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Best time to visit Snowdonia

Thanks to the undulations and proximity to the Welsh coastline the best time to visit Snowdonia can often depend on what you’re prepared to pack i.e. clothes for all conditions. Read on to discover our cultural picks from the Snowdonia calendar and our handy month by month temperature & rainfall chart.

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Best time to visit Snowdonia

temperature & rainfall

With mountains and sea in close proximity, precipitation is definitely a feature of Snowdonia, and although it has nothing to do with the name, if you head to the peaks, so is snow. So if the oudoors is your thing, always check in with the experts. The Llanberis Mountain Rescue website has an excellent daily weather guide, with scary terms like ‘severe chill effect’, ‘freezing above the summits’ and, reassuringly, ‘no risk of blizzards’. The National Park also recommends the Met Office.

When not to visit Snowdonia

What to avoid, & when

You might have thought that Snowdonia is just for the Gore-Tex brigade, but many families have copped on to the myriad things to do. So if you want the Park to yourself, steer clear of school holidays.
Snowdonia is outdoor activity central, but being strong mountain types they embrace the outdoors all year round. So don’t think it shuts down for winter. Snowdonia is made of sturdier stuff.
Don’t visit the peaks in severe weather unless you are an expert in winter walking techniques and are well equipped.

Best time to visit Snowdonia

responsibletravel.com recommends

Rail ale

Just the name alone appeals, and the fact that the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways not only celebrate their local ale throughout the year, but also host an annual Beer Festival in May. Check out their Jazz Train events throughout the summer too.

Festivals & events in Snowdonia

Our cultural picks from the Snowdonia calendar

Helfa Gelf

If you have a Snowdonia holiday in September, you will catch all the local artists opening their studios.

The Helfa Gelf (arts trail) invites you in to view paintings, jewellery, sculpture and much more every weekend throughout September.

Gwledd Conwy (Conwy Feast) This is not just a feast of Snowdonia produce but of music and arts too. Taking place at the end October every year, Conwy Feast is set in this beautiful medieval town on the outskirts or the National Park. There are bands, dancing and much feasting to be done.

Did you know?

Plas Tan y Bwlch is the impressively gorgeous Snowdonia National Park Study Centre which, as well as running a plethora of professional courses on everything from habitat management to sustainability issues, also has an impressive array of public courses. These include guided walking weeks, photography workshops and foraging weekends.

Photo credits: [Snow at Llanberis: Stuart Madden] [Train: fairlightworks] [Conwy Feast: YHA Conwy / Jason] [Plas Tan y Bwlch: Verity Cridland]

Written by Catherine Mack

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