Just saying that Eryri National Park (Snowdonia) is dog-friendly is an understatement, it’s literally got something for every dog and human to enjoy. Think amazingly scenic hikes and walks, stunning views of mountains and waterfalls and some of the best dog-friendly beaches in the UK and you can start to see why it’s popularity with dog parents grows year on year. In fact I love the area so much I have taken around 30 short breaks and holidays in Snowdonia.. Over time I have seen more and more pubs, cafes, accommodation and attractions become dog friendly and for better or worse many more people enjoying what the area has to offer. Of course that has also meant that finding somewhere to stay has become more expensive, and if you don’t love camping (luckily we do!) it can be unaffordable for some in the summer months. However I think I have found somewhere that not only delivers on comfort and facilities but is in an ideal location to explore all Snowdonia has to offer that won’t break the bank – dog-friendly Brynteg Country and Leisure Retreat.
The park is located in absolutely stunning surroundings just 4 miles from Llanberis and offers a range of caravan and lodge accommodation, many of which welcome dogs to stay, in fact you can bring other pet members of your family on holiday here as well.
We were thrilled to be invited by Park Leisure that own Brynteg to review the resort and find out for ourselves how welcoming it is to pets, especially dogs.
Our accommodation for the stay was a really spacious Gold Plus Caravan. I loved that it had a real sofa and arm chairs and a decking area, where if you get good weather, you can sit and watch the sun go down. The caravan was well equipped in terms of kitchen essentials etc, but you do need to take all your dog gear such as bowls, beds, towels and throws with you..
It was when we stepped outside the caravan that it hit us how dog-friendly Brynteg Country and Leisure Retreat actually is. There are two places to eat and drink on site and both have areas where you can relax with a beer and enjoy a meal with your four-legged friend by your side. The views from The Boat House Restaurant and Bar of the lake and surrounding mountains are amazing, and there is a wonderful ambience at the Country Club.
My dogs loved the walking trails around the park, especially the woodland one and the huge grassy area designated for exercising pooches. OK, they were less keen on the dog wash area, but obviously it is a welcome addition for us pet parents!
Dog Friendly Llanberis
Being that my spaniels identify as adventure dogs the main attraction of staying at Brynteg for them was its close proximity to Llanberis and its many dog friendly attractions.
Dog Friendly Things to do in Llanberis
I guess the obvious adventure to take your fur friend on when in the area is a hike up Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon). I’ve climbed it several times before so we gave it a miss this trip, but it’s definitely worth the trek if you haven’t ticked it off your list yet. I recommend the Llanberis Path or the Miners Track for first timers – but be warned these days it is very busy and at times can feel like being in the queue at Tesco!
Another walk we have done in the past is the circular walk around Llyn Padarn, there are some beautiful views on this walk but just be aware that there is some road walking on quiet lanes. If you want a more relaxing way of seeing the lake take a ride on the Llanberis Lake Railway which welcomes well behaved dogs as passengers at a cost of £2 per pooch.
This area of Wales is famous for its slate so I think a visit to the National Slate Museum is a must. It’s such an interesting place where dogs are welcome on leads in the outside areas of the museum and predictably in the gift shop! After visiting the museum, why not take a walk around the stunning Dinorwic Quarry, where you can stroll around Llyn Peris and admire the views, we loved it here.
One thing I really wanted to do on this trip was take some pictures from and of Dolbardarn Castle but predictably it poured with rain as soon as we got there – well it is Wales. Anyway it is definitely worth a visit, and the views were phenomenal for just a very short walk from the car park, I will definitely be going back to get my photos at some point!
There’s also a really easy walk you can do to the Llanberis Waterfall of Rhaeadr Ceunant Mawr which is simply stunning so all in all you could spend your whole holiday without driving far at all.
Dog Friendly Beaches in Snowdonia
Is it even a dog-friendly holiday if you don’t take your pooch to the beach? Well my spaniels answer to that is a definitive no! We visited three of my all time favourites on this trip all within 30/40 minutes drive of Brynteg Country and Leisure Retreat.. We had perfect weather when we visited Llandanwg but I can’t say the same for our trips to Newborough Forest Beach and Conwy Morfa, hence the pictures of Conwy are from a previous trip! In fact looking through my archives has inspired me to write a beach guide for dog-friendly beaches in Snowdonia, Anglesey and North Wales, so watch this space!
Dog-friendly Llandanwg Beach is up there in my top 10 favourite beaches of all time, it does have restrictions for pooches on part of the beach from 1st April to 30th September, but according to my spaniels this is more than made up for by Y Maes Cafe which is situated in the car park and sells doggy ice cream! Other highlights here include the mountain views, walking along the estuary and visiting the medieval St Tangwg’s Church, also known as ‘the church in the sand’ as locals sometimes have to dig it out from the sand dunes after a storm. My dogs always make other canine friends on this beach, it is very popular with dog walkers, so for this reason if you have an anxious dog it may be wise to give it a miss.
Conwy Morfa Beach is dog-friendly all year round and the only one of the three that still has a free car park – I bet that will change by the next time I visit, but to be fair parking charges in Wales are very reasonable. This beach is easy to access off the North Wales Express Way so is a perfect place to stop and let your dogs let of steam before arriving at your holiday accommodation, it’s also only a couple of miles from Tesco! Convenience aside this beach is gorgeous and well worth a trip to for its own sake.
Over the bridge into Anglesey, just half an hours drive from Brynteg Country and Leisure Retreat lies the absolutely stunning and all year round dog-friendly beach at the Newborough National Nature Reserve and Forest, complete with its own picture postcard light house, Twr Nawr.. With huge swathes of golden sands and miles of forest walks I think Maya and Lucia found a new favourite here, because, despite the wind and frequent showers they had an absolute blast. Alas, after 7 years of loyal service my camera liked it here so much it picked this spot to take its last picture. (I have a new shiny mirrorless one on the way) so here is the only picture from the day – if only it had let me take one more haha!
Anyway the camera drama meant that we just had to drive over to one of my favourite old haunts – The Oyster Catcher at Rhos. I 100% recommend visiting here for food and drinks with your dog, they do a mean pupuccino, and it’s basically on the beach, well almost!
We really recommend Brynteg Country and Leisure Retreat as the pawfect place to holiday with your dog, check out their site to find out more info about this park as well as several others dotted around the UK that Park Leisure run.
Have fun if you visit,
Love Sal, Maya and Lucia xxx
* We received a complimentary stay at Brynteg Country and Leisure Retreat in return for an honest review and social media coverage.