Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway

Decided to go on the Festiniog Railway to get views of the local scenery around Portmadog , After a steady start with a few early stops along the way we climbed up into the Welsh hillside I was surprised how narrow the cuttings were in places with only a few inches to spare , I wouldn't advise putting your head out of the windows lol. The scenery improved dramatically as we rose above the valley sadly there were a few occasions when the trackside trees obscured the excellent view so you need to have your camera/phone ready for when there was a opening at times . Quite a powerful train and it pulled us up the quite steep Welsh hillsides without a problem , It's a good way to pass a full morning or afternoon on if you don't have any other plans . When we reached Festiniog sadly it rained quite heavy but we just had time to pop in a local cafe for a coffee before starting our decent back down to Portmadog . The train stops here before returning but only for 45mins which we felt wasnt really long enough but that's our only gripe . On our return we had lunch in the Station cafe and I can recommend eating here the food was excellent and reasonably priced .

· via Google

Excellent day out on the narrow gauge railway. Lots of fun and masses of helpful volunteers on hand. We went on the trip the Blaenau which was very picturesque and (just) enough time for a quick look around the town. I'd recommend going 1st class as there is more room and in journey service, but it was completely rammed so book well in advance.

· via Google

We travelled on the Ffestiniog Welsh Highland Railway from Caernarfon to Porthmadog on the Snowdonia Star First Class service, and it was an unforgettable experience. We travelled on a Wednesday, and even on a weekday the train was completely full, so I’d highly recommend booking well in advance. We actually only booked this because my husband loves steam trains, whereas I wasn’t particularly interested beforehand. By the end of the journey, I completely understood why people love it. The whole experience was fantastic. Everything was very well organised. The train departed on time, the staff gave us a warm welcome, and we were shown to our seats. First Class has comfortable individual seats arranged facing each other with a small table in between, making it a lovely way to enjoy the journey. The onboard service was excellent. We purchased the route guide (£6), which explains the history of the railway and the places you pass through. If you’re interested in the heritage of the railway, it’s definitely worth buying. After the tickets were checked, the onboard team introduced themselves, explained how everything worked and took our food and drink orders. Service was quick and friendly throughout the journey. The menu offers a lovely selection of Welsh-inspired food, afternoon teas, breakfast options and drinks, including wines and Prosecco. The scenery is absolutely breathtaking. Watching the steam train make its way through Snowdonia while taking in the mountains, forests and lakes is something special. It’s a very relaxing journey, and the staff share information along the way, making it even more enjoyable. We left Caernarfon at 10.15am and arrived in Porthmadog around 12.30pm, giving us until about 2pm to explore before the return journey. Porthmadog itself is quite a quiet town. We had lunch at Spoons and took a walk around the harbour before heading back. If you were considering visiting Portmeirion, it’s only a short drive away, but there isn’t really enough time during the stopover. The experience isn’t cheap, but I genuinely think it’s worth it. More than just a train ride, it’s a chance to experience a piece of Welsh history and heritage. Supporting attractions like this helps preserve these wonderful railways for future generations. I’d highly recommend it. It ended up being one of the highlights of our trip.

· via Google

Lovely old building kept in excellent condition. Modern toilets are available , gift shop and pub attached to the side. Staff are very friendly and knowledgeable. So nice to go back in time to the good ol days

· via Google