Corris Craft Centre

Corris Craft Centre, near to Machynlleth in Mid Wales, comprises ten individual and very different Craft workshops each housing talented Craftspeople producing a range of hand-crafted and unique products. Products range from traditional, rustic and contemporary.

Corris Craft Centre is the perfect venue for Christmas shopping as unique Christmas Gifts are hand crafted on site. There's also the opportunity to make your own special gifts with expert advice from the craftspeople themselves.

Choose from unique Celtic and contemporary jewellery, leatherwork, hand carved candles, traditional wooden toys, ceramics and pottery, quilting and patchwork, hand-blown glass, rustic furniture, hand made designer cards and turned wood. The adjoining King Arthur's Labyrinth shop sells a wide range of books, gifts and souvenirs on the Celtic Arthurian theme. There is also a cafe and children's play area on site.

A delightful half-sized narrow gauge steam railway that runs from the village of Fairbourne to Barmouth Ferry Station, at the heart of the beautiful Mawddach Estuary, where it meets the pedestrian ferries to Barmouth.  Having maintained an uneasy relationship with the shoreline (the track occasionally being swept away or buried under storm damage) the railway during its existence has outlived the Cambrian Railway, the GWR and British Rail, which operated the adjacent main line station.

The widest choice of Welsh and Celtic products in the world - including Rhiannon Welsh Gold and Rhiannon Celtic Jewellery.  The award winning Rhiannon Welsh Gold Centre was first opened in 1971.  all of Rhiannon's jewellery is designed and made here in her own workshops.  The Centre also has an excellent shop, a stunning gallery and a fabulous cafe

The Talyllyn Railway is a historic narrow-gauge steam railway, set in the beautiful Mid-Wales countryside. Running from Tywyn to Abergynolwyn and Nant Gwernol, the line passes the delightful Dolgoch Falls and there are excellent forest walks at Nant Gwernol.

The Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) was founded in 1973 on the site of the discused Llwyngwern slate quarry.  It was originally a community dedicated to eco-friendly principles and a 'test bed' for new ideas and technologies.

In the beginning, process in the quarry was slow, and the early attempts to raise money were frustrating.  Slowly, increasing numbers of interested people came to CAT, and many stayed as volunteers.  As more workers arrived, they brought a wide range of skills and experience.

In 1974, The duke of edinburgh visited CAT.  After his visit, some members of staff suggested turning part of the site into a Visitor Centre, a permanent exhibition to explain CAT's work and generate interest in alternative technology.  It opened to the public in 1975.  Since then, CAT has grown to become Europe's leading eco-centre with on average around 60,000 visitors every year.

CAT as a Visitor Centre celebrated its 30th birthday in 2005.  Far from setting down to quiet life, the centre is constantly changing and adapting.

The Welsh Highland Railway (Porthmadog) is a small, friendly railway where the train ride is just part of the experience.  Your journey on board our heritage train starts at Porthmadog (WHR) station for a short trip through the Snowdonia countryside.
 
On the return journey, the train stops at the engine sheds, where there's chance to climb on the engines and find out for yourself how things work.  On certain days, have a ride on our new miniature railway.  The train ride and shed tour take just under an hour.

The Dyfi valley includes the westerly spur of Powys, Ceredigion north of Aberystwyth, south Gwynedd and the southern rim of Snowdonia National Park. The valley contains a wealth of natural attractions: The long Tarran escarpment gives a marvellous view of sea and hills from the north side of the estuary; the beautiful Aran mountiains at the head of the valley; Snowdonia offers some of Wales's most breathtaking scenery; the estuary area has been designated as Wales's first biosphere reserve by UNESCO.

After Machynlleth the Dovey river widens into a spectacular estuary. Miles and miles of wonderful clean sand. On the south shore, Ynys-las is vast, wild and abounds with shells and sea birds; Aberdovey, on the north shore, is perfect for families and sailors; an unspoilt seaside village.

The Pennant valley, with its steep wooded slopes above Llanbrynmair, is a striking example of a captured river, the rest of the valley is a fascinating range of peat bog, moorland and deciduous and coniferous forestry, where many outdoor activities are available.

Take a walk along the Nature trail and see the spectacular 300 ft waterfalls and the view of the 3 bridges which span the breathtaking woodland gorge.

Follow in the footsteps of the monks of past, along the path and descend Jacobs Ladder (100 steps).

Cross the humped bridge spanning over the Mynach river at the bottom of the waterfalls and begin to ascend the other side of the gorge. Go into Robbers Cave, an old hide out place next to the waterfall. Alternatively, chose the easier, short walk to view the 3 bridges and the Devil's Punchbowl.