'Loveliest ever' village filled with legends next to wooded vales and mountain lakes

Nestled in the heart of Eryri/Snowdonia National Park lies the hidden gem village of Beddgelert.

While many travellers often drive straight past it on their way to summit Mount Snowdon, the picture-perfect village is well worth a stop.

Surrounded by rolling velvet-green valleys, winding rivers and set in the backdrop of mountains, Beddgelert hides hundreds of years of history and is even the home to some Welsh myths and legends.

The stone-built village straddles a babbling river and is the perfect place to use as a space to explore some of the region's hikes and trails, whether it's the Aberglaslyn Pass to the south, Nant Gwyan to the east or braving Snowdon to the north.

According to the Beddgelert website, its local scenery is not one to be missed, they write: “Wooded vales, rocky slopes and mountain lakes fill the surrounding countryside.

"And what a countryside it is, with scenery, activities, attractions, history and culture for all.

According to Welsh travel experts, “everyone loves Beddgelert”, and its legendary origins only add to that. Beddgelert’s very name means “Gelert's grave”, with the village having close ties to the medieval legend of Llywelyn the Great and his faithful hound Gelert.

According to legend, Llywelyn returned one day to find his baby missing and Gelert with blood around his mouth. Assuming the Gelert was behind his baby’s demise, Llywelyn killed his dog.

Only moments later, he heard the cry of his child and found them safe and well, next to a dead wolf that Gelert had managed to protect the child from. Grief-stricken and filled with remorse for killing his dog, Llywelyn buried his loyal companion in a huge ceremony at the village.

A grave was erected for the dog by a local landlord in the 18th century, with a walk and trail providing a great way to explore the village and its surrounding hills.

Once you're back, the small but friendly village boasts lots of things to keep you busy, whether it's cosying up in one of the hotels, B&Bs, or guesthouses or spending the afternoon in front of a fire at a local pub.

Despite its iconic status, Beddgelert remains small, with fewer than 500 residents, but it is bursting with warmth and character.

Its cobblestone lanes, medieval stone cottages, and pubs transport you back in time to a fairytale setting, and it is perfect to visit in autumn, with Fine Country event naming it as one of the UK’s “prettiest autumn villages”.

For a different look at the village's history, nearby is the Sygun Copper Mine. Copper was mined in the Snowdown valleys for centuries, with some sources even dating it as far back as Roman times.

But to be transported to its more modern history, Beddgelert is also on the historic Welsh Highland Railway, which runs from Caernafon to Porthmadog.