There isn't much to see here, although if you had a bike you could follow the Mawddach Trail along the estuary to Dolgellau.
You can also walk across the toll bridge shared with the railway as an alternative way to arrive in Barmouth. The views inland are lovely and walking gives you a bit more time to take everything in than when on the train.
Barmouth
One of the most popular destinations on the Cambrian Coast and, during the holiday season, very busy with tourists from the Midlands.
It's not a huge resort, but it boasts the usual attractions such as a big sandy beach, lots of fast food and ice cream places and amusements. There are a couple of interesting shops, such as the antiques and bric-a-brac centre housed in an old chapel.
Away from the bustling seafront, the town seems to be built almost vertically up the rocky hillside and there are lots of paths that lead to viewpoints high up above the town.
Llanaber
Llanaber is just past the northern end of Barmouth. It's further than most of the tourists get, but is within walking distance along the sea wall and beach.
It's not a great beach for exploring as it's all huge rocks - no good for stretching out on, but perhaps a nice quiet alternative to Barmouth for enjoying the sea and sun. A cemetry just above the station has memorials to many of Barmouth's former residents.
Harlech Castle, perched high on the cliff
Harlech
The well-known castle at Harlech is a magnificent landmark, perched high up on the hillside looking out to sea. If you wish, you can pay to go inside and explore the remains, as well as admiring the exterior from outside.
If you've made the steep climb up to the castle, you can also explore the village - there are a couple of places catering for visitors and there's also a viewpoint looking out over the Irish Sea that is mentioned in the Welsh 'Mabinogion' legends.
Tygwyn, Talsarnau and Llandecwyn
Three tiny stations - no real reason to get off the train at any of them, but all are within walking distance of each other using the public footpaths in the area.
Tygwyn is just a house, level crossing and a road to the sea a mile away. Talsarnau serves the village of the same name, and a walk towards the waterside reveals a view of Portmeirion clinging to the hillside across the water. Llandecwyn has a tiny platform that will only accommodate one door of the train at once and offers an alternative to Penrhyndeudraeth for viewing the estuary.
Penrhyndeudraeth and Minffordd
These stations are within easy walking distance of each other, either end of the village of Penrhyndeudraeth.
Penrhyndeudraeth is just a large village, but the sandy estuary it is located by is rather spectacularly punctuated by the huge electricity pylons which originate at nearby Trawsfynydd power station.
Minffordd station has an interchange with the Ffestiniog Railway from Porthmadog to Blaenau Ffestiniog. It is also the closest station to the colourful, dream-like village of Portmeirion - well worth a visit (and they may give you a discount if you show them your train ticket).
Porthmadog
Small town with a marina and harbour and a busy high street.
Porthmadog has two steam railways: the Ffestiniog Railway to Blaenau Ffestiniog, and the shorter Welsh Highland Railway which is currently being extended.
Also to be found here is a maritime museum, and a museum of vintage cars and motorcycles.
Criccieth
Pleasant, large village neighbouring Porthmadog.
Try a walk along the seafront and beach, remembering to pick up an ice cream from locally-famous Cadwalader's (also found in Porthmadog).
Criccieth Castle is perched on a hill above the beach and although somewhat smaller than Harlech's it's quite a nice little place.
Don't forget - there's much more information in the printable guide to the Cambrian Coast Line:
cambriancoastguide.pdf (3.6MB)