Tywyn is a seaside resort on the Cardigan Bay coast of southern Snowdonia, in the county of Gwynedd in west Wales. The town itself lacks character, it seems that an over zealous council has demolished the most historic parts of the town, yet its location between the Dysynni Valley and the Cardigan Bay coast is unsurpassed.

Beaches

Tywyn Beach: The beach, with extensive sand dunes as a backdrop, stretches from the Dyfi estuary in the south, and is said by some to be one of the best in Britain. Being on the west coast of Wales, the sunsets can be fabulous. Moreover, for those who prefer the concrete beneath their feet rather than sand between their toes Tywyn has a traditional Victorian promenade fronting the town itself.

Walks, Cycle Trails and Other Activities

Walkers and cyclists will be spoilt for choice in this part of West Wales. The landscape around Tywyn is criss-crossed with trails, footpaths and rights of way. Cyclists and walkers can cross from the Mawddach estuary to the Dyfi estuary via Cadair Idris, the Dysynni Valley and the happily named Happy Valley.

Attractions

Tywyn Lagoon: A mile or so to the north of the town is the Broad Water lagoon fed by the Afon Dysynni as it flows to Cardigan Bay. The lagoon is noted for fishing, and canoeing and is also a popular spot for bird-watching. However one needs to follow the Dysynni river upstream to find the jewels in the crown of Tywyn - the Dysynni and the Fathew Valleys.

Dysynni Valley: Just a short drive, or walk, from Tywyn and you are in the heart of one of the most beautiful valleys in Wales. Nestling at the foot of Cadair Idris stands the ruins of a romantic Welsh Castle, Castell y Bere, an ancient church, St Michael's in Llanfihangel-y-Pennant, and, close by in the Fathew Valley, the beautiful Dolgoch Falls. Continue up the valley passing the lovely village of Abergynolwyn and you will come upon one of the most beautiful lakes in Wales - Tal-y-Llyn.

Dolgoch Falls: The Dolgoch Falls are a series of waterfalls between Abergynolwyn and Tywyn. The falls are part of the Nant Dol-gôch stream, which flows into the River Fathew, and form a popular walk from Dolgoch station. It's temperate rainforest mini climate produces an abundance of mosses and ferns and moss encrusted trees.

Talyllyn Steam Railway: There are many fantastic walks in the area but should you wish the train to take the strain then there is the world famous and historic narrow gauge Talyllyn Steam Railway. The Talyllyn Railway dates from the mid 1860's, being used to transport the slate from the Abergynolwyn quarries to the coast at Tywyn. In 1950 the Talyllyn Railway became the first railway in the world to be run by a volunteer-led preservation society. Today, passengers embark at Tywyn Station from where the train steams up the scenic Fathew Valley, stopping at several stations on the way before reaching its destination at Abergynolwyn and Nant Gwernol. Passengers have the opportunity at several stops to leave the train for walks to Castell y Bere, Bird Rock, Dolgoch Falls, Abergynolwyn and Nant Gwernol.

Churches

Tywyn is noted for the Norman Church of St Cadfan, the earliest parts of which date from the twelfth century. The church houses two fourteenth-century stone effigies and most importantly the Cadfan / Nitanam early Christian inscribed stone dating from the eighth or ninth century AD. The stone is inscribed with the oldest known written Welsh.