Last time I visited the area I took the train up to the top of Snowdon.  What I didn’t realise then was how much more there was locally.  This time I visited the Padarn Country Park at the foot of the mountain.

This centres around a large lake as shown in the photo above (with Snowdon in the background.)

The first attraction you see is the National Slate Museum.

Entry is free and it puts many places to shame – there is lots to see including demonstrations.  The picture can’t do justice to the waterwheel – it’s huge – at least 4 stories high.  Best of all it’s still working and transmitting it’s power to the remainder of the site though the network of pulleys.

Then elsewhere in the park, you can visit the Quarry Hospital, high on the hill

Up to now the weather had been fine – a little cloudy but warm.  By 3pm it had started raining very heavily and too much to risk getting the camera wet – I did however make it to the final destination I had on my itinerary – Dolbadarn Castle – this is a photo a took earlier in they day when I was up at the Quarry Hospital

It doesn’t look much but you can get right to the top for some spectacular views.