The Snowdonia Beano, 8-15 July 2023
A week of dramatic coastline, beaches, lakes and mountain scenery in the Snowdonia National Park
It’s back! This is the classic week-long Beano. We keep coming back here every couple of years because we love it so much. The northwest corner of Wales provides a dramatic mixture of Celtic culture and coastal spectacle, set against a backdrop of rugged mountain scenery. From sandy beaches to towering ruins to wooded valleys, it’s ever-changing and never dull.
Some of our rides explore the gently-undulating lanes of the Lleyn Peninsula, and are rarely more than a few miles from the sea. We cycle alongside the Menai Strait through the castellated town of Caernarfon, past the broad sandy expanse of Dinas Dinlle beach. Later we roll over green hills to the ‘mediterranean’ seaside town of Criccieth.
On other days we dip into the western edge of Snowdonia, visiting Llanberis, Beddgelert and the panoramic drovers’ road to Prenteg. We weave our way through the passes between the mountains, visiting lakes and passing the towering slate quarries that once filled these hills with sound. Occasionally a steam train will still whistle and chug its way past in the distance.
Wednesday is an optional cycle-free day: you could visit the fantasy village of Portmeirion where the cult TV series The Prisoner was filmed; go up Snowdon; cycle to a nearby beach; or laze by the clear waters of the lake. Or of course we’ll have an extra ride available for you if you want to cycle every day.
Our group size on this Beano is usually 25-30 people with a range of different cycling abilities.
The venue
We stay at the wonderful Trigonos Centre in the Nantlle Valley, renowned for its vegetarian catering and set in a fantastic location at the foot of the mountains. The views across Trigonos’s own lake to Mount Snowdon are unsurpassed. Eighteen acres of grounds include woodlands, meadows, a stream, organic gardens (source of many of our vegetables for dinner), and the best view from a bike shed anywhere in Britain! The lake itself is popular for swimming.
Accommodation includes comfortable single or twin bedrooms, either en-suite or with shared facilities, plus two double-bedded en-suite rooms. Please state your choice when booking.
When
Saturday 8 – Saturday 15 July 2023
Arrive Saturday evening. 7 night stay; 5 (or 6) days of cycling; depart Saturday morning.
Rides
Basic ride each day is 30-40 miles (50-65 km) with optional detours up to 60 miles (100km). Ride at your own pace. Some hills. Mainly on quiet country lanes with some optional easy offroad sections.
Availability
Space available! Due to a cancellation we have space for one more person, or two sharing a twin room. (Shared bathroom facilities.) Contact us if interested.
Prices
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Single room (ensuite) FULLY BOOKED £1080
Single room, ensuite shower/bathroom. SORRY, FULLY BOOKED
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Sharing a twin/double room (ensuite) FULLY BOOOKED £980
Twin beds or double bed, ensuite shower/bathroom [SORRY, FULLY BOOKED]
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Single room (shared bathroom) £950
Single room, use of shared shower rooms/bathrooms
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Sharing a twin room (shared bathrooom) £850
Twin beds, use of shared shower rooms/bathrooms
Note: These prices represent a 10% rise since the last Snowdonia Beano in 2021, considerably less than the inflation rate.
Prices are per person and include dinner, breakfast, and tea & cake after the ride. They don’t include bike hire (most Beanoers bring their own bikes) or the cost of lunch/coffee stops during the rides.
Prepared to share? If you’re travelling solo but prepared to share a room, let us know. If we can find someone else for you to share with, we’ll charge you the shared-room rate. (Note: only if permitted by any any health regulations in force at the time.)
For more about Snowdonia and the Lleyn Peninsula, have a look at the Visit Snowdonia website (external link).
